Sandra‘s Closet

Treat hair from the inside out with ten new luxury products by Paul Mitchell featuring proven ingredients to restore dry, damaged hair: HydroMist Blow-Out Spray, HydroCream Whip, KeraTriplex Treatment, Keratin Intensive Treatment, Moisturizing Lather Shampoo, Keratin Cream Rinse, Texturizing Sea Spray, Styling Treatment Oil, Finishing Spray and Shine Spray.

Paul Mitchell was part of the Vidal Sassoon team before he moved on to create his own universe. Today, Paul Mitchell products are the number 1 hair products in the US.
The “pioneer of the blow-dry” lived in Hawaii where he got inspired by the natural aspects of the area. Hawaiian natives have used the fragrant juice of the Awapuhi ginger plant to moisturize skin and hair since ages. On the Big island, Paul Mitchell has a farm where to this day all of the Awapuhi used in the John Paul Mitchell Systems products is harvested there. Its aloe-veranesque nectar helps to nourish the hair deeply.

The KeraTriplex is a protein that is derived from sheep’s wool. A medical break-through that is also used in cancer products. Paul Mitchell owns the technology and is launching the awapuhi treatment on a global approach. It is virtually identical to human’s hair. It improves shine up to 35%, prevents colour to fade up to 67% and reduces breakage up to 80%.

The KeraTriplex treatment is only done in-salon. It is a highly concentrated blend of exclusive keratin proteins that repairs and seals from cuticle to core. An infusion of moisture for softness and shine. Last week, I was invited by the Paul Mitchell team to test it:

First you start by washing the hair with the Moisturizing Lather Shampoo.

Then the first step of the treatment, the KeraTriplex Treatment, is worked into the wet hair.

The second step, the Keratin Intensive Treatment, is applied with a brush.

With a little heat, the treatment can even better work its magic.

After carefully having rinsed out the hair, it can be styled as liked. Just be careful not to blow dry it too hot.

The treatment is amazing. It leaves you with this “Can I touch your hair” look.

For a store next to you, please click here. For my Zurich based readers, I recommend Anja Stähelin Hair Company in Erlenbach.

LoL, Sandra

While being in New York, one trend caught my eye: White nail polish.

Personally, I like the opaque version very much. It emphasizes the shape of the nails while looking cool and fresh. Moreover it suits every skin tone. The only downside is the maintenance as the white hue doesn’t last as long as other shades.

My favourite tone is Ecume by Nars, which is part of their recent summer collection.

Ecume is described as “An opaque white nail enamel that is at once vintage-inspired and avant-garde in sensibility.”

If you like to take it one step further, get inspired by stylesetter Alexa Chung. She painted little palm trees or tine hearts on her white fingertipps. I am loving it and you?

LoL, Sandra

Today a friend of mine asked me for advice how to get rid of her pigmentation disturbances without her budget going overboard. Many women suffer from endocrine disorders when they get older. The skin produces too much melanin in certain areas of the face.

Here is the solution: SBT Cell Culture Pigmentation Solution, a lightening cream for hyper pigmentation or pigmentation disturbances, 30 ml (CHF 100) which 
diminishes the production of melanin caused by exposure to sun and helps to lighten existing pigmentation. A UVB filter protects the skin from the rays that are primarily responsible for pigmentation spots. By supporting skin regeneration, a more uniform skin tone is targeted.
For at least 30 days, apply mornings and evenings after cleansing to affected areas. During this time, avoid direct sunlight! The effect is strengthened after three months of application.

Some more useful tips are:

– Use it before exposure to sun in order to reduce or minimize the pigmentation that usually takes place.

– Always use the product as a preventive measure in summer under sun protection; always use a high sun protection factor.

– Whenever you spend time in the sun, renounce to eating certain fruits and vegetables, such as Saint John’s Wort, citrus fruit, artichokes or celery.

– As a basic principle, do not wear perfume or perfumed care products if you plan to stay in the sun for extended periods of time.

Some interesting facts about SBT and the person behind:

Day after day, dermatologist and founder of the Dermatologikum Hamburg, Professor Dr. Volker Steinkraus, is confronted with a variety of questions about beautiful skin. 

His many years of intensive research work with skin cells led him to a spark of inspiration:
If you put isolated cells in pure water, they die. If you put them in a cell nutrient fluid similar to that found in the skin, they survive. Why, then, shouldn’t this vitally important cell nutrient fluid also be used in cosmetics? After all, it is the natural environment – the elixir of life – for cells and provides them with important nutrients around the clock.
SBT Skin Biology Therapy is the result of this logical consideration: the first care that is not based on water, but on a cell nutrient fluid very similar to the skin’s: the Cell Culture Phase.

For store locations, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

The colour blocking trend for S/S 2011 is a fun way to wear vibrant hues. Today I am combining two strong and vibrant shades, turquoise and orange. One thing is for sure, we can carry this trend up through F/W 2011.

My look: Blazer, silk blouse, belt, bag and shoes, all by Gucci, leggings by Blumarine.

Orange and turquoise. It’s vibrant and energetic and one of the most exciting colour combinations this fashion season.

The new makeup trends usually suit the fashion trends of the moment so the look obtained can be complete. One of the hottest eye makeup trends for the S/S 2011 season are vibrant colours. If you go for it, keep the rest more simple and just add a touch of peach blush and gloss.

Bright, warm hues help create an adorable look which can be adapted to the occasion style as well as age.

Add a little pop of color on the fingertips! Bright nail polish is an easy way to get trendy, and a perfect addition to your spring break beauty routine. YSL’s Utopian Turquoise 137 gets me excited for the warm weather and you?

LoL, Sandra

Mother’s Day is right in front of us and probably you are still looking for a little surprise accompanying your hand-written poem. Why not getting her one of those new summer fragrances? I am sure that your mom would love it.
Odoriferous ideas destined to make her day.

LoL, Sandra

The Lady

Life Threads Ruby Sheer by La Prairie is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women. And a lighter variation of the original fragrance.

Top notes: Orange flower, bergamot and lily-of-the-valley
Middle notes: Jasmine, ylang-ylang, saffron and rose
Base notes: Vetiver, musk, sandalwood and vanille.

Estée Lauder launches the ultimate loose powder: Re-Nutriv Intensive Smoothing Powder. The texture is smooth, silky and luxurious. The remarkable technology contains ingredients that help prevent skin from losing moisture while it minimizes imperfections.

I am using the powder at the moment and the complexion looks radiant for hours and very natural. It doesn’t settle in fine lines throughout the day and feels very light on the skin. Especially when you are getting older or when you are having dry skin, powder can be tricky. The Estée Lauder Intensive Re-Nutriv Smoothing Powder is never heavy, chalky or drying.

I love this product and know you will too if you try it. The powder comes with a luxurious puff and a golden powder brush, in four different shades: light, light medium, medium and transparent.

It is already available in the US for $50 and will hit the beauty counters in Switzerland (the only European country!!!) this month, CHF 96. So ladies, there are now four reasons to come to Switzerland: Chocolat, cheese, watches and Estée Lauder’s powder.

LoL, Sandra

Thierry Mugler’s limited summer edition fragrances 2011 arrive on the market, providing us with a trio of extravaganza Angel Sunessence, Alien Sunessence and for men A*Men Pure Havane.
At a first glance, the whole concept promises and tempts with the outstanding designs of the flacons, just like the essences they conceal inside.

Angel Sunessence Ocean d’Argent for the Temptress

One of the biggest make-up trends for summer is a supernatural look with the emphasis on the lips. A radiant skin with glowing cheeks is important. The lips are coloured with see-through lipsticks and glosses in sorbet-coloured hues. Vibrant and colourful are the nails in eye-popping shades like blue and green. Nail lacquer has really become a fashion statement like a must-have accessory.

Here is all you need for a supernatural look for summer that is easy and fast to achieve, that will make you look much younger and that works perfect on hot days. If you like, you can add a touch of mascara. Please find herewith my favourite products for this season.

LoL, Sandra

1 This spring Estee Lauder has stepped up their nail game by introducing sixteen nail polishes in a new long lasting formula.

The king of color, Creative Director, Tom Pecheux has created the mesmerizing shades of which eight are limited, among them the extravagant hues: Wicked Green and Wild Blue. My must-haves! CHF 34

Wicked Green

Wild Blue

2 Dior Summer 2011 is Electric Tropics, and the stars of the collection are two bronzing powders, called Diorskin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder.

The one that I use is the lighter one with a soft pink tone, so-called Aurora (001), see photo to the left.

The darker powder is named Sunset (002) and is slightly peach-coloured.

One-shots

CHF 68.50 each.

3 Dior’s Electric Tropics Collection also includes two catwalk duo nail polishes.

These are the vibrant orange Aloha (638) that I wear below and the bright jelly pink Paradise (558). Each is packed with a super glossy topcoat to add a special flash of shine to your summertime nails.

One-shots

Available now for CHF 54 each duo.

4 Dior Addict Crystal Gloss – Jelly Gloss Spotlight Shine comes straight from the runway, it features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, “spotlight shine” effect.

Shades Available:

Sweet Peach (047) – the one I use
Luminescent Peach (087)
Luminescent Rose (077)
Sweet Rose (037)

CHF 44 each

5 Lancôme’s new L’Absolu Nu is a bare lip sensation!

Enriched with enhancing pigments to reveal the radiance of beautifully replenished lips, it enhances your natural lip tone in a veil of shiny, translucent colour while leaving them moistured for up to 8 hours. My favourite tone is 302 Voile de Rose.

CHF 44

6 A flawless complexion and peach-soft skin! Moisturization and radiance in one easy step.

HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer by Clarins continously moisturizes and colours the complexion with a transparent finish, giving it a natural radiance and healthy glow. It protects against UV rays (SPF 6, 100% mineral filter), pollution and free radicals. Available in several shades to suit all skin tones.

Available starting Mid April for CHF 49

7 Colour Quench Lip Balm by Clarins provides you with long-lasting shine and moisture.

The best is the fruity flavour that makes you want to lick your lips all the time. This ultra-shine gloss helps your lips to appear fuller and more beautiful day after day.

My personal favourites are:

04 Rasberry Smoothie
05 Delicious Plum
06 Sweet Papaya.

CHF 26 each, available Mid April in 8 different shades.

8 Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm by Clarins – an innovation from the Clarins Laboratories.

This is an amazing product which combines crystalline transparent colour with the repairing benefits of a lip balm. The minute you apply it, you feel a unique sensation of softness and comfort. Trust me, it works!

Available in three colours:

01 Crystal Coral
02 Crystal
03 Crystal Red

CHF 35 each

Get your sword and parrot ready for some nail fun in May with the new OPI Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection featuring six limited edition cool pastel lacquer shades and the treasure trove, so-called Silver Shatter top coat, a crackling shimmery two-texture silver finish, following on from the success of OPI’s Black Shatter top coat.

Disney’s highly-anticipated fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise is directed by Rob Marshall and features an all-star cast, including Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.

Jump on-board the Black Pearl to find your own treasure with those new shades:

Sparrow Me the Drama, a cool shade of pink. Steady as She Rose, a pearly pale pink. Skull & Glossbones, a desirable nude with a hint of pale khaki grey.

Mermaid’s Tears, a sea foam pale pastel green. Stranger Tides, uncharted shade of oyster. Planks A Lot, a lavender purple shade.

And apart from The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides collection, OPI has more exciting news. Due to its big success, the Shatter line will be expanded in May with the addition of three new trendsetting shades: Blue, Navy and Turquoise.

With nautical hues of cobalt, indigo and sapphire, these blues provide the perfect look for summer nails in one simple step. Inspired by graffiti art, Shatter leaves behind a crackled, two-texture finish when painted over any dry OPI hue. Adding top coat takes Shatter from matte to glossy in seconds.
Cannot wait to dip my finger nails in those hues!

LoL, Sandra

Aerin Lauder, 40, heiress, and, more importantly, the highly visible face and senior executive of the Estée Lauder corporation, has announced the creation of her own luxury lifestyle brand that will sell accessories, home products, fashion and jewelry beginning early 2012. Some of the jewelry is said to be based on pieces from her grandmother’s private collection.

The new Aerin brand is aimed at a luxury customer, specifically, who “wants things made simple.” In addition, she is also launching her own beauty label that will also be marketed by the Lauder division. Under the arrangement, Aerin Lauder will continue to be actively involved in the Estée Lauder brand, serving as creative consultant and becoming its Style and Image Director. She will also continue as the brand’s global ambassador and spokesperson, a position she has held successfully for many years and will remain a member of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Board of Directors, which she joined in 2004.

I am pretty convinced that she has a great chance to become successful given her support team: Anna Wintour will serve as adviser and NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker will consult.

Her style is beautiful, simple and elegant. Get the look of the American trendsetter and enjoy her beautiful home in the Hamptons. Below you can read her style shortlist.

LoL, Sandra

• Entertaining in East Hampton: “We like to barbecue and sit at a long candlelit picnic table by the pool. The kids run around playing flashlight tag while the grown-ups linger at the table.”

• Entertaining in Manhattan: “It’s key to put together a great guest list. We always have plenty of fresh flowers and serve comfort food everyone enjoys: risotto, lamb chops, mashed potatoes, chocolate.”

• Decorating tips: 1. “The easiest way to freshen up a room is a new paint color.” 2. “I update the dining room by finding a fabulous new fabric. I’ll have it made into a tablecloth or just fold a length of it and run it down the center of the table.” 3. “Make the most of children’s artwork. I use terrific frames and paperweights from the Conran Shop to showcase my sons’ art.”

• Flower shops: Zezé in Manhattan (“Great for orchids, vases, bowls, and gifts for friends”); and Bridgehampton Florist at the beach (“Beautiful vases, hurricane lamps, and objects”).

• Shops: In the Hamptons: Mecox Gardens (“Top-notch baskets, lamps, and coral”); the Shell Shop in Sag Harbor (“Where I found the shells in my bathroom, and they have lovely coral objects”); R. E. Steele Antiques (“Packed with goodies—the best resource for chests and cocktail tables”); and Neo-Studio in Sag Harbor (“Amazing lamps and glass pieces”). In Manhattan: Barneys New York (“Especially for throws and glasses”); Bergdorf Goodman’s home floor; Crate & Barrel (“Great simple design”); the Calvin Klein store; John Derian (“Love his napkins, plates, and paperweights”); Anthropologie (“Wonderful style; a sense of fantasy”); Archivia Books (“Amazing vintage and new books”); and Pace Prints.

• Escapes: Palm Beach (“I’ve been going there since I was born. I still check out the fantastic antiques and vintage clothing stores on South Dixie Highway.”); and Paris (“I love floating around Paris. I’m always looking for chandeliers there. I have an obsession with them. But I’ve always said that even if you have no furnishings at all, if you have a chandelier, you can create a special atmosphere.”) (Source: Elle Décor)