Sandra‘s Closet

We all know the beauty of a well chosen perfume that is a reflection of you. After you have found your favorite scent, you should also master the art of perfuming. Here are some tips on how to perfume yourself in a way you might have not thought about before.

Perfume behind your wrists, ankles and knees
These blood pulse points « heat up » the perfume on the skin and allow it to exhale in an unexpected and subtle manner each time you move.

Perfume your ribbons or hair accessories
To add rejoicing scented touches to your hairstyle, as if it was styled with flowers.

Perfume the hem of your dress or skirt
Fragrant notes are revealed with elegance, enhancing the movement of the body and leaving on you an exquisite perfume trail.

Perfume the inner side of your belt
As it was traditionally done in royal and imperial courts, perfuming the inner side of a leather accessory brings an additional touch of femininity.

Perfume the inner lining of your coat or jacket
To sign your appearances, each time you take it off at a rendez-vous, a dinner or a party.

Perfume your fan
Each movement brings a subtle refinement to the room by liberating a delicate scent.

Perfume the inside of your handbag
Each time you open your bag, a joyful shot arises, expression of an extreme sophistication.

LoL, Sandra

Illustration: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

With the new Extrait de Cologne, Roger & Gallet brings up to date the art of perfuming, bequeathed by the “Incroyables” and the “Merveilleuses”, a group of young whimsical Parisians at the end of the 18th century. At that time, they were crazy for Jean-Marie Farina’s Eau de Cologne and thoroughly splashed themselves with it… on their skin, but also on their clothes, hats or accessories of any kind.

In 2017, Roger & Gallet invited five famous perfumers to create their own scent for this new collection. The campaign is absolutely beautiful and I am happy to share with you these beautiful photos and all the information regarding the new fragrances that all include up to 90% natural ingredients.

Five iconic perfumers from left to right: Alberto Morillas (Thé Fantasie), Fabrice Pellegrin (Néroli Facétie – MY FAVORITE), Juliette Karagueuzoglou (Verveine Utopie), Anne Flipo (Tubérose Hédonie) and Elise Bénat (Cassis Frénésie) have created a collection of five beautiful scents.

CASSIS FRÉNÉSIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,1% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Crisp, tonic, energising. Fights melancholia, stimulates good mood and euphorises senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Elise Bénat, French perfumer, has selected:
Blackcurrant bud absolute
Pepper essence
Rose infusion
Precious distilled essences of geranium, lavandin, galbanum & buchu.

Always more, always more often, life has so much to offer!
Cassis Frénésie, is an appetite for living, loving, tasting pleasures, without moderation, in an utmost exaltation.

NÉROLI FACÉTIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 87,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Tranquilizing, pleasing and balancing. Relieves anxiety, facilitates sleep and lightens the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Fabrice Pellegrin, French perfumer, has selected:
Neroli essence
Orange blosson absolute
Immortelle absolute
Precious distilled essences of cedarwood, petitgrain, angelica seeds & vetiver.

Here, all is mischievousness, comical, slapstick, fun. Jokes and laughs!
Néroli Facétie is an attitude, cheerful, joyful, playful. A sheer art of having fun with facial expressions or little games.

TUBÉREUSE HÉDONIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Extraordinarily relaxing and aphrodisiac. Rouses the mood and invites body and mind to let go.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Anne Flipo, French perfumer, has selected:
Tuberose absolute
Jasmine absolute
Bergamote essence
Precious distilled essences of pink pepper, Neroli & celery grains.

You must seize the day, every minute!
The hedonist lives for pleasure. To please oneself, as often as possible, in every possible manner, satisfying one’s senses, with no reserve, here is the goal of his existence, the supreme value, above all others.

THÉ FANTAISIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,7 % OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Untiring, energizing, destressing. Comforting, appeases tension and stimulates the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer, has selected:
Black tea extract
Benzoin resin
Sandalwood essence
Precious distilled essences of coriander, Cardamom, sage & vetiver.

What matters is to have fun!
The fantasist takes pleasure in doing things off the beaten track, far from conventions. Originality, a hint of mischievousness and lightness as a way of life.

VERVEINE UTOPIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,3% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Stimulating, invigorating, anti-fatigue. Refreshes the body, freshens the mind and galvanizes the senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, French perfumer, has selected:
Exotic verbena essence
Gentian extract
Precious distilled essences of cedar wood, Gaiac and vetiver wood, basil & absinthe.

He is a dreamer, a poet in search of the absolute, in quest for the wonderful!
The utopist lives for an ideal, the perfect world in which each one could find happiness. With passion and innocence, this stargazer draws up a flow of ideas to change the world and make it better.

In stores from September 2017 – 100ml (CHF 70.00), 500ml (CHF 170.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

St. Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, those are some of my favorite spots during summer time. Here even black seems not so basic anymore…

My look: Ruffled stretch-lace midi dress, lace-trimmed stretch-silk satin underwired balconette bra and matching lace-trimmed stretch-silk satin briefs, all by Dolce & Gabbana, Bianca leather sandals by Saint Laurent, «Paris Cosmopolite» Pré-fall 2017 Métiers d’Art Gabrielle bag and wide cuff, both by Chanel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

I love nude lipsticks. Therefore I am all excited about this new collaboration between rap queen Nicki Minaj and M∙A∙C Cosmetics. Both have worked together to develop two nude, sophisticated lipsticks, of which one is named after her 2014 album of the same name:

Nicki’s Nude – soft corally pink (amplified)
The Pinkprint – mid-tone creamy pink (amplified)

Minaj teased that she and M∙A∙C Cosmetics have more big news coming in 2018. This is the rapper’s first collaboration with the makeup brand since designing a lavender lipstick for them for their 2012 Viva Glam campaign. I am curious what will be coming up next…

Limited Edition, available 7th September, 2017 at all M∙A∙C locations, M∙A∙C Stores and at maccosmetics.ch for CHF 28.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

Today’s post is spotlighting the latest trend in footwear, heel art. From logo details to animal-inspired embellishments, these shoes will definitely get a lot of attention.

Elephant heel ankle boots by Dorateymur

Opyum logo-heel patent-leather pumps by Saint Laurent

Fur-lined suede ankle boots by Loewe

Velvet ankle boots by Dries Van Noten

Baroque pumps by Ralph & Russo

Zaha suede pumps by Nicholas Kirkwood

Suede-trimmed leather pumps by J.W.Anderson

Stretch-knit boots by Burberry

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

I am having such a lash obsession this fall with the launch of ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Pure Color Envy Lash Collection. You might ask why this new launch is so special. Here is the answer.

This brand new mascara – Pure Color Envy Lash Multi Effects Mascara (CHF 39.00) – comes with a dual hybrid brush that is said to do the work of three mascaras with just one twist. It has two sides – a nylon fibre bristle side which builds full on volume and lift to the lashes, and a silicone moulded side to provide limitless length and separation. You can use both sides at one for the full effect or just one side for a custom-made look. The mascara also nourishes your lashes.

But all those advantages or the waterproof version are not the reason why I am so excited about this launch. It is the coloured versions in purple, blue and green that I like so much along with the limited edition Crystal Lash Top Coat (CHF 35.00) that offers liquid pearls that surround lashes with a multi-faceted lighting effect that adds extra sparkle to your eyes. You will also love it!

If you are at the Estée Lauder counter, get also a bottle of the new Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix (CHF 88.00/15ml) This worldwide first ultra-nourishing, skin strengthening formula with an innovative 360° Matrix Technology gives eyes a fresh, “wide-open” look.

I am using it right now and it absolutely reduces the look of lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. Moreover it intensely nourishes with the help of hyaluronic acid. I apply it morning and evenings with the included massaging applicator by gently rolling it under each eye three times. Then I massage it in a 360° circle under the eye area and above the lid and finish it off by patting the rest with my finger until it is fully absorbed.

All products are available now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

If you spent your childhood in a pair of Converse or even Nikes, you already know, the right sneakers can make a statement. If you pay attention to the proportions, dresses work well when paired with just the right comfy footwear. And not only will you earn major style points for thinking outside the box, but your feet will surely thank you. Here you see me wearing this kind of look on my way to the Maison Sisley in Paris.

My look: Olwen cutout printed cotton-jersey dress and Falabella faux brushed-leather shoulder bag, both by Stella McCartney, embellished metallic sneakers and aviator-style metal sunglasses, both by Gucci, earrings by Dior.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Thank you to my daughter for taking them!

This season’s bags are reminiscent of the Bauhaus movement. Forget slouchy hobos and complicated origami silhouettes; fall’s bag is decidedly geometric in form.

Printed leather pouch by Balenciaga

Small Nile leather bracelet bag by Chloé

Leather clutch by Calvin Klein 205W39NYC

Macy Ribbon acrylic clutch by Edie Parker

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

When I started my blog almost 8 years ago, I was one of the first ones and believe me I had to fight for my right to be on that media planet! Today, it is very interesting for me to observe how brands that were completely against digital media for a long time, go for it now. But let’s face it there was no choice. The next generations are coming and they have witnessed the birth and rapid evolution of the biggest social media networks of today. «Millennials» – a term you see thrown around with increasing regularity these days.

“Millennials will soon have the greatest purchasing power of any demographic and their mindset is influencing how women of all ages shop,” says Jane Hertzmark Hudis, group president, who oversees six brands including Estée Lauder to Financial Times.

I am also seeing this evolution popping up in the beauty press releases I have been receiving from the various brands. Increasingly, renowned Houses are introducing new and completely distinctive product ranges targeted towards the millennials market (Remember this week’s post about the new Twilly d’Hermès fragrance?!).

What does that mean, though? Women in their early to late 20s focus less on anti-ageing but more on preventive care, natural ingredients, and the price point. Most products are multitasking because millennials tend to be time-sensitive and do not favor difficult regimes. For them, a beautiful and sophisticated packaging plays an important role, something that will look good on Instagram.

Here are some products that caught my attention. All of them work of course also for non millennials, so don’t be afraid! It is always good to know what is trending now… and to be curious!

CLINIQUE Pep-Start Double Bubble Purifying Mask
CHF 37.90 (50ml)

Clinique was one of the early pioneers targeting the younger generation. Now, the American beauty brand made a smart move by creating the Double Bubble Purifying Mask among the recent additions to their Pep-Start universe. Reenergize skin in just 2 minutes with this pink gel that transforms to blooming bubbles, leaving skin pepped, prepped and ready to party! The application is sensational, try it! You will understand what I mean…

WASO SHISEIDO Clear Mega Hydrating Cream
CHF 52.20 (50ml)

This skincare routine is designed for youthful skin. Building the skin’s resistance to stressors, this 24-hour moisturizing clear cream with whole carrot cells that hydrates and helps reduce the look of pores and prevent dryness. Unsurprisingly, this pot and the other products accompanying the range are all incredibly photogenic, featuring various pastel tones.

NUXE Rêve de Miel Gommage Gourmand Nourrissant Corps
CHF 26.50.- (175ml)

This deliciously nourishing body scrub for dry and sensitive skin not only smells heavenly, it works really good to get rid of impurities on the back or the upper arms. In Switzerland available from the end of September 2017.

ELIE SAAB Girl of Now
Eau de Parfum – 30ml : CHF 72.00 (30ml), CHF 106.00 (50ml) and CHF 137.00 (100ml)

«Cameras flash to capture her perfect look: definitely trendy, and yet so personal. She boldly grabs her girlfriends for some fun in front of the camera. One last selfie to immortalise this special moment and she’s already off, leaving a mysterious trail. Where is she going?»

For the first time, Elie Saab targets young women with this beautiful new floriental scent. The hashtags say it all: #girlofnowparties, #girlofnowtravels, #girlofnoweats, #girlofnowshops.

I have fallen in love with this fragrance from my first spritz because of its almond imprint. Combined with the designer’s olfactory signature the orange blossom – patchouli accord makes it irresistible.

Top Notes: Pear, Mandarin Orange, Pistachio
Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, White jasmine, Magnolia, Almond
Base Notes: Cashmeran, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Almond Milk

Happy Monday to all Girls of Now!

LoL, Sandra

Photo of products: © Sandra Bauknecht
All other photos: Courtesy of the Brands

With email at my fingertips, nonstop traveling, and around-the-clock social media delights and business events, actually making the time to unwind and shut down at the end of the day sometimes seems to be one of my biggest challenges. Therefore I was very much looking forward to taking some time off at the VILLA STÉPHANIE in Baden Baden and hope that you all want to hear about the best detox experience I have ever had!

There are plenty of different ways that you can give your body the relief that it needs from all of the pressures and stresses of the day. Each of us has to decide what works best for him or her. I had to try different kinds to finally find this haven on earth that offered me what I was looking for in order to regain energy. Probably you are like me and wished there was an easy, quick way to cleanse your body of all those bubbly toxins. Funnily enough, I believe we are all equipped with a natural cleansing system in our bodies, called liver and kidneys. Together, these two toxin-bashing organs act as a superefficient system for filtering out the vast majority of the harmful substances we eat and drink. The only important factor that those work well is a healthy and moderate lifestyle. And this can be hard sometimes.

Personally speaking that is the main reason why I choose to «detox» from time to time but not in this heavy, depriving way of barely eating anything but dry bread rolls. This doesn’t work for me! I get cranky, have no energy to do sports then and the overall effect is frustration and unhappiness. What I need is healthy pampering. And this is what I got at VILLA STÉPHANIE in perfection.

This luxurious and exclusive destination spa, which is part of the iconic Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, is dedicated to beauty, detox & nutrition, emotional balance and medical care. Every aspect of those mentioned is at your disposal. The beautiful and spacious rooms (15 rooms and suites only at VILLA STÉPHANIE) with views overlooking the River Oos have everything you wish for. There is even a button to turn off the electricity and the Wi-Fi connection in a second so that you will sleep better the old fashioned way without any radiation or e-smog disturbing your system.

Upon my arrival, I had a meeting with Kevin, my health coach. Before deciding on my tailor-made program and menus, I had to stand on the InBody 720 machine, which is a premium, medical-grade body composition analyzer that can fully tell your physical composition and water level in a single test. My results were great and I was looking forward to indulge in the House’s vitality-detox cuisine. Deceivingly filling, absolutely satisfying and beautifully presented, I could not believe that the three meals per day weighed in at around 1200 calories only.

What was served? Typically something like a porridge with berries and nuts in the morning and this fabulous green smoothie, a three-course meal for lunch, including even a filet of beef with a baked potato followed by a light desert. In the evening, I always started with a soup, nothing raw, and an entree such as grilled scallops with vegetables.

One evening, I was spoilt by two Michelin star chef Paul Stradner to a 5-course Vital Menu (completely lactose and gluten free as well as light on the carbs) in the Brenners Park Restaurant. Decadent detoxing I would love to call it.

There are plenty of group fitness activities, such as aqua fitness, yoga, jogging and biking for example, but I preferred working out by myself in the well equipped gym or taking a yoga lesson with a private trainer.

To accompany my detox program, I was spoilt to different treatments, such as a lymphatic drainage, clarifying and detoxifying body treatments and a luxury facial, all with products by AQUA ORGANIC, especially created by Munich based dermatologist Dr. Kuhr to support the cleansing effects of the body, to honor and stimulate the multiple talents of our skin. Other brands the experienced and fantastic therapists work with are SISLEY PARIS and SKIN CEUTICALS to offer also a more anti-aging and nurturing approach to their clients.

VILLA STÉPHANIE is dedicated to the world of spa in every aspect. Stretching over five floors and covering over 5000 square metres, it comprises a 500-square-metre sauna, plunge pool, private gym, hamam and a ladies sauna. The inspiringly designed treatment rooms overlooking the gardens offer complete relaxation. I truly felt the whole time so chilled, quiet (my readers who know me in person can assure you that this can be a challenge for me:-)) and just happy. Even digital detox seemed easy.

On the way to the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, where I enjoyed lunch and dinner, you pass the entrance to the gigantic swimming pool in Roman style. In the gardens, there are multiple possibilities to relax in the sun or just walk around.

VILLA STÉPHANIE is also connected to Haus Julius, a clinic with personalized state-of-the-art medical care from some of Germany’s top experts in fields like aesthetics, gynaecology, holistic medicine, dentistry, ophthalmology and preventive medicine. The medical teams will even visit you in the privacy of your room or suite if you wish.

I also recommend a visit to the Eden Being boutique located in the main building that offers a lot of one of a kind things. Moreover do not miss a stroll around Baden Baden. You will be amazed how many high end designer shops this little German town has to offer. The only challenging part was to pass the perceived millions of ice cream parlors.

In the evenings, I loved to sit in the lounge with its extensive library, enjoy one more green smoothie and play a round of backgammon or two before going to bed. After one week, I did not want to leave, something that I have never experienced before when being at a detox retreat as I was always looking forward to retoxing again:-).

On my last day, I got a final body analysis with my nutrition expert who gave me individual workout tips and a tailor-made menu plan, including recipes, for me to take home.

I left my stay calmer, balanced and more upbeat, regenerated by the surroundings of this picturesque resort in the Black Forest. During my whole stay at this former royal residence with its classic architectural heritage, I have never felt like being on a diet or deprived of anything. Old-school service reigned supreme. The friendly staff and professional executive team added a high touch to my experience. I will be back – that is for sure!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht