Sandra‘s Closet

Another great contest for my Swiss readers! Here is your chance to win one of three BRAUN FACE devices (CHF 85.00 per piece (RRP)). The new beauty must-have combines two treatments in one tool, making it the world’s first facial epilator and cleansing brush at the same time. Smooth and radiant skin is a must for a perfect makeup. Here is your effective and fast solution!

The face epilator captures even the shortest and finest hairs for up to four weeks of smooth skin. The cleansing brush removes makeup and impurities pore deep by gently oscillating for six times better cleansing than manual. Help your skin to get in the right shape for a glamorous Christmas makeup!

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “Braun Face Device” to . All entries must be received until December 24, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Braun

Dear beauty lovers! It is this time of the year when I am looking for the best eye makeup palettes as most beauty brands are launching amazing limited edition products for the holiday season. In winter time, eyes should sparkle and shine in deep hues. I have always been a huge fan of smokey eyes and for this post I tried many palettes to present you my favorites. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it…:-). Here we go!

My favorite: YSL Palette Collector – Wild Edition – CHF 111.00

This is your little black book! The packaging of this palette is absolutely amazing. Including everything you need for eyes, lips and cheeks, you can carry it like a little clutch. The super chic satin tassel which is inspired by Saint Laurent’s passion for oriental styling gives it the ultimate touch.

DIOR 5 Coleurs in 046 Golden Reflections – CHF 90.00

Perfect for every day: when golden hues and metallic effects collide, they create a chic look. This palette is a token of femininity and a modern classic you can easily play around with.

CHANEL Les 5 Ombres de Chanel in Oiseaux de Nuit – CHF 80.00

For all night owls: the Chanel holiday eyeshadow palette with the eponymous name features five pretty shades: icy white, pale lavender grey, deep purple grey, black and antique gold. The texture is amazing and easy to apply.

LANCÔME Hynôse Palette Drama Eyes in Parisian Lights – CHF 79.00

Get ready for the party season with this limited edition Hypnôse eye palette from Lancôme. Play with dark, smoky shades and golden tones to create your dramatic look for the holidays, a spectacular eye made easy. The advantage of this palette is that you can use it wet and dry.

GUERLAIN Écrin 2 Couleurs in 10 Cygne Noir – CHF 62.00

For a magical mysterious eyes. Glistening black and copper-colored plum combine for a sophisticated finish. The perfect companion for the handbag because of its size.

Happy Self-Decorating!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, Adriana Tripa and © Sandra Bauknecht

Famous for her provocations and rebellious flare, just like Roberto Cavalli, Nicki Minaj has a nonconformist spirit which she uses to inspire and amaze her audience. It is no coincidence that one of the most successful singles of the singer is titled «Anaconda», and the snake is one of the iconic symbols of Cavalli.

Snake necklace by Roberto Cavalli

“I chose Nicki Minaj because she embodies the exuberant and modern femininity of the Cavalli woman. In recent years we have become accustomed to women castigated in clothes that hide their body shapes. With this campaign, I wanted to send a strong countertrend message. I wanted a sensual woman who is aware of her body, who is not afraid to show her curves, rather she make them as a strength“, states Roberto Cavalli.

The campaign was shot in Los Angeles by photographer Francesco Carrozzini. Personally speaking, this is what I would call a perfect match.

TO SHOP ROBERTO CAVALLI, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roberto Cavalli
Photographer: Francesco Carrozzini, Hair Stylist: Brent Lawler @ Streeters, Make-up Artist: Mylah Morales @ Tracey Mattingly, Location: Siren Orange Studio – Los Angeles

Dear Swiss readers, it’s time tow win again! Today, 3 BRAUN Satin Hair 7 Professional SensoDryer are raffled off, of which each has a value of CHF 89.00 (RRP). It is the perfect tool to get shiny, glamorous hair for the festive season in a professional still gentle way. Imperative for the healthy look of your hair is the right heat protection. At a temperature of 140°C hair starts to develop frizz and a shiny look seems far away. In order to prevent this, Braun’s new SensoDryer comes with integrated sensors which are measuring the temperature inside it six hundred times per second – for a constant control and adjustment of temperature. In this way, a continuous maximum of 130 °C will be ensured. That’s how you say goodbye to frizzy and dry hair!

Who doesn’t like the big volume with defined waves that your hair stylist can do easily for you? Here is a little tutorial for glamorous hair look using the SensoDryer & SensoCare.

„For more volume and structure, you should first do a quick blow dry with the diffuser“, says Sascha Breuer, Braun’s Style Director. „Once you get started, leave the brush for a while, to give your hair a polished wavy movement. Also use an extra cool shot to lock the shape.” The final step is to run your fingers through your hair to soften the look, you are ready for the next party!

To participate in the contest, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header “The Perfect Hair Styling with Braun” to . All entries must be received until December 21, 2014. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Braun

During London Fashion Week I had a very fun dinner with Net-à-Porter, that I will soon tell you more about. In the meantime, enjoy this outfit post. I hope that you will like it as much as I do.

My look: Cropped fine-knit cardigan, wool skater dress with fine black stripes, wide belt and black and white platform pumps, all by Azzedine Alaïa, fringed tweed bag by Chanel, diamond ring and bracelet, both by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Charlotte Stockdale, Jo Malone’s style editor, has designed the latest addition to Jo Malone’s Home Collection: ‘My Wanderlust’. Each scent from the collection was crafted out of Stockdale’s love for travel and the places she has explored.

The collection includes a candle, soap, a diffuser, home scent and linen spray, the latter two won’t be available in Switzerland. The atmospheric packaging was inspired by British watercolour paintings.

Inspired by the impressive foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the scent of the Cardamom & Moroccan Rose home candle was created by dominant notes of aromatic cardamom, sweet Moroccan rose and honeyed spice with hints of fresh ginger and chamomile — resulting in expansive yet luscious floral facets.
Cardamom & Moroccan Rose Home Candle 200g (CHF 86.00)

The scent of the Acacia & Honey soap is meant to encapsulate the hazy breeze of an Australian beach. Key notes include sweet honey with lively ginger, topped off by a powdery, floral note of acacia.
Acacia & Honey Bath Soap Collection 2 x 100g (CHF 55.00)

Lastly, the exotic scent of the Lime Basil & Mandarin diffuser is made up with notes of revitalising citrus, tart mandarin and zesty grapefruit — all wrapped up in amber wood with surprise hints of basil and white thyme, paying tribute to the pleasant Caribbean breeze.
Lime Basil & Mandarin Scent Surround™ Diffuser 165ml (CHF 90.00)

The collection will be available from January 2015. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

This announcement seems just natural: OPI is launching six new limited-edition nail lacquers inspired by Universal Pictures and Focus Features’ Fifty Shades of Grey, the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the worldwide bestselling book by E L James. Available in January 2015, the collection includes five grey nail lacquers in varying shades and textures, along with one rich red hue. Fifty Shades of Grey arrives in theaters on Valentine’s Day weekend of 2015. As you know, I binge-read the trilogy (click here for my book review) and cannot wait to see the movie.

The OPI collection includes the following shades:

My Silk Tie
This silky, gleaming silver has got me all tied up.

Romantically Involved
I’m in a deep relationship with this luscious crème red.

Dark Side of the Mood
This brooding, stormy charcoal is dangerously gorgeous.

Shine for Me
This shimmering silver with subtle blue sparkle really turns me on!

Cement the Deal
I’d sign anything to get my hands on this stony, cool gray.

Embrace the Gray
Let this chic, moody gray crème become one with you.

Each nail lacquer shade features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. The collection will be available from 19th January 2015 for a limited time only.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI

This was the outfit I wore to the launch event of The No Animal Brand at Jelmoli in Zurich. Shearling has been a huge trend this F/W 2014 season and Prada’s colorful designs are the best way to sport the fuzzy style. Oversized and extremely comfortable, Mrs Prada delivered sheepskin jackets in psychedelic seventies colours, that brighten up every grey winter day.

My look: Shearling jacket by Prada, leather biker vest, lips print blouse with open back,  red skinny stretch-leather pants and red ankle boots, all by Saint Laurent, shearling bag by Chanel, red lace bra by Victoria’s Secret, earrings by Dior and diamond ring by Vainard Fine Jewellery.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

«Vegan as a fashion statement» – Stella McCartney has been the pioneer to blend fashion with sustainability by creating shoes and bags without using animal products. The only drop of bitterness? Her designs are high-priced and not easy to afford. Inspired by the idea to offer fashion with added value at a consumer-friendly price point, my lovely friend Swiss model Bianca Gubser partnered up with Nicole Frank to launch The No Animal Brand collection.

Their designs of shoes and bags that are manufactured without using any animal products look great as you can see and are now available in Switzerland at Jelmoli Zurich. Other point of sales in Europe are going to follow soon. Below you see some impressions of the launch event in the beginning of December.

LoL, Sandra

Clifford Lilley, Raquel Marquard and Franco Savastano with me

Thank you David Biedert Photography for the lovely pictures!

Ladies, I am sure you all have a Samantha in you or at least one in your group of girlfriends. If you are asking yourself about which Samantha I am talking, I am talking about the sex-obsessed blonde bombshell from the Sex and the City series who would have surely appreciated Tom Ford’s newest necklace launch.

The so-called “penis necklace” is now available for purchase on tomford.com. No need to be shocked. The fascinus is the divine embodiment of the phallus, and was a common motif in Roman art. As in nature, Tom Ford’s phallus jewelry comes in different sizes, from small, medium to large. In order not to get a wrong impression and to offend anyone, it is definitely no time to be frugal.

Tom Ford’s S/S 2003 ad campaign for Gucci became a controversial talking point…

The genius who gave us the Gucci G on pubic hair knows that sex sells. Just make sure that under the Christmas tree you don’t get it mixed up with grandma’s present once it’s wrapped.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford and Gucci, via Vogue UK and Sex and the City