Sandra‘s Closet

The Mediterranean love story of Dolce & Gabbana’s LIGHT BLUE fragrances returns with a fascinating new chapter. This time, the two lovers chart a new course, with Italian model Bianca Balti cast as a classic Mediterranean beauty who takes the lead in a game of seduction. She is irresistible to the gorgeous David Gandy.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are extremely proud of Light Blue’s legacy, which includes several fragrance awards. Light Blue was also featured in an exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York as one of the century’s most groundbreaking scents.

Bianca Balti’s character portrays the Italian femme fatale in perfection.

Light Blue Pour Femme is available as EdT 50ml (€ 69), 100ml (€ 93), Shower Gel 200ml (€ 34), Body Cream 200ml (€ 36) and Deodorant Spray 150ml (€ 34).

David Gandy celebrates his third Light Blue advertising campaign with this episode.

Light Blue Pour Homme is available as EdT 40ml (€ 49), 75ml (€ 61), 125ml (€ 86), Shower Gel 200ml (€ 28), Deodorant Spray 150ml (€ 28) and Deodorant Stick 75g (€ 28).

The advertising campaign features the glittering sapphire blue waters of Capri and was shot by Mario Testino. This time the imagery has a retro Mediterranean look, with Bianca dressed in a 50s style bikini of high-waisted briefs and a balcony bra, like the seaside fashion of Capri when Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy holidayed there. The island has always been one of Italy’s most beautiful summer playgrounds and the backdrop to many great love affairs.

Below you can enjoy some exclusive behind the scenes shots. David and Bianca look so stunning together… I love it.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana

After the success of last year’s NACRE, Giorgio Armani will launch its new limited edition couture fragrance NUANCES this month.

Inspired by the beautiful Armani fabric designs, seen on the S/S 2013 runway, the packaging comes with an organza pouch to store the bottle.

The woody-iris fragrance was designed by famous French perfumer Nathalie Lorson and is made from noble raw materials, just like a couture dress for your skin. She explained the central idea: “The S/S 2013 collection is representative of a fashion which is halfway between masculine and feminine where different materials and textures are superimposed. This fragrance is a reflection of the new collection with its combination of the intensive, masculine, magnetic nature of the vetiver with the powdery, silky, feminine delicateness of the iris.”

WOODY FLORAL

Top notes: Floral vetiver and orris
Middle notes: Bergamot, cinnamon, heliotrope and iris
Base notes: Vetiver and sandalwood

Armani Privé NUANCES is available as 100 ml Eau de Parfum for CHF 690.00 with only 1000 bottles made worldwide. In Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Geneva plus at the Armani store in Zurich.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ARMANI PRIVE NUANCES ONLINE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

After six years of research, Clinique is making a comeback with their newest nail polish collection, A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skin. What I’ve always loved about the brand is their commitment to makeup that is allergy tested and 100% fragrance free.

Their new glossy long-wear nail enamel is no different. Being ophthalmologist-tested, it is absolutely appropriate for sensitive eyes and skin, meaning it helps reduce the chances eyes will itch, burn or water with contact.

Available now in 12 permanent shades and six limited edition shades for summer 2013, plus base and top coat for CHF 26.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The refreshing collection Les Colognes Hermès (Eau d’Orange Verte, Eau de Pamplemousse Rose, Eau de Gentiane Blanche) is expanded by another two fragrances this summer. With Eau de Mandarine Ambrée and Eau de Narcisse Bleu having recently joined the range, you have two very interesting choices for both men and women, elegant interpretations of spring flowers and sweet citrus, created by in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena.

EAU DE MANDARINE AMBREE

CITRUS AROMATIC

Top note: Mandarin orange
Middle note: Passionfruit
Base note: Amber

EAU DE NARCISSE BLEU

FLORAL

Top note: Narcissus
Middle notes: Orange blossom and galbanum
Base notes: Woody notes

Both new colognes are available for CHF 137.00 (100ml) each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Hermès

Thank you for your e-mails concerning my make-up look that I wore to the MCM store opening in Zurich. Many of you have been asking for the details. Here we go! I have been a fan of blue eye shadow since many years. Therefore I was so happy to try the new MAC summer collections FASHION SETS and TEMPERATURE RISING.

The best blue shades with a hint of violet (perfect for green eyes): 
Left: EYE SHADOW Heroine Satin, a matte bright cobalt blue, CHF 26.00
Right: EYE SHADOW Fontainebleu Frost from a previous collection

To add depth to the eyes:
POWERCHROME EYE PENCIL Polished Jet, charcoal with pearl, CHF 29.00

For a radiant complexion: 
BRONZING POWDER Refined Golden, finely spun golden with soft pearl finish, CHF 34.00

A gorgeous and extraordinary shade for the lips:
LIPSTICK Caliente, a super dazzle violet, CHF  30.00

The new products are in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Let me introduce you to Dior‘s exclusive prestige line of perfumes, LA COLLECTION PRIVEE, made of rare noble ingredients. Below you will find my personal favorites along with the house’s newest addition: GRIS MONTAIGNE.

NEW LOOK 47

February 12, 1947: A major event was held at 30, avenue Montaigne in Paris, where Christian Dior presented his first fashion show. With his flower women and bright colors, the Designer launched a fresh fashion trend. “It’s a New Look!” exclaimed Carmel Snow, chief editor at Harper’s Bazaar, thus christening the Designer’s inimitable style. Today, the New Look has become an explosive, generous, ultra-feminine and floral fragrance.

Top note: Ylang-Ylang from Mayotte
Middle note: Indian Tuberose
Base note: Benzoin from Siam
Eau de Parfum Spray 125ml (CHF 275.00), 250ml (CHF 400.00) and 450ml (CHF 595.00)

MILLY-LA-FORET

After his fashion shows, Christian Dior loved to get away from high society Parisian life in order to recharge his batteries at his home in Milly-la-Forêt. “Hidden away from the world and surrounded only by my flowers, my canals and my small pond, I can listen to the sound of the Milly bells in peace.” he writes. Wandering through the surrounding woods, François Demachy imagined this fragrance as the embodiment of a romantic walk in the forest, with a fresh, tender and cottony scent.

Top note: Mandarin
Middle note: Neroli
Base note: White Musk
Eau de Parfum Spray 125ml (CHF 275.00), 250ml (CHF 400.00) and 450ml (CHF 595.00)

GRAND BAL

Literally fascinated by the excess of the imposing balls that he would not miss for anything, Christian Dior used his fashion to celebrate a certain luxurious and timeless celebratory spirit. A new chapter in the “Christian Dior Collection Privée”, Grand Bal elegantly embodies the intoxication of a summer’s night at the first light of dawn. Like the most beautiful of gowns, its radiant composition, dominated by Grasse Jasmine, conceals noble raw materials. “Grand Bal is an echo of Christian Dior’s great ball gowns, whose full skirts and beauty evoked the petals of a flower in full bloom,” François Demachy.

Top note: Grasse Jasmine
Middle note: Comorian Ylang-Ylang Essence
Base note: New Caledonian Sandalwood Essence
Eau de Parfum Spray 125ml (CHF 275.00), 250ml (CHF 400.00) and 450ml (CHF 595.00)

GRIS MONTAIGNE

And if grey were a perfume? The olfactory signature of the Couture House’s legendary location, 30, Avenue Montaigne, has become a reality. The perfumer’s response to couture, this sophisticated chypre fragrance is a bold interpretation of the Dior Grey. The Couture Grey featured in the collections since 1947, the Grey Emotion of Christian Dior’s family home in Granville, Pearl Grey like the facade of the boutique on Avenue Montaigne. Colour becomes a perfume: a burst of citrus, a floral heart of Turkish Rose and Jasmine Sambac from the Indian region of Tamil Nadu, followed by a woody note heightened with Indonesian Patchouli set against an ambery backdrop of moss.

Top note: Essence of Calabrian Bergamot
Middle note: Absolute of Damask Rose
Base note: Absolute of Macedonian Moss
Eau de Parfum Spray 125ml (CHF 275.00), 250ml (CHF 400.00) and 450ml (CHF 595.00)

In Switzerland, La Collection Privée by Christian Dior is exclusively available at Jelmoli Zurich, the crowning jewel of the Dior space at the Swiss department store.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

A fragrance completes your look like an invisible accessory. Personally speaking, it is a daily must for me and I admit that I am a perfume addict. Therefore I was over the moon today when a magic box filled with Yves Saint Laurent‘s new Oriental Collection, a trio of scents celebrating the splendours of the East, NOBLE LEATHER, SUPREME BOUQUET and MAJESTIC ROSE, arrived at my doorstep. All three extremely yummy!

NOBLE LEATHER
Between Conquest & Surrender

“The potent and deep scent of leather fervently states its case and whispers an elegant, raw and carnal sensuality. The ambery wood accord embraces languid vanilla and the earthy scents of patchouli before giving way to intermingling tanned leathers. Enhanced by a dash of bright saffron notes and softened by the candied sweetness of the dried fruit accord, this skin-deep fragrance leaves an unforgettable impression.”

SUPREME BOUQUET (My favorite!)
Between Exaltation & Serenity

“The radiant burst of a bouquet of white flower, a blend of whimsical tuberose, exotic ylang and enigmatic jasmine. Their blossoms drenched in luscious fruit and animal scents, fully spread their opulence. As a counterpoint, the vibrancy of the ambery wood accord, musks and patchouli is an invitation to serenity.”

MAJESTIC ROSE
Between Opulence & Mystery

“The dense blossom of May rose releases its majestic seduction through delicious honey-scented notes. The texture of its petals is warmed by spicy and vibrant saffron accord. The flower is drenched in notes of raspberry and is then lost in the darker folds of a balsamic oud wood accord, blended with a boldly smoked essence of guaiac wood.”

The Yves Saint Laurent Oriental Collection (Noble Leather, Supreme Bouquet and Majestic Rose) will be available mid June 2013, as 80 ml Eau de Parfum, for CHF 250.00 exclusively in Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Basel and Geneva.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE NEW ORIENTAL COLLECTION ONLINE. 

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent and © Sandra Bauknecht

In January, I told you for the first time about the amazing collaboration between Lancôme and Alber Elbaz, followed by a post in the beginning of May when I was able to show you the limited edition make-up collection that will hit the stores on June 15, 2013. Today, the Lancôme press office sent me this uber-cute video, that is SO FASHION WEEK! You have to watch it!

In the beginning of July, there will be the Hypnôse Show Party, one of the events of the year which will be held during Couture week in Paris with celebrities, socialites, trendsetters, top beauty and fashion editors. The “extravagant party” everybody wants to attend and I cannot! I am so bumped as I will be travelling for one month to China for work and pleasure. Of course, all the good things are always taking place at the same time… but I am also very excited for my time in Asia! And I hope that you are, too… as I will be keeping you posted from all the hot spots in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and many other places.

LoL, Sandra

Photos and video: Courtesy of Lancôme

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Jo Malone extends the Cologne Intense range with a new scent, SAFFRON. Spiced with pink pepper and the heat of incense, the golden saffron is striking against the creamy warmth of pale woods. A vivid statement that is quite different from the Jo Malone scents we know. I like it a lot and love to pair it with Blackberry & Bay.

Top note: Incense
Middle note: Saffron
Base note: Pale woods

Available starting this month for CHF 165.00 (100ml) at Jelmoli Zurich and Globus Geneva.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Who would not want to be a Bond Girl?! Having a great body, a fancy name, being extremely sporty and super-handy with any kind of weapon, a Bond Girl looks absolutely stunning. Moreover she always gets James Bond himself. As this dream might not  going to happen any time soon, we should better focus on OPI‘s new The Bond Girls Liquid Sand™ collection.

The 6 different shades are each dedicated to a Bond Girl. I love their Liquid Sand™ texture (Do you remember the Maria Carey by OPI collection that featured the same technology?). It is easy to apply, extremely long-lasting and it gives your nails an eye-catching look in one stroke.

Top from left to right: Solitaire, Pussy Galore, Honey Rider
Bottom from left to right: Vesper, Tiffany Case, Jinx

My favourite shade is Tiffany Case.

The Bond Girls by OPI collection is in stores now for CHF 23.90 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI and © Sandra Bauknecht