Sandra‘s Closet

Beauty guru PATRICK STARRR brings his inspiring «makeup is a one-size-fits-all» philosophy to life through his new collection at M·A·C! The beauty star makes waves with these mesmerizing new floral-inspired essentials to make everyone and anyone easily feel their best! This collection is all you need for fresh-picked, vibrant springtime looks.

KIT #1: ME SO FLEEK / PATRICKSTARRR
Hey, Boy, Hey! Lipstick: dirty pinkish plum (retro matte)
Queen P Lipglass:neon pink with blue pearl
Eye Shadow x 4 / Play with Me: In Living Pink pinky coral with gold shimmer (frost)
Hickie: bright pink with shimmer (frost)
All’s Rosy: dirty mid-tone pink (matte)
In the Shadows: vibrant dark blue with shimmer (frost)
Powder Blush Duo / Take Me Home: Mocha Rev soft coral pink (satin)
Stubborn Rev: muted pink plum (matte)
*SRP 89.00 CHF

KIT #2: ME SO CHIC / PATRICKSTARRR
Sweet Mamastarrr Lipstick: mid-tone neutral pink (amplified)
Mamastarrr Kiss Lipglass: sheer nude with pearl
Eye Shadow x 4 / Stay with Me: Daddystarrr muted baby pink with pearl (matte)
Yesss: mid-tone dusty violet (VLXP)
Queen Patrick: bright purple (frost)
Bon Nuit: black purple (matte)
Powder Blush Duo/ I’m Not Blushing: Peaches Rev pure peach (satin)
Gingerly Rev Capri: bronze (matte)
*SRP 89.00 CHF

Limited Edition, available exclusively May 2018 at M∙A∙C Manor Geneva, M∙A∙C Manor Zurich and at maccosmetics.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

The hardest part about touching up your makeup before a night out? Not being able to reapply your mascara. Until now. The ultimate do-over, URBAN DECAY‘s MASCARA RESURRECTION brings your mascara back to life so you can keep piling it on. Like a killer lash comb in liquid form, this clear refreshing serum combs through lashes to soften mascara and get your lashes ready for another coat. And the curved fiber brush really grabs onto lashes and separates them. There’s NOTHING else like it!

Want to top off your mascara later in the day? A quick coat of this serum makes lashes pliable and ready for more. If you botched your mascara or didn’t pull it through well, simply comb Mascara Resurrection through your lashes to refresh, then reapply mascara.

This lightweight, oil-free formula contains a special blend of ingredients to moisturize lashes while helping with mascara wear. Copper powder and panthenol condition and bind moisture to the hair shaft, improving lash health while giving your mascara new life.

I am one of those beauty junkies who does her make-up only once a day and just adds some touch-ups in the evening. This product is my saviour – I am sure that you will like it as much as I do and thank me forever! Available here for CHF 25.90.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Urban Decay

This is literally the caviar among skin care, the ultimate luxury for your facial care.
LA PRAIRIE’s White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire is a lavish cream infused with a potent brightening serum to fight the appearance of discolouration and age spots. Drawing its unrivalled power from a new, breakthrough molecule, this luxurious formula goes beyond mere brightening to unlock the power of light. It diffuses shadows and leaves the skin looking immaculate with extraordinary luminosity.

Following years of research that included screening 50,000 active ingredients to find the single most powerful brightening ingredient, the molecule Lumidose was identified by the scientists at LA PRAIRIE as the most effective in supporting the inhibition of melanin production.

White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire works at the speed of light. The formula’s optimized concentration of active ingredients helps it to reach the source of discolouration, providing an extraordinary brightening effect.

Effects include a marked reduction in the visibility and intensity of age spots; improvement in the appearance of dull, discoloured skin; an evened complexion; and the firming and refinement of the skin’s texture. Skin feels smoother, and its elasticity and moisture levels are improved.

White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire provides measurable results in 2 weeks, visible results in 4 weeks, and extraordinary results in 8 weeks.

I have been using it for around four weeks now and was amazed that last weekend a dear friend commented on the disappearance of my pigments that were caused the combination of sun and the anti-baby pill. Looking closer at night in the mirror, I realized that they were absolutely gone. WOW!

In stores now for CHF 788.00 (60ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie @laprairie #whitecaviar #poweroflight 

Egyptian Magic probably has garnered more kudos in the fashion press than any comparable product in the world. From Japan to Australia to Europe and the US, top celebrities in the film and fashion industries agree that Egyptian Magic is a «must-have» beauty and skin care product. They use it on face, skin, hair, cuts, burns, bruises, rashes – everywhere!

«Life takes from the taker & gives to the giver.
Above all, let your word be your bond.»

Ancient Kamitian (Egyptian) folklore recalls the existence of a miraculous skin cream secretly used by the great sages, mystics, magicians and healers to maintain radiant, healthy, smooth and glowing skin. Egyptian Magic All-Purpose Skin Cream claims it has the exact formula than this miraculous cream found in ancient Egyptian tombs.

It is a phenomenal healing balm with legendary powers due to its unique mixture of all natural ingredients derived only from living plants and organisms. Being on the market since August 1991 with a solid track record, a loyal word of mouth following, and twice the healing power for half the price of conventional skin creams, it contains no additives, added preservatives, parabens or GMO ingredients and is made with Olive Oil, Bees Wax, Honey, Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Bee Propolis & Divine Love.

I had been curious about this magic cream that is loved by celebrities around the globe since quite some time and was looking forward to trying it. At first, it looks like Vaseline. But upon contact, this cream is much softer, a lot oilier and melts easily when rubbed into the skin. You don’t need a lot of product and it easily absorbs. The only thing that I am not used to yet is the smell. It’s not unpleasant, please don’t get me wrong, it’s just not a scent you’ll fall in love at first sniff.

I was truly impressed by its multi-purpose approach for the whole family (you can even use it for babies). The cream  hydrates and repairs skin from head to toe. I love to apply it on my cracked heels and elbows. Moreover, you can use it as a moisturizer, lip balm, eye cream or even hair mask as well as a makeup remover. Imagine that you are traveling, you just have one product for all! It also works wonders on eczema and skin irritations and helps fading scars. In addition gynecologists recommend Egyptian Magic even to be used on your private parts.

In Switzerland, Egyptian Magic is exclusively sold at Import Parfümerie.
CHF 36.00 (59ml) and CHF 54.00 (118ml)

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Via Pinterest @Egyptian_Magic

A liner that combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line. Now, MAC launches new shade extensions of the iconic LIQUIDLAST LINER in fun, pop shades and metallic finishes. A little line for an eye-catching effect… literally!

BLUE ME OVER Bright teal (Pearl)
COCO BAR Chocolate brown (Matte)
KEEP IT CURRENT Deep oxblood (Matte)
LATE NIGHT Blackened green (Matte)
MISTY ME Bright silver (Pearl)
NAKED BLOND Copper (Pearl)
POINT BLACK Black (Matte)
RICH & ROBUST Deep purple with magenta pearl (Pearl)
WET ROAD Black with pearl (Pearl) – Repromote

Beautiful effect: mixing black and teal eyeliner.

Available from now for CHF 28.00 at all MAC locations and stores or online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

My avid readers know that I am totally addicted to yoga and ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Advanced Night Repair (please don’t laugh about the combination, it is actually a match made in heaven). For me, there is not one beauty regime happening without a drop of this beauty elixir before. I use it day and night, but the latter is the most important, this is when my night time ritual starts – along with the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix for the delicate eye area that repairs, fortifies and hydrates. After I applied the products, I start my bedtime yoga session. This calms me down, helps me to digest the impressions of the day and relaxes me after a busy day.

Carolina Fischer-Waibel with me at her ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon.

To give you an impression we took some photos at the beautiful ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon (there is also one in Zurich city) while training with Carolina Fischer-Waibel who owns the studio along with her husband Roland Fischer (he photographed me – thank you!).

Strong pose – the Dancer’s pose

Some of the poses are pretty strong, so you have to be careful when doing them before bedtime as they might give you energy on the spot. Just do this routine one or two hours before laying down. Other exercises are more gentle and a great remedy to anyone feeling stress, anxiety or tension in the mind or body. It will help you to decompress and prepare for a good nights rest.

Yoga before bedtime can calm down your mind which helps you to sleep better.

Did you know that yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia? By calming down your body and your mind, you’re putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Stretching is so important for your body. A flexible body makes a flexible mind. If you add a little beauty secret, the effect is even better.

Never without my Advanced Night Repair!

Personally speaking I like to apply Advanced Night Repair before starting my 15 minute yoga bedtime routine, as I have the impression that my skin is perfectly prepared for extra pampering afterwards due to the activation of  the blood circulation through the yoga flow.

But why is this product so great? Here are some facts:

In 1982, Estée Lauder revolutionised the beauty world with Night Repair being one of the first beauty companies to make the link between DNA damage and skin ageing. Moreover, it was the first ever serum to launch, the first ever repair product and the first skincare product to use hyaluronic acid. The packaging of the little brown bottle was groundbreaking by being reminiscent of a pharmacy product. Over the last 30 years, many scientists have worked on Advanced Night Repair to constantly improve it.

In 2013, a new formula Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II was launched that has won 127 beauty awards worldwide (pretty impressive, isn’t it?!). The new pioneering product has patents valid until 2033. Every 8th minute, a ANR bottle is sold worldwide, which are around 4.5 million bottles a year.

I truly recommend trying ANR as you can easily apply it before the beauty products you like to use in general. I am sure you will see the difference after a few weeks and might be interested in other products of the Advanced Night Repair family such as the Advanced Night Repair Ampoules (I like to use them as a cure for two weeks four times a year) and the Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask, a weekly treatment ask that resets the look of your skin after the visible assaults of modern life. Your skin looks instantly fresher and renewed. For cleansing, I absolutely recommend the Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm, a lightweight balm that melts to a cleansing oil to remove makeup and impurities. You’ ll love it!

If you like my outfit, visit SPORTLES (Thank you Megan Herak!). I am wearing Drapey V back by Onzie, Shakedown bra by Vimmia, and Captain ankle tight leggings by Alala.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Roland Fischer for Estée Lauder Switzerland

For Summer 2018, NARS collaborates once again with long time fashion design partner, Erdem Moralioglu. The designer brings his nostalgic romance and dreamlike narrative to beauty with the limited-edition Erdem for NARS Strange Flowers Collection.

Bold yet timeless, the color collection is a custom designed palette of demure and daring shades for eyes, lips and cheeks, with additional newness in the form of NARS’ first lip powder palette and blotting paper. The highly covetable 13-piece capsule collection is encased in sophisticated soft-touch packaging adorned with one of three original floral prints Erdem created for the collaboration.

“It was really interesting to explore my aesthetic in collaboration with NARS and see how far we could push different elements through color and product,” says Erdem. “It was fascinating to develop new pigments and palettes as well as the cosmetics themselves.”

The Erdem for NARS Strange Flowers Collection includes:

BLUSH
Featuring a silky-soft pearlescent finish that departs sheer, yet buildable color, the velvety formula gleams in two new shades.

LOVES ME (pictured above) and LOVES ME NOT (pictured below) – CHF 41.40 each

LIPSTICK
Six new shades, featuring a creamy, smooth formula, range from bare to bold, sheer to intense.

Lipstick Shades in BLOODFLOWER, WILDFLOWER, VODOO LILY, MOON ORCHID, LARKSPUR (left to right) – CHF 45.00 each

LIP POWDER PALETTE
The new innovative palette includes a creamy primer and precision-tip lip brush to paint lips with four delicate shades of petal pinks, rose reds, and poisonous purples. The matte and metallic powders can be worn alone or layered on lips—with or without balm—for a range of unexpected looks and effects.

POISON ROSE LIP POWDER PALETTE
Shades, left to right: LIP PRIMING BALM, nude ZIRA, shimmering rose gold CALYPSO, matte rose DAMASK, matte fuchsia OTTOMAN, matte scarlet TRAVEL LIP BRUSH – CHF 66.00

EYESHADOW PALETTES
Two six-well palettes of highly pigmented, velvety-matte shades deliver longwearing, crease-resistant color. The formula can be applied sheer or layered for more dramatic effects.

NIGHT GARDEN EYESHADOW PALETTE Shades, top to bottom, left to right: OLEANDER, shimmering pale gold INDIO, satin forest green REBORN, satin marigold FAUNA, matte deep brown SPRUNG, satin midnight blue MATIRA, satin black

FLEUR FATALE EYESHADOW PALETTE Shades, top to bottom, left to right: MYTHIOS, shimmering ivory THISTLE, metallic mink FLOURISH, shimmering steel blue BELLADONNA, matte soft brown DAYDREAM, shimmering copper HOLLY HOCK, satin mulberry
CHF 66.00 each

MULTI-USE HIGHLIGHTING PENCIL
Illuminate intrigue with a multi-use highlighting pencil for eyes and cheeks. The new, ultra-smooth formula provides effortless blending and on-the-go radiance.
WHITE PHOX, opalescent lavender – CHF 41.40

BLOTTING PAPERS
Fresh-plucked blotting papers instantly soften and mattify. Perfect for shine control in the summer months. CHF 32.40

In Switzerland available in May 2018. So beautiful!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of NARS

Spring is around the corner, my favorite season. Time to wake up your outer beauty and to get ready to party. Green is the color of nature and health representing growth and nature. It is said to have healing powers – so get ready for the blooming season… with those tips:

WAKE UP YOUR SENSES

Champagne Grand Brut Edition Miami by Perrier-Jouët
Nothing beats a glass of bubbly – it always puts me in a good mood. I am very proud to announce that I am one of the ten founding members of the Artistic Society by Perrier-Jouët. Soon, I can tell you more about this secret club!
CHF 55.00 (75cl)

WAKE UP YOUR SKIN

Energie De Vie Exfoliating Mask by Lancôme
«Energie de Vie» means vitality in English. This is exactly what our skin needs after the cold winter months. Reduce the appearance of pores and reveal softer, healthy-looking skin with this exfoliating mask. I use it daily as a cure.
CHF 85.00 (75ml)

EGF Serum by Bioeffect
This amazing serum restores your skin’s natural glow and youthful appearance. It contains EGF, a cellular activator natural to human skin, which stimulates the skin’s ability to renew itself. My personal must in the spring season. To be used in the evening. You just need 2-4 drops, great for traveling.
CHF 198.00 (15ml)

Super Acid X-Treme Hangover Mask by Rodial
A triple action rub off clay mask to deeply cleanse, exfoliate and restore a radiant looking complexion. Use it once a week for best results in addition to the daily mask.
CHF 69.00 (75ml)

Pro Spa Skincare Hand & Feet Intensive Callus Smoothing Balm by OPI
Last year, OPI launched the first & only professional salon skincare line that brings the quality & efficiency of facial skincare to premium products developed specifically for hands & feet. And here is one of my personal favorites that I use every night. This softening foot and heel treatment balm helps restore dry, callused soles to relieve severe dryness that you get during the cold winter months. For perfect spring feet!
CHF 35.90 (118ml)

WAKE UP YOUR NOSE – THE  MOST BEAUTIFUL SCENTS FOR SPRING

Elements of Man Strength by Ermenegildo Zegna
Such a yummy fragrance for men that gets spring fever for sure. It fuses the tenacity of tobacco leaves with rich gourmand notes. Drips of golden honey and ripe apricot highlight the intensity of agar wood. Deep smoke penetrates the intricate chainmaille of woven pine needles, encasing a core of burnt musk.
CHF 250.00 (50ml)

Valentino Donna Rosa Verde by Valentino
A new fresh scent that is lovely for the first spring days. A radiant composition that combines green rose, mate tea, bergamot, ginger and magnolia. Contemporary and sophisticated.
CHF 174.00 (125ml) – available in Switzerland from April 2, 2018

Aura by Mugler
The latest fragrance launch by Mugler (not Thierry Mugler anymore) Aura might become another iconic fragrance of the brand. After the first spritz, it has really got me by being different, unexpected. Something I would love to wear on a spring evening. By reinventing the Oriental Green family, Mugler has signed  a new olfactory experience for the brand. The mix of ingredients is unheard of: rhubarb leaf, orange flower (new distillation process), vanilla pod bourbon and Firmenich Wolfwood® (Firmenich exclusive).
CHF 109.00 (50ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Padma Lakshmi’s talents have taken her from actress to cookbook author extraordinaire, top model to host of «Top Chef»… and now, to designer of a M∙A∙C capsule collection! Her eye shadow palettes and individual colours are designed to take you from day to deep night – and last through all the culinary adventures in between.

DESERT DUSK EYESHADOW QUAD, CHF 66.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

INDIAN MOON Creamy gold with sparkle (Veluxe Pearl)
SHELL PEACH Muted peachy pink (Satin)
HOPPER BLUE Sky blue with white sparkle (Veluxe Pearl)
NATURAL BROWN Deep creamy brown (Matte)

70’S SUNSET EYESHADOW QUAD, CHF 66.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

SAND & CLAY Mid-tone cool beige (Matte)
CARDAMOM Cool light green with white frost (Veluxe Pearl)
MUMTAZ Coppery purple with gold sparkle (Veluxe Pearl)
ALL’S ROSY Mid-tone plum with gold (Matte)

LIPSTICK, CHF 31.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

SUNSET ROSE Creamy brown with pearl (Cremesheen)
NUDE FUDGE Mid-tone neutral (Matte)
BLUE BLOOD True red (Matte)
APRICOT GOLD Mid-tone peach nude (Amplified)
MITTAI PINK Hot fuchsia (Matte)
SUMAC Deep plum (Matte)

POWDER BLUSH DUO, CHF 66.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

MOON & SHINE Frosty highlight (Frost) / Warm beige (Matte)
MELON PINK Bright peachy pink with gold sparkle (Satin) / Mid-tone orange (Frost)

POWERPOINT EYE PENCIL (DUAL-ENDED), CHF 29.00 (LIMITED EDITION)

ICED HEATHER/KERALA SUN Silver frost/Pure gold
INDIAN INK/MOSSY GREEN Pure black/Deep green
BORDEAUXLINE/MOLE BROWN Deep plum/Cool brown

BRUSH, (LIMITED EDITION)

168SES Large Angled Contour Brush (CHF 54.00)
275SES Medium Angled Shading Brush (CHF 40.00)
213/219SES Fluff Brush / Pencil (CHF 48.00)

CREMESHEEN GLASS, CHF 35.00 (LIMITED EDITION, ONLINE EXCLUSIVE)

NEFERTITI Peachy gold with sparkle

Available from March 8, 2018 online and at selected stores. In Switzerland at MAC Jelmoli Zurich, MAC store Zurich, MAC Globus Lausanne and Geneva, MAC counter Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

A harvest of 5 beautiful limited edition fragrances: JO MALONE English Fields. Evoking the essence of the English landscape and housed in ceramic bottles, master perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui used cereals and grains as the main focus. When I received the press samples, I was absolutely curious to try those new scents and each of them is different, unexpected and new. Really worth the visit to the next JO MALONE counter.

«Jo Malone English Fields is unexpected territory! It’s somewhere in perfumery I have never been before.» – Mathilde Bijaoui of MANE, Master Perfumer

Poppy & Barley Cologne
Rich red poppies dancing in the wind. Violet flowers, alive with colour. Fruity with blackcurrant. Cocooned by barley and bran. Softened with powdery notes of white musk. Lively. Cheerful. Inviting.

Oat & Cornflower Cologne
Wholesome oats gathered from the field, fit for a hearty feast. Warm and delicious. Enlivened by vivid blue cornflowers and a hint of hazelnut. Complemented by an elegant vetiver base. Mouth-watering. Warm. Sensual.

Primrose & Rye Cologne
Rolling fields dotted with primroses. Swaying softly on a spring breeze. Warmed by golden corn. Brightened with mimosa. On an addictive base of rye and vanilla. Filled with sunshine. Vivid. Glowing. Addictive.

Green Wheat & Meadowsweet Cologne
An English field at dawn, full of the joys of spring. Filled with young, green wheat. Crisp and fresh. Balanced with a zesty twist of grapefruit. Mingled with soft, white notes of meadowsweet. Pretty. Fresh. Powdery.

Honey & Crocus Cologne (MY FAVORITE)
Mouth-watering honey, fresh from the beehive. Blended with the bright bloom of crocuses and English lavender. Sweetened with a dash of almond milk. Rich. Comforting. Scrumptious.

Total fragrance crush! In stores now.
Each 30ml Cologne is available for CHF 72.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone