Sandra‘s Closet

As promised last night when I showed you Chanel‘s limited edition “Les Twin-Sets” collection, here are the upcoming trends for your nails and lips.

Forget one colour, the hottest applications include two tones. Karl Lagerfeld evoked the idea of using two shades on one nail for his Chanel Haute Couture F/W 2012 show “New Vintage”, a combination of the vintage shade “Silver” with the existing one “May”.

Instead of doing a classic French manicure, the whole outline of the nail is painted in a lighter shade with “Silver” and “May” is used to cover both the center and the tip of the nail. “May” is the full nail polish shade, and “Silver” is the outline shade.

Lancôme is taking the same line and plays with the idea of flamboyant contrasts for nails and lips (see photos below):

Love Rose Manicure by Lancôme (shaded tones) Difficulty level ++

An understated and elegant daytime manicure. Begin by applying the lighter “Violette Coquette” shade to the nail’s lateral border. Holding the brush vertically and then flat, draw a “comma shape” which should become broader as you move to the inner side of the nail. Then apply the darker shade, “Midnight Rose”, over the rest of the nail.
Lancôme make-up artist tip: Always begin with the lighter shade.

Love Rose Manicure by Lancôme (contrasting shades) Difficulty level +++

This is the It-manicure, playing on contrasts between two on-trend shades: “Aquamarine” (blue) and “Rouge in Love” (red).
1) Apply a block of red all over the nail (2 coats for sufficient coverage).
2) Next, apply a coat of “Aquamarine” on top so that only a “comma shape” of red remains visible.

Another possibility for symmetry lovers: The stencil technique.
1) Take some ordinary scotch tape and cut out shapes to match the surface of the blue polish.
2) Then stick these “scotch stencils” to the nails of both hands.
3) Apply the red polish over each uncovered nail surface.
4) Complete an entire hand before peeling off the tape.
5) Then apply the blue varnish over the rest of the nail, following the curve of the red “comma shape”.

French Rose Manicure by Lancôme Difficulty level ++++

An evening manicure inspired by the rose, the mythical Lancôme emblem. Apply a drop of the darker “Bleu de Flore” polish to the base of the nail. Paint a neat crescent, paying particular attention to the outer borders, as if “framing” them with a rose petal. The brush should be held at an almost vertical angle. You now need to perfect the inner and outer borders using the branchwood stick wrapped in cotton wool. Next, apply “Rose Boudoir” to the centre of the nail to create a colour contrast, using the flat of the brush. To finish off, apply a top coat to achieve uniform shine. This will also allow you to even out the surface texture.

Colorful Manicure by Lancôme Difficulty level +

The playful manicure to reinterpret to your heart’s content with the Vernis in Love shades. Play with contrasts and shaded tones – for bang on trend nails! Apply alternate shades of pink and red polish as you go from nail to nail.

GENERAL NAIL POLISH APPLICATION TIPS

A gorgeous manicure deserves both time and attention to detail. Leaving your nails to the last minute before slipping into an evening dress is not to be advised!

Prepare your nails before you start applying polish.

1) Use a (supple) nail brush with some warm water and a branchwood stick to remove little skin tags around the nail and impurities as well as push back the cuticles. This will restore an attractive nail surface and shape.
2) Gently smooth nails with a nail file.
3) Apply the colourless protective base to form a screen between the nail’s keratin and the pigments in the polish. This optimises application and wear, whilst boosting shine.
4) If your nails are not symmetrical in shape, you can correct this by painting a regular “U” shape with the polish, leaving the lateral nail borders lacquer-free. Nail polish should never touch the skin. Generally speaking, it is better to apply 2 thin coats to each nail rather than one single thick coat.

AND HERE COME THE LIPS:

“Effect 1” – Sensual & daring Difficulty level ++

A make-up look offering instant and deliriously daring allure. Generally speaking, make-up artists apply a lighter lipstick to the central part of the lower lip. Try creating a surprising effect by using a touch of darker colour (“Violette Coquette” for example) at the centre of your lips: all the better to attract more admiring glances…

1) Begin by applying the lighter shade such as “Midnight Rose” over your lips.
2) Dab “Violette Coquette” onto the central part of the lips with your finger to keep it natural. Or, for a more sophisticated look, use a lip brush to play up the contrast between the middle and the edges (making the lips look more open).
3) Repeat brush application of “Midnight Rose”, using the tip of the brush to define the lips without using a lip pencil. Starting at the corners, apply slightly beyond your natural lip line.

Tip for thin lips: If you want to add some volume, apply the colours the opposite way around (light in the middle and dark outside). For a ripe red fruit effect.

Result: A highly crafted look with intense colour. Shamelessly sexy.

“Effect 2” – Contrast & volume Difficulty level +

Playing with light and dark contrasts allows you to harmonise any difference between upper and lower lip volume. Apply the lighter shade to the lip that you want to make bigger.

1) Use the shade “Sequin d’Amour” on your upper lip.
2) Apply “Rouge Valentine” to your lower lip.
The lighter, more luminous shade on the top lip highlights your Cupid’s bow and lip sensuality, for a highly effect.

Top tip: Follow up with “Rouge Valentine” nail polish.
Coordinate with nude eyes, just a stroke of mascara and a relaxed hairstyle to contrast with the sophisticated lip look.

“Effect 3” – Shaded & bitten-lip look Difficulty level +++

Play with inverted colour shading for a “healthy glow” effect.

1) Start off by applying the “Violine Lamée” shade all over lips.
2) Use “Chocolat Mordoré” to create depth on the central part of the lower lip.
3) Then once again apply “Chocolat Mordoré”, tracing a border along the upper lip line to enhance its definition and accentuate the chocolate brown-deep purple harmony.
Instant healthy glow effect.

GENERAL LIP COLOUR APPLICATION TIPS

A brush is advisable to help you apply lipstick in a precise and even manner. A brush will also help avoid applying lipstick too heavily. Then blot with a handkerchief to remove any excess colour, leaving only the pigments behind (responsible for hold and colour).
To boost your lipstick’s hold, after applying the first coat, dust on a little loose powder before adding a final colour coat on top.

For thin lips: Define your lip contour 1mm out from its natural shape using a lip pencil in a shade as close as possible to your lipstick. Then apply your lipstick slightly beyond the natural outline. Try choosing high-shine or light and iridescent lipsticks, which will make your lips appear larger.
For full lips: Steer away from shine, pearly and/or iridescent effects and overly bold colours. Opt for a shade less vibrant than your natural lip colour and use a lip pencil in an equivalent colour. Use the pencil to define your lip line, tracing the inner border of
their natural shape.

Free your creative spirit and have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel and Lancôme

Leave it to Chanel to make a fashionista’s heart leap with joy. For this year’s Fashion’s Night Out, Peter Philips, Creative Director of Makeup, has created three gorgeous matte lipsticks with matching nail polishes in chic, sophisticated tones of plum, pink and beige. The so-called collector-worthy “Les Twin-Sets” collection will arrive in Chanel boutiques September 6!

Rouge Allure Velvet for € 30.50 each

Le Vernis for € 25 each

“Infidèle” is a saturated rose pink. A great colour that suits most skin tones.

“Provocation” is a rich deep plum that will work perfectly with the season’s dark luxe trend.

“Délicatesse” is a muted beige, ultra-sophisticated and elegant.

Another gorgeous limited edition from Chanel for the 4th edition of Fashion’s Night Out, just like “Les Jeans de Chanel” (2011), “Les Khakis de Chanel” (2010) and “Jade” (2009), the stunning mint green nail polish that has started the nail polish hype of the last years.
And no end in sight! Stay tuned for more.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

This was my look I wore to a dinner with friends. I love two-tone dresses as they are easy to combine and so classic. You will enjoy them for many seasons to come. For winter, try this sophisticated piece in a different colour combination.

Sophie two-tone crepe dress (available this season in signal-orange and navy blue), brass palm tree brooch , all by Stella McCartney, green python leather jacket (from a previous season) by Gucci, Clematis leather clutch by Christopher Kane, cherry earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, Twilly by Hermès and coral shape heels by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, I can tell you very exciting news for all fragrance aficionados and Chanel lovers among you: COCO NOIR is here, Chanel’s newest fragrance. The famous French house didn’t want any information to go public before and journalists and bloggers had to sign a press embargo not to post the information earlier.

COCO NOIR is the third fragrance named after house founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, joining Coco (1984) and Coco Mademoiselle (2001). Created by Chanel’s master perfumer Jacques Polge, it represents Coco Chanel’s love of the “dazzle of black and Venice”.

1936 – Gabrielle Chanel on Roussy Sert’s yatch in front of the Lido of Venice

Jacques Polge on his creative process: “For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of CHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.”

Top Notes: Grapefruit note and Calabrian Bergamot
Middle Notes: Essence and Absolute of Rose, Absolute of Jasmin, Narcissus Note and Rose Geranium Leaf
Base Notes: Brazilian and Venezuelan Tonka Bean, Indonesian Patchouli, New Caledonian Sandalwood, Bourbon Vanilla and White Musk

Available in 50 ml (CHF 146.-) and 100 ml (CHF 210.-). In Switzerland from August 20, 2012.

COCO NOIR has an “animal sensuality – a great nocturnal Baroque”. The perfect scent for the next season to finish off you opulent winter looks. If you like oriental fragrances, this will definitely be something for you.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: V.H. Grandpierre © All Rights Reserved / Courtesy of Vogue Paris, Courtesy of CHANEL – Julien Claessens et Thomas Deschamps

While being in Texas, I had to see the famous Southfork Ranch, renowned as the filming location for the “Dallas” television series and went directly after my shopping spree at the Highland Park Village (click here to see also the details of my look).
My most embarrassing moment: Thanks to my coral shape heels, I fell down the grand staircase in the entry hall of the Ewing Mansion and of course, being in the United States, there was a lot of excitement and I had to fill out the “Southfork Ranch Injury Damage Report”.
My answer: “Relax and blame it on Chanel!”

Exciting news for all fans: Dallas has returned to television after two decades away.

In this Dallas, J.R.(Larry Hagman) and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) continue on in Southfork, but now the focus has shifted to their sons, John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe). Of course, the boys stake out their claim on the Ewing name – albeit in disparate ways. John Ross, being the son of the more ruthless J.R., is interested solely in continuing to drill for oil, while Christopher, whose father is the kindhearted Bobby, sees his focus shifting toward alternative fuel sources and green energy.

I have started to watch it and truly enjoy seeing all the well-known faces together with the new young actors.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of TNT

I still owe you my photos from Texas, which was the last stop of my road trip through the US. The first day in Dallas, I went shopping at the Highland Park Village, which is an upscale shopping mall and the home of brands like Chanel, Stella McCartney, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin among others. It was the first self-contained shopping center in America and therefore declared a National Historic Landmark in 2000.

My look: Two-tone stretch-jersey contour dress and cuff by Stella McCartney, bowtie pasta and cameo clip earrings by Dolce & Gabbana, coral shape heels by Chanel, Audrey wayfarer sunglasses by Céline and Pandora bag by Givenchy.
On my nails: “Today Was A Fairytale” with Virgin Diamond Powder by Deborah Lippmann.

It was very funny to see my new two-tone dress in Stella McCartney‘s window and later inside.

Stay tuned for more photos of this outfit as I went after my shopping spree to the famous Southfork Ranch.

By the way, if you like Mexican food, you have to eat at Mi Cocina, located in the Highland Park Village. So yummy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

During my stay in Maui, I watched many beautiful sunsets. The light is so amazing – colouring the sky in shades of yellow, orange, blue and purple. I captured some of those moments for you with my camera.

One of my favourite places on the island to have dinner and watch the sundown is the Italian restaurant Sarento’s On the Beach in Kihei, Maui. Great food, great service and great location.

My look: White ruffled dress by Tibi, coral shape heels by Chanel, glitter sunglasses by Miu Miu and necklace Pearl Drape with horse clasp by Gabriele Frantzen.
On my nails: Believe created with Cher by Deborah Lippmann
(a shimmering metallic gold beige).
Curls all natural!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, the Haute Couture presentations for F/W 2012 took place in Paris and they have brought along some adorable and stunning looks. From Christian Dior to Stéphane Rolland, from Versace to Valentino, enjoy the best of the best.

GIVENCHY HAUTE COUTURE:

Personally speaking, Givenchy Haute Couture F/W 2012 is my favourite. It is so modern, edgy and cool. This fringed top above or the long embellished cape with fur details are both to die for! If I could wear couture every day, how I would long for it to be Givenchy Haute Couture…

STÉPHANE ROLLAND HAUTE COUTURE:

Stéphane Rolland is always one of the highly anticipated presentations during Haute Couture fashion week in Paris, and this time was no exception. His couture designs are modern and sexy, more of a “Hot Couture”.

Do you remember when supermodel Yasmin Le Bon closed the show in a gigantic red gown last season? Click here for the previous post. This time, it was actress Fan Bingbing, whom I had met at the Trophée Chopard party in Cannes in May, who wowed the guests in a striking sleeveless gown with a cape that took over the entire runway.

CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE:

Two contradictory words on the invitation: “New Vintage”. At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld returned to the essence of the fashion house and delved into the past with a collection of bouclé jackets and feather-trimmed gowns. His bridal look left me speechless.

ZUHAIR MURAD HAUTE COUTURE:

Opulence is what Zuhair Murad is all about. Haute Couture how you imagine it.

VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE:

Valentino‘s embroidered and hand-painted looks were proof that couture’s artistry and craftsmanship are higher than ever. Absolutely breathtaking!

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who have been helming the famous label since 2008 following Mr Valentino’s retirement, did a wonderful job.

CHRISTIAN DIOR HAUTE COUTURE:

Raf Simons’s debut collection for Christian Dior was probably one of  the most refreshing couture show. Clean but masterfully tailored, those strapless embroidered mini gowns over pants, all free from fuss, looked like contemporary couture should look like.

ATELIER VERSACE:

Donatella Versace returned to the Ritz Paris for the presentation of her Atelier Versace F/W 2012 collection. 
The famous hotel had hosted many Atelier Versace shows before. Donatella was paying homage to her late brother Gianni with a collection that encapsulated the best of the iconic Versace looks.

ARMANI PRIVÉ:

Those sultry veils seen at Armani Privé were outstanding.

JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER HAUTE COUTURE:

Speaking of Hot Couture, Jean-Paul Gaultier served up a good dose of sexiness with his creations. Gaultier at his best!

I hope that you have enjoyed my little Haute Couture report.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Getty Images

A lipstick is never innocent and is much more than just a beauty step. 
Elegant or provocative, lips dress up to reveal their intentions, marking a presence, a difference and an attitude. Intense and radical, each ROUGE ALLURE shade sparks the imagination, expressing the personalities of all women.

Like a prelude to the rush of colour, the object itself is a true statement. A real jewel in its contemporary case with pure lines, it delivers the sensation of authentic luxury. Press once and it reveals itself in just one click, reinventing seduction in an exquisitely feminine step.

In 2012, ROUGE ALLURE explores a new range of colours that are more intense than ever before. To give colour all of its power, the formula evolves, while maintaining com­fort and gentleness. It is designed to enhance colour with the help of highly concentrated extremely fine pig­ments. And because colour dazzles even more on supple, protected lips, the formula is en­riched with moisturising and antioxidant agents, such as sweet almond oil, sappan wood and green tea.

RED IS A STYLE

The style of CHANEL can be traced in black and white. Free and unpredictable, red enriches its palette, setting off elegant ensembles with a note of boldness and imperti­nence.

For Gabrielle Chanel red is more than a colour, it is an attitude and a sign of distinction. Paradoxical and intriguing, but never innocent, red shimmers and makes a statement. On lips, it combines strength, femininity and allure.

The new ROUGE ALLURE collection puts red in the spotlight to match every style.

REDS

97 INCANDESCENTE, a flamboyant red with insolent radiance.
98 COROMANDEL, a luminous and precious orange-red.
99 PIRATE, an ultimate, slightly bluish red (see photo above).
102 PALPITANTE, an exquisite shade of raspberry red.
104 PASSION, a dazzling and absolutely glamorous red.
105 INIMITABLE, an intense, irresistible red with pearly reflections.

BEIGES

88 ÉVANESCENTE, a natural beige for a sophisticated nude effect.
90 PIMPANTE, the subtle seduction of a peach tone.

PINKS

91 SÉDUISANTE, a natural pink, hesitating between candor and spicy charm.
93 EXALTÉE, a true fuschia, deliciously provocative.
94 EXTATIQUE, the freshness and playfulness of an intense bluish pink.

ORANGES

95 ENJOUÉE, a fresh, energising coral pink.
96 EXCENTRIQUE, an absolutely bold and luminous apricot shade.

BROWNS

108 DÉTERMINÉE, a violet-plum brown with a bewitching character.
109 ROUGE NOIR, the revolutionary deep red, now a classic.
110 DÉLURÉE, the brazen originality of a deep brown.

CHF 48.- each

LE CRAYON LÈVRES

New shades of lip liners will be launched to match with the most flamboyant shades of ROUGE ALLURE:

55 FUSCHIA (new)
56 ORANGE INTENSE (new)
57 ROUGE PROFOND (new)
09 ROUGE NOIR

CHF 34.- each

LE VERNIS

For a radical makeover, ROUGE ALLURE is coordinated with iconic CHANEL nailpolishes:

565 BEIGE, a universal and iconic shade (new).
617 HOLIDAY, avant-garde and a future classic, this intense and sophisticated coral becomes part of the legend (new, depending on the market).
473 COROMANDEL, a timeless and extremely feminine orange-red.
08 PIRATE, the must-have flamboyant red (my favourite red).
18 ROUGE NOIR, deep, mysterious and inimitable.

CHF 35.- each

Available in Mid September 2012.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel

Before leaving to Maui, I had a quick stopover for one night in San Francisco and saw my friend Eugenia for dinner.

My look: Liberty printed silk shirt by Coje (Soon after opening on Regent Street London in 1875 Arthur Liberty printed the first Liberty Fabrics. By the 1890’s Liberty Art Fabrics were a byword for the best of “avant garde” textile design. With new & classic designs added each season, the rich heritage of liberty print continues.), skinny leg jeans by J Brand, Falabella bag by Stella McCartney, sandals with coral shape heel by Chanel and Lady Excalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht