Sandra‘s Closet

For the Christmas 2012 Makeup collection “Éclat du Soir de Chanel”, Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup, borrows the vintage luster of bronze-tinged gold and lends its modernity to evening makeup.
Here is your preview of the beautiful pieces that will be launched in the end of this month:

Regard Signé de CHANEL CHF 77.-
Harmonie du Soir

Ombres Contraste Duo CHF 60.-
47 Nuit-Claire

Illusion d’Ombre CHF 47.-
817 Apparence

Joues Contraste CHF 60.-
73 Star Dust

Poudre Universelle Libre CHF 67.-
57 Rêverie

Rouge Allure Velvet CHF 48.-
307 L’Impatiente

Le Vernis CHF 35.-
637 Malice

Available end of October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Chanel

Here is your preview of Lancôme’s Christmas 2012 makeup collection Happy Holidays which is all about the festive shades of gold, and red mixed with sparkling sequins!
The collection is inspired by Paris, the City of Lights, where, according to Lancôme, “illuminations resonate with enchanting shimmer”, clearly a suitable inspiration for a Christmas Collection.

Petit Trésor Eyeshadow – Limited Edition – CHF 39.-

My favourite product of the collection. These sparkling eyeshadows are woven like a mesh fabric and give a beautiful metallic effect while lasting up to 16 hours.

S112 Fil d’Or
S207 Fil d’Argent
S208 Fil d’Bronze

Les Paillettes aux Yeux – Limited Edition – CHF 29.-

Shimmering loose powder to apply directly to lids or on top of other products for a glowy effect.

10 À la Belle Étoile
20 Lumières de Paris

Le Crayon Khôl – Limited Edition – CHF 33

015 Jazzy Taupe
016 France in a Glance

L’Absolu Rouge – Limited Edition – CHF 44

181 Topaze Ecstasy
182 Rubis Exquisite
183 Grenat

Vernis In Love – Limited Edition – CHF 25

522 Bubbly Gold
532 Ginger Swing
575 Flirty Red

The collection will be available in October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme

During the last weeks, I have been receiving the upcoming Christmas collections and from now on, I will start showing them to you. Personally speaking, I love this time of the year in terms of beauty products. Sparkling shades, glittering powders, rich shades of red and gold make my heart leap for joy.

Clarins Odyssey Limited Edition Christmas Makeup Collection comprises two limited edition compacts inspired by the magnificence of Ancient Greece.

Clarins Odyssey Face Palette – Limited Edition – CHF 78.-

Like an elegant and sumptuous odyssey, this silky-smooth compact powder enhances the complexion for a beautiful, more even skin tone.

Clarins Odyssey Eye Quartet Mineral Palette – Limited Edition – CHF 62.-

A collection of four long-wearing golden-brown shades. It also includes two applicator brushes with pointed and round ends which can be used to blend the colour or to create a smoky eye makeup.

Skin Illusion Loose Powder Foundation – Available in 11 shades – CHF 53.-

Your skin – Only better. Skin Illusion Loose Powder Foundation is a loose powder foundation with an ultra-fine, silky texture that contains highly effective mineral and plant-based ingredients that work in harmony with the skin to illuminate the complexion’s appearance.

The result: a beautifully radiant, perfectly even, matte complexion and skin that feels incredibly soft and comfortable. Matte finish – light to medium coverage – suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

In stores Mid October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Clarins

I have loved Dior’s Nude makeup from its first introduction in 2009. Therefore, I was completely excited to explore this year’s “New Nude”, that is a brilliant step in makeup for a glowing and blushing complexion. Personally speaking, I couldn’t live without it!

The skin, like the dresses in the latest fashion collection, flushes with colour, brighter and more luminous than ever. Dior’s backstage expertise has given rise to the new range of Diorskin Nude foundation, which takes the skin’s natural glow to new heights.

Dior’s “New Nude”: a new signature foundation.

The star product in the Diorskin Nude range, this cult fluid is the essential item on every backstage makeup artist’s table, and is their secret for creating the enhanced nude look envied by all. In 2012, this light fluid acquires a new subtle velvet finish that blends into the skin, to deliver just the right amount of coverage without masking the skin’s texture. This creates a shine-free, natural glow with an idealised bare skin effect. Women who dream of perfect skin texture and a radiant complexion need look no further: this is the must-have product.

Diorskin NUDE Fluid Foundation
CHF 68.50

Nude Compact : the most natural compact powder.

Unique, new and surprising, this compact foundation tops them all. It is the first versatile compact powder to provide coverage that can be adjusted with utmost precision while maintaining the skin’s natural satin sheen, to guarantee a true nude result. Depending on the desired finish, it acts as a foundation or a powder.

The Nude Compact can be applied using either of the double-sided applicators, sponge or brush.

Diorskin NUDE Comapct Powder Makeup
CHF 80.50  
Diorskin NUDE Compact Powder Makeup Refill
CHF 59.-

Nude Shimmer

The quintessential backstage makeup for the spotlight! Nude Shimmer is a magical powder that features a subtle blend of fine micro-pearlisers in a transparent base. Dusted lightly onto the contours of the face, professional style, it captures maximum light, and provides the wet and ‘glowy’ nude effect every woman dreams of having. Nude Shimmer is the ultimate signature product of Nude skin-glow makeup 2012 vibrant, vivid and right on trend.

Diorskin NUDE Shimmer (One Shot)
CHF 75.50

With Diorskin Nude, Dior invites us to rediscover natural beauty. Therefore the French house adds new innovative lipstick colours: ROUGE DIOR NUDE.

Described as a highlighting blush for lips, its treatment formula creates an illuminating semi-sheer effect for instant radiance. Available in 10 shades, of which 4 are essential: Grège, Swan, Charnelle and Trench.

Rouge Dior NUDE
CHF 48.-

For a nude look right down to your fingertips, Dior has launched four new nail polish colours, of which 2 “warm” shades are for golden-beige skins, and 2 “cool” shades for pink-beige skins.
223 Trench, 715 Dune, 115 Charnelle and 413 Grège

ROUGE DIOR Vernis
CHF 37.-

The beautiful NUDE collection is in stores now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Christian Dior

Since I bought my first pair of Valentino Rockstud kitten heels two years ago, I’ve been addicted to the house’s metal embellishments. So you can imagine my excitement when Valentino gifted me with this highly limited pair of Red on Red Rockstud shoes. It is as extraordinary as it looks. Designed exclusively for today’s launch of Valentino’s new e-boutique, Shoe Room, there are only 100 pairs on earth, and one is in Sandra’s Closet.
How cool is that?

If you want to be the proud owner of one of them, start clicking fast, they are only available online and will sell out in seconds.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Valentino

For the sixth consecutive year, US label Tommy Hilfiger will launch a limited edition handbag in support of Breast Health International, a leading non-profit foundation that advances breast cancer research and treatment. The American designer has great support from two famous ladies.

The 2012 BHI campaign features acclaimed Anglo-French actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, photographed by celebrated Hollywood actress, screenwriter and producer Drew Barrymore.

“I am very proud to be partnering with Breast Health International for a sixth year,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “The annual limited-edition collaboration is a great way for us to engage consumers in raising awareness and funds for this important initiative. We are excited and honored to welcome Charlotte Gainsbourg and Drew Barrymore in support of this year’s campaign.”

This year’s limited-edition handbag is a navy leather tote with white accents and red handles, inspired by the Tommy Hilfiger brand‟s classic American cool heritage. Additional features include a central divider pocket, mobile phone pocket, and rose gold tone magnetic closures.

The handbag will debut exclusively on tommy.com today on September 27, 2012, and be available in select Tommy Hilfiger stores in Europe, the United States, Canada and the Asia-Pacific region starting October 1, 2012  for €299.
(€100 of each sale will go directly to the Fund for Living, a global BHI initiative that provides assistance to women with breast cancer and their families by covering costs or addressing unique problems associated with their care that may not be covered by traditional health insurance programs.)

Last year’s celebrity ambassador for the Tommy Hilfiger/BHI handbag was Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger. For the previous post, please click here.

Stay tuned for a post in which I am wearing this fab bag. Thumbs up for shopping for a good cause! Get yours online today!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

This October sees the launch of L’Occitane‘s extremely beautiful limited edition Shea Butter Fortune Flowers collection. The colourful range was inspired by two West African traditions: Basket weaving and storytelling. Decorated with striking motifs that evoke the baskets woven by women, the collection captures the delicate scents of “fortune flowers” whose qualities are praised in popular folklore.

Generosity is another African tradition – so it made perfect sense to include a fund-raising soap in this collection. All profits from the sale of this product – sales price in store minus taxes, transport and production costs – will go towards fighting preventable blindness in developing countries.

The limited editions come in three new scents to captivate the senses:
ROSE PETALS: Evokes the sweet floral notes of rose with a hint of the sugar-coated scent of candied almonds.
DATE BOUQUET: Recalls the mouth-watering essence of this deliciously sweet fruit.
MANGO FLOWER: Reveals a full and zesty aroma – the olfactory signature of the wide open spaces of Burkina Faso.

HAND CREAM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 30ml (CHF 10.-)
HAND CREAM COLLECTOR 150ml (CHF 27.-)
ULTRA RICH BODY CREAM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 100ml (CHF 31.-)
LIP BALM (Rose Petals, Mango Flowers, Date Boutique) 15ml (CHF 15.50)
SOLIDARITY SOAP (Rose Petals) 50g (CHF 2.50)
Available Mid October 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of L’Occitane and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sparkling fashion label Swarovski launches a new scent for women, so-called SWAROVSKI EDITION. After the huge success of last year’s launch AURA, the brand presents its new delightful limited edition fragrance that will hit stores this month. The design of the bottle is reminiscent of the house’s clutch evening purses.

A fruity-floral fragrance created by perfumer Sonia Constant.

Top notes: Clementine and red currant jam
Middle notes: Wild rose and gardenia
Base notes: Cedar and musk

Available now as a limited edition Eau de Toilette 50ml (CHF 71.-).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski

Lancôme has got my favourite makeup look for this fall: MIDNIGHT ROSES. The colours, designed around a purple spectrum, are so feminine and seductive.

Imagine midnight in Paris, the hour of untold possibilities…

In fall 2011, Lancôme introduced 29, Saint Honoré, a collection paying homage to Lancôme’s emblematic address. Today, marking the next chapter in this beautiful story, the French house invites us to number 29 on a secret street. A magical, coveted address. A perfect location that opens its doors at the hour when purple roses come into bloom…

It is here that the “Midnight Roses”, women among the most elegant in the world, emerge just after midnight. Somewhere between mystery and magic, the “Midnight Roses” collection showcases nocturnal seduction through each of its “purple-tinted” dimensions.

When night-time becomes a magical celebration… and as I just spent four magic days in Paris, I exactly know what Lanôme is talking about!

Let’s unveil purple’s deepest secrets:

L’Absolu Rouge Mat

For the first time, the mythical Absolu Rouge is as matte as velvet…
As comfortable and replenishing as ever thanks to its formula enriched with Pro-Xylane™, it caresses lips in three new seductive purple tones.

360 Rose Aphrodisia, 361 Rose Sortilège, 160 Rouge Hypnôse (All three one shots)
CHF 44.- each

L’Absolu Crème de Mat

For the “Midnight Roses” collection, L’Absolu Crème de Brillance has undergone a transformation and become completely matte. The smoothness of a gloss, the coverage of a lipstick, the comfort of a cream texture.

100 Potion d’Amour, 300 Magie Pourpre, 301 Prune Élixir (All three one shots)
CHF 44.- each

Blush Highlighter

Like reflected moonbeams dancing on the banks of the Seine…
The Blush Highlighter captures the unique light that bathes Paris at midnight. Crafted thanks to a new technology combining a high-comfort “marshmallow” texture with an illuminating effect, this extremely fine, light-infused powder is adorned with an embossed emblematic Lancôme rose. The powder feels whisper-soft on application, leaving just a veil of sheer pearly radiance.

Tips:
– Applied in delicate strokes following the lines of the shoulders, the Blush Highlighter beautifully emphasises a low-neck dress.
– Delicately applied using a sponge applicator, it catches the light, playing with “matte and gloss” contrasts.

001 Moonlight Rose (One shot)
CHF 65.-

Vernis In Love

A manicure resonant with the colours of Parisian night-time…
This season, Vernis In Love plays with a trio of shades infused with mystery: an intense purple, an urban khaki and a timeless powdered beige. Lancôme also creates a magical formula: a top coat that completely transforms nails, instantly turning them velvet-matte.

453 Infusion de Prune (One shot), 250N Beige Poudré, 280N Cosmopolitan Kaki, 030 Givre Magique – Top coat (One shot)
CHF 25.- each

Le Regard Pro

A must-have to enhance eyebrows and eyes in a handbag-friendly case. Le Regard Pro contains three universal shades of brown for made-to-measure mixing to redefine eyebrows, as well as a highlighter to apply just below the eyebrow arch for added depth. Created to suit all skin tones, the four shades can also be blended on the eyelid.

The crucial detail: the compact also contains a pair of tweezers. For perfect brow-grooming.
(One shot) CHF 75.-

Hypnôse Brow Shaper

In one simple step, this transparent gel structures eyebrows. To be used alone for a natural effect, or combined with Le Regard Pro to ensure make-up lasts through to the early hours.
(One shot)
CHF 35.-

Le Crayon Khôl

Incredibly creamy and highly pigmented, Le Crayon Khôl casts a spell on eyes with this season’s it-shade: bewitching purple.

014 Prune Crépuscule
(One shot) CHF33.-

Hypnôse Drama

A true essential to perfect eye make-up: The iconic mascara, the instant and full body volume expert, in its “timeless black” shade.

01 Black
CHF 44.-

Lancôme Midnight Roses makeup collection for fall 2012 is available now. For a night of untold possibilities…

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Lancôme

This late afternoon, I came back from my trip with Piaget to Paris for the 26th Biennale des Antiquaires. I had four amazing days and have so much to show you.

When I arrived at my house, a very special gift from Valentino waited for me that left me speechless: RED ON RED ROCKSTUD kitten heels designed by the house’s Creative Directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for the upcoming launch of the ultimate on-line shoe shopping experience, SHOE ROOM. Stay tuned as I will keep you posted once it is live.

I will be leaving tomorrow for London Fashion Week and those beauties will definitely be in my suitcase. Thank you, Valentino, for letting me be part of this awesome project!
I love my new shoes!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht