Sandra‘s Closet

A quick stop in Zurich before heading off to Boston to go to my hair dresser CHARLES AELLEN COMPANY who had just moved location. The new interior is even more breathtaking than its previous one. From a Parisian apartment style interior, it has now more an urban cool New York vibe with always the best floral decoration. I love the atmosphere, the location in the city center and the great music.

Charles Aellen Company
Sihlstrasse 37
CH – 8001 Zurich

+41 44 201 78 10

I only go to the hair dresser twice a year to get my ends cut and to do a deep nourishing SHU UEMURA or ORIBE treatment. Luckily, I don’t have grey hair yet and leave my hair color all natural.

My dream team: Charles to the left, Nathanael to the right.

However, I can recommend Charles and his team for every treatment or cut you can imagine. They are very advanced, always looking for the newest releases or hair trends. They have been working with celebrities worldwide and been constantly booked for photo shoots or during fashion weeks.

Now available at CHARLES AELLEN is the the famous K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask. K18Peptide™ is the patented molecular breakthrough clinically proven to reverse hair damage from: bleach + color, chemical services, and heat in just 4 minutes.

This mask doesn’t just make hair feel healthier, it actually reverses the damage with some pretty powerful bond-repairing science. How does it work? The K18 bioactive peptide is recognized as a natural building block by hair – the perfect, very welcome puzzle piece to reconnect broken keratin chains in the inner-most layers of hair, post heat and chemical services. When you use it, skip the conditioner, put this in towel-dried hair for four minutes, and watch miracles happen.

With my new hair cut I am off to Boston, hopefully leaving all this crazy snow behind…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
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A product that dramatically repairs your hair (yes, even those pesky split ends!) to reveal a stronger, shinier and sleeker mane — all while you sleep? Well that sounds almost too good to be true! Luckily for us, with the Aveda Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Overnight Serum, that dream is about to become a reality.

Supercharged with the same bond-building prowess that Aveda’s Botanical Repair line has become so beloved for, expect big things from this lightweight hair serum.

Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Shampoo CHF 44
Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Conditioner CHF 45
Botanical Repair™ Intensive Strengthening Leave-In Treatment CHF 45
Botanical Repair™ Intensive Strengthening Masque Light CHF 54
Botanical Repair™ Intensive Strengthening Masque Rich CHF 72

Now there is a new addition: A leave-in treatment that works overnight, the Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Overnight Serum strengthens hair from the inside out, repairing damage and creating an invisible veil that prevents any future breakage in the process.

So how is it done? Well, this lightweight formula is absorbed deep into the cortex of the hair shaft, drenching strands in moisture and nourishment quickly and effectively. That hydration is delivered courtesy of a cocktail of reparative oils: avocado oil, sunflower seed oil and castor oil. It reduces the appearance of split ends by 84% powered by Nangai oil. With a more manageable, shiny and strong mane, prepare yourself for a good hair day, every day.

Apply to lengths and ends at bedtime, do not rinse. In morning style as usual. The texture is not sticky and it is an easy to use product. Use as often as desired. The Aveda Botanical Repair™ Strengthening Overnight Serum is available now for CHF 50. It is suitable for all hair types and textures, 99% naturally derived, 100% vegan and cruelty free.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Aveda, Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.
@avedaswitzerland #AvedaSwitzerlan #BotanicalRepair #OvernightSerum #AvedaVegan

Following yesterday’s post about my beloved CHANEL SUBLIMAGE duo for the perfect complexion, the Maison launches another really amazing new product in the beginning of April: CHANEL SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX – the comprehensive eye treatment.

Our eyes speak a thousand words. They can communicate our emotions in the space of an instant.
Joy, love, sadness, compassion, surprise… It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul.
But the singularity of each individual’s eyes is also the product of a subtle, harmonious equation
between the eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes, all of which help make them unique.

To keep the eyes sparkling and ensure they retain their expression, the area around them requires
special care, as it is the most delicate part of the face and the skin is very thin. Our eyes are also
in continual movement and constantly under strain from the light emitted by our screens as well
as fatigue and pollution. To protect this sensitive area from an ever-increasing number of external
stressors, CHANEL has developed a comprehensive skincare treatment for 2022: SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX. A serum that reframes the eye area.

L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX joins CHANEL’s most precious skincare line: SUBLIMAGE.
It is tailored to cater individuals of all ages, at every step of the skincare ritual. The epitome of luxury, combines pleasure with efficacy, enhancing one’s beauty and helping set the stage to address skin aging. SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX was born from this holistic approach, which provides a comprehensive solution for the eye area. It restores the under-eye area in three key ways: SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX helps skin rejuvenate itself, illuminates the eyes by reducing the appearance of dark circles, and leaves the eyelashes and eyebrows visibly denser.

AN EYE TREATMENT UNLIKE ANY OTHER
THE SENSORY QUALITIES OF A SERUM
L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX has a fine, lightweight texture that sets it apart: this exceptional gel-emulsion is a sensorial delight to use. Its fragrance-free formula absorbs into the skin instantly without leaving behind a greasy film, for smooth, generous application. It delivers an intense feeling of freshness.

IMPROVED LASH AND BROW DENSITY
The eyebrows and eyelashes both play an integral role in framing the eyes. The denser they are, the better they highlight the contrasts of the face. L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX is formulated with an active ingredient for under-eye care that also helps improve lash and brow density, a first for CHANEL. The intensity of the gaze is restored.

A SUBLIME GAZE, BOTH TODAY AND TOMORROW
A REJUVENATED EYE AREA
SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX encompasses all the anti-aging expertise of
SUBLIMAGE. It harnesses the power of two botanical jewels sourced from the House’s open-sky laboratories; true centers of production and experimentation, it is here that CHANEL creates its signature, exceptionally effective active ingredients with the utmost respect for nature.
L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX is enriched with Polyfractioned Vanilla Planifolia, a oneof- a-kind variety of vanilla grown in Madagascar that has become the SUBLIMAGE line’s star ingredient due to its unparalleled wealth of active components. The formula helps smooth the eye area (+15%)*; wrinkles and fine lines are less visible (-20%)*. The eyelids and under-eye area have a firmer appearance. SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX helps rejuvenate skin. The formula also contains solidago, an active ingredient known for its extraordinary redensifying properties. The eye area appears firmer.

ILLUMINATED EYES
SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE FONDAMENTALE YEUX helps visibly reduce dark circles for a luminous eye area and a well-rested appearance. After one month of use, the eye area looks brighter** and smoother*** thanks to CHANEL’s signature complex. Under-eye bags appear diminished.

Available for CHF 308.- (15ml).

LoL, Sandra

Skin stays moisturized for up to 8 hours.****
*Clinical evaluation of 41 to 44 women after one month of use.
**Clinical evaluation of 20 to 22 women after one month of use.
***Clinical evaluation of 41 to 44 women after one month of use.
****Instrumental evaluation of 20 women, 8 hours after application.
Photos: © CHANEL, © Sandra Bauknecht
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A few days ago, I showed you my beloved combination when you are looking for just a bit of glow. Today, I would like to present you my absolute favorite when you are looking for more coverage. This exceptional duo leaves skin looking beautifully radiant and flawlessly eventoned, while also delivering intense comfort. I have been looking quite a while for such a result and tested a lot of products after my longtime favorite make-up got discontinued, this duo is absolutely worth the investment, you’ll shine head to toe. Thank me after! Here you go …

CHANEL SUBLIMAGE LE SOIN PERFECTEUR
Ultimate Radiance-Enhancing Priming Moisturizer
3 x 15 ml CHF 280.-

A 3-in-1 moisturizer, primer and illuminator that perfects the look of skin and preps for foundation. Imperfections appear visibly diminished and pores look minimized. The complexion has a more radiant appearance, even without makeup.

Key Ingredients
Intense Vanilla Planifolia Water, a potent antioxidant, helps shield skin from free radicals and reduces the appearance of dullness caused by oxidative stress. Hyaluronic acid offers exceptional hydrating benefits, while a marine extract refines the look of skin texture. Pearlescent particles add a touch of luminosity.

How To Apply
Use as a daily moisturizer, as a base for makeup or on targeted areas for a subtle glow. Follow with the foundation for a sublime finish.

CHANEL SUBLIMAGE L’ESSENCE DE TEINT
Ultimate Radiance-Generating Serum Foundation
40 ml with brush CHF 165.-
Available shades in Switzerland : B10 / BR12 / B20 (mine) / BR22 / B30 / B40

An exquisite foundation with an unprecedented serum-like texture that melts into skin and instantly creates a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion. Day after day, skin maintains a luminous appearance.

Key Ingredients
Infused with Vanilla Planifolia—the signature ingredient of SUBLIMAGE—along with soothing Vanilla Enfleurage Oil and light-reflecting mica, this sensorial formula moisturizes and plumps the look of skin. Antioxidants help protect against external aggressors. Includes a deluxe brush for seamless, customizable coverage.

How To Apply
Dispense a drop of foundation on the back of your hand and dip the brush into the product. Dab onto each cheek, forehead, chin and neck, then smooth over your face from the center outward to blend. Use the tip of the brush to build targeted coverage where desired.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL, © Sandra Bauknecht / Nadia Krawiecka
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A dear friend of mine asked me for advice as her favorite skin perfector had been discontinued. For her,  it was important that the product(s) delivered light coverage, sheer complexion, and a beautiful glow. Immediately, I thought of this unbeatable combination that I love to use as well, especially in the summer.

SISLEY Phyto Hydra Teint Beautifying Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

What it is: A tinted moisturizer that combines the effectiveness of a daily skin care product with a veil of color, all in one. Available in three shades, I wear Teint 2.

What it does: Its fresh, glide-on, very light texture melts into your skin to deliver a natural, perfecting result and a bare-skin effect. It contains a healthy skin ingredient cocktail to help even, correct and illuminate your skin while a beauty booster complex provides hydration and perfection to skin. Day after day, your skin’s texture appears more refined and your complexion’s radiance is boosted.

How to use: Apply using your fingertips or a fluid foundation brush, using light strokes all over the face.

DR. BARBARA STURM Glow Drops

What it is: A skin care formula designed to make your complexion glow, providing deep hydration, nourishment and pore refinement.

What it does: The potent anti-aging compounds in Glow Drops perfect skin quality and health, while the long-term glow comes from ingredients like purslane, bisorta root, rosa canina and sweet almond oil.

How to use: Use as a finisher to your skin care regimen and as a touchup throughout the day. Place a pipette length of formula in the palm of your hand and spread over your face, eye area and neck, gently patting in. Apply following your moisturizer for a lit-from-within glow, over your makeup or combine with your preferred skin care regimen.

I hope you will like them as much as I do.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

A Sardinian summer
Time slows on sunbathed shores. Waves wash over golden sands. As lazy days drift into breezy evenings, a Sardinian love story blossoms. Discover the new JO MALONE LONDON Blossoms collection with two limited edition scents encapsulating an Italian summer.

Inspired by a chance discovery along the coast, Sea Daffodil is a solar floral fragrance, radiant with ylang ylang and rooted in warm vanilla entwined with creamy sandalwood.

Bitter Mandarin captures the spirit of a Mediterranean summer evening: a carefree buzz in the air. Citrus trees line Italian streets and ice-filled glasses clink with a bitter citrus spritz. Vibrant mandarin is deepened with a warm amber note and a pinch of precious orris for an addictive zesty allure.

These scents are joined by Silk Blossom, returning in a cologne and diffuser to tempt the senses.

Completing the line-up is an Orange Blossom Hair Mist and a Nectarine Blossom & Honey Diffuser. The lightweight hair mist is formulated with natural argan oil and pro vitamin B5 to help give hair a healthy shine while the diffuser can be used to energise the air with a playful, fruity fragrance.

The collection includes
Sea Daffodil Cologne
Bitter Mandarin Cologne
Silk Blossom Cologne
Orange Blossom Hair Mist
Silk Blossom Diffuser
Nectarine Blossom & Honey Diffuser

Available online at jomalone.com and in Jo Malone London stores from March 2022.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jo Malone London 
@JoMaloneLondon #JoMaloneLondon #BrilliantBlossoms
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«My London patients are among the most discerning in the world when it comes to their skincare knowledge, forever searching for the latest innovations and ingredients to benefit their skin. I love London, and it has long felt like a second home to me. I am thrilled to be officially bringing the #SturmGlow to Mayfair and hope to excite my patients with new inventions, technologies and treatments that have never been seen before!» – Dr. Barbara Sturm

In London, I went to Dr. Barbara Sturm’s London flagship to enjoy one of her most sought-after treatments. The flagship London Spa & Boutique is located on Mayfair’s iconic Mount Street and set over two floors. It is designed in collaboration with architect Tobias Freytag, who also designed her LA and Dusseldorf spa locations. With each new location, Dr. Sturm aims to reflect the lifestyle of the customer she is serving and the culture that surrounds the store.

This will serve as a place of skincare discovery and advanced-scientific innovations where you can enjoy the full suite of Dr. Sturm’s most sought-after treatments.

The Spa & Boutique design exhibits minimalist, modern architectural elements, including a curved, mirrored wall, a sleek, white seating area, the original pave flooring, and a new ‘Discovery Table’ made from Italian green onyx. The Spa features two Express Facial Rooms, where shorter treatments are offered to time-conscious customers, as well as four, fully-fitted treatment rooms deploying Dr Sturm’s inventions and facial protocols and the latest in anti-aging skin technology, such as Myolift microcurrent.

A new, medically-advanced skincare collection only offered in-spa after personal consultation – will also be available at the London flagship. It will also be the first of Dr. Sturm’s Boutiques & Spas to offer exclusive body treatments – details of which will be announced soon.

When I arrived, a wonderful expert aesthetician guided me through to find the best products / treatment  to address my skin concerns. Personally speaking after one month of fashion weeks, I was aiming for that #SturmGlow. My skin was dry and dull and definitely needed some hydration and a glow boost. The famous Signature #SturmGlow Facial was created around Barbara’s skincare philosophy to deliver hydration, boost skin barrier function, soothe signs of irritation and improve the overall skin health and skin matrix. The facial incorporates techniques created in her German clinic for cleansing, exfoliating, extractions, and an anti-aging lymphatic massage. It was a truly amazing facial. My facial also include Dr. Sturm’s Signature Anti-Aging Massage; a unique combination of massage techniques which help increase blood and oxygen flow and tone and define the facial muscles for an instant, youthful-looking complexion.

Long and short-chain Hyaluronic Acid molecules in the so-called Hyaluronic Ampoule were infused into my skin and provided intensive hydration at both upper and deeper skin layers.

Catering to my personal needs, my facialist added red light therapy which is a fantastic treatment. The restorative power of safe, natural light LEDs also has a therapeutic effect on your body and mind. The use of natural light LEDs is non-invasive and painless, with clinically-documented benefits, including diminishing the appearance of age spots, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as making skin feel firmer and more elastic.

The Sturm Glow after my facial. No make-up!

The 90 min facial was amazing. It instantly smoothed fine lines, reduced puffiness, lifted and defined the cheekbones and jawline and gave my skin a youthful glow. At Dr. Barbara Sturm’s spa, the result of the appointment is a routine tailored specifically to your skincare needs. To book, please contact the Spa & Boutique.

OPENING TIMES
MONDAY – SATURDAY: 10AM-7PM
SUNDAY: 12PM-6PM

ADDRESS
125 MOUNT STREET
LONDON, W1K 3NS

CONTACT DETAILS

+44 207 959 0840

TO SHOP DR. BARBARA STURM, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

Meet your new crush! Bobbi Brown has just released their new Crushed Creamy Color For Cheeks & Lips and I’ve got all the details!

Buildable, blendable, balmy two-in-one color for lips and cheeks. Dewy color layers effortlessly and evenly without any chance of overdoing it. The creamy moisture formula delivers a fresh, healthy look. Hands-on, mirror-free application lets you intensify, revive, or refresh your look anytime, anywhere.

Easy-to-apply, non-sticky formula with lip-plumping moisture. Dab on cheeks and lips for soft, dewy color. Layer for bolder color.

Creamy Coral – Pink Punch – Tulle – Latte
CHF 39.00 each

My new favorite shade: Parisian Red

There is more… our beloved Crushed Lip Color is available now in 5 new shades. The look of a lipstick meets the feel of a balm for Bobbi’s most wearable lip yet. Loaded with crushed pigments and lip-loving ingredients, it’s the ultimate swipe and go formula.

Sweet Coral – Parisian Red – Supernova – Berry Bright – Pink Passion
CHF 39.00 each

All available now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise

Rare Beauty, the mission-driven beauty brand founded and created by Selena Gomez, is now available at Sephora Switzerland. Using unique formulas to create breathable and airy makeup that go on easy for adjustable coverage and a fresh finish, without hiding what makes people unique, Selena wanted to create a beauty brand that goes beyond physical products, helping people feel good about themselves, and celebrating what makes them unique.

Selena’s passion for beauty products was born at a young age, from the moment she sat in her first makeup chair. Channeling that love, she developed Rare Beauty to challenge the beauty myth of physical perfection.

«I’m so excited to release beauty products that not only feel great, but also celebrate what makes each of us rare,» said Selena Gomez, Founder and Creator of Rare Beauty. «These products aren’t about being someone else, it’s about being who you are, whether that’s rocking a full face of bold makeup or barely any makeup at all. Makeup is something to enjoy, it’s not something you need. I want every person to feel beautiful exactly as they are.»

Rare Beauty products are designed for everyday self-expression, and each product has a unique sensorial story. Since the brand’s inception, Selena has been involved in every step of product development. Whether it’s testing each product or developing a design for the first-of-its-kind Blot & Glow Touch-Up Kit that’s convenient to carry, Selena has influenced every aspect. Rare Beauty’s Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner is inspired by a calligrapher and is comprised of more than 1000 individual hairs. The complexion products include the Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer, Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist, and the Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation & Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, which are each available in many shades to suit all skin tones.

I personally love the Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick. Easy to use and finally available in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Rare Beauty / Sephora Switzerland
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

This spring 2022, you can take your nails to the next level. OPI is teaming up with Xbox to launch a vibrant collection of 12 winning hues. Available in three different formulas with colors ranging from fresh blues and greens to fantastical shimmers, this palette brings the virtual worlds of gaming to life so you can unlock endless looks and play with nail art and new trends.

My favorite shade: Pixel Dust

Pixelated pinks (Pixel Dust, Racing for Pinks) are joined by energetic hues of bright orange, coral, and vibrant red (Suzi is My Avatar, Trading Paint, Heart and Con-soul). Get ahead of the game with shades that blend natural beige and greens (Quest for Quartz, The Pass is Always Greener, Sage Simulation) then take it to the next level with ethereal lavender and purple tones (You Had Me at Halo, Can’t CTRL Me, Achievement Unlocked, N00berry).

Consumers can win and unlock stunning, shade-matched Xbox in-game content for Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 on Instagram (www.instagram.com/OPI_SWISS) und Facebook (www.facebook.com/OPISWISS).

Fans will also have the chance to win custom Xbox Wireless Controllers in top trending hues – Achievement Unlocked, Racing for Pinks and Can’t CTRL Me – to pair with their own mesmerizing nail art inspired by fanfavorite games on Xbox Game Pass.

Racing for Pinks

OPI and Xbox will also team up with notable creators from the gaming industry to bring the collaboration to life.

«Over the past 40 years, we’ve traveled the globe; now we’re excited to visit virtual worlds with Xbox,» remarks OPI Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. «In these worlds, anything is possible, and the collection’s colors reflect infinite possibilities to create. Whether you play video games as a creative hobby or as a way to relax and connect with friends, nailcare offers these same benefits. From new shade technology to nail art and more, consumers can expect lots of exciting surprises to come with this partnership!»

Quest for Quartz

GelColor provides a salon-perfect finish with up to three-week wear, while Infinite Shine (CHF 24.90 / 15ml) offers a high-shine finish and traditional lacquer application. Nail Lacquer (CHF 19.90 / 15ml) features a highly-pigmented, rich formula for even application without streaking.

The collection will be launching on March 14, 2022 in Switzerland.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © OPI
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.