Sandra‘s Closet

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

Wander West with Isabel Marant this fall, be the first to get your hands on her cool, city-ready cowboy shirts, embroidered jeans and more covetable footwear.

For the next three days, you have the privilege to shop exclusively these F/W 2012 runway items before they are available to all customers.

Just click on the highlighted product description below each item.
Happy shopping!

LoL, Sandra

Primo printed fur jacket

Kurt suede cut-out pumps

Rodwell tasseled mid-rise skinny jeans

Manet cropped jeans

Lauryn embroidered blouse

Berry ankle boots with cut-out appliqué

Lauryn embroidered blouse

Eminoy cropped suede trousers

Loli mini skirt

Photos: Courtesy of Mytheresa

On Wednesday last week, I went with Piaget to the beautiful Château de Malmaison. Located at the gates of Paris, the former residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress Joséphine, has a large variety of porcelain collections, paintings and furniture on display.

The Château de Malmaison, purchased by Joséphine in 1799, became her permanent home after her divorce in 1809 and she lived there until she died in her bedroom in 1814.

Madame Bonaparte was famous for her interest in the field of botany and created magnificent gardens. Joséphine grew many rare species of plants and cultivated 250 species of roses, her favourite flower. Unfortunately, her heritage is not present today and the fields lie fallow. But this will be changing soon because the rose has a history that Piaget is committed to preserving.

Yves Piaget, scion of the company’s founders, has been celebrating his love of roses since over 30 years. The house’s Rose jewelry collection is a tribute to this dedication. The famous Yves Piaget Rose is named after him which was beautifully put on display at lunch. For Monsieur Piaget, “the rose is a symbol of love, joy and peace.” He explained, “that he was fascinated  by the rose breeder’s mutual challenges, beauty and performance,” and went on about “the two passions in his life: The Piaget company and the rose.”

Yves Piaget with me

Philippe Léopold-Metzger (to the left), CEO of Piaget, announced that Piaget will finance the rebuilding and reconstruction of Château de Malmaison’s rose garden that is meant to be completely finished in 2014. Then, it will present 750 rose bushes from the First to the Second Empire, enhancing the knowledge of the botanical work of the Empress. Amaury Lefébure (to the right), Director of Château de Malmaison, expressed his gratitude to the house of Piaget as this support “is something that very seldom happens in the life of a curator.”

The Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweler will also be involved in the restoration of some of the original gowns worn by Joséphine. “Another chance to bring back the beauty to the castle.”

After we had enjoyed a great tour around the property and the chateau, we were treated to a beautiful and delicious lunch. Didn’t my sweater match the Yves Piaget Rose décor perfectly?! Stay tuned for a detailed outfit post coming up soon.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Ad Campaign Photos: Courtesy of Piaget