Sandra‘s Closet

Ramón Béjar is definitely one of the best perfumers in the world and creator of internationally acclaimed niche fragrances that raised him as the main conciliator between Eastern and Western perfumery. Since he discovered his passion for perfume under the wing of an oriental master who taught him the secrets of this tradition, he has been dedicated to the art of perfumery, leaving in his wake the creation of some fragrances that transcend the boundaries of history for their delicacy.

My Swiss readers can discover his finest selection of perfumes, extreme and exclusive, extracted from the noblest natural materials in the world now at Perfumery Osswald in Zurich.

Eight fragrances are available at the moment: Celestial Rose, Deep Amber, Magnum Iris, Elvish Musk, Secret Sandalwood, Wild Oud, Sanctum Perfume and Jasmine Maat, the latter of which is my personal favorite.

JASMINE MAAT

The experience of a sunset in a jasmine garden on the banks of the Nile. All the mystery and mysticism of natural with secret hints of perfume.

Top Notes: Bergamot Oil, Blackcurrant, Camomile Oil.
Heart Notes: Jasmine Egypt Absolute, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Rose.
Base Notes: Tiare absolute, Vanilla, Musk.

Available as Eau de Parfum for CHF 398.00 (75ml) at Perfumery Osswald in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Ramón Béjar

Now, that we just got our fingers on the highly anticipated Prabal Gurung collection for MAC Cosmetics, we have something else to look forward to: Giambattista Valli is the next designer to collaborate with the beauty brand. To celebrate the French fashion house’s 10th anniversary, Valli is bringing his signature florals to a limited edition lipstick collection.

The lineup features five shades, that are done with a matte finish and encased in a colourful version of MAC’s traditional black bullet tube. The collection will launch in stores worldwide in Summer 2015. OMG!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

After seasons of backstage-to-runway beauty partnerships, M·A·C and Prabal Gurung debut their highly anticipated makeup collaboration. The modern glamour and immaculate style of the designer comes to life with M·A·C in an exclusive colour collection featuring smoky, gilded hues for eyes, lips and cheeks in ultra-luxurious, custom gold packaging.

Lipstick CHF 38.00 and Lipglass CHF 36.00
Light English Red sheer beige nude (lustre)
Carmine Rouge clean true red (matte)
Ultramarine Pink mid-tone dirty violet (satin)

Cream Colour Base CHF 89.00
Coral Lumineux vivid coral crème

Eyeshadow Duo CHF 58.00  
Satin Ochre soft pale white gold (frost)/coral orange (matte)
Terre shimmering neutral beige (veluxe pearl)/mid-tone warm brown (satin)
Cinder smoky cool grey (lustre)/dark charcoal (matte)

Kohl Power Eye Pencil CHF 28.00
Feline rich black

Chromagraphic Pencil CHF 28.00
NW25/NC30

Bronzing Powder CHF 89.00
Matte Bronze bare shouldered bronze

Square Handled Buffer CHF 89.00

The 14-piece collection is available now in MAC stores in the U.S. and online – and in December in all of the brand’s international stores (except China). In Switzerland exclusively at MAC store Lucerne and at maccosmetics.ch.

ABOUT PRABAL GURUNG
Singapore-born designer Prabal Gurung is one of the hottest names in eveningwear. Gurung’s talent for directional yet feminine silhouettes can be seen in his dreamlike prints, hot-hued gowns and sleek flared pants that add a cool new dimension to after-dark dressing.

TO SHOP PRABAL GURUNG PRET-A-PORTER ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s outfit post featuring an amazing Prabal Gurung look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics, WWD, Style.com and © Sandra Bauknecht

When I spotted these limited edition vanity cases filled with the most amazing products, I knew I had arrived in beauty heaven. The only problem is that those Selfridges exclusives are only available for UK shipping only or in store which means I have to find an angel who will bring me one of those boxes to Switzerland.

The Tom Ford Beauty Trousseau showcases a collection of transforming tools and products from sumptuous colours for lips, eyes and cheeks to complexion perfecting makeup, plus the essential makeup brushes to create a captivating, sensuous Tom Ford look. Discover the ultimate indulgence this Christmas and personalize your own makeup vault.

In honour of the brand’s 20 year anniversary, The Vault from NARS includes a stunning collection of lip and nail colours personally chosen by François Nars. A unique gift; each of the colours in this special edit were specifically chosen for their strength, character and timeless appeal. In Switzerland available at Jelmoli for CHF 590.00.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté is bringing a couture touch to your fingertips this Christmas season with the lavish limited edition La Laque Couture Colour Collection. Comprising the entire collection of La Laque Couture nail polish in one luxurious black acrylic box, it features 24 iconic YSL shades. One for each mood and outfit, now you can change your enamel as often as you change your handbag or shoes.

Welcome to the Ciaté Nail Lab, the ultimate at home nail studio. Create your own glitter combination and mix with clear Suspension Top coat for classic glitter polish finish or roll your wet nail into the glitter blend for a textured look. Also included are six of Ciaté London’s iconic highly pigmented professional crème shades with a super-blendable formula, allowing you to direct your own nail look by mixing custom-made nail colour. You’ll find the essential elements to help you create and master pro nail looks, including dotting tool, ombré sponge and striping brush. Crown your creation by giving it its own name using the enclosed nametags, perfect for creating a special gift.

Step into the splendour of the holiday season with a colour-filled countdown. Be swept away with this extravagant 24 piece mini nail collection, hidden behind each window of this fairy-tale worthy gift set. The perfect slice of nostalgia this holiday time! Ciaté’s Mini Mani Manor advent calendar includes 17 of Ciaté’s most popular shades including Mistress, Amazing Gracie and Cupcake Queen, five exclusive textured polishes, one exclusive full size Paint Pot and one set of festive nail transfers. Mini Mani Manor comes in three different variations; which one will you discover? Step inside the wonderful Mini Mani Manor and start your Christmas with Ciaté!

If you cannot make it to London on time, I recommend this exclusive Net-à-Porter holiday kit including 14 of the online giant’s favorite must-have skincare, makeup and hair products that can be shipped internationally to your doorstep. This luxurious set makes the perfect gift for beauty enthusiasts or the friend who has everything.

Aren’t all those sets to die for? Which one is your favorite?

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands, © Selfridges and © Net-à-porter

Armani/Privé consists of four, continually evolving fragrance collections, revealing different facets of the designer’s vision of luxury. “Les Éditions Couture” are limited editions, inspired by his latest S/S runway collections; “La Collection” celebrates the most legendary perfume ingredients; “Les Mille et Une Nuits” revisits the opulence of the Orient; and “Les Eaux,” is a luminous hymn to nature, awakening memories of mythic gardens.

Pivoine Suzhou is Giorgio Armani’s newest launch which is for the first time inspired by the legendary gardens of Asia, combining elegance and freshness with soft, lingering sensuality. An olfactory journey inspired by precious flowers and plants, sunlight and pure, cascading water – the source of nature. In China, its character also represents femininity – the yin – and the beginning of life itself, it is a pure celebration of China’s most beloved flower: the peony.

Suzhou is an UNESCO World Heritage site, a city full of canals and bridges. Marco Polo described Suzhou as the “ Venice of east”.

“In front of the courtyard, the common-garden peony is entrancing but without style, On the pond, the lotus is pure but lacking in feelings. Only the tree peony is the most beautiful in the land, When it opens its blossoms, the whole capital stirs into motion.”
– Liu Yuxi’s poem – Tang dynasty, 9th century

The fragrance is dominated by a peony accord and intensified with a special May rose absolute. The opening accord is given by citrusy tangerine notes and raspberry and the ultra long-lasting base notes are created by the amber-like notes, musk and a hint of patchouli that warm up the whole composition. Pivoine Suzhou is a sublimely essential fragrance, created for a discerning woman who appreciates the art and craft of haute perfumery.

Armani/Privé Pivoine Suzhou Eau de Toilette will be available from January 2015 in limited edition.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Armani

Some of you might suffer from dry skin all year around while others only have that problem during the winter season. A great new product on the market that targets flare-ups of severe dryness is La Roche-Posay‘s new LIPIKAR Baume AP+ Lipid Replenishing Anti-Irritation Body Balm that helps to regain supple, soft skin and a durable comfort. If you imagine a greasy heavy cream, you are mistaken. It is a pure pleasure applying it due to its quickly absorbed texture that is also fragrance- and paraban-free. Suitable for babies, children and adults, it works also for sensitive, atopy-prone and allergy-prone skin.

LIPIKAR Baume AP+ is composed of Aqua Posae Filiformis, a new and exclusive patented ingredient, to act on the two determining factors for atopy-prone skin:
• Re-establish the and stabilize the microbiome’s balance.
• Restore and preserve the skin barrier.
All within a formula concentrated with niacinamide  and shea butter (20%).

Available as 400ml pump dispenser (CHF 34.00) and 200ml easy squeeze tube with outer package (CHF 26.00) from November 2014.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Roche-Posay

MAYBELLINE has launched an extremely cool line of Baby Lips Electro Lip Balms in six new tinted shades with actress Emily DiDonato being the face of the campaign.

Are you on board to rock some sheer neon 80’s shades? Great news is that they don’t only look good but visibly renew lips in just one week. Smoother, less dry, more supple and better looking lips while enjoying electric color pigments in this exclusive formula.

The six new shades are Pink Shock, Minty Sheer, Strike a Rose, Berry Bomb, Fierce n Tangy and Oh Orange.

Apply in the center of your upper lip to the outer edges, following the contours of your mouth. Then glide across the entire bottom lip. Can be worn under lip color. CHF 4.90 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maybelline and © Sandra Bauknecht

An oriental floral fragrance, CLINIQUE Beyond Rose is a scent that has been customized for a Middle Eastern and Gulf audience. Arabia’s past, presence and future meet in this sophisticated perfume spray that is both modern and complex. An exclusive blend of the most precious balms and resins handcrafted around a unique wild rose accord.

Rose as you have never known it… sheer layers that build into an intense experience, with hints of amber and a shock of pepper.

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top note: White pepper, freesia flowers and mate leaves
Middle note: Damask rose, rose oil and osmanthus blossom
Base note: Amber, labdanum, styrax and benzoin

Available now in Switzerland at Globus Geneva, Manor Geneva, Manor Lugano, Jelmoli Zurich and Manor Zurich for CHF 140.00 (100ml).
TO SHOP CLINIQUE BEYOND ROSE ONLINE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clinique, © Gregoire Mahler

The epitome of bold luxury, M∙A∙C Ultimate combines an innovative design aesthetic with the sumptuous formulas of their Ultimate Lipstick and Sheer Mystery Powder. Ten new lip colours are utterly chic, while Sheer Mystery Powder smoothes onto skin in luminous hues that are barely there. Perfectly encased in modern geometric designs, this standout packaging features a sleek chrome finish in two cult-collectible accessories.

Ultimate Lipstick (CHF 36.00)

To Savour Light cool pink
Soft Pout Sheer pink peach with white pearl
Marque Soft light neutral pink
Ravishingly Rich Bright mid-tone orange
Femme-de-Luxe Bright pink
Catharina Fuchsia
Audacious Warm mid-tone red
Dangerously Chic Cool mid-tone red
Vogue en Violet Cool mid-tone violet
The Scene Deep berry

Sheer Mystery Powder (CHF 71.00)

Light Medium Pale ivory
Medium Plus Tan beige
Dark Secret Deep caramel
Deep Dark Caramelized brown

The collection will be available in Switzerland at Globus and as an online exclusive from January 2015.
(In other countries the launch will be earlier, in the US in December 2014.)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC

Every addition to the Hermès universe has turned everyday rituals into pure acts of luxury, now the French Maison is turning its focus towards the bath time – a ritual as intense, intimate and precious as the act of applying perfume. Have a look at “Le Bain”, a new art of living through perfume.

At the heart of the new collection are the notes of the perfumes in the Colognes collection and the Garden Perfumes collection, but here they have new textures: creamy bubble bath, revitalising shampoo, hydrating balm, toning gel, soothing body milk and gentle soap…

Among the gestures, textures, colours and designs, choose your favourite for the day, for your mood. Change. Start again. Add some variety to the pleasure. Tomorrow is another bath, another perfume.

From left to right:
Collection Colognes, Shower Gel for Hair & Body, 200ml (CHF45.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Shower Gel for the Body, 200ml (CHF 55.00)
Collection Parfums-Jardins, Body Lotion, 200ml (CHF 65.00)
Collection Colognes, Hand & Body Wash, 300ml (CHF 64.00)
Collection  Colognes, Moisturizing Balm for Face & Body, 200ml (CHF 69.00)
Collection Colognes & Parfums-Jardins, Set with 3 Soaps, 3 x 100g (CHF 75.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès and © Sandra Bauknecht