Sandra‘s Closet

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

OPI introduces its new F/W 2015 nail polish collection that is taking inspiration from one of the oldest cities in Europe: Venice. 15 new shades (available also as GelColors) that celebrate the beauty of this magic place with the Adriatic Sea surrounding it.

All those shades will be available for at least 6 months.

The three limited edition hues will only be for sale for around 3 months. So hurry up to conquer your favorites when the collection will hit the shelves. In Switzerland from August 15, 2015 for CHF 19.90 each nail polish.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

As the London men’s collections came to a close, a fashion show with a difference took place. The master of ceremonies, Mister Tom Ford himself, presented his Fall/Winter 2015 Menswear collection at Howick Place. Like a trouper on stage, he took the microphone to explain his new looks that were shown in groups of extremely handsome male models.

Ford mixed in an interesting way sportswear and suits, by adding sneakers to the formal looks. Houndstooth and leather, dufflecoats and psychedelic patterns, all elements reminiscent of the ’60s signed off the younger attitude of this F/W 2015 collection.

Being a gentleman of taste and class, he knows how to strike a pose. His designs are admired by both, men and women. His manners seem so British, the Texan boy is rarely seen. When he entered the room to start his show, he spotted me wearing one of his key looks of the season. With a big smile, before greeting everyone, he said: «Nice dress!». He is witty, he is funny and so handsome.

In the evening, the trendy, exclusive «Chiltern Firehouse» was the site of Tom Ford’s celebration for his latest men’s fragrance, NOIR EXTREME. A stylish crowd, among them Lily Allen, Alexa Chung, David Gandy, came to experience his new scent.

«With NOIR EXTREME, Tom Ford aims to capture that exact moment when a man reaches extreme new heights: his sophistication becomes magnetic, transfixing the world at large.»
Being known for decadent and opulent ingredients, this deep woody oriental scent offers a base of amber-drenched accords that give rise to citrus notes of mandarin oil and neroli, adding heat from spiced cardamom and nutmeg. At the heart of the fragrance is the tantalizing Indian Kulfi—an accord inspired by the ancient royal concoction prepared for 16th century Mughal Emperors. This milky creation, which traditionally consists of Himalayan snow combined with hints of pistachio, is delivered unexpectedly into the core along with floral notes of rose absolute, jasmine and orange flower. Elegant sandalwood and a melting vanilla ember, enigmatically sustaining the masculine fire finish off Tom Ford’s new fragrance creation.

Wearing many hats and managing them all with perfection, fashion designer, movie director, model or master of his own fragrance empire, he himself seems like the perfect «Noir Man» in an extreme version, contemplating his own American dream. The one we all would like to live…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford and © Sandra Bauknecht 

Jo Malone welcomes summer with the playful and carefree collection of scents «Blue Skies & Blossoms» that are all limited editions. So for all fragrance collectors among you, hurry up, those bottles will fly off the shelves. Honestly, if I had to decide which one is my favorite, I would completely fail as they are all extremely yummy.

Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne
This floral scent captures the airiness of spring. Blossom fluttering on boughs. Pure and transient. Diaphanous layers of cherry blossom mingle with sheer notes of rose, brightened with sparkling bergamot.

Plum Blossom Cologne
The cerise splashes of plum blossom herald the promise of warmer days. Like nature’s fluttering rosettes, pinned to arching boughs. Architectural against the sunlit sky.

Osmanthus Blossom Cologne
Delicately exotic. This white flower captures the duality of apricot counterpoised with supple leather. Luminous petitgrain and luscious peach and orange flower ripple over voluptuous cashmere wood.

Available now. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich for CHF 136.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

MAC Le Disko Collection is all about sparkling effects for eyes and lips so you’ll be definitely turning heads with this makeup look. Feel the fever with glittering Dazzleshadows in such beautiful hues. Let your bathroom become a discotheque of colors this summer – enjoy!

MAC Dazzleshadow –  CHF 31.00

She Sparkles – light grey with silver sparkles
Last Dance – peach beige with pink sparkles
Let’s Roll – red bronze with sparkles
Try Me On – deep blue green with sparkles
Say It Isn’t So – dark grey with pink sparkles
Can’t Stop, Don’t Stop – deep plum purple with sparkles
Let’s Boogie – black with sparkles
Boom Boom Room – light burgundy with emerald sparkles
I Like 2 Watch – mid-tone brown with gold sparkles
Slow / Fast / Slow – bronze with red sparkles
Get Physical – purple with light blue sparkles
Feel the Fever – deep blue purple with pink sparkles

MAC Dazzleglass – CHF 32.00

Rollergirl – nude with pink pearl
Sugarrimmed – pale white beige
Phiff! – sheer neutral beige with orange undertone
Cherry Popping – fuchsia with purple pearl
Boys Go Crazy – dark purple with blue undertone

MAC Superslick Liquid Eyeliner – CHF 29.00
Nocturnal – bright silver pearl
Pure Show – bright yellow-gold pearl

MAC Brush – CHF 38.00
247 Flat Shader Brush

Such a lovely collection – in Switzerland available in July at all MAC counters and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

After a long hot day at the beach, you come back to your luxurious hotel room and get ready for the night. You get prepared for a romantic and elegant dinner during sunset. You skin is still warm and slightly tanned. You hear the sound of the ocean from far and smell the salt in the air.

Parfums M.Micallef and Perfumery Osswald have joined forces to create two exclusive fragrances, one for women and one for men, that are inspired by those precious holiday moments. A scent that delivers sun, elegance and relaxation at once.

About Parfums M.Micallef

Parfums M.Micallef was founded in 1996 in Grasse by perfumer Geoffrey Nejman and Martine Micallef who is in charge for the extraordinary flacons. It has become one of the most renown niche perfume brands of the world.

AZURE CRYSTAL WOMAN (100ml, Eau de Parfum, CHF 289.00)
Top notes: Neroli, bergamot, mandarine
Middle notes: Plum, jasmine, monoï, coconut
Base notes: White musk, amber, vanilla

AZURE CRYSTAL MAN: (100ml, Eau de Parfum, CHF 289.00)
Top notes: Neroli, bergamot, red berries, lemon
Middle notes: Cinnamon, jasmine, tonka bean
Base notes: White musk, amber, vanilla, ceder, cashmere

Those two fragrances are only available at Perfumery Osswald. I took AZURE CRYSTAL WOMAN with me to Sardegna (for my first vacation post, click here please) and it is a true pleasure to apply it in the evening. It smells so incredibly good that I cannot get enough of it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands