Sandra‘s Closet

This morning, Lancôme has announced the arrival of Lily Collins as its new brand ambassadress. A rising Hollywood star and daughter of famous musician Phil Collins, the beautiful actress divides her time between England, the country of her birth and the United States, where she currently lives. European and American, granddaughter of a ballerina, Lily was raised in a world that encouraged curiosity of mind, artistic pursuits and a thirst for discovery. She initially set her sights on journalism before making a dazzling debut in The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock and then in 2009 in Mirror Mirror, alongside Julia Roberts, another Lancôme face.

She will next be on screen in 2014 in Love, Rosie, a romantic comedy adapted from the novel Where Rainbows End by the Irish author Cecelia Ahern. A free-spirited, confident, sparkling and delicate beauty, Lily Collins – who bears a singular resemblance to the iconic Audrey Hepburn – will bring her talent and freshness to Lancôme as of January 2014, starting with the Spring make-up collection French Ballerine.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Barwerd van der Plas for Lancôme ©2013

As you know, my daily beauty obsession is to clean my skin with my beloved Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System. In case you are not yet familiar with this amazing product, I would love to invite you to visit my previous post for all the details here.

Great news for my Swiss readers is that finally the smaller version Clarisonic MIA 2™ Skin Cleansing System will be available exclusively at Marionnaud for CHF 189.00 next month in three hip colors (pink, ipanema and lavender) with a travel case and a small charger which is perfect to take on your next trip.

I couldn’t resist the lavender one and it is already packed for my flight tomorrow to Paris Fashion Week! Stay tuned for more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Clarisonic and © Sandra Bauknecht

Spotted backstage at the Tibi S/S 2014 show during New York Fashion Week: Baby Lips® – the new lip balm by Maybelline.

Applied to the lips, its exclusive formula protects and moisturizes them for a full 8 hours. After 1 week, your lips are visibly renewed, virtually reborn. It comes in six varieties (in Switzerland only four) that all smell and taste extremely yummy.

In Switzerland available from mid September 2013 for CHF 5.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Maybelline and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sunday afternoon, Thakoon Panichgul showed his S/S 2014 collection, which was soft, delicate and very feminine. A lot of all in white looks, something that I have spotted quite often during the last days at New York Fashion Week.

I have especially adored the long pearl chains on Thakoon’s bags, created in collaboration with the Japanese jewelry company Tasaki, with whom Panichgul has a long-running partnership. Before the show started, I was able to explore the collection backstage. Funnily enough, I arrived with Anna Wintour at the same time.

It was great to see Thakoon again whom I had met for the first time in London at the Net-à-porter headquarters two years ago (For the previous post, please click here).

Lead Artist Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics created a look that was ”all about a beautiful fresh look for spring.” A little bit of spot concealing, she worked mainly with the new three matte multiples that will be newly launched for Spring 2014. So beauty addicts, it is time to get excited!

FACE: Sheer Glow Foundation
NEW Anguilla Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)
NEW Cappadoce Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

EYES: Larger Than Life® Lengthening Mascara

BROWS: Bali Eyeshadow

LIPS: NEW Laos Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

Stay tuned for more from New York Fashion Week coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Style.com

Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Co. all came to watch Opening Ceremony‘s runway debut that took place yesterday evening at Pier 57 in New York City. The runway felt like a scene of Fast & Furious when the audience spotted a row of very luxurious cars of which the models were exiting.

The collection was, of course, ultra-cool, coming from designer duo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim (who are also the masterminds behind Kenzo’s success) and inspired by street-racing with layers, buckles, visible zippers, and parachute-like shapes.

I had the honour to go backstage before the show and to meet Carol Lim in person.

Another amazing highlight was the interview with Tom Pecheux, Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder, who was in charge for the runway show’s makeup look.

I love Tom, he is so sweet with his very charming French accent. It is always a pleasure talking to him and listening to his beauty secrets. I had interviewed him already two years ago (For the previous post, please click here).

Estée Lauder and Opening Ceremony have teamed up to dress Estée Lauder’s beauty advisors around the globe. Please tell me a little more about it.

It was a big challenge. You need to create clothes for different countries, different characters, bodies, you have to be able to wash and dry them easily, best without ironing, so you have to find the right material. Makeup should be like that, too.

What do you hope that stands out the next season?

Beauty and indivisuality. The makeup is not about looking good is about feeling good. My job is to bring a proposal, like every fashion brand does. Afterwards you will have to decide if you like to embrace it. I don’t like to dictate a rule.

Is there a special reason why you give a kind of massage to the models in the beginning?

The models are working very hard, much harder than we do. They need a little bit of love, it is a great way to connect, to relax. You do a better job if the person on the chair feels good. When you do a massage, you relax all the muscles, you activate the blood circulation. By performing the massage, in terms of skin quality, you get a much better result. The makeup stays longer, the complexion looks more radiant.

The cheeks for your look seem very contoured?

Yes, because the young girls with their baby cheeks love to have a little bit of contour.

Do you have a favourite product right now?

Every day is different, every model and skin texture is different. A good concealer, a nude lipstick, a white and black eye pencil are among my essentials.

Do you think the red lips will stand out the next season?

The red lips will always be in. Orange will go, red will stay. It is pure femininity.

Personally speaking, what are you doing to find always new inspirations?

I work with talented people. I have been working for three decades and I am terribly afraid to work by myself. I love to meet new people, like Humberto and Carol, Derek Lam, all such creative people. The sharing is the most important thing.

MAKEUP: Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder

Eyes: Pure Color Stay-on Shadow Paint in Halo, Pink Zinc or Chained (Matched with Skintone)

Lips: NEW Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Insatiable Ivory – launching March 2014

Cheeks: Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer (Matched with Skintone)

Brows: NEW Double Wear Stay-in-Place Brow Lift Duo – launching January 2014

Face: Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup
Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder in Transparent
Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer

Skin: NEW Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Creme – launching November 2013
Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II Male

NAILS: Naomi Nails for Estée Lauder

Nails: Nail Lacquer in Blue Blood
Overlay design: White and light blue acrylic paint

The hair was kept in a low tousled ponytail for the show. I have just loved every single detail of this look and hope that you have enjoyed it, too.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Getty and Estée Lauder

One product for three steps that I couldn’t live without! To remove face and eye make-up, cleanse and tone the skin in one single sweep, Sisley has created Eau Efficace, a gentle, sensory, high-performance and non-rinse cleansing lotion.
The ideal product for busy women… and to take away for holidays!

Eau Efficace Démaquillant Doux – CHF 105.00
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Sisley

Christian Dior was a man who believed in fate. One April night in 1946, the couturier stepped on a metal star and saw it as a sign. The next day, he set out to create his Couture House. Since then, this star has continued to sparkle in the Dior constellation, and particularly on the Fall 2013 make-up collection, with trendy shimmering shades and metallic reflections.

5-COULEURS MYSTIC METALLICS

Christian Dior’s lucky charm shines over the new must-have collection and decorates the mythical 5 Couleurs palette. Sculpted with stars, the eye shadows shimmer with metallic shades and reflections. Shrouded in mystery, eyes have never been so magnetic.

Two colour harmonies exist in shades of violet and silver (864 Constellation) or blue-greens and browns (384 Bonne Etoile).

CHF 92.00

DIORSHOW FUSION MONO
Long-Wear Professional Mirror-Shine Eyeshadow

In a single step, Diorshow Fusion Mono creates multidimensional contrasts for a professional makeup effect. Its unique cushiony gel-foam texture brightens the eyes with faceted, long-lasting colour and a weightless finish.

Apply two ways for two different effects:
Soft fusion: applied with the fingertips, the texture blends into the skin for a weightless finish and subtly shimmering result. Bold fusion: using the smudging applicator, the finish is intensified to reveal pure and extreme colour.

Pro tips: dampen the applicator slightly for a spectacular lamé effect.

Available in 8 shades:
Lune sublime, immaculate and iridescent, for poetic eyes. – Étoile the glittering sparkle of stardust. – Aventure a dense, gleaming black, the bearer of infinity. – Cosmos the magical blue of a night beneath the heavenly skies. – Millenium khaki with bronze facets for an avalanche of light. – Météore a flamboyant and passionately sensual amber. – Chimère the charm of opaline pink, flowing on your skin. – Hypnotique a deep purple made sublime with silver.

CHF 49.00

DIOR VERNIS MYSTIC MAGICS

Mystic. Edgy. The new Dior manicure creates surprise and makes your look pulsate with a shadowy blue lacquer which, owing to its integrated magnet, reveals an enigmatic motif. Luxury in its raw state.

CHF 42.00

DIOR VERNIS

Shimmering lights of silvery pink (382 Destin) and brocade prune (992 Galaxie): these two shades propel nail lacquer into a new dimension, for a half-shadow, half-light aesthetic that is always stylish.

CHF 37.00

DIORBLUSH

The Diorblush has been reinvented. A new formula gives maximum expression to pigments. This micronized powder goes on as a veil of pure, evanescent, weightless colour. In red, pink, coral and nude, with the new motif, colours explode with uncompromising energy. Face make-up is stylish and blush is the new dress code, determining dress colour and lipstick. Addictive and a fashion whim, Diorblush promises to be the new «must-wear.»

Fusion: apply with the flat of the brush, to fuse colour with the skin. Perfect for a healthy look. Sculpting: apply with the bevelled edge of the brush for professional «contouring » to shade temples, redefine face shape and define cheekbones etc.

Diorblush is available in 13 colours divided into 4 colour spectrums (pink, red, coral and
nude) and 3 finishes (iridescent, matte and satin).

CHF 68.00

This amazing Dior makeup collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior, Bettman CORBIS

Mid May I told you about the amazing launch event of Jo Malone‘s newest fragrance PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE in London. Now, the house’s recent floral addition has finally hit the shelves.

Master perfumer Christine Nagel describes her inspiration like this: “For me this fragrance captures the connection between the craft of fragrance and couture fashion. I wanted to capture the charm of the English ballroom in the mid-20th century. The heady glamour of the Cecil Beaton era. Women elegant in couture, with peonies brought in from the great country estates, the gossip and moodiness as the night unfolds.” Below you can see some exclusive behind the scenes shots of the advertising campaign which I find extremely beautiful.

PEONY & BLUSH SUEDE COLLECTION

Top note: Red apple
Middle note: Peony
Base note: Suede

Cologne 30ml (CHF 68.00), 100ml (CHF 130.00)
Body & Hand Wash 250ml (CHF 64.00)
Body Crème 175ml (CHF 99.00)
Home Candle 200g (CHF 82.00)

Combine it with Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia to create an exquisitely juicy floral with a sensuous mellow touch, or with Saffron from the Cologne Intense Collection for an opulent mix.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht

One year ago, CHANEL COCO NOIR was launched, a beautiful modern and luminous oriental scent. Finally in addition to the 50ml and 100ml sizes, the Eau de Parfum will be available in a compact 35 ml flacon that can be slipped into your handbag. Fans of the sensual fragrance appreciate its seductive blend of bergamot, rose, geranium rose leaf, patchouli and tonka bean notes. To complete the range, luxury body care products featuring the scent will also be added in the end of this month. It is the perfect way to prolong the trail of scent on the skin – a bath ritual to indulge in for special moments where time stands still.

EAU DE PARFUM – Vaporisateur 35 ml CHF 105.-
FOAMING SHOWER GEL – Gel Moussant pour la Douche 200 ml CHF 60.-
MOISTURIZING BODY LOTION – Emulsion Hydratante pour le Corps 200 ml CHF 68.-

In Switzerland in stores in the end of August 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

“I love the red, it is the color of life.” – Christian Dior

In 1953, the famous Rouge Dior lipstick was created in Paris and it has been since then launched in more than 1500 shades. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this beauty icon, Dior launches this fall the new Rouge Dior Collection which features not only an impressive number of over 30 signature shades but also 12 shades of Lip Contour Pencils and 4 Le Vernis nail polishes.

Beautiful actress Natalie Portman is once again the face of Dior’s new campaign.

ROUGE DIOR – CHF 50.50
ROUGE DIOR CONTOUR PEN – CHF 34.00

In stores in Switzerland from September 2, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior