Sandra‘s Closet

The world’s first ever treatment fragrance, Clarins Eau Dynamisante, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a limited edition bottle, accompanied by two special editions of Eau des Jardins and Eau Ressourçante. This has been the first eau de toilette that combines a perfume with the power of plants in accordance with the principles of aromatherapy and phytotherapy. In a single step, this eau de toilette perfumes, hydrates and tones. The non-photosensitising formula is safe enough to wear in the sun which makes it the perfect product to wear at the beach.

I like to rub it vigorously over all parts of the body after I shower, or simply spritz it on in combination to my traditional fragrance.

Eau Dynamisante Limited Edition 30ml (CHF 22.00) and 100ml (CHF 69.50)
The classic aroma of lemons for vitality – freshness – firmness.

Eau des Jardins Limited Edition 100ml (CHF 69.50)
The sensual power of roses for harmony – freshness – comfort.

Eau Ressourçante Limited Edition 100ml (CHF 69.50)
The calming source of iris for relaxation – energy – harmony.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

To be honest, this might not be the sexiest post, but on the other side what is sexier than lean legs and a beautiful smile?! Here are two new products that you will surely like, both made with natural ingredients.

White Ginger Contouring Oil by SISLEY
150ml (CHF 168.00)

This amazing oil is the key to smooth and slender legs. Its nourishing formula is enriched with White Ginger and Gingko Biloba that help to drain swollen tissues, as well as Red Algae extract and Gelidium Cartilagineum that promote the dissolving and burning of fat. The addition of Rosemary and Litsea Cubeba essential oils helps to firm and tone your skin. Formulated with hydrating Shea and Macadamia.

MASSAGE TECHNIQUE
Apply morning or evening, from the ankles to the top of the legs and hips according to the specific toning and draining application method:
1. Apply from the arch of the foot, moving up with circular movements around the ankles with your fingertips.
2. Then massage the calf by lightly stroking with one hand after the other, moving up from the ankle towards the knee, then go around the knee, pressing firmly with an upward motion to stimulate draining.
3. Repeat the same action on the thigh, starting at the knee and moving up to the top of the buttock. 
4. Follow with large, firm, circular movements with the palms of both hands, moving up from the knee towards the buttock and hip. Repeat this technique three times on each leg.

Toothpaste by AESOP
60ml (CHF 13.00)

Whether it’s part of the global wave of new naturals taking over the beauty realm or fluoride’s classification as a neurotoxin (shocking as it sounds, it is the same category that lead, arsenic, and methylmercury fall into) this year, there’s no denying that natural toothpastes are having a moment.

“World-class skincare yields maximum results with a minimum number of products” – this is the concept behind Dr. Barbara Sturm’s nourishing formulas. Based on a thorough medical understanding of cells and anti-aging, her products protect, strengthen and detoxify without overburdening the skin and are gentle enough for sensitive complexions.

The so-called “dermatologist to the stars” is a very fascinating woman, who combines business and family life perfectly.

Married once to George Hamilton, she is now the wife of New York based lawyer Adam Waldman. She has two daughters, a 20-year-old and a 3-year-old. At the age of 45, she is her own best example that her products obviously work.

Two of them have fully convinced me and let me explain to you why:

Skin Food Supplement (60 capsules) by Dr. Barbara Sturm
Nicknamed the “fountain of youth,” Dr. Barbara Sturm’s supplement is boosted with Purslane – abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids, it improves skin health and fights signs of aging from the inside out. Each capsule contains Japanese Knotweed Root Extract and Glucosamine to support the body’s natural production of plumping Hyaluronic Acid.

– Easily absorbed by the body, providing support for a healthy function
– Infused with antioxidants Kudzu and Astragalosides to combat the ageing process

But it gets better. What happens when Jessica Alba’s make-up artist and Cher’s doctor join forces to come up with something really magical – an anti-aging primer!

Anti-Aging Primer, 30ml by Dr. Barbara Sturm + Monika Blunder
In collaboration with her Austrian fellow Monika Blunder, L.A. based celebrity makeup artist, Dr. Barbara Sturm developed her ‘Anti-Aging Primer‘ to enhance the look of her makeup while caring for her skin. Enriched with antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid and Pearl Pigments, this creamy formula contains the brand’s key active ingredient Purslane that protects your skin against free radical damage while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and wrinkles.

– Suitable for all skin types

TO SHOP THE WHOLE LINE OF DR. BARBARA STURM CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Net-à-Porter, Getty Images, ©  Sandra Bauknecht

You all know LANCÔME‘s powerful youth activating serum ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE that reveals youthful radiance and smoother skin in just 7 days. This September marks the launch of ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE SENSITIVE, a new two-in-one potent serum that not only boots your glow but also calms your skin.

This innovative formula features Génifique’s patented complex with added anti-oxidative biotechnology-derived ingredients, such as ferula acid and Vitamin E. Recommend as a cure for four weeks whenever you have those bad skin moments.

Left: The freshly mixed bottle – Right: The bottle after the ingredients have mixed

The key factor is that you mix the bottle yourself by one click. The blue colored ferula acid oxides to achieve the maximal effect. Important is that you finish the bottle in one month due to its freshness. After the activation, you change the top to the self-loading dropper that delivers the ideal dosage to bring back the light into your skin. ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE SENSITIVE is used at night, in the morning ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE is recommended. This beauty routine works for every age, every skin type as well as multiple ethnicities.

ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE SENSITIVE
Available from September 2017 for CHF 99.00 (20ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Friday afternoon, I was at the Lancôme press conference to learn more about the most beautiful upcoming collaboration hitting the shelves end of August 2017. Parisian fashion designer Olympia Le-Tan is joining forces with Lancôme to create a makeup collection that is full of vintage glam and sexiness.

STAR PRODUCT
Olympia’s Wonderland Palette – CHF 109.00

TEINT
Cushion Highlighter – CHF 62.00

EYES
Monsieur Big – CHF 35.00
Artliner – CHF 47.00
1967 Moderato
1975 Bleu
1976 Insoupçonnable

LIPS
Matte Shaker – CHF 30.00
1976 Insoupçonnable
1980 Olympia
1988 Rouge Profond

L’Absolu Rouge Le Bisou
1955 Rouge de Rose
1980 Olympia
1988 Rouge Profond

NAILS
Le Vernis – CHF 32.00
1967 Moderato
1969 Cardinal
1975 Bleu
1976 Insoupçonnable
Top Coat Amour (see below)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Lancôme and © Sandra Bauknecht

Game-changing Korean design duo STEVE J & YONI P strike a spunky balance between flirty frills and sporty thrills. Now, the couple introduces a M·A·C collection as cheeky and progressive as their fashion! Pinks, smoky-warm neutrals and playful, graphic packaging tap into the vibe of Seoul street style.

Powder Blush – Limited Edition – CHF 33.00
Peony Petal – satin bright bluish-pink
Sugar or Syrup – satin light yellowish pink

Yoni Attraction Lip & Cheek Palette – Limited Edition – CHF 49.00
Keep It Loose – warm pink
Secret Admirer – bright coral
Young at Heart – bright pink
Weekend Gateway – cool pink
Lazy Sunday – blush pink
Show Orchid – scorching pink

Touch Me Baby Eyeshadow Duo – Limited Edition – CHF 33.00
Soba – golden brown with golden shimmer
Keep on Twinkling – light frost pink

Midnight Fever Dazzleshadow Duo – Limited Edition – CHF 33.00
Let’s Boogie – black with sparkles
Sparkling Moment – black with purple and red sequins

Studio Eye Gloss – Limited Edition – CHF 28.00
Pearl Varnish – white mother-of-pearl

Zoom Lash Mascara – CHF 27.00
Black – black

Lipstick – CHF 28.00
Spotlight Me – radiant peach nut (Amplified)
Yoni Crush – shining orange-red (Amplified)
Candy Yum-Yum – matte neon pink (Matte)
A Killing Smile – matte bright pinkish-red (Matte)

Makeup Bag – Limited Edition – CHF 38.00

159SE Duo Fiber Blush Brush – CHF 54.00
217SE Blending Brush – CHF 34.00

In stores now exclusively in Switzerland at Manor Geneva, Basel and Zurich as well as online.
TO SHOP STEVE J & YONI P CLOTHING LINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Last March upon writing today’s post, I knew already that the Dior ‘J’ADIOR’ slingbacks will be undoubtedly the most sought after shoes of the season. Maria Grazia Chiuri, who is the first female designer to head up the house of Dior in it’s 70 year history, rocked her runway debut with slogan tees, tutu skirts and a shoe that has reached a cult status in an instant.

But ladies, it is not only the clothes and accessories, that make a woman beautiful. We also need to work on our radiance when nobody is watching us. Therefore I would like to recommend to you today Dior Prestige La Lotion Essence de Rose.

Combining the power of a fresh essence with the comfort of a milky lotion, this first step of your daily beauty routine in the morning (and at night) is drenched in hydrating agents to deeply moisturize the skin and to wrap it in a protective veil all day long. It doubles the age-defying effectiveness of your other products to reveal a fresher, more luminous complexion.

How It Works:
Through a unique process, Dior Science releases the vital essence concentrated at the heart of Rose de Granville cells and creates the patented Micro-Reviving Rose Water™. La Lotion Essence de Rose reinvigorates circulation and flow between skin cells. Full of life, the skin is infused with a natural rosy radiance again.

Personal experience:
My skin feels after only 4 weeks of use perfectly invigorated. It is softer, more supple and revitalized. Even after not sleeping a lot, my complexion is less dull and wrinkles seem diminish.

TO SHOP DIOR PRESTIGE LA LOTION ESSENCE DE ROSE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

June 8th marks World Oceans Day which is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future. This year’s overall theme is «Our Oceans, Our Future», with the focus on encouraging solutions to plastic pollution and preventing marine litter for a healthier sea life.

Shades of blue: GG Marmont matelassé mini bag by Gucci and the limited edition Crème de la Mer Blue Heart.

To commemorate World Oceans Day, La Mer has created as in previous years a special collector’s edition of its much coveted miracle cream «Crème de la Mer Blue Heart» which will be available from now for CHF 490.00 (100ml). The ultra-luxury skincare brand has long been a committed guardian in assisting with the protection of sea habitats. Inspired by its healing power and the natural regenerating properties of plants, the Crème de La Mer creator and aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber looked to the sea to transform the look of his skin.

THE MISSION

The La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund launches with a focus on protecting ocean habitats by expanding Marine Protected Areas and empowering ongoing ocean conservation projects around the globe.

This year, La Mer is taking its mission a step further through a New York City-based art walk and auction in collaboration with ocean conservation organization Project 0 and the storied auction house Sotheby’s.

Here is a glimpse of the extraordinary sea-inspired sculptures on display in New York City through the end of June.

THE LA MER
WAVE WALK

Partnering with La Mer, Project 0 brought together some of the world’s most influential artists, designers and culture-makers to create their own wave-inspired, charitable works of art.

On display in New York City during the months around World Oceans Day, the artworks will be auctioned off with all net proceeds going to ocean protection efforts. The online auction will be live until June 23rd, 2017. Sotheby’s will auction off select wave sculptures in an exclusive, live charity event on June 21st in NYC.

YOU CAN SHOP LA MER ONLINE HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Mer and © Sandra Bauknecht
#LaMerBlueHeart – #LaMerWaveWalk

Today we get a quick chat with MAC Executive Director of Makeup Artistry, Lyne Desnoyers (@lyne_desnoyers), a nomadic polymath for whom makeup is an act of storytelling. Memories – from her time living in Canada and more recently in Paris – inform the spellbinding and ethereal looks that she creates for shows and editorials. These days, an even wider array of experiences gathered while travelling for her global role add to her inspiration, but Lyne credits her time as a dancer with originally fuelling her lifelong love of makeup. Though a master of her craft, she doesn’t believe it has to be complicated. With a few key products, a healthy glow and enough energy, she explains us today the yellow beauty trend and that there is no need to be afraid of this vibrant colour which seems rather tricky to apply.

MAC Executive Director of Makeup Artistry Lyne Desnoyers 

Please explain us why yellow is  such a free-energized expressionist and why it is trending now?

I really loved how SS17 celebrated modern ways of making colour flattering! This was done through beauty details worn in classic placements but using free form techniques. Sometimes worn as an adornement, sometimes as a bold statement or as a simple gesture, these colour accents energize the face, they give freshness to a look in an unexpected way. Yellow is probably the most dynamic of all: solar and luminous, this colour brings almost a super highlight to eye makeup and has had many interpretations this season.

Haider Ackermann S/S 2017

How & where do you apply it best so that it will look elegant and is easy to do for consumers (a little artistry take on yellow)?

I personally find that the easiest way to wear yellow is to pair it with a neutral. For example as an eyeliner: first line your eyes as you would normally do with a dark brown or a black. Then you apply the yellow in a thin line right above it. It creates a very lovely 2 toned eyeliner with which you do not have to put any other eyeshadows since the yellow really brings out the lid.

Photo via @TicoXPassion

Another way I think works well also is to apply the yellow all over the mobile lid and then continue your makeup with warm browns in the crease, as eyeliner etc. What I like about this is that it is quite classic in the way it is executed, but the pop of yellow really makes it different and flattering. You can apply the yellow either as a transparent wash or in a more opaque “colour block” way. Both options work very well…it all depends how much impact you want! The secret in all cases, is to do a very transparent and soft focus skin…it is that contrast that makes the colour fresh looking and totally wearable.  

Products to have:

MAC PAINT STICK in Primary Yellow
MAC EYE SHADOW in Chrome Yellow
MAC CHROMALINE in Primary Yellow
MAC CHROMAGRAPHIC PENCIL in Primary Yellow
MAC LIPSTICK in Yellow You Dare

Have fun experimenting!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics and via Pinterest; Harper’s Bazaar Mexico

After yesterday’s post about Carmen Miranda’s legacy inspiring the fashion world, I have some more tropical moments this weekend.

Shake up the summer with a frootilicious collection of sun-kissed succulence by MAC Cosmetics. Take a sweet vacation of vibrant colour for lips and eyes with a stunning special packaging throughout! Love at first bite thanks to  the FRUITY JUICY pattern of papayas, pineapples, bananas and hibiscus flowers, that are also printed on the cap and the body of the products.

LIPSTICK – CHF 28.00

• Calm Heat – mid-tone nude (matte)
• Shy Girl – creamy neutral coral beige (cremesheen)
• Love At First Bite – bright fuchsia (amplified) – (I love!)
• Sí, Sí, Me! – deep violet (satin)

CREMESHEEN GLOSS – CHF 32.00

• Cha-Cha-Cha – warm peachy pink
• Shake, Shake, Shake! – bright apricot orange
• La Salsa – soft purple
• Summer Succulence – cool beige

EYE SHADOW x6 Fruit à la la – CHF 60.00

• Glamour Light – warm beige (satin)
• Soleil, So Lovely – dirty grey nude (matte)
• ¡Arriba! – frosty rose (frost)
• Carnal Charm – bright burnt orange red (matte)
• Fuchsia Fury – bright blue pink (satin)
• Cocktail Black – deep brown grey with pearl (satin)

EYE SHADOW x6 Love in the Glades – CHF 60.00

• Greystroke – tinted white grey (satin)
• Cumulus – mid-tone frosty grey (frost)
• Bye Bye Bahamas – soft chocolate with pearl (frost)
• Palm Leaves – soft grey green (satin)
• Neoprene Green – bright frosty emerald (veluxe pearl)
• Russian Blue – dark blackened blue grey (matte)

EYE SHADOW x6 Oh My Banana – CHF 60.00

• Retrospeck – beached blonde (lustre)
• Big Kahuna – true gold (frost)
• Soft Brown – soft golden peachy-brown (matte)
• Electric Mandarin – champagne orange (satin)
• All’s Rosy – deep pink rose (matte)
• Land of Delights – mid-tone cranberry

BRONZING POWDER – CHF 35.00

• Refined Golden – finely spun golden with soft pearl
• Banana Bronze – medium-deep toned neutral matte bronze

MAC STUDIO SCULPT BRONZING POWDER – CHF 41.00

• Delicates – neutral deep bronze with fine gold shimmer
• Delphic – coppery bronze with gold sparkles

PEARL MATTE FACE POWDER – CHF 41.00 (I love!)

• Oh My, Passion! – shimmery tan / light soft yellow /bluish pink / bright coral

LUSTRE DROPS – CHF 32.00

• Bronze Hero – rich deep bronze
• Sun Rush – peachy bronze with gold pearl

PREP+PRIME FIX+ – CHF 26.0 with coconut scent

BRUSH 

• 125 Split Fibre Dense Face Brush – CHF 54.00
• 126 Split Fibre Large Face Brush – CHF 67.00

MAKEUP BAG – CHF 38.00

In stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics