Sandra‘s Closet

A wonderful press lunch at Clouds restaurant with BABOR gave me the opportunity to discover a German skincare brand I hadn’t explored in much detail before. And I was genuinely impressed by what I learned.

Founded in 1956 and still family-owned in its third generation, BABOR develops and produces its skincare in Aachen, Germany. Almost 70 years of expertise, a strong scientific background and a refreshingly serious approach to beauty.

What particularly caught my attention was the philosophy behind the formulations. Clean beauty without compromising on texture or performance. BABOR is committed to avoiding microplastics and ingredients such as silicones, parabens and PEGs in its skincare formulations. Quite a challenge when you consider how much these ingredients traditionally contribute to that silky, luxurious feeling we all love.

Another interesting discovery was the HSR Bi-Phase Face Oil, combining nourishing botanical oils with advanced skincare ingredients. And a little application tip I took home: serum first, followed by face oil and finally your cream.

Great expertise by Nicole Suess, BABOR Country Manager Switzerland and Austria, and Justine Stegelmann, BABOR Division Manager PR, Media & Cooperations.

But the real highlight for me was DOCTOR BABOR PRO. A professional skincare line developed specifically for beauty institutes and aesthetic specialists, rather than conventional retail. Its latest generation combines technologies involving exosomes, NAD+ and sirtuins, with highly concentrated formulations tailored to individual skin concerns. The treatments focus on everything from skin ageing and pigmentation to sensitivity and regeneration. This is where professional expertise makes the difference.

I also loved learning about BABOR’s more holistic approach to beauty, particularly the role of fragrance and sensory experiences. The idea that skincare should not only work on the skin but also contribute to how we feel is something I find increasingly fascinating.

Such a wonderful lunch among long-time colleagues and friends: Sabine Hauptmann, Nicole Süss and Katrin Roth.

And perhaps that was my biggest takeaway from the lunch: beauty doesn’t always need another trend. Sometimes it simply needs decades of research, clever formulations and people who really know what they’re doing.

BABOR, you are definitely on my radar now.

LoL, Sandra

With lovely Katrin Roth and Claudia Marson.

Friends for a long time: Nicole Suess and my humble self.

Beautiful gift boxes for Christmas on display.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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Gucci Westman (48) believes that cosmetics should do more than enhance – they should calm, replenish and balance to create the perfect canvas. Known for her «second-skin» approach, the celebrity makeup artist developed Westman Atelier so you can achieve a dewy, glowing complexion at home. The label’s line of creamy foundations, blushes and bronzers are consciously made using clean, plant-based actives for a naturally radiant finish. Don’t miss the eco-friendly brushes, thoughtfully designed for easy control and flawless application.

ABOUT GUCCI WESTMAN

Born in October 1971 in California and raised in Sweden, Gucci Westman has more than 20 years of professional experience as a major editorial makeup artist, contributing to publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, and backstage at fashion shows such as Brock Collection and Oscar de la Renta. Gucci served as the International Artistic Director of Lancôme from 2003-2007 and Global Artistic Director of Revlon from 2008-2015. However, she rose to prominence creating dewy, supernaturally glowy looks for celebrity clients including Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, and Gwyneth Paltrow—establishing her highly coveted «second-skin» approach to makeup.

A lifelong vegetarian with a commitment to holistic living, Gucci feels strongly that «luxury,» «efficacy,» and «clean» don’t have to be a contradiction when it comes to exceptional makeup. For her first beauty line, she designed a creamy range of seamless foundations, blushes, bronzers and highlighters that take a «plants-first» approach to crafting the perfect canvas.

Developed to work together as a «makeup wardrobe,» Gucci’s mission is to provide women with a seamlessly edited range of options as multifaceted as their lives. Naturally beautiful, radiantly amplified skin, now available to everyone.

Behind every successful woman stands a strong man… power couple Westman-Neville.

She has three children, Dashel, Gray and Petal, with Rag & Bone cofounder David Neville (44), who handles all business aspects of Westman Atelier, since he has stepped down as CEO from his own brand.

Fast. Easy. Flawless. Safe.
Makeup that makes life simpler.
Skin that feels as good as it looks.

ABOUT WESTMAN ATELIER

Gucci Westman’s cosmetics line stands for consciously crafted beauty that means…
– Luxurious, effortlessly beautiful makeup formulated with clean ingredients and no-compromises integrity.
– Balancing perfect shades and buttery textures that melt into the skin with plant-based actives and cutting-edge science.
– A passionate commitment to researching and reassessing the ingredients as new information comes to light.

Westman Atelier ingredients are thoughtfully curated by Gucci in the lab alongside the very best chemists to create skin-nourishing, clean makeup that uses potent actives at clinically proven efficacy levels – and performs at the highest possible standard.

Westman Atelier is now available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich.

MY PERSONAL HERO PRODUCTS

For my Swiss readers, I have some great news: Westman Atelier is now exclusively available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich. The team will happily assist you in finding your personal favorites. To make your choice easier, I have put together a list of must-haves you shouldn’t miss. Click on the highlighted product description to find out more.
To shop Westman Atelier online, click HERE please.

Lip Suede

This luxurious lip color palette contains four vibrant shades infused with long-lasting pigments and powerful regenerating benefits. Housed in a bright lacquered compact, each ultra-flattering lip shade – in fuchsia, brick, tomato red, and warm dusty rose – can be custom mixed for endless possibilities. Nourishes, plumps, and boosts collagen using clean actives in an innovative petroleum-free base. Matte suede texture moisturizes and conditions lips.

Eye Love You Mascara – Clean Black

This luxurious 96% natural origin mascara combines innovative plant-powered technology with creamy conditioning ingredients and a densely packed nylon brush that volumizes, defines, and curls. The result is supercharged lashes that are glossy, pitch black, and healthy from the root.

Foundation Brush

Paddle foundation brush with tapered, flat bristles that will quickly become your go-to for precise applications, correcting imperfections and achieving a naturally polished finish. Blends and smooths Vital Skin Foundation Stick for a fresh and dimensional look.

Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Luxurious cream foundation rich in antioxidants and formulated with active ingredients to combat redness, calm irritation, even out complexion, and boost moisture. Molten texture melts into skin for a radiant, natural finish. Your natural skin, effortlessly enhanced.

Have fun exploring this great new line…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Westman Atelier, © Net-à-Porter and © Spitzenhaus Zürich
*Less than 1% of silicones found in Baby Cheeks Blush, Face Trace Contour, and Beauty Butter Bronzer as part of a biomimicry technology system to protect skin. Read more about it here.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.