Sandra‘s Closet

Miley Cyrus returns as the iconic VIVA GLAM‘s spokesperson with two surefire hits: a super-sexy bright orange LIPSTICK (CHF 28.00) and a coordinating LIPGLASS with sparkling pearl shimmer (CHF 26.00).

This limited edition M∙A∙C Viva Glam Fall 2015 Miley Cyrus collection will be exclusively available at all M·A·C counters and www.maccosmetics.ch from September 2015.

Every cent of the selling of those two products goes toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

During Paris Haute Couture fashion week, a superlative event took place at the Casino de Paris – the ‘WÔW’ party, nicknamed after Lancôme’s signature letter – to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the brand, founded by entrepreneur Armand Petitjean in 1935.

Celebrating the House’s continually unique take on French beauty, guests enjoyed a surrealistic photocall where they were invited to strike a pose amongst giant cut outs of the brands iconic products and symbols, to the poetic fresh rose arch that served as an entrance to the theatre and a playful exhibition of carefully conserved objects from its patrimony: everything stated loud and clearly that “La vie est belle en Lancôme”, life is beautiful with Lancôme.

Celebrating 80 years of Lancôme is also celebrating femininity the Lancôme way. This could not have been achieved without the women who today embody the brand: Julia Roberts, Penélope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Lupita Nyong’o, Lily Collins, Alma Jodorowsky and Daria Werbowy were all on stage together for the first time ever, to wish a happy anniversary to Lancôme. Isabella Rossellini, who graced the brand with her charm and beauty for so many years, was the master of ceremony.

Among the highlights of the party, which gathered more the 1200 guests from the beauty, fashion, film and art world, was ultimate showgirl Kylie Minogue’s private concert of some of her most danced to songs, followed by French DJ Kiddy Smile who played late into the night.

Elettra Wiedemann, daughter of Isabella Rosselini,…

…Singer John Legend («All of me») and…

…Lisa Eldridge, recently appointed Creative Director of Lancôme Make up, were also in attendance.

Lancôme Power: Natacha Klein, Vincent Mottier, Margherita Masiello and Claire Jamet

With Margherita Masiello, PR Manager Switzerland Lancôme

The party is only one of the highlights of a celebration that started last January with the release of ‘Editions du Regard’ a book celebrating the brand’s heritage. This was followed by the launch of the first web only limited edition Lancôme products – three shades of the legendary L’Absolu Rouge, and a participative digital platform designed as a tribute to Lancôme’s customers “You are Lancôme”. Five participants who entered this creative ‘selfie’ contest won a ticket to the WÔW party.

The celebration will reach its climax in December with the launch of two extremely limited editions: the re-edition of Les Jumelés, a jewel lipstick case form Lancôme’s patrimony, and a very special version of the new La Vie est Belle l’Extrait created with France’s oldest high jeweller, Mellerio dit Mellers. Stay tuned!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Stéphane Fougère for Lancôme, © Sandra Bauknecht

Whether you’re heading to the beach in Saint Tropez, to a boardroom meeting or simply snuggling up with a good book on a Sunday: a braid is your perfect style partner and I have the ultimate braid guide for you today.

Combining fashion illustrations and easy-to-do tutorials, Kérastase‘s ‘The Couture Book of Braids’ features 30 different styles, from plaited ponytails to headband styles, beautiful summery fishtails, and even those extremely sophisticated alpine-style crown braids. Great news is that this e-book is free for download here.

Absolutely helpful is that Kérastase also shares their expertise on the best products to use, including their new Matérialiste all-over thickening spray gel (available now for CHF 34.00 / 190ml) that adds body and texture so that braiding becomes a breeze for those with fine hair, hair lacking density or even those that just want the perfect natural air-dry with a bit of “oomph”.

Use Matérialiste to create ‘The hat option waterfall braid’ found on page 92 in ‘The Couture Book Of Braids’.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase and © Sandra Bauknecht

For those who prefer timeless glamour rather than all-out flash, the sophisticated allure of matte reigns supreme. Now, M∙A∙C expands its offering of this classic suede-like finish with 12 new shades of Matte and Retro Matte Lipstick. These lipsticks promise a pop of colour that will linger on your lips with impressive staying power. Sophisticated and stylish!

To explore all new shades, please click here. My favorite at the moment is «D for Danger», a beautiful matte brick red (see photo above).

The collection will hit the shelves in Switzerland on August 13, 2015. Available at all M∙A∙C counters and online for CHF 28.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C and © Sandra Bauknecht 

My dear readers! You will thank me forever after having tried this new product: SHU UEMURA ART OF HAIR WONDER WORKER! A rendez-vouz between haircare and styling, this multi-tasking primer effortlessly perfects the hair’s surface to enhance the performance of styling products. Ideal for air-drying, blow-drying, and refreshing second-day hair, its 7 instant benefits work to hydrate, detangle, smooth, condition, boost radiance, tame frizz, and add silkiness thanks to Moringa extracts (see photo below). Safe on color-treated hair.

HOW TO USE:
1. Apply on towel-dried hair.
2. Spray throughout mid-lengths to ends.
3. Comb through to spread evenly.
4. Air dry or blow dry to style as desired.

HAIR TYPE: For all hair types.

Available for CHF 50.00 (150ml) at all Shu Uemura salons.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Shu Uemura

Meet the face of GUCCI‘s newest fragrance BAMBOO: GAL GADOT. In 2004, the Israeli actress and model won the Miss Israel title and is known for her role as Gisele in The Fast and the Furious film series. She also stars as Wonder Woman in the upcoming movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice along with Ben Affleck and Jeremy Irons.

Gadot seems to be the epitome of a Wonder Woman as she is a wife, a mother of a 4-year-old girl and a successful businesswoman. She served for two years as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. Strong and beautiful, the same duality that Gucci Bamboo reflects. I met her in NYC for the launch of the new campaign.

Were you involved in the creative process of creating the fragrance? Or was it already finished?
I came to this beautiful result. It was already done. But before we shot the commercial, I really wanted to know what am I shooting. The moment I smelt it, I was so happy because it is just so good. It has all the right elements, it’s sexy and floral, but not too heavy. It’s sweet, but not too sweet and it’s fresh! I love it.

What is a bamboo for you? A strong wood or a weak plant?
It is both. It’s adjustable.

You seem to be a Wonder Woman. Model, actress, wife and mother in one. How do you accommodate all those tasks?
I just do it. I don’t sleep much.

How do you look so gorgeous when you don’t sleep a lot?
(Laughs) Two hours of hair and makeup. And I try to stay healthy. I work out a lot and eat good things. I keep my skin always clean before I go to bed. I try to wear light makeup and I drink a lot of water. And the most important I stay happy and positive.

You were in the Israeli army. How was that?
It’s mandatory in Israel. We all have to go, men do three years and women two. It was a good experience for me, I learnt a lot. It is not about you, it is about giving back to community which I find a beautiful thing. The discipline taught me a lot. You need to get up at 6 am, you run, you are on your legs constantly.

Did you learn how to use a weapon? Did this help you with your role as Wonder Woman?
Yes, of course, I learnt how to use a weapon. But it didn’t help me for Wonder Woman as she only uses a sword, a lasso and a shield.

In the commercial for Gucci Bamboo you are a multifaceted woman. In one scene, you are even fencing. Please tell us a little more about shooting the campaign.
Unfortunately, that is the only scene I couldn’t do myself due to my busy schedule. Art Director Fabien Baron came up with this beautiful vision how we wanted to promote this fragrance on the big screen and make people experience this perfume visually. It is basically a woman how is strong and powerful but at the same time she is feminine, sexy and elegant.

What is your first memory of a perfume?
I remember the first time I ever used a perfume. I sneaked in my mother’s bathroom and I just bathed myself in different scents. I was around 8 or 9 years old.

Do you ever worry about aging?
Not yet. I just had a discussion with my husband about the fact that women don’t age as good as men. And I was asking myself why. We try so hard to stay young, use all those facial creams and treatments. So I came to the fact that it is just nature. Once we cannot reproduce anymore, we start aging. But on the other side, there are so many older women today that are relevant, so strong and symbolize so many good things. I have four grey hairs already and I feel good about them. I don’t tear them out, I feel I earned them.

What makes you the most happy?
My family.

Do you have a role in mind you would like to play in the future?
I actually do, but it is kind of depressing. I would like to do a movie that deals with the Holocaust.

By whom do you get inspired?
By people who are optimistic, who are grateful for life, who are original and think outside of the box.

Israeli women have a special aura. Why is that?
We say what we think, there is no filter. Stylewise it is just affected by the weather. It is so hot we dress less.

Gal Gadot in three words.
Mother, wife and actress. Heart, smile and fruit.

Thank you, Gal, for this lovely interview!

To find out more about GUCCI BAMBOO, please click HERE for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci and © Sandra Bauknecht

Monday last week, I arrived in NYC to attend the launch of Gucci‘s newest fragrance GUCCI BAMBOO that took place at the Bowery hotel for two days with special events. During that time, I was able to meet and interview the face of the campaign, Israeli actress and model GAL GADOT, who is known for her role as Gisele in The Fast and the Furious film series and as Wonder Woman in the upcoming movie Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Stay tuned for the interview which will be coming up tomorrow. For now, let’s have a look at the new fragrance.

First of all what does Bamboo means? For Gucci, it is not so much about the plant but about the woodstock, its strength and resilience which is used for the iconic bag handles for example (If you are interested to see a tour around the manufacture in Casselina, I invite you to click here).

For the fragrance, the Italian fashion house tried to stay true to its DNA and transported the iconic leather and wood aspect to the scent. It has been a long process of almost 3 years, with lots of iterations until the final result was found.

Duality plays an important role, reflecting strength and femininity at the same time. Woody floral fragrances have been used for a long time in the Gucci perfume world but with GUCCI BAMBOO, another story has been written, something different and exotic from all the others.

The Notes

1. Casablanca Lilies from North Africa (a Headspace recreation) add a wonderful complexity as if the sun is touching the petals itself.

2. Ylang Ylang from the Comoros Islands of the East coast of Africa (natural extraction). Only the extract is used for Gucci Bamboo. The small yellow flowers are handpicked and than right afterwards put in a steamed distillation.

3. Sandalwood from Australia (a natural extraction of the bark). This is another very important signature note for Gucci as it adds the duality.

4. Tahitian Vanilla (special chosen quality). It has more dryness, a balsamic quality, very rich, not too sweet, more leathery.

5. In order to bring to life the dazzling and fresh aspect of the fragrance, Pear and Italian Bergamot were used as opening notes. This give that crunchy freshness.

The fragrance is really beautiful and it literally grows on you during the day. In the morning, you apply the freshness that transforms during the following hours in something very rich and floral and that ends with a captivating dryness.

The face, Gal Gadot, is the epitome of a modern multifaceted woman. Mother, wife and businesswoman. Warm and open. Strong and feminine, just like a bamboo.

GUCCI BAMBOO is available from July 30, 2015.
Eau de Parfum 30ml (€64.00), 50ml (€89.00) and 75ml (€114.00)

Shower Gel 200ml (€35.00), Body Lotion 200ml (€37.00) and Deodorant Natural Spray 100ml (€26.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, © Sandra Bauknecht

Recently I had a lovely lunch at Seerose in Zurich to explore the newest scent by Jo Malone: MIMOSA & CARDAMOM. It is such a lovely fragrance, unexpected and new with its modern floriental signature. The nose behind it is Marie Salamagne.

Marie, can you tell us about the brief from Jo Malone London?
The first thing that Jo Malone London showed me was some incredibly vivid orientalist paintings from the nineteenth century. They wanted to create a fragrance that captured the bohemian spirit of adventure from the Victorians, who travelled the world collecting intriguing objects, to the vibrant hedonism of the sixties to the modern day bohemian. With Jo Malone London the process is always very immersive so I looked forward to really delving into the bohemian world.

Please tell us about how you were inspired by Mimosa.
Mimosa & Cardamom is infused with sensuality and much of this comes from the mimosa itself, an unusual powdery and honeyed floral that perfectly captures the bohemian character. I had a strong memory of the mimosa flower which made it even more exciting to work with. It has always reminded me of my childhood and winter weekends spent near the coast in the South of France. It was a joy to see these blooms again when Jo Malone London took me to see the mimosa growing in the Tanneron Mountains in Provence. It was a cold February day with bright blue skies. The scent and spectacle of the fluffy yellow flowers was unbelievable, mimosa is the golden sun of winter! I took some branches back from Tanneron with me and put them in my office so every day I could be inspired by the smell of the bright yellow pompoms. I chose to use a sumptuous absolute of Mimosa from the South of France, rich with a multifaceted character to capture the beauty of these flowers.

MIMOSA & CARDAMOM
FLORIENTAL

Top note: Cardamom
Middle note: Mimosa
Base note: Tonka Bean

Fragrance Combining™
With English Pear & Freesia for a spicy note and with Red Roses for a soft and comforting warmth.

The Mimosa & Cardamom Collection
Cologne 30ml, CHF 69.00
Cologne 100ml, CHF 130.00
Body Wash & Hand Cream 250ml, CHF 47.00
Body Cream 175ml, CHF 99.00
Home Candle 200g, CHF 82.00

In Switzerland available in August 2015 at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht

Don’t be a sweaty mess. Fill your beach bag with these Baywatch-sexy beauty essentials to keep you cool, protected, and looking good all summer. Here are my favorites:

FOR THE FACE

LANCÔME Belle de Teint – CHF 69.00
in 04 Belle de Mielle

 Perfect for a healthy glow,  this silky, smooth bronzer adds instant color, shimmer and healthy glow to your skin. I like to use it on my face or all over my body to enhance my summer tan.

LANCÔME Shine Lover – CHF 40.00
in 120 Ô My Rouge

A vibrant shine lipstick that reveals the attitude of a smile while hydrating, rejuvenating, and smoothing the lips.

SISLEY Phyto-Eye Twist – CHF 45.00
in 02 Bronze

This is your all-in-one waterproof eye make-up solution combing an eye shadow and with an eyeliner. The “jumbo” tip blends and glides to color the eyelids the way you like it. Perfect for the beach!

CLARINS UV Plus Anti-Pollution
Day Screen Multi Protection SPF 50 – CHF 59.00

This is my daily must-have all year around because it is the perfect daily defense for younger-looking skin as the lightweight, oil-free screen shields skin from UVA/UVB rays, pollution, and free radical damage. It forms an invisible shield that protects the skin from the appearance of dark spots and future aging.

FOR THE BODY

BIOTHERM Spray Solaire Lacté SPF 30 – CHF 41.00 (200ml)
Ultra-Light Moisturizing Sun Spray

I love this oil-free and non-sticky sun protection spray. With its quick application, high SPF and water-resistant formula, its is ideal for all your beach activities.

CLARINS Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster – CHF 46.50

One word: amazing! This self-tanner that can be mixed with any skin care product to add a self-tanning effect to the moisturising and firming benefits of your usual routine. Ultra-simple for a radiant sun-kissed glow.

ESTÉE LAUDER Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent – CHF 82.00 (100ml)

Last but not least, summer wouldn’t be the same for me without Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess scent. The limited edition fragrance is finally back and it smells like beach, sun and summer in a bottle with its gourmand base notes of amber, coconut milk, vanilla, vetiver, sandalwood and myrrh.

This post is also available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht

First of all, let me tell you, I hate sun creams. For me, it is something I have to apply to protect my skin but cannot be bothered too much with. So my ideal solution is to use it once and be protected the whole day.

La Roche-Posay ANTHELIOS XL CREAM SPF 50 (50ml, CHF 30.00) has become my favorite. It is perfect for sensitive and sun intolerant skin, very water-resistant and its UVA protection twice stricter than the European recommendation (for sun care) thanks to its patented and photostable filtering system Mexoplex®. Its moisturising velvety texture leaves no white marks and works for the body as well as for the face! The range includes also a BB (50ml, CHF 30.00) and a Blur cream (40ml, CHF 30.00), both with SPF 50.

Like this, you can enjoy the sun to the fullest and read our big summer issue of L’Officiel Switzerland that is now at the newsstands nationwide.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht