Sandra‘s Closet

Finally a product that not only Marilyn Monroe would have adored. Diamonds for the face – a triple-action flash radiance serum, containing a powerful cocktail of age-defying peptides and proteins, that has an immediate lifting effect on the skin, evens out skin tone and adds luminosity to the complexion through skin tightening enzymes, vitamin C and real diamond powder.

Rodial PINK DIAMOND INSTANT LIFTING SERUM
Short Facts

Diamond Powder: Multi-dimensional light reflective particles infuse skin with a lit-from-within glow.

Vitamin C: Reduces free radical damage, aids in protection and production of collagen and elastic fibres for a younger looking complexion.

Skin Tightener ST: Skin lifting proteins and enzymes- A hydroglycolic substance which has an immediate skin tightening effect whilst also leaving the skin feeling fresh and smooth.

In Switzerland, Rodial PINK DIAMOND INSTANT LIFTING SERUM is available for CHF 330.- (30 ml) exclusively at Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Bert Stern / 1962, Still: Courtesy of Rodial

For S/S 2015, soft and pastel, long tutu tulle skirts and dresses were gracing the runways, reminiscent of the lightness of a ballerina (in the collage above from left to right: Valentino – Giorgio Armani – Vionnet). They same trend can be seen for makeup. Creating the perfect no makeup look, mastering a healthy complexion, a radiant glow by applying subtle pink blush on the cheeks, nude eye colors that can get a colorful upgrade and lips that look as if they just had been kissed are the ultimate hype this spring. Here are the products that are wish list worthy:

FACE

Instaglam™ Compact Deluxe Contouring Powder 03 by Rodial
The beauty brand of the celebs is launching an amazing makeup line this spring. This face sculptor and definer can be best applied with a contour blush along cheekbones and jawline to sculpt and define the areas of the face.
CHF 72.00 (Available exclusively at Marionnaud from April 2015)

Météorites Perles de Blush – Eclat Angélique by Guerlain
An angelic complexion in a swish of brush, this small technological wonder infuses cheeks with soft, evanescent pink. A magical hybrid blush that recreates the glow of a complexion bathed in springtime freshness.
CHF 70.00 (Limited Edition)

Jardin de Chanel Blush Camélia Rose by Chanel
The exclusive creation of the Spring 2015 Collection Rêverie Parisienne, is the most romantic blush that can be easily slipped into your bag. This beautiful duo of pinks smells divine and recalls the delicate grace and purity of the favorite flower of Mademoiselle Chanel. 
CHF 63.00 (Limited Edition)

EYES

My French Palette by Lancôme
My favorite eye palette for the day this spring. The perfect mix & match for your eyes, it reveals a little secret of aquatic hues hidden under an extra lid in this treasure box. Create versatile looks from the most sophisticated to the cutest.
CHF 79.00 (Limited Edition)

Couture Palette Collector Ombre de Jour by Yves Saint Laurent
The name itself declares this palette to be used for the day but personally speaking it is perfect for a smokey eye look for a night out. A rare and precious object, this exclusive palette combines luminosity and darkness. Dressed in a glittering sequined pink all-over, the iconic gold case is belted with black satin.
CHF 100.00 (Limited Edition)

LIPS

Eclat Minute Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector 01 Rose by Clarins (far left)
I am convinced that you will love those new lip balm perfecters by Clarins as much as I do. Great for every day, part makeup, part skin care, it melts onto the lips to veil them with subtle luminous color. 
CHF 30.00 (Available in 6 colors)

Phyto-Lip Twist 08 Candy by Sisley (far right)
This spring, Sisley offers three new shades of its famous tinted balm, which is colored like a lipstick and shiny like a gloss. Ladies, let’s twist again! Easy to apply, it stays on for hours! If you haven’t tried it yet, you will have to now!
CHF 45.00 each

Veiled Rouge Sloe RS 308 by Shiseido
Mellow, delicate color and sheen, this lip stick keeps lips moist and shimmering like a veil. You will love it for summer. 
CHF 40.00 (Available in 8 colors, I adore this deep berry hue.)

Dior Addict Gloss 624 Mylord by Dior
Part of Dior’s Spring 2015 Kingdom of Colors Collection, this new lipgloss has the perfect shimmering mauve nude with gold sparkles mixed in.
CHF 46.00

NAILS

Le Vernis Nail Colour 625 Paradiso by Chanel
CHF 35.00 (Limited edition)
Top Coat Eclosion Blossoming 01 by Dior
CHF 38.00 (Limited edition) 
The perfect duo when for together!

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog. Check it out – there are more interesting products available.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Runway photos: via Style.com and Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

La Roche-Posay Switzerland supports a great fundraiser together with the Theodora Foundation and you can be part of it. All you have to do is post a selfie with your favorite product of the brand on Instagram with the hashtag #yougivesmiles or download directly to the La-Roche Posay homepage. For every picture posted until March 31, 2015, one Theodora artist will visit a sick child in the hospital and give him or her back a smile.

So whip out your smartphone, overcome your fear of selfless, grab your favorite La Roche-Posay product and join the fun. Don’t forget any participation conjures a smile on a child’s face!

Here you see mine! I love their Eau Thermale that delivers the freshness of spring water to your face every time you need it during the day! And one tip, it makes your makeup last longer if you spray it after your application in the morning…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay and © Sandra Bauknecht

MAC launches the Cinderella collection which feeds the little girl in us who used to dance around in glittery heels hoping for a Prince Charming. The 17-piece collection is encased in sky-blue packaging with the classic Cinderella logo.

It will all be available online Feb. 26 and in stores starting March 5, just before the official remake of the Cinderella film comes to theaters on March 13. In Switzerland, it will be available at MAC Manor Zurich, MAC Manor Geneva, MAC Store Lucerne and online.

My personal favorites that are truly special from previous makeup collections are:

IRIDESCENT PRESSED POWDER
Coupe D’Chic – light golden peach with gold shimmer, CHF 42.00

MAC STUDIO EYE GLOSS
Lightly Tauped – light beige with gold pearl, CHF 37.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC, © Sandra Bauknecht

This is when I love my job the most. Receiving the most exclusive products to test them beforehand is pure pleasure. I was over the moon when Kérastase‘ new Chronologiste line arrived at my doorstep. It includes everything you need to give your hair an exceptional and complete ritual. Chronologiste combines luxurious advanced technology and unique sensory experience. This restorative treatment sublimates all hair types, from scalp to ends.

Reuniting the quintessence of the most precious ingredients in the highest concentrations ever, the Chronologiste ritual offers unequalled results and gives the hair an in temporal splendor, an in-salon unique sensorial experience, that women can prolong at home to finalize the perfect metamorphose of hair.

SOIN GOMMAGE RÉNOVATEUR
Pre-shampoo, soft texture for a an affect on the scalp and lengths. Scalp purification massage and lightweight feel.
CHF 49.00 (200ml)

BAIN REVITALISANT
Caring shampoo with an all-round action on the scalp and hair. Sublimation, volume and shine. Scalp revitalization.
CHF 31.00 (250ml)

CRÈME DE RÉGÉNÉRATION
An intensely nourishing balm for the scalp and hair. Sublimation, in-depth nutrition and shine. Scalp revitalization.
CHF 59.00 (200ml)

PARFUM EN HUILE
Enchanting finishing touch. Combination of noble notes from the world of fine fragrances.
CHF 59.00 (120ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase

After CC creams have already revolutionised the cosmetics market, alessandro International is now launching the first Colour & Care nail polish. The new all-in-one nail regime offers an extra dose of active ingredients to strengthen the nail structure. Thanks to its light coverage the individual skin colour will be illuminated. CC Polish Colour & Care is the new must-have for all those no-make-up-lovers who want an extra dose of care.

The colour palette offers four nude shades that harmonise well with all skin tones.

In summary, the CC Polish formula offers six advantages with just one application:
– A high dose of care thanks to a valuable cocktail of active ingredients
– A corrective concealing effect to cover ridges, marks and irregularities
– Natural coverage for a radiant nude look
– ‘5-free’, avoidance of ingredients that are harmful to health (formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), camphor, formaldehyde resin, toluol)
– Skin-optimising effect due to individual colour selection
– Long-term regeneration of nail structure when regime is used

What a clever idea, I like! The new CC polishes are available now for CHF 17.90 each. For store locations in Switzerland please visit www.alessandro.ch.

LoL, Sandra

Paris-born Francis Kurkdjian is revered as one of the world’s most talented perfumers; he worked behind the scenes for many years, creating fragrances for fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Dior, and Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2009, he introduced his own fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and created an alluring collection of scents. The acclaimed perfumer draws inspiration from his hometown, the City of Light.

His newest creation «À la Rose» is a tribute to femininity, a declaration of love for all women captured in a fragrance. Queen of flowers, the rose knows no boundaries and has inspired those in the creative arts for centuries.

A rosy duo in one fragrance: Two varieties of rose have bestowed the radiance and richness of their petals on this Eau de parfum: two hundred and fifty Centifolia roses from Grasse (May Rose) in the form of an absolute produce a very floral base note with sweet honeyed and carnal accents. One hundred and fifty Damascena roses from Bulgaria in the form of an essential oil create a top note with a playful blend of pear and lychee.

If you think that this is one of those in-your-face kind of rose perfume, you are mistaken, it is light and delicate. It is close to skin, perfect for the summer.

FLORAL/WOODY

Top notes: Damascena rose from Bulgaria, bergamot from Calabria and orange from California
Heart notes: Violet and magnolia blossom
Base notes: Woody cedar, musk and Centifolia rose from Grasse

In Switzerland «À la Rose» Eau de Parfum 70 ml is available now for  CHF 218.00 at Perfumery Osswald in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Every year, I am curious which shade will be announced by global color authority Pantone as the official color of the year. For 2015, it is a soothing and comforting tone, which could be an inspiration for a balanced and more fulfilling life: MARSALA. Much like the fortified wine that gives it its name, this tasteful hue with its grounding red-brown roots embodies a satisfying richness and a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

A hearty yet stylish tone, the impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors. I like it extremely in combination with mint green. It’s time to fill your wardrobe with the new It-shade!

Leather bustier by Kiki de Montparnasse

Fringed suede trench coat by Valentino

Textured-leather travel wallet by Smythson

Marsala, a slightly muted wine shade. It’s much deeper and more winter-friendly than last year’s bright, showy purple, Radiant Orchid, which means it’s kind of perfect to start wearing right now. If you’re into it, here are a some great beauty products in the hue:

Marsala for Nails: Chanel‘s Le Vernis in “639 Exception“, CHF 35.00

Baume De Rose Nutri-Couleur – Bloom Berry by By Terry

Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks in 11 Prune Impertinente by Yves Saint Laurent

5-Colour Eyeshadow in 876 Trafalgar by Christian Dior

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog. Check it out – there are more interesting products available.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Via Pantone, Etsy, Valspar Reserve, pica4u.ru – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Yesterday evening, a really fun event for the readers of L’OFFICIEL Switzerland magazine in collaboration with DIOR took place at Jelmoli in Zurich. The exclusive invitation could be found in our recent February issue and was dedicated to the launch of the brand’s new DIORSKIN NUDE AIR collection.

In my position as editor in chief of L’Officiel Switzerland. I welcomed the guests together with Michelle Fisher, Dior’s make-up expert, who shared some amazing tips with us.

One of the biggest trends in fashion and beauty is the no makeup look which means you wear makeup without looking like you do. Dior is a true pioneer in achieving this natural look with the new DIORSKIN NUDE AIR line: weightless velvety freshness, a foundation that breathes, a range for flawless skin with a incredibly fine, exceptional texture, as light and beneficial as a breath of fresh air, for an enhanced complexion with sheer correction. Like after a day in the great outdoors,you achieve the fresh, radiant beauty of a natural healthy glow.

The DIORSKIN NUDE AIR range includes:

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR SERUM FOUNDATION
A few drops of this ultra-fluid are enough to create perfect nude makeup with a velvety finish and a no-makeup feel that is both ultra-natural and luminous. Made with oils that evaporate instantly, the talc-free Diorskin Nude Air formula deposits an undetectable film of makeup on the skin. Dior introduces Oxygen Activ™ technology, an innovative combination of a hyper-oxygenated oil, Cranberry oil, vitamins and minerals. Revitalised, the skin breathes and becomes more beautiful each day.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR LOOSE POWDER
Impressively light, this loose powder sets and protects makeup while protecting skin from urban assaults.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR POWDER COMPACT
The powder compact transparently unifies and mattifies the complexion to create the illusion of a fresh and radiant glow.

DIORSKIN NUDE AIR TAN BRONZING POWDER
Available in a range of naturally blended shades, the bronzing powder warms the skin tone giving a sunny complexion that radiates vitality.

Guests were able to experience this new light makeup along with the complete range of DIOR products during the night and were able to get a complete makeover.

The DIOR team: Michelle Fisher, Giuseppe Oltolini and Manuela Pastore with me.

Sophie Handke and Nina Aryapour with me

Personally speaking, it was so lovely to meet my readers last night. Some had even come from Basel, Zug and other Swiss cities. This morning, the first photos of yesterday’s event popped up on my Facebook wall and I am happy to share them with you. Thank you, ladies, for coming, for posting, for commenting and for being loyal readers of L’Officiel Switzerland and Sandra’s Closet. You are the reason I am doing this job with all my heart!

LoL, Sandra

Young Park with me

Jackie and Paula Iller with me

Jo Dema and Bojana Veljkovic with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht (A huge thank you to my daughter for taking them!)
Thank you to Sophie Handke, Nina Aryapour, Jo Dema, Bojana Veljkovic and Young Park for the lovely pictures!

For all fragrance addicts, this is great news: AJ ARABIA is a new perfumery house founded by Ali Aljaberi in Abu Dhabi. Original fragrances that combine the best of French perfumery with the treasures of the Arabian Desert, in a breathtaking packaging inspired by the beautiful Arabian architecture.

The fragrances will be numbered rather than named, and are designed to be worn by both men and women.

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION I
«Arabian hospitality in a bottle»

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Cardamom
Heart Notes: Incense, Cypress
Base Notes: Sandal Wood, Musk, Cedar Wood

AJ ARABIA BLACK COLLECTION II
«Sweet Arabian seduction»

Top Notes: Plum, Mandarin
Heart Notes: Rose, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Moss

I personally love the second oriental fragrance, Black Collection II, that features fruity top notes, a woody-floral heart and a classic dry-down. This delicate and fragrant perfume with its enticing aromas takes you on a journey to the marvelous heritage of the Middle East.

Both fragrances (50ml) are available exclusively in Zurich at Perfumery Osswald for CHF 396.- each.

Speaking of Abu Dhabi, don’t forget to enter the amazing contest with Etihad HERE. For more information about the ultimate shopping experience that you can win with me in Abu Dhabi, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of AJ ARABIA