Sandra‘s Closet

ITALY MEETS ARABIA

Acqua di Parma‘s new Colonia Intensa Oud is absolutely wonderful, something we would like to smell on our men. Bringing together two different worlds, this unique fragrance blends the distinctive Italian freshness of the cologne with the richness of the finest ingredients of the Middle East. The fragrance is the portrait of a man who embodies the best of different cultures, and confident in his own unique identity.

Congratulations! Last month, Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud won the 2013 Fragrance Foundation Award in the Men’s Luxury category in New York.

Top notes: Orange and Calabrian bergamot
Middle notes: Coriander, Amyris wood and Agarwood essential oil
(Agarwood essential oil is known to be a sign of charismatic, ancestral virility in the worlds of incenses, balms, particularly found in male Middle Eastern fragrances)
Base notes: Sandalwood, ceadrwood, patchouli, musk, wood and forest notes

A complete line for those who love this captivating fragrance in every aspect of their lives. The Eau de Cologne is available in 180ml and 100ml sizes, as well as in a Travel Spray 30ml format for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of this Eau de Cologne at any time and place.

Colonia Intensa Oud is now also available as a Shampoo and Shower Gel, Perfumed Deodorant and as a skilfully crafted Cube Candle for those who would love to spread the enigmatic notes of this Eau de Cologne in their daily routine and in their homes.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma

Recently, I was invited by Bobbi Brown Switzerland for an afternoon tea at the Widder Hotel in Zurich to view the new fall launches which left me breathless.

If you love chocolate as I do, you will adore the new RICH CHOCOLATE COLLECTION. Those calorie-free treats will make every beauty addict’s heart leap with joy. Gorgeous shades in different hues of brown and beige will might just leave a mark in your wallet, but definitely not on your hips.

The star product: RICH CHOCOLATE EYE PALETTE – CHF 89.00
Bone Eye Shadow, Cocoa Eye Shadow, Stone Eye Shadow, Frappe Eye Shadow, Champagne Truffle Shimmer Wash Eye Sahdow, Caramel Sparkle Eye Shadow, Rich Chocolate Eye Shadow.
(Limited Edition)

LIP COLOR
Berry, Baby Pink (Both Limited Edition)– CHF 38.00

LIP GLOSS
Chocolate Raspberry, Pale Pink (Limited Edition), Tea Berry (Limited Edition) –  CHF 35.00

BLUSH
Pink Coral (Limited Edition), Berry – CHF 41.00

LONG-WEAR GEL EYELINER
Dark Chocolate Ink (Limited Edition) – CHF 34.00

LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK
Bittersweet (Limited Edition) – CHF 40.00

EXTREME PARTY MASCARA
Black Chocolate (Limited Edition) – CHF 34.00

In stores in September 2013.

And the best is yet to come… this fall, a limited edition “book“ including everything you need for the perfect look will be launched celebrating the collaboration between Bobbi Brown and the brand’s face Katie Holmes. Could it be any cuter?! Ahhh, I just love Bobbi Brown products!

And if you like my look, click here for all the details.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht

My lovely colleague Katrin Roth from annabelle’s beauty blog (a must-read) spotted me recently at a press conference retouching my makeup and fell immediately in love with my little emergency mascara pouch. Today, she wrote a very funny post about it (Thank you!).

This bag was a souvenir from a dear friend after her recent trip to the US. It is from Californian designer Pamela Barsky, who creates all sorts of fun accessories.

TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Right before I left for China, I attended several press conferences. This is something I truly love about my job, being able to try the newest products before anybody else. Of course, I took some of the items that interested me most on my trip.

After having used them for over four weeks, I can recommend those ones with a good conscience as they have convinced me of their quality and effectiveness.
(Photo taken in Lijiang which was one of my favourite places that I visited in China).

ELIE SAAB  Le Parfum – Eau de Parfum Intense

Every day, I was so much looking forward to taking a shower before going to dinner and to spray myself with this amazing new scent. Especially after all those odors you smell during the day, it feels like heaven… I am sure that you know what I mean.

I have been a fan of the Elie Saab perfume line from its first launch. The scents of orange blossom and rose honey composed by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian are what makes me adore it so much. Every version of the perfume depicts a period of daylight, the original from 2011 is dedicated to the day, the lighter EdT version to the morning and now the new sensual intense fragrance is inspired by the magic moment of dusk.

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Orange blossom
Middle notes: Honey, rose and ylang-ylang
Base notes: Amber and patchouli

ELIE SAAB, Le Parfum Eau de Parfum Intense CHF 80.00 (30ml)  and CHF 120.00 (50ml)
Available in Switzerland in September 2013.
(In August exclusively at the Elie Saab store Geneva).

DREAMTONE by Lancôme
The Ultimate Dark Spot Corrector

Dare to go bare, Lancôme has developed a breakthrough brightening product for an even skin tone. It helps you to correct the appearance of dark spots which may be related to sun exposure (perfect to use it during your summer holidays), aging or hormones and to erase irregularities that make your complexion look uneven. Your skin looks immediately improved and more radiant. To be applied before your moisturizer. During my holidays, I just used my sun cream on top.

Available in three different pigmentation profiles:
1 Fair skin tones (targeting dullness and redness) – the one I used
2 Medium skin tones (targeting dullness and pale skin complexion)
3 Dark skin tones (targeting dullness and blemish marks)

In Switzerland available from Mid August 2013 for CHF 129.00 (40ml).

SHEER and PERFECT FOUNDATION by Shiseido

A sheer liquid foundation that evens your skin tone and provides a healthy, glowing finish that lasts all day, even in humid and very hot temperatures. Its refreshing texture feels like a soft veil. Another advantage is the design of the bottle, tiny (great for traveling) and eco-friendly.

In Switzerland in stores in September 2013 for CHF 37.00 (30ml).

BIO-PERFORMANCE SUPER CORRECTIVE EYE CREAM by Shiseido

This time-fighting eye cream counteracts the tired look that appears with age around this area and while traveling due to long-distance flights and climate changes. The youthful vitality is immediately restored. The advanced technology maintains optimal levels of hyaluronic acid, which is a key element for keeping the eye contours firm.

In Switzerland available from September 2013 for CHF 110.00 (15ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

“Sì is my tribute to modern femininity, an irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit.” – Giorgio Armani

When I came back from my holiday, a lovely surprise waited for me. A personalized, engraved bottle of Giorgio Armani‘s newest scent Sì.

Chic, sultry, intense and soft at the same time, this chypre scent is captivating all senses. Like a forbidden fruit, the creative mixture exposes all of its femininity and its passion – it is the power of darkness. Kind of sweet, but still warm and deep, this intoxicating nectar has absolutely convinced me. The face of the campaign is famous actress Cate Blanchett.

CHYPRE
Top notes: Cassis
Middle notes: Freesia and May Rose
Base notes: Woody Notes, Ambroxan, Patchouli and Vanilla

The nose behind this fragrance is Christine Nagel.
Available in Switzerland from September 2013 as Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 85.00), 50ml (CHF 123.00) and 100ml (CHF 156.00), plus Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 62.00) and Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 66.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani and © Sandra Bauknecht

To celebrate the launch of Rodial‘s newest line of products that include bee venom, the British beauty brand and Marionnaud Switzerland invited us busy bees, bloggers and journalists to a lovely lunch at the Widder Hotel in Zurich.

Listening to Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis who had flown in from London especially for the event, I learnt that the bee venom is a very interesting ingredient that helps to increase blood flow to the skin and provides a plumping effect to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It apparently fools the skin into thinking it has been stung with the toxin, which forces the body to produce collagen and elastin, which are both two key components of healthy skin, in the affected area. In case you are allergic to bees, no worries, the amount included is too small to cause an allergic shock or reaction. I am a big fan of the brightening eye cream of the line.

RODIAL Bee Venom Super Serum – CHF 229.00 (30ml)
RODIAL Bee Venom Moisturiser – CHF 219.00 (50ml)
RODIAL Bee Venom Eye Cream – CHF 165.00 (25ml)

Maria Hatzistefanis with me at the lunch

Also on display was the brand’s newest body care range. All products have some very fun names and promise to firm and target problem areas fast. Whatever body part you would like to focus on, Rodial has the right product: ARM SCULPT™ CHF 82.00 – TUMMY TUCK™ CHF 123.00 – BOOB JOB™ CHF 123.00 and SIZE ZERO™ CHF 79.00.
Rodial is exclusively available at Marionnaud in Switzerland.

The SIZE ZERO™ daily toning body moisturizer is a great way to get started as it works for most areas of your body. It helps to reduce stubborn fatty deposits and water retention. Maria told me that she loves to use it post-workout to firm and smooth the skin. A fast way to look great, just the right thing for busy bees…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Unfortunately, MAC‘s Tropical Taboo hasn’t arrived on time before my departure to China. It would have been the perfect look for Sanya. But no need to complain. Zurich feels very tropical at the moment as well, with temperatures rising every day.

The extremely colourful Tropical Taboo collection includes many of the brand’s iconic mineralize products, plus amazing new lipsticks and some beloved repromotes.
Here are my favorites:

LIPS
RICH LIPSTICK in Divine Choice (mid-tone cool pink cream) – CHF 36.00
CREMESHEEN GLASS in Fever Isle (bright red coral) – CHF 32.00
LIP PENCIL in Ablaze (bright apricot) – CHF 22.00

EYES
MINERALIZE EYE SHADOW in Time to Tango (lavender with silver pearl / frost) – CHF 33.00

CHEEKS
MINERALIZE BLUSH in Exotic Amber (orange with bronze pearl / frost) – CHF 35.00

This beautiful limited edition collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC and © Sandra Bauknecht

If you think, isn’t she a little too old for being a Directioner?! Point taken! Yes, I am but my daughter is one and this is how I learnt about the boys of One Direction: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. In May, I even went to their concert in Zurich.

My look at the concert: Denim and wool jacket by Givenchy, leather and cotton-jersey sweater and chain-trimmed leather mini skirt, both by Saint Laurent, boots by Chanel and Pashli two-tone mini shark embossed leather satchel by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Here are the breaking news for all Directioners: The boys created a line of beauty products with London-based makeup company MUA Cosmetics. They may sing about natural beauty in the song “What Makes You Beautiful,” but that’s not holding them back to come up with this very smart marketing strategy. So girls, forget the natural look because it’s the LITTLE THINGS, which is the name of their 15-piece lip, nail and cheek colour collection that make all the difference now.

Each band member has chosen their favourite color and signed their own ‘Kiss You’ lip shade: Harry loves Strawberry, Zayn loves Watermelon, Louis loves Vanilla, Niall loves Cherry, Liam loves Blueberry – which one will you choose?!

Available on www.muastore.co.uk, www.superdrug.com and in select Superdrug stores starting from July 29, 2013.

This is their moment. One Direction are about to take over the fragrance world, too. The new very sweet OUR MOMENT fragrance will go on sale in Harrods on August 25, nationwide in the UK from September 9, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Mua Cosmetics and Harrods

I love smoky eyes, they are always on trend. I have recently tried two new products that are absolutely great. Here are some tips how to achieve this gorgeous look very easily.

SERGE LUTENS FARD A PAUPIERE N°2

Discover the most recent addition to the Les Necessaires de Beauté collection: a palette in pale neutrals and mauves to create a smoky eye that is as easy to wear as black.

Available for CHF 200.00 (at Jelmoli in Zurich for example).

GLOMINERALS SMOKY EYES KIT

This kit includes four essential colors for creating a sultry smoky eye in a sleek, mirrored compact. A five easy steps application guide is also included.

Formulated with glominerals’ exclusive blend of antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, E and green tea, it provides nutrients that are vital to maintaining skin’s healthy radiance. The colours may be applied dry or wet to increase pigment, which is great if you are using them as an eye liner.

In Switzerland available for CHF 64.00 (at Schminkbar in Zurich or Cosmetic Susan Meier in Lucerne among others).

TIPS  & TECHNIQUES 
How to create the perfect smoky eye

When creating a smoky eye, always start off with doing the eyes first, as makeup may fall on to the face. Use the lightest shade as a base eyeshadow from lash line to brow. Follow with the second lightest color, applying it to the lid, stopping just beneath the brow bone. Next, apply a darker hue in the outer 3/4 of the crease. Lastly, add definition by lining top and bottom lash lines using the darkest one such as black. Smudge gently for a sexy, smoky look. Blending is the key. Use lighter, more natural tones on the cheeks and lips to let the eyes stand out but not look overdone.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Glominerals and Serge Lutens, © Sandra Bauknecht

In the beginning of July while I was travelling through China, Chloé unveiled at the Hôtel de Miramion in Paris the amazing new fragrance Roses de Chloé, a celebration of the flower of love in the heart of the city of lights. The rose was already a key ingredient of the fragrance signature, launched in 2008.

Now, it has been reinterpreted, in the form of a Damascena rose essence. Reminiscent of a walk down the Parisian rose gardens, the sensual new scent includes bergamot, magnolia, white musk and amber.

In Switzerland available from August 22, 2013.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chloé (Coty Prestige)