Sandra‘s Closet

October is breast cancer awareness month and this year marks Estée Lauder‘s 25th anniversary of the iconic Pink Ribbon collection, a special range of beauty products with 20 per cent of the profits donated to research. A movement that started with one woman, Evelyn H. Lauder in 1992, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was born when the visionary became troubled by the lack of awareness, funding and resources necessary to overcome the disease.

Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the pink ribbon 25 years ago.

In the beginning, the brand started the campaign by handing out pink ribbons at its beauty counters around the world, and one year later, Lauder went on to establish the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a non-profit organisation, to generate funding that would be solely dedicated to the study of the disease. A quarter of a century later, The Estée Lauder Companies’ beauty brands – among them La Mer, DKNY, Jo Malone London, Tom Ford Beauty just to name a few – continue to create a breast cancer-free world by raising funds.

Interesting to know is that a touch of blue in the design represents the less than 1% of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer. For more information on The Breast Cancer Campaign, visit bcacampaign.com.

For more information on the Pink Ribbon products, click here please.

By shopping one of the specially created products, you can support the campaign. Moreover for every post on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtags #PinkRibbon25 and #ELCdonates @bcacampaign until October 31, 2017, The Estée Lauder Companies will donate $25 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to fund a half-hour of breast cancer research. The goal is to finance 500 hours worth $25.000.

Time to end breast cancer!

LoL, Sandra

My Instagram post with my beloved Advanced Night Repair in pink by Estée Lauder.

Photos: Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Companies and © Sandra Bauknecht

Are you one of my beauty-obsessed readers who’s quick to notice even the most minor cosmetic tweak? Then this post is for you. Today, I would like to share my time-tested recommendation for the perfect concealer, foundation and powder trio.

One lovely morning in Zurich‘s Park Hyatt Hotel, I had the pleasure to try the three products by one of my favorite brands LA MER. All enriched with the brand’s coveted, ultra hydrating Miracle Broth™, the nourishing formulas blend seamlessly into the skin to conceal pores and even out texture. Forget the drying, cake-y powders of your makeup bag’s past, this is the answer to nailing the flawless complexion of everyone’s dreams. It is make-up that looks like no make-up.

Dream trio: Concealer, Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation, Powder and don’t forget to use the right Powder Brush.

New to the family: Sheer Pressed Powder (to the left) is the ideal compact companion to create a healthy matte finish – wherever you go.

In the beautiful ambiance of one of the suites at Park Hyatt Zurich, we were able to explore the products and enjoy some yummy food. What a great idea to serve desert in your used cream pots (see photo below) … ladies, keep collecting!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Mer and © Sandra Bauknecht

The illustrious fashion designer Alber Elbaz has met his match in the perfume world with this beautiful collaboration with Frédéric Malle. Created together with perfumer Dominique Ropion, the ever-mysterious Superstitious Eau de Parfum captures the elusive, unidentifiable scent of a woman’s dress.

Dream team: Frédéric Malle and Alber Elbaz

A classic floral aldehydic perfume structures Elbaz’s free-flowing vision of an elaborate fabric in which everyone can find their own beauty: Turkish rose oil and Egyptian jasmine, enhanced by a touch of peach, rest on a bed of amber and frankincense imbued with Haitian vetiver. A final touch of aldehydes sharpens the perfume’s opulence with an urban edge.

TO SHOP THE NEW SUPERSTITIOUS EAU DE PARFUM, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Frederic Malle, Madame Le Figaro
Frederic Malle und Alber Elbaz – © But Sou Lai

Only two weeks ago, I cruised around the beautiful Amalfi Coast and enjoyed the flamboyant and vibrant lifestyle on the streets of Naples. Now, I have found the perfect fragrance that is dedicated to this South Italian lifestyle and pure femininity: DOLCE & GABBANA THE ONE Eau de Toilette.

Such a beautiful scent, a new fresh version of the celebrated fragrance classic that is available now. It is more powdery than the 2015 launched THE ONE ESSENCE Eau de Parfum and the original THE ONE Eau de Parfum from 2006. I am a big fan and needless to say… don’t we all wanna be THE ONE?!

DOLCE & GABBANA THE ONE Eau de Toilette
Oriental Floral

Top Notes: Lily, Bergamot, Mandarin, Lychee and White Peach
Middle Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Orange Blossom and Honeyed Broom
Base Notes: Vanilla, Vetiver and Musk

30ml : CHF 69.00  –  50ml : CHF 93.00  –  100ml : CHF 121.00

The talented British actress Emilia Clarke («Game of Thrones») is the face of the campaign, the new ambassador, gifting the beautiful photos with her irresistible smile and genuine warmth. She’s the one!

Shot in the streets of Naples, with real people living their daily life, the new advertising campaign for The One was directed by the Italian filmmaker Matteo Garrone.

Combining swing and jazz, the Neapolitan joyful soundtrack “Tu vuò fa’ l’americano” (“You want to be an American”) conveys even more happiness and togetherness while celebrating the genuineness and the charm of the Italian culture.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana Beauty
#DGBeauty #DGTheOne Follow @DGBeauty

“No matter your origin, no matter your tribe. Come together, be seen, be heard. Because we are all worth it.”
Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director, Balmain Paris

Two years ago, Balmain already made a foray into the world of affordable luxury with its H&M designer collaboration. This fall, the #BalmainArmy will find new members of the tribe as L‘Oréal Paris has joined forces with Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing for a collection of twelve limited COLOR RICHE couture lipsticks. One shade more beautiful than the other.

Olivier Rousteing with me

Needless to say that Olivier Balmain’s knows how to run a social media hype. For the launch of the French house’s first lipstick, he is accompanied by twelve model muses that each has inspired one of the dozen shades.

This collaboration with L’Oréal is the perfect fit to provide customers with access to the bejeweled splendor of the long-established fashion house that was founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945 who defined France’s fashion renaissance after World War II. Continuing in the trailblazing spirit of the brand’s founder, Olivier Rousteing is inspired by the confident style of modern women and incorporates the maison’s mastery of embroidery and embellishment into his collections. His love for detail can also be seen in the amazing packaging of the lipsticks: a decadent ode to precious materials, such as emerald-green malachite, blue lapis lazuli, and onyx.

Three colour collections embody three femininities:

SAFARI TRIBE (Green Case)
905 BALMAIN INSTINCT: Ysaunny Brito (Star Shade)
647 URBAN SAFARI: Alexina Graham
648 GLAMAZONE: Luma Grothe
469 FEVER: Maria Borges

ROCK TRIBE (Blue Case)
467 FREEDOM: Soo Joo Park ( Star Shade)
650 POWER: Valentina Sampaio
902 LEGEND: Neelam Gill
901 REBELLION: Grace Bol

COUTURE TRIBE (Black Case)
356 CONFIDENCE: Doutzen Kroes (Star Shade)
355 DOMINATION: Lara Stone
468 LIBERATION: Cindy Bruna
256 CONFESSION: Ming Xi

I was over the moon when this exclusive box arrived at my door step a few weeks ago so that I could test each one of the shades. Being a huge Balmain fan as you know, this is a collector’s piece that I will keep forever.
(The golden clutch is a vintage Balmain piece.)

My favorite shade of all? 256 CONFESSION. It is the perfect nude shade.
(Metallic jacquard jacket by Balmain.)

Time to have a piece of Balmain on your lips. The L’Oréal Paris x Balmain Paris capsule lipstick collection launches today September 20, 2017 for CHF 21.90 each, in Switzerland at Coop and Manor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Balmain and © Sandra Bauknecht

«All Art is Erotic» –  Gustav Klimt

KILIAN HENNESSY celebrates ten years of redefining the art of modern perfumery and invites us into a new Golden Age, inspired by the sensual glamour and sumptuous luxury of fin de siècle Vienna, and its most subversive artist, Gustav Klimt.

Kilian Hennessy with me

«Klimt is the authority when it comes to gold artwork, gold leaf,» says Kilian. The universe he created full of seduction and opulence represents «a cultural reference, a touchstone – more than just decoration.»

Two new fragrances, each of which experiments with dualties: darkness and light, feminity and masculinity, modernity and proud tradition. Let me introduce you to WOMAN IN GOLD and GOLD KNIGHT, one more beautiful than the other. Launching in the end of September 2017, I don’t want you to miss those richly textured and mysterious scents.

«It doesn’t interest me to provoke just to provoke. I need artistic reasoning,» Kilian goes on. «The idea was to play on the contrasts between shadown and light, to express that we are all made of good and bad – but within light and dark there are a myriad of facets. I wanted to achieve this duality with perfume.»

WOMAN IN GOLD

Inspired by the 1907 portrait of Leading Viennese art patron and taste-maker Adele Bloch-Bauer, the only woman Klimt painted twice.

Top Notes: Bergamot
Middle Notes: Rose, Vanilla Absolute
Base Notes: Akigalawood, Patchouli

GOLD KNIGHT

Inspired by the dashing, gold-armored chevalier in Klimt’s 1902 Beethoven Frieze.

Top Notes: Anise, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Honey, Vanilla
Base Notes: Patchouli

The extremely beautiful cases are inspired by Klimt’s works and are inspired by the Byzantine mosaics the Viennese painter saw at the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.

«True luxury is meant to last» – Kilian Hennessy

The faceted flacon, inspired by the timeless cognac carafe, is an object of uncompromising elegance and artisanship. The 250-ml bottles are refillable and accompanied by a black travel spray.

Mini Carafe 250ml (CHF 720)
Refillable Spray 50ml (CHF 335)

TO SHOP KILIAN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kilian Hennessy and © Sandra Bauknecht

We all know the beauty of a well chosen perfume that is a reflection of you. After you have found your favorite scent, you should also master the art of perfuming. Here are some tips on how to perfume yourself in a way you might have not thought about before.

Perfume behind your wrists, ankles and knees
These blood pulse points « heat up » the perfume on the skin and allow it to exhale in an unexpected and subtle manner each time you move.

Perfume your ribbons or hair accessories
To add rejoicing scented touches to your hairstyle, as if it was styled with flowers.

Perfume the hem of your dress or skirt
Fragrant notes are revealed with elegance, enhancing the movement of the body and leaving on you an exquisite perfume trail.

Perfume the inner side of your belt
As it was traditionally done in royal and imperial courts, perfuming the inner side of a leather accessory brings an additional touch of femininity.

Perfume the inner lining of your coat or jacket
To sign your appearances, each time you take it off at a rendez-vous, a dinner or a party.

Perfume your fan
Each movement brings a subtle refinement to the room by liberating a delicate scent.

Perfume the inside of your handbag
Each time you open your bag, a joyful shot arises, expression of an extreme sophistication.

LoL, Sandra

Illustration: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

With the new Extrait de Cologne, Roger & Gallet brings up to date the art of perfuming, bequeathed by the “Incroyables” and the “Merveilleuses”, a group of young whimsical Parisians at the end of the 18th century. At that time, they were crazy for Jean-Marie Farina’s Eau de Cologne and thoroughly splashed themselves with it… on their skin, but also on their clothes, hats or accessories of any kind.

In 2017, Roger & Gallet invited five famous perfumers to create their own scent for this new collection. The campaign is absolutely beautiful and I am happy to share with you these beautiful photos and all the information regarding the new fragrances that all include up to 90% natural ingredients.

Five iconic perfumers from left to right: Alberto Morillas (Thé Fantasie), Fabrice Pellegrin (Néroli Facétie – MY FAVORITE), Juliette Karagueuzoglou (Verveine Utopie), Anne Flipo (Tubérose Hédonie) and Elise Bénat (Cassis Frénésie) have created a collection of five beautiful scents.

CASSIS FRÉNÉSIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,1% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Crisp, tonic, energising. Fights melancholia, stimulates good mood and euphorises senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Elise Bénat, French perfumer, has selected:
Blackcurrant bud absolute
Pepper essence
Rose infusion
Precious distilled essences of geranium, lavandin, galbanum & buchu.

Always more, always more often, life has so much to offer!
Cassis Frénésie, is an appetite for living, loving, tasting pleasures, without moderation, in an utmost exaltation.

NÉROLI FACÉTIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 87,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Tranquilizing, pleasing and balancing. Relieves anxiety, facilitates sleep and lightens the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Fabrice Pellegrin, French perfumer, has selected:
Neroli essence
Orange blosson absolute
Immortelle absolute
Precious distilled essences of cedarwood, petitgrain, angelica seeds & vetiver.

Here, all is mischievousness, comical, slapstick, fun. Jokes and laughs!
Néroli Facétie is an attitude, cheerful, joyful, playful. A sheer art of having fun with facial expressions or little games.

TUBÉREUSE HÉDONIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Extraordinarily relaxing and aphrodisiac. Rouses the mood and invites body and mind to let go.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Anne Flipo, French perfumer, has selected:
Tuberose absolute
Jasmine absolute
Bergamote essence
Precious distilled essences of pink pepper, Neroli & celery grains.

You must seize the day, every minute!
The hedonist lives for pleasure. To please oneself, as often as possible, in every possible manner, satisfying one’s senses, with no reserve, here is the goal of his existence, the supreme value, above all others.

THÉ FANTAISIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,7 % OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Untiring, energizing, destressing. Comforting, appeases tension and stimulates the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer, has selected:
Black tea extract
Benzoin resin
Sandalwood essence
Precious distilled essences of coriander, Cardamom, sage & vetiver.

What matters is to have fun!
The fantasist takes pleasure in doing things off the beaten track, far from conventions. Originality, a hint of mischievousness and lightness as a way of life.

VERVEINE UTOPIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,3% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Stimulating, invigorating, anti-fatigue. Refreshes the body, freshens the mind and galvanizes the senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, French perfumer, has selected:
Exotic verbena essence
Gentian extract
Precious distilled essences of cedar wood, Gaiac and vetiver wood, basil & absinthe.

He is a dreamer, a poet in search of the absolute, in quest for the wonderful!
The utopist lives for an ideal, the perfect world in which each one could find happiness. With passion and innocence, this stargazer draws up a flow of ideas to change the world and make it better.

In stores from September 2017 – 100ml (CHF 70.00), 500ml (CHF 170.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

I love nude lipsticks. Therefore I am all excited about this new collaboration between rap queen Nicki Minaj and M∙A∙C Cosmetics. Both have worked together to develop two nude, sophisticated lipsticks, of which one is named after her 2014 album of the same name:

Nicki’s Nude – soft corally pink (amplified)
The Pinkprint – mid-tone creamy pink (amplified)

Minaj teased that she and M∙A∙C Cosmetics have more big news coming in 2018. This is the rapper’s first collaboration with the makeup brand since designing a lavender lipstick for them for their 2012 Viva Glam campaign. I am curious what will be coming up next…

Limited Edition, available 7th September, 2017 at all M∙A∙C locations, M∙A∙C Stores and at maccosmetics.ch for CHF 28.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

I am having such a lash obsession this fall with the launch of ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Pure Color Envy Lash Collection. You might ask why this new launch is so special. Here is the answer.

This brand new mascara – Pure Color Envy Lash Multi Effects Mascara (CHF 39.00) – comes with a dual hybrid brush that is said to do the work of three mascaras with just one twist. It has two sides – a nylon fibre bristle side which builds full on volume and lift to the lashes, and a silicone moulded side to provide limitless length and separation. You can use both sides at one for the full effect or just one side for a custom-made look. The mascara also nourishes your lashes.

But all those advantages or the waterproof version are not the reason why I am so excited about this launch. It is the coloured versions in purple, blue and green that I like so much along with the limited edition Crystal Lash Top Coat (CHF 35.00) that offers liquid pearls that surround lashes with a multi-faceted lighting effect that adds extra sparkle to your eyes. You will also love it!

If you are at the Estée Lauder counter, get also a bottle of the new Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix (CHF 88.00/15ml) This worldwide first ultra-nourishing, skin strengthening formula with an innovative 360° Matrix Technology gives eyes a fresh, “wide-open” look.

I am using it right now and it absolutely reduces the look of lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. Moreover it intensely nourishes with the help of hyaluronic acid. I apply it morning and evenings with the included massaging applicator by gently rolling it under each eye three times. Then I massage it in a 360° circle under the eye area and above the lid and finish it off by patting the rest with my finger until it is fully absorbed.

All products are available now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder