Sandra‘s Closet

Here in Zurich, we have been anxiously awaiting for the flowers to bloom and the sun to shine. Finally, spring is here and you might be in the mood to look for a new scent. Roses are offering a modern twist on tradition and floral motifs have served as the main themes for some of the new fragrance launches .

Here are my three favourites highlighting the light and soft aspect of a rose, enhanced by feminine fruity notes. I hope that you will enjoy my mini-reviews for you.

EAU DE CARTIER Goutte de Rose

For Spring 2013, Cartier has launched a flanker to their best-selling Eau de Cartier from 2001, with the beautiful name Goutte de Rose. It is a bright and joyful fragrance, infused with the delicacy of a freshly picked garden rose, created by the French Maison’s in-house perfumer, Mathilde Laurent.

FLORAL
Top notes: Rose and yuzu
Middle notes: Violet, mulberry and litchi
Base notes: Cedarwood and lemon

Available as Eau de Toilette for CHF 65.00 (50ml), CHF 97.00 (100ml) and CHF 127.00 (200ml).

BALENCIAGA L’Eau Rose

The French fashion house’s newest flanker retains the iconic chypre character and violet accord of the original Balenciaga fragrance rom 2010. By adding luminous floral and fruity accords, the fragrance goes in a beautiful refreshing direction.

CHYPRE FLORAL
Top notes: Blackberry
Middle notes: Patchouli, rose and violet
Base notes: Musk, cedar and cypress

Available as Eau de Toilette for CHF 115.00 (50ml) and CHF 139.00 (100ml).
In Switzerland exclusively at Marionnaud.

pureDKNY A Drop of Rose

I have been enjoying the third fragrance in the pureDKNY series, quite much. The emphasis is on including roses that have been grown and harvested with care in the Turkish Isparta Valley by supporting CARE, an organisation helping lift women around the world out of poverty. The bottle is 100% recycable and the packaging is biodegradable as well. This scent is more than a fragrance – a state of mind, a way of being.

FLORAL
Top notes: Blackcurrant and Turkish rose
Middle notes: Magnolia and verbena
Base notes: Cedar and vanilla

Available as Eau de Parfum for CHF 59.00 (30ml), CHF 89.00 (50ml) and CHF 123.00 (100ml).
Body Butter CHF 57.00 (200ml) and Body Wash CHF 45.00 (200ml).

Wouldn’t one of this fragrances be a lovely surprise for Mother’s Day?! For more rosy gift ideas, have a look at this post.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Are you dreaming of this healthy sun-kissed glow that we have been missing the last months? Would you like to give your complexion the taste of more exotic climes? Like Natalia Vodianova, who stars in Guerlain‘s newest ad campaign for the TERRACOTTA COLLECTION 2013, you can achieve this radiant look with the help of these amazing new products:

The cult bronzing powder: TERRACOTTA 4 SEASONS

One Terracotta product is sold somewhere in the world every 20 seconds. Often imitated but never equalled, its secret formula strikes a subtle balance between color and transparency, creating a flawless natural look that lasts all day. Thanks to its four different shades, you can customize your natural-looking glow.

Available in six different shades for CHF 94.00 each.

THE NO-FAIL “3” GESTURE TO APPLY THE BRONZING POWDER
to create a three-week tan in three seconds

Beauty tip from Olivier Echaudemaison, Guerlain’s Creative Director

“Using the special Terracotta bronzing powder retractable brush, apply your Terracotta powder by tracing a figure “3” on each side of the fee: from the forehead down towards the cheeks, then down along the jaw line to the chin and down the neck. For the finishing touch, take a little more Terracotta powder with your brush and sweep it over the raised areas of the face, the places that catch the sun most – the forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin. The result is an instant glow.”

Glow-enhancing perfector: TERRACOTTA SKIN

Delivering the corrective coverage of a foundation with the sheerness of a Terracotta powder, this powdery cream allows for a flawless complexion in one step. The formula is composed of soft-focus elastic particles which reflect light in all directions making enlarged pores, fine lines and other imperfections less noticeable, giving a matt and velvety finish.

Available in three shades, Nude (new), Blondes and Brunettes for CHF 69.00 (30ml) each.

The secret to creating a sun-kissed glow: TERRACOTTA SUN SCRUB

Effective for all stages of tanning, this scrub not only prepares skin for tanning but helps it retain its sun-kissed look longer. The secret to its success lies in the formula, comprised of three different particles. Upon contact with water, those transform the oil-based gel into a body milk which helps to remove dead cells, massaging the skin and leaving it satin-smooth, the perfect condition for the perfect uniform sun-kissed glow.

Available for CHF 78.00 (150ml) – Limited Edition

The perfect illusion: TERRACOTTA SUNLESS and TERRACOTTA JAMBES DE GAZELLE

Remarkable both for their ultra-penetrating texture, those products offer the illusion of an instant tan in only one hour that lasts four days, for a healthy glow that looks truer than life.

I especially adore Terracotta Jambes de Gazelle that is lightly scented with the fragrance of tiare flower, this tinted spray mist refreshes the legs and leaves them feeling relaxed. Drying instantly, it provides beautiful legs without any risk of clothing stain (great news) or product transfer, yet washes off with soap and water. Perfect for bare legs who haven’t seen the sun yet!

Terracotta Sunless is available for CHF 72.00 (150ml) – Limited Edition
Terracotta Jambe de Gazelle for CHF 78.00 (100ml)

The right sun protection: TERRACOTTA SUN – BLONDES SPF 30 & BRUNETTES SPF 15

This little tube is Guerlain’s most elegant sun protection product, working for face and body, it means you can travel light. Like a bodyguard on alert, it protects the skin from the sun’s rays and from polluting particles in the environment, chlorine, cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes, which helps to restore the skin’s glow and beauty.

Available for CHF 62.00 (110ml) – Limited Edition

Tan booster: TERRACOTTA SUN SERUM

This remarkable serum is your loyal ally in acquiring, deepening and prolonging a tan. Adding a few drops of this honey-coloured serum to your normal skincare product will instantly transform it into a tan booster. It stimulates the natural production of melanin and is enriched with a soothing complex to moisturize and soften the skin.

Available for CHF 72.00 (28ml) – Limited Edition

To come to a conclusion, I have tried all of those products and find them just amazing! Enjoy the beautiful sunshine!

YOU CAN SHOP THE TERRACOTTA COLLECTION 2013 HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

Acque Nobili – A new collection of fragrances from the house of Acqua di Parma, mirroring the pureness of water. Elegant, aristocratic femininity stems from the precious notes of three noble flowers, all absolutely lovely for the summer season: Iris, Magnolia and Gelsomino.

Discover more:

ACQUA NOBILE GELSOMINO
Green Floral

This bright uplifting fragrance is reminiscent of a bouquet of jasmin flowers sprinkled in a veil of fresh morning dew.

Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin, lemon and pink pepper
Middle notes: Neroli oil, petit grain, jasmine extract from Calabria and green floral tones
Base notes: Musk

ACQUA NOBILE IRIS
Floral

As the sun beams down on the noble Italian gardens, a graceful dance promptly begins to celebrate this unique moment. A clear and elegant fragrance, developed from the rare iris pallida flower.

Top notes: Mandarin, cedar, grapefruit, neroli oil and violet
Middle notes: Iris pallida and orange blossom
Base notes: Musk and vanilla

ACQUA NOBILE MAGNOLIA
Fresh Floral

The gracious and joyful charm of the beautiful magnolia flower is unlocked at day break when the first light of day falls upon the ivory petals of this majestic flower.

Top notes: Bergamot, mandarin, cedar, lemon and neroli oil
Middle notes: Freesia, lily of the valley, orange blossom, sambac jasmine and magnolia
Base notes: Musk, patchouli and vanilla

In stores now. In Zurich exclusively available at Jelmoli.

LoL, Sandra

Campaign photos: Giovanni Castel for Acqua di Parma, Stills: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma

The best eye concealer ever! Personally speaking, the house of Sisley has surprised me lately with every single new launch. Having invested a lot in their research program, they have come up with some amazing new products. Do you remember the BOTANICAL D-TOX for the face or the new SO INTENSE mascara?

PHYTO CERNES ECLAT has hit the shelves this spring. This concealer is the first one that truly works its magic, by covering every sign of fatigue without looking too caked on. In the contrary, it is smoothing out fine lines, giving the whole area under the eye a boost, making it look radiant and fresh by instantly masking dark circles. My eye contour area feels moisturized upon application. What a treat!

Available for CHF 91.00 (15ml) in three different shades.
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Sisley

Bourjois is celebrating its 150th anniversary and I received a package filled with some amazing products that made my heart leap for joy. My favourite: “My lips fashion book” with the wonderful ROUGE EDITION collection of 18 lip shades direct from the runway. Of course all those hues are pretty tempting, but FUCHSIA is the must-have lip colour of the season!

Here is my list of the best fuchsia hues available at the moment.

ROUGE EDITION by Bourjois in 07 Fuchsia Graffiti
Calling all fashionista’s out there… this new lipstick is for you!  The perfect shade for your new season outfit! Available now for CHF 18.90

ROUGE VOLUPTE SHINE by Yves Saint Laurent in 06 Pink in Devotion
An innovative and comforting lipstick enhanced with fruit extracts rich in vitamins and antioxidants that leave lips visibly softer and smoother with up to eight hours of hydration.
Available now for CHF 50.00

SUPER STAY 14 HR LIPSTICK by Maybelline in 160 Infinitely Fuchsia
This lipstick won’t weigh you down. Super rich colour with super staying power. No dragging. No drying. No letdowns at all. Available now for CHF 16.90

GLOSS D’ENFER by Guerlain in 471 Prune Zip
Intense colour and shine for a bare lips sensation in fuchsia.
Available in Switzerland from May 2, 2013 for CHF 43.00.

SATIN LIP PENCIL by Nars in Yu
A modern, long-wearing, vitamin-enriched formula in a jumbo pencil format to provide great wear and intense color with a satin finish. Use for lining, all-over shading, or pairing with another lip product. This hue is inspired by the romantic garden in Shanghai’s old town.
Available now for CHF 45.00
(This is the shade I am wearing on my lips on the photo in the first collage).

HEAT WAVE SUMMER 2013 by Smashbox in Fuchsia Flash
Make your pout shout with this mega-juicy gloss that is part of a collection of 4 vibrant shades.
Available now for CHF 40.00 the complete set exclusively at Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

In January 2013, CHANEL opened at Hysan Place, the new luxury temple located at the centre of the island, its largest boutique in Hong Kong. To celebrate the event, CHANEL presents the exclusive limited edition HONG KONG COLLECTION. The uniquely modern elegance and glittering beauty of the Chinese metropole inspire a luminous colour palette. Exclusive creations for eyes and nails are infused with a metallic glow, evoking the lights of the city as they reflect in the waters of the China Sea.

OMBRES MATELASSÉES
The elegant rectangular case reveals an original combination of five shadows embossed with the iconic quilted motif of CHANEL. Like the shimmering light on water, the PEARL RIVER palette offers a harmony of golden white, a vintage gold nuance and intense peach for a soft, radiant effect on eyelids. Ideal for sculpting the eyes in a natural or more sophisticated makeup look, intense brown is paired with a very luminous silver white shade that makes eyes look bigger and illuminates the entire face.

LE VERNIS
Two contrasting nail colours echo the extremes of the eye palette. Elegant and modern EASTERN LIGHT is a luminous, very opaque white enamel. Deep and intense WESTERN LIGHT is a chocolate brown glowing with a pearly red heart.

Like a city combining multiple influences, the two nail colours can be worn together for an original effect. To reinterpret the elegance of a French manicure, apply the light colour to the bottom edge of the nail and apply the dark colour from the centre to the tip of the nail.

Great news for my Swiss readers, the collection is now available exclusively in Switzerland at Jelmoli in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

“She’s a rose with thorns, don’t mess with her. She’s a girl who goes to extremes. When she can, she soothes; and when she wants … ! Her fragrance lifts you higher, she rocks and shocks.” – Serge Lutens

Inspired by Marlene Dietrich, a German-American actress from Berlin’s ‘Golden Twenties‘, Serge Lutens’ newest fragrance launch pays a poetic tribute to a woman who is beautiful and delicate on the surface but strong, independent and mysterious underneath. The Eau de Parfum is a concentrate of red roses: subtle and powdery yet spicy and extremely long-lasting.

LA FILLE DE BERLIN (A Girl from Berlin) by Serge Lutens
Oriental Floral

Top notes: Red rose and black pepper
Middle notes: Violet
Base notes: Musk, amber and woody notes

In stores now for €82.00 (50ml).

Lutens is a very intellectual perfumer. His ideas and inspirations seem mostly abstract and highly fascinating. If you are interested to read an interview with him, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Serge Lutens, © GDW

When I presented you the first photos of the Dior Iconic event in February, I wasn’t allowed to show you all. But it is time to reveal the missing pictures. The new DIORSHOW ICONIC OVERCURL mascara is gorgeous and this month, DIOR is adding some fabulous lip glosses and nail polishes to their line. I felt so honoured to be photographed for this new launch as well.

The official photos by Dior are in the collage above. Moreover, you can enjoy some behind the scenes photos below.

As Christian Dior said: “Colour is indispensable for beauty. Lipstick is a fashion accessory”.

Let me introduce you to the indispensable beauty manifesto. DIOR ADDICT GLOSS is the new magic touch for shine and fashion. A creative, addictive accessory for experimenting with this season’s trends.

Ultimate shine, playing with effects, turning heads: all eyes are on DIOR ADDICT GLOSS. And needless to say, the spot is on nails as well with the matching DIOR VERNIS. Have fun experimenting and mix and match your new sparkling must-haves!
Here are all the details:

DIOR ADDICT GLOSS
With the help of its magic formula, it provides lips with incredible shine and complete comfort. Its secret: the Mirror Shine Complex, an unrivalled procedure perfected by the Dior Research team. Each color has its own fashion effect, making it beautiful and unique, addictive, and as sexy as a pair of stilettos. Available in 24 different shades for CHF 45.00 each.

The stars of the shoot: “SHIMMER” SHADES
A fun, sensual collection for lips that do as they please, both night and day. Meticulously dosed glitter is carefully chosen to match the gloss, for a spectacular shimmering effect. Stylish, tailored shine for your lips and inspired by that, the magic goes right down to your fingertips.
DIOR VERNIS gets also some “shimmer” with 4, new, star shades:

Diablotine, Spring Ball, Princess and Délice.
DIOR ADDICT GLOSS – CHF 45.00 each
DIOR VERNIS – CHF 37.00 each

To finish off your manicure, try the new DIOR GEL COAT.
This visionary topcoat produces the perfect, ultra-shine finish of a professional style, gel-effect manicure. Smooth and elegantly curved, nails are lacquered with exceptional, long wear shine that dramatizes their glittering sparkle.
DIOR GEL COAT – One Shot – CHF 37.00

What a gorgeous idea, for the shoot, I got a special Dior Cannage manicure.

Thank you to the whole Dior team for letting me be part of this amazing event!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

In the beginning of January, a few days after I came back from Qatar, I had the chance to meet the lovely Eduardo Ferreira, International Artistic Director for Bobbi Brown, who was in Zurich to present the newest launches personally. What an honor!

We got together at the Grieder Bar and bonded immediately. He is not only extremely charming, fun and witty, but also highly professional and interesting to talk to.

Being in his element to create makeup looks that every woman will adore, he suggested that he tries out the newest products right away on me. I am sure that you can imagine the looks I got from the other guests. Very funny!

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks are my new best friends after Eduardo explained me how to use them. I have to admit that I had always found the application of this kind of stick pretty difficult but their texture is amazing.

These creamy eyeshadows have just hit the shelves in eight highly pigmented shades, they are easy to use thanks to their do-it-all formula which glides on tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight eyes. In subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to 8 hours without creasing, flaking or fading, it’s a stroke of genius. Just swipe on and go.

LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK by Bobbi Brown
Available in Vanilla, Golden Pink, Sand Dune, Iced Blue, Forest, Shadow, Bark and Violet Plum.
(Eduardo used Vanilla, Bark and Violet Plum on me, like on Katie Holmes who is the face of the campaign and Bobbi Brown’s first celebrity testimonial).
CHF 40.00 each

“Confidence is everything, but a little makeup can’t hurt.”

Launching in Switzerland this month, Bobbi Brown’s newest compact foundation will surely be a bestseller . Imagine your can’t-live-without liquid foundation in a fuss-free compact. Thanks to the twenty different shades, it can be perfectly matched to your skin tone and texture, it never looks fake or makeup-y, just like smooth, even skin. With 12 hours of flawless, oil-free wear, all you see is your skin – at its best. Plus, it’s completely portable, too – with a hidden sponge applicator right in the compact – so you look polished wherever you go.

LONG-WEAR EVEN FINISH COMPACT FOUNDATION by Bobbi Brown
Available in 20 different shades. CHF 65.00 each.

Eduardo finished off my look with some products from the new LILAC ROSE COLLECTION which is absolutely amazing. Don’t miss out those must-haves in stores now:

SPARKLE EYE SHADOW by Bobbi Brown (Limited Edition)
Lilac Sparkle, CHF 40.00

LIP GLOSS by Bobbi Brown (Limited Edition)
Pink Lilac, CHF 35.00

For my Swiss based readers, I have some amazing news. The lovely Eduardo Ferreira will be in Zurich from April 8-13, 2013 and you can meet him at the Bobbi Brown counter at Globus (Phone 0800 820 823). Don’t miss this chance!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht

During the last weeks, I have tried many many new scents for men. Here is my list of the ones we would like to smell on our men this summer. The ones I can truly recommend.

DIOR HOMME COLOGNE
Citrus Aromatic

This new version is absolutely wonderful, my personal favourite. Modern, fresh and warm in one, another hit created by François Demachy.

Top notes: Calabrian bergamot
Middle notes: Grapefruit
Base notes: Musk

Available now for CHF 104.50 (75ml) and CHF 143.00 (125ml).

LE BEAU MALE by Jean Paul Gaultier
Aromatic Fougère

Eighteen years ago, “Le Male” irreversibly shook up the world of perfume by introducing an unprecedented masculine archetype: the sensual sailor with a soft heart. Today, this object of desire is the leader of a new olfactory generation. The freshness in the new fragrance is as powerful as it is addictive.

Top notes: Mint and mugwort
Middle notes: Lavender, sage and orange blossom
Base notes: Musk

Available now for CHF 81.00 (75ml) and CHF 112.00 (125ml).

VERSACE EROS
Aromatic Fougère

Love, passion, beauty and desire: these are the key concepts of this new men’s fragrance. Named after the Greek god of love and son of goddess Aphrodite – Eros, it celebrates the perfection of the male body. For the passionate man, who is the master of himself! For all heroes among you…

Top notes: Mint oil, lemon and green apple
Middle notes: Ambroxan, tonka bean and geranium flower
Base notes: Vanilla, vetiver, oakmoss and cedarwood

Available now for CHF 90.00 (50ml) and CHF 121.00 (100ml).

BVLGARI MAN EXTREME
Woody Aromatic

Bulgari unveils a new expression of masculine charisma, a fragrance that melds an intense Mediterranean freshness and a modern woodiness, evoking Rome’s vitality and strength.

Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, pink grapefruit and cactus juice
Middle notes: Cardamom, amber and freesia
Base notes: Woody notes, vetiver and benzoin

Available now for CHF 112 (100ml) and CHF 84 (60ml).

ACQUA ESSENZIALE by Salvatore Ferragamo
Aromatic Fougère

The nose behind this fragrance is Alberto Morillas. The famous perfumer was inspired by water as the most essential natural element. A signature scent that celebrates a man’s real essence. Perfect for summer!

Top notes: Grapefruit, mint, mandarin and lemon tree leaf
Middle notes: Geranium, cascalone, rosemary and lavender
Base notes: Patchouli, musk, cistus and vetiver

Available now for CHF 59.00 (30ml), CHF 79.00 (50ml) and CHF 109.00 (100ml).

ETERNITY MEN SUMMER by Calvin Klein
Woody Acquatic Fougère

This beautiful limited edition for 2013 reminds you of the romantic sound of the waves and the summery smell of the sea.

Top notes: Tarragon, bergamot and orange blossom
Middle notes: Seaweed, cedar oil, violet, mimosa and lavender oil
Base notes: Patchouli, amber, driftwood, musk and cashmere

Available now for CHF 101.00 (100ml).

GUCCI GUILTY BLACK pour Homme
Aromatic Fougère

This scent is one vision of the modern man: Seductive, courageous and witty, for all of you who desire a new sensual experience.

Top notes: Lavender and coriander
Middle notes: Green notes, neroli and orange blossom
Base notes: Cedar and patchouli

Available now for CHF 78.00 (30ml), CHF 100.00 (50ml) and CHF 126.00 (90ml).

1 MILLION INTENSE by Paco Rabanne
Woody Spicy

The original 1 Million fragrance was launched in 2008. This year, a new intensified, deeper version is hitting the market, an embodiment of extravagance, a wonderful spicy oriental composition.

Top notes: Cardamom, blood mandarin, saffron and black pepper
Middle notes: Cinnamon, neroli and rose
Base notes: Orris root, sandalwood, leather and patchouli

Available now for CHF 87.00 (50ml) and CHF 121.00 (100ml).

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the brands