Sandra‘s Closet

Grey is the colour of the time – Tyen

Dior’s Spring 2011 make-up collection created by Tyen that will officially launch on January 14, 2011 has some fun new products and inventions.
In a very Parisian spirit, the new spring look is called Gris Montaigne and it features the iconic greys of the House of Dior paired with fresh, feminine shades of pink.

One of the top products is the nail polish 707 Gris Montaigne (CHF 37) that was part of the Gris City collection last November. For further information, read my previous post by clicking here.
The grey shade incorporates all the tones of Avenue Montaigne N°30 and is an indispensable addition to the newest model of the Lady Dior handbag line: The Lady Dior Grey. Matching your nails identically to your handbag sounds pretty elegant, don’t you think?

The star product of Dior Spring 2011 make-up line is the limited eye-shadow set Dior Cannage that opens up to reveal four flattering shades perfect for the season. Paying tribute to the iconic Dior bag, the palette features such couture-like details as the quilted leather exterior and Dior letter charms. Available in 001 Gris Petit Jour & 002 Gris Soupir, each CHF 95.

001 Gris Petit Jour

002 Gris Soupir

My personal favourite is the new Mascara Diorshow 360° in 090 Noir (CHF 59) that mimics a professional make-up artist’s hand. Inside there is a revolving brush that offers a dual rotation, meaning faster and slower motion depending if you want to use it on your lower or upper lashes.
You have to assemble it but that works very easy, see my demonstration below.
Thumbs up for super volume and length without being caky!

LoL, Sandra

CAPTURE TOTALE – a complete skincare ritual to lastingly triumph over time

Let me get you started on the Dior Capture Totale line with some astonishing facts:
1986 Launch of the first Capture serum
2011 25th anniversary 1 nobel price for the discovered technology
13 international patents for Capture Totale & One Essential
260 scientists have worked on the products

I have tried all of the revised and new products for almost a month now to give you an honest and detailed report of the results.
Moreover I will explain a little how the ingredients work. Once you understand the strategy, it all makes perfect sense. The official launch date will be January 14, 2011.

25 years of breakthroughs by Dior Science now make it possible for CAPTURE TOTALE to target the very „heart“ of the skin: the stem cells, the source of youth. At the origin of all other cells of the epidermis, they have the power to regenerate the skin’s beauty, day after day.
However, over time, the structures that protect this source of life break down. Cells with high regenerating power are „deactivated“. By targeting the stem cells directly, it allows the skin to recover perfectly.

Question is now: Is your anti-aging 100% effective?

Dior discovered that skin toxins significantly impair cell regeneration and the effectiveness of your skin treatment. Building up by billions every day in the skin, toxins exhaust and suffocate cells. The consequences are that aging celerates, firmess disappears and that anti-aging ingredients cannot deliver their full power to the heart of the cells.

ONE ESSENTIAL – the first universal anti-aging booster by CAPTURE TOTALE

More than a simple serum, ONE ESSENTIAL goes beyond skin repair. By eliminating skin toxins, it achieves to trigger exceptional cellular regeneration to heighten the youthfulness of the skin. All visible signs of aging (wrinkled, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone) are intensely corrected.

Applied before all other skincare products, it boosts its performance by amplifying the targeted effectiveness of major anti-aging active ingredients for exceptional youthful appearance.

At the heart of ONE ESSENTIAL is Dior’s most powerful anti-aging blend composed of Longoza-Cellular Complex and Dextoxinyle. Longoza is a plant from Madagascar of which blossoms, stems and seeds are used.

I have to say from the first application, my skin was instantly brightened. And even if you prefer other anti-aging products to follow, I recommend using ONE ESSENTIAL as a base because no serum or cream can be 100% effective without skin detoxification. Even that I am not a scientist, this makes perfect sense to me. It is really an amazing product.

Price: 30ml, CHF 128 / 50ml, CHF 179

MULTI-PERFECTION CONCENTRATED SERUM – ultra-concentrated with anti-aging active ingredients, it restores the fine qualtiy and velevty feel of youthful skin and deeply repairs even the most deep-set visible signs of aging.

Price: 30ml, CHF 216 / 50ml, CHF 280

MULTI-PERFECTION CREME (normal to combination skin)
NURTURING RICH CREME (normal to dry skin)

Two textures specially adapted for each skin type in order to fulfill all needs and lastingly correct all visible signs of aging with each application. Intensly nourished, moisturized and strengthened, the skin reveals new youthfulness.

Price: 50ml, CHF 216

CAPTURE TOTALE RADIANCE RESTORING SERUM FOUNDATION

The radiance of the complexion comes not only from the skin surface, but also from the very „heart“ of the skin.

Young skin has a structure and surface which give it optical properties of translucency. Light infuses all layers to inundate the complexion with vivid radiance that seems to come from within. However, as time passes, skin becomes less smooth, firm and even. Dior’s Light-Booster Pigments help to get that youthful appearance back. After just 5 minutes, the complexion gains more radiance. No kidding, it is true!

Price: 30ml, CHF 119.50

My opinion is that all products together really work well and give you an energy boost that you might need while it is cold outside and after all the partying during the last weeks.
Even if you are attached to the products you are using, it is truly worth changing sometimes your cosmetic line as it challenges your skin again in a good way.

LoL, Sandra

Lifting to go without scalpel sounds pretty awesome, doesn’t it?! And it is now possible with Lift and Roll, a newly developed hyaluron intense lifting serum – made in Switzerland. The only and pure active ingredient is highly concentrated bio-hyaluronic acid. The product contains no animal components and is 6-times more concentrated than most anti-ageing products (currently the strongest dose available on the market in a non-medical product).

The serum is suitable for all skin types. It can be used for treatment of wrinkles and for moisturising the entire facial area, even over make-up – on the forehead, eyes and cheeks, around the nose and mouth as well as on the neck, décolleté and lips.

Unfortunately, my skin is very sensitive. But as no synthetic additives are used in its manufacture, the product is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic. The serum contains no perfume or preservatives.
Therefore I couldn’t wait for the press kit to arrive. I was so eager to try it out. Honestly, I didn’t expect to look 10 years younger but the product has surprised me. The user-friendly roll-on design makes it ideal for travelling, especially when flying, it fits in any handbag or jacket, can be applied at any time. It moisturizes the skin and the effects last for several hours. The treated area looks much more smooth and I did not get any allergic reaction.

Lift and Roll can’t magic away wrinkles, but it can visibly reduce them… a hassle- free application for women and men!
Available for approximately €60 online or in selected beauty shops.

LoL, Sandra

Pearls and Chanel go hand in hand. Coco Chanel’ s belief that „the light-reflecting property of pearls enhanced a woman’s natural beauty by bringing a delicate luminosity to her skin“ inspired Peter Philips, the Global Creative Director of Chanel make-up, to design the S/S 2011 Les Perles de Chanel make-up collection. He used the iridescent reflections of pearls to flatter face and fingertips.

Some products were seen already on the runway, please click here for my previous post.

There is no doubt that the three limited nail polishes will be absolute bestsellers.

511 Pearl Drop – white pearl

513 Black Pearl – pearly grey shimmer with deep blue and green reflections (so hot!)

515 Pêche Nacrée – soft tender peach

The limited edition Ombres Perlées de Chanel eyeshadow palette is also among my must-haves.

It includes beautiful shades that you can play with, perfect for summery smokey eyes: Blanc Perle, Rose Porcelaine, Violine Clair, Gris Vert and Gris Noir Scintillant.

Another gorgeous product is the limited edition Poudre Universelle Shimmering Powder in Rose Merveille – a pale pink with subtle sparkles that will make your skin look fresh and radiant.

The Glossimers are available in two new shades: Nakkar (raspberry) and Aragonite (iridescent white).

The S/S 2011 Les Perles de Chanel make-up collection is available now in the US, other launch dates (depending on where you live) are January 8th and January 28th, 2011.
Please contact your nearest Chanel beauty counter for further information.

LoL, Sandra

Just when you finished off your wardrobe for this winter and have started thinking about next summer, I am challenging you once more with something very beautiful for next year’s fall.
Who said following fashion was an easy task?!

This Tuesday was a very snowy day in Paris but the guests who enjoyed the atmosphere in the Chanel Haute Couture salons were transported to another era, time and place. Karl Lagerfeld was inspired for his pre-fall 2011 collection by Byzantium, one of Coco Chanel’s major inspirations when she was the first to launch a line of costume jewelry in the 1920s.

The Paris–Byzance Métiers d’art show broadcasted Chanel’s specialist craftsmen that the French house has gathered under its umbrella: Desrues the costume jeweler, Lemarié the feather specialist, Lesage the embroiderer, Massaro the shoe-maker, Michel the milliner, Goossens the goldsmith and Guillet the floral accessory specialist.

In a decor reminding of an Ottomanesque chill-out room with 400 metres of squined fabric covering the walls, Lagerfeld revisited the bold colors and antique golds. Byzance and its splendor embellished every look from belts adorned with square glass beads to gold running through burn-out tweed and embroidered silks.

The make-up was kept in the same color family with one star product: The cream palette is combining five different golds and is said to be limited to only 1500 pieces.

This collection is for the modern Theodora empresses who might be Chanel’s clientele of today. Celebrating Chanel’s strong heritage is surely a smart move and one key to remaining a powerhouse in the decades to come, especially with the opening of a second Chanel boutique in Istanbul.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

The newest addition to Lorenzo Villoresi’s so-called “Fantasy Fragrances” is Iperborea.
Fresh blossoming petals, sprouting in the snow – if you adore like me Teint de Neige or in general powdery, sensual fragrances you will love this new creation.

A sparkling green top note of fresh flowers, with citrus notes and light fruity hints, which opens into a radiant heart of blossoming petals; lily of the valley, magnolia, mimosa and cyclamen. Touches of musk and aromatic woods emerge from a soft and intense background of white spring flowers, with precious extracts of orange blossom and jasmine.

Only writing about it, makes me smell it. Yummy! For store locations, please click here.
In Zurich, Perfumery Osswald carries it.

LoL, Sandra

No wonder there is traditionally a queue around the block from her shops at Christmas. The name Jo Malone sends most women into a reverie of pristine cream boxes with black edging and grosgrain ribbons filled with original fresh scents.

The products are wonderful gifts. Even the tissue paper is misted with fragrance so that the Jo Malone experience starts already when lifting the lit.

As a child, Jo Malone would make her own perfumes with flowers from the garden and grated Camay soap. Her mother was a beautician and her father an artist.
She worked as a florist and gave facials in her kitchen at night. Soon she became one of London’s most sought-after skin care therapist. It was when she met her husband Gary at the age of 19, that their business, featuring handmade scents and products, took off. She gave her Nutmeg and Ginger Bath Oil as a thank you to her clients and the orders began to flood in.

Jo Malone opened her first store at 154 Walton Street in London in 1994. By 1999, she launched her flagship store in London’s Sloane Street. That same year her company was purchased by Estée Lauder with Jo Malone still at its UK helm as chairwoman and creative director. Then in 2006, she sold it to them in its entirety.

For deeper, richer dimension to your home, it’s decorating with scent that makes the difference. Shouldn’t the fragrance ambience of your home be as inviting as the fragrance on your skin?

For her, perfume and stories go hand in hand, each cologne has been inspired by a real moment. Think of fragrances as your little black dress. You can create your bespoke scent by mixing, matching and layering with other Jo Malone colognes for endless effects. Accessorize it extravagantly or pair it down, just follow your mood and make each day another statement.
This is the philosophy behind Jo Malone’s Fragrance Combining. In case you are worried that a cologne doesn’t last enough, you will be astonished how long the fragrances stay on. Especially in combination with the Jo Malone body products.

You can choose from all sorts of fragrance families such as floral, spicy or woody. For more details, please enjoy the collages below:

As I am a big fan of oriental, opulent fragrances, I am truly happy about Jo Malone’s new addition: The 4 new Colognes Intenses. Ingredients like rose water, amber, patchouli, vanilla, musk and oud give in combination a wonderful deepness to your bespoke scent. They were supposed to be limited but seem to stay in the collection due to their high demand.

To the left, you can see a photo of my very own bathroom and its little Jo Malone display.
For a store locator, please click here. For my Zurich based readers, I have good news. There is a Jo Malone corner now at Jelmoli.

LoL, Sandra

If you want to make an easy fashion statement, I suggest that you dress all in white.
No matter if it is off-white, pure white, a greyish white or with a pale pink undertone, the non-colour from head to toe looks impressive. The innocent shade itself brings elegance, sophistication and a certain nonchalance to your outfit.
Being an ultra chic alternative to all black, white for summer is always a must, having this crisp natural freshness to it. Above you will find the most beautiful runway looks for S/S 2011.

Bags, shoes and accessories in white are warm weather essentials and infuse every look with new season lightness.

If you don’t want to wait, white can also be a sensational winter choice. Match your clothes with similarly hued accessories to channel the directional runway styling.
Discover your inner snow bunny for the ultra A-list appeal.

All items are available now, just click on the designer name to start shopping:
3.1 Phillip Lim, silk flower and pleat-embellished dress, $875
3.1 Phillip Lim, belted cotton cardigan, $225
3.1 Phillip Lim, boxy coat, $895, on sale $626,50
Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte, platform patchwork sandals, $1645
Vera Wang, pearl medallion necklace, $795
Montse Esteve, rose ring, $2050
Chloé, Marcie large shoulder bag, $1320

To make sure that you have the perfect glowing eyes and skin, I recommend a killer new product line: White Caviar Illuminating Système by La Prairie.
The innovative three-part system works to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion, free of future age spots and pigmentation patches. A must for women of all ages who are looking to fight aging and skin discoloration.

La Prairie’s latest addition includes three products and truly works its magic:
White Caviar Illuminating Cream, 50ml, CHF 558.-
White Caviar Illuminating Serum, 30ml, CHF 558.-
White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum, 15ml, CHF 310.-

I am using the eye serum at the moment. It is a great way to boost and re-energise tired looking skin, especially now during the cold season. As I am a very visual person, I also adore the beautiful packaging, white pearlescent jars with La Prairie’s signature silver caviar beads around the cap.
One drop of bitterness comes with this feast for your skin: The price! La Prairie is one of the most expensive collections on the market at present, well-known for using high-quality ingredients like the famous caviar extracts which might justify the exorbitant costs. To Swiss quality!

LoL, Sandra

Anna Dello Russo, Fashion Director at Large and Creative Consultant at Vogue Japan and a global fashion icon, revels in glamour and lives high fashion at its best. During fashion week, I always admire her wild style. Now, she is paving a new path for fashion editors worldwide with the launch of her own perfume Beyond. The scent will be available from December 3rd exclusively at yoox.com, and contains two of my favourite ingredients, vanilla and almond. The bottle is very Anna: A golden high heel shoe, reminiscent of the Cinderella fairytale.

With Anna leading the way, it seems like fashion editors can become the new superstars.
I actually like that… very much!

LoL, Sandra

Photo Credit: Giampaolo Sgura, Art Direction: Marco Braga

Photo Credit: Juergen Teller, Art Direction: Marco Braga and Giuliano Federico for Modecracy, Fashion Credit: Moschino

To celebrate Dior’s love for grey, the French fashion house has launched a new limited edition trio of nail polishes: Dior Vernis Gris City.
The three grey-hued shades are inspired by the greatest metropolises of fashion and luxury: Paris, London and New York.
With this fall’s most recent enamel collection, Dior changed the shape of their brushes. As I told you before, it took me some time getting used to at first, but now I actually love the more precise control this new shape affords.

707 – Gris Montaigne

807 – Bond Street

797 – NY 57th

Below you see three mood boards that I put together for you to capture the city’s style and to inspire you for some great outfits.

Gris Montaigne is an elegant tone celebrating the iconic code of the Dior house in Paris where Christian Dior’s favourite colour dominates the decoration of the boutique on Avenue Montaigne.

Bond Street is a grey muted with blue, inspired by the emblematic English fog.

NY 57th is the address of Dior’s New York boutique. The metallic grey enamel stands for the colour of asphalt and is an homage to the dusky light of the Manhattan skyline.

This exclusive trio is available in a limited edition now in the new Christian Dior boutique in London on Bond Street, designed by Peter Marino, as well as in the Dior house on Avenue Montaigne in Paris. Starting December 9th, 2010, it will then be sold in the New York store.

So it might take some major work to get your hands on them.

LoL, Sandra