Sandra‘s Closet

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

In 1967, the famous make-up artist Shu Uemura made history by introducing the first oil-based cleanser to Japan. The cleansing oil’s exceptional reputation and gentle effectiveness quickly convinced the public of its skincare benefits and is now an emblematic product of the Shu Uemura brand. In 2012, he brought this myth to his hair care products with the launch of the Original Cleansing Oil Shampoo. This year, he has added the CLEANSING OIL SHAMPOO MOISTURE BALANCING CLEANSER FOR DRY SCALP AND HAIR to his line.

This emollient cleanser deeply purifies and rejuvenates dry hair and the scalp with the precise dose of moisture, leaving hair supple and cashmere soft.

Extracted from the Bitter Orange Tree, the Neroli Essential Oil is an emollient known to balance and maintain the right moisture and oil balance in the skin and hair. The anti-oxidant properties of this concentrated oil encourage healthy cell growth, which boost and revitalize dry, dull-looking hair.

Available for CHF 61.00 (400ml) in selected hair salons. For the store finder, visit www.shuuemuraartofhair.com.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Shu Uemura, Photographer: Koichiro Doï @ Julian Meijer Agency. Hair Stylist: Gregory Kaoua

In the beginning of the week, I flew to Florence for two amazing days with Salvatore Ferragamo. To celebrate the Italian house’s Signorina fragrance collection, an installation designed by designer Patricia Urquiola welcomed us in the Orto Botanico Giardino Dei Semplici Firenze on the occasion of Pitti Immagine Uomo.

The exhibition, a real garden of wonders, recreates a bucolic and romantic situation through three performances of Signorina – Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette and Signorina Eleganza –, which refresh visitors with delicate sprays of water reminiscent of the beautiful sensation of a perfume.

The cutest details are the endings on the metal rods, that are inspired by the Vara bow, a Ferragamo icon. I felt like a little Tuscany princess wondering around.

Il Giardino dei Semplici is Europe’s third oldest garden and was established by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo de ‘Medici in 1545, who wanted an academic garden with the prime interest in medicinal plants. Today, the botanical garden is a sanctuary for rare plants, symbolic for the world of fragrances.

Being Ferragamo’s guest, I was spoilt to a very yummy lunch on the lawn. Italian delicacies were served among a flower decoration that was outstanding, peonies, roses and many more, that can also be found in the Signorina fragrances. The ingredients were shown in the most romantic way.

SIGNORINA Eau de Parfum
FLORAL FRUITY
Top notes: Red currant and pink pepper
Middle notes: Jasmine, rose and peony
Base notes: Patchouli, panna cotta and musk

SIGNORINA Eau de Toilette
FLORAL FRUITY
Top notes: Grapefruit and litchi
Middle notes: Rose and rice
Base notes: Cashmeran and milk mousse

SIGNORINA ELEGANZA Eau de Parfum
CHYPRE FLORAL
Top notes: Pear and grapefruit
Middle notes: Osmanthus absolute and almond
Base notes: Patchouli and white leather accord

With my lovely blogger colleague Tamu McPherson at the lunch.
Stay tuned for more photos of my look coming up soon…

Happy Weekend to all of you!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

How smart is this overnight treatment?! Combining skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan for a subtle golden glow by morning. You literally tan during the night while your skin is moisturized and plumped. Such a great product that I can only recommend!

TO SHOP the Sleep Mask Tan Face by James Read CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of James Read

«Three clever little shades that provide a multitude of possibilities for perfecting your complexion: they stomp out redness and banish dark circles. They are to your average corrector what porcelain is to terracotta.» – Serge Lutens

The new concealer palette UNE BONNE CORRECTION by Serge Lutens is more than sublime, it offers everything you need for a perfect eye. It includes three different concealer shades, a translucent setting powder and some brushes so that you can slip it into a bag for easy retouching during the day.

UNE BONNE CORRECTION is available in perfumeries and in department stores for approximately CHF 205.00 (€ 150.00) now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Serge Lutens

I always love those times of the year when the famous beauty brands introduce their upcoming makeup collections for the season. Therefore I would like to show you what Giorgio Armani has come with for summer. Personally speaking, one of my favorite collections, called ECLIPSE.

Vivid colors and shades with shimmering metallics inspired by the light and dark effects of an eclipse are a great option for the perfect makeup look for a wild summer party. Find out here which makeup products you can find in this collection:

Armani Eclipse Palette CHF 99.00 (Limited Edition)

Eye & Brow Maestro CHF 46.00
No.10 Mahagony (Limited Edition) and No.11 Ash Blond (Limited Edition)

Eye Tint CHF 52.00
No.02 Midnight, No.13 Zenith (Limited Edition), No.14 Sunrise (Limited Edition) and No.15 Sunset (Limited Edition)

Eyes to Kill Liner CHF 50.00
No.07 Zenith (Limited Edition), No.08 Sunset (Limited Edition), No.09 Boreale (Limited Edition) and No.10 Minuit (Limited Edition)

Black Ecstasy Mascara CHF 51.00
No.02 Navy Blue (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer CHF 39.00
No.403 Rouge Eclipse, No.605 Mauve Eclipse (Limited Edition) and No.707 Bleu d’Armani (Limited Edition)

Available from June 2015 at Globus, Jelmoli and Manor in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Armani Beauty