Sandra‘s Closet

Personally speaking, I have very uncomplicated skin and don’t burn easily. Still, I know about the importance to protect my skin from DNA damage and severe aging. This summer, I tried many products of which those really convinced me. Moreover they have a great price-performance ratio.

GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE UV Water Protection – as light and fresh as water
Great texture, easy to apply leaving the skin moisturized while being protected from both, UVA and UVB rays. Available with SPF 20 and 30.
CHF 14.90 (150ml)GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE After Sun Tissue Mask
A true boost of hydration after sunbathing. Leave it on for 15 minutes and let the magic happen.
CHF 2.90 per sheet mask

ANTI BRUMM® SUN 2in1 Spray SPF 50 (CHF 21.00) and ANTI BRUMM® After Sun 2in1 Lotion (CHF 29.00)
While I don’t tend to burn, unfortunately I tend to be eaten up by mosquitos. I am a human insect repellent for all next to me as I get bitten easily. ANTI BRUMM® has the perfect products for me combining sun care with mosquito repellent, during the day as well as for the night.

Due to the good skin compatibility ANTI BRUMM® also works for people with sun-sensitive skin and for children from 2 years old. ANTI BRUMM® is also recommended by the Swiss Tropical Institute.

Enjoy your holidays!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

If you have a very sensitive skin and tend to burn easily, then you will love the products of ULTRASUN, the Swiss brand that has launched many innovations for over twenty years with strong focus on this skin condition.

The newest range, called ULTRASUN MINERAL, offers formulas that also provide ultraviolet A-protection whilst leaving many critically discussed ingredients. To describe the difference between UVA and UVB rays, I have an easy association. UVA is for Aging as it penetrates the skin very deeply (even windows are no protection against those rays) and UVB is for Burning/Bad as it destroys the DNA. Not every sun care product protects against both kind of rays. The SPF rating of sunscreens is related to protection from UVB rays. Regardless of the combination of active ingredients, if the sunscreen is labeled “broad spectrum” it has been tested and proven to protect against the full range of UVA light.

Here are some facts about ULTRASUN MINERAL:

• 0% PERFUME
  Because the combination of perfume ingredients and UV rays can lead to unwanted pigmentation disorders/stain formation.
• 0% PEG/PPG
  Makes the skin permeable, allowing pollutants to enter the skin.
• 0% MINERAL OILS or EMULSIFIERS
  Because mineral oils together with emulsifying agents and UVA rays can lead to sun allergies in the form of Mallorca acne.
• 0% ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE
  Hormone-like activity (Krause 2012, Sarveiya 2004, Rodriguez 2006, Klinubol 2008)
  
• 0% PRESERVATIVES
  Ultrasun uses absolutely no preservatives (no parabens, no phenoxyethanol, no methylisothiazolinone). This is due to its very stable formulation and the top quality airless packaging.
• 0% SILICONES
  Because the long-term use of silicone in cosmetics is controversial.

All products restores the moisture levels of the skin and reduce the appearance of sun-induced ageing (lines, wrinkles, larger pores). Featuring incredibly fast-absorbing, lightweight and non-greasy textures, they are deal for ultra sensitive skin.

ULTRASUN Face Mineral SPF 30 (40ml) – CHF 24.00 / € 21.00
ULTRASUN Face Mineral SPF 50 (40ml) – CHF 26.00 / € 24.00
ULTRASUN Body Mineral SPF 30 (100ml) – CHF 26.00 / € 23.00
ULTRASUN Body Mineral SPF 50 (100ml) – CHF 28.00 / € 25.00
ULTRASUN Baby Mineral SPF 50 (100ml) – CHF 32.00 / € 27.00

For store locations, please visit the ULTRASUN website.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of ULTRASUN and © Sandra Bauknecht

Moisturizing your skin in summer with oils is a great idea and an awesome way of feeling sexy at the beach as you immediately get a beautiful glow. There are two products about which it is obviously not the first time I’m blogging about nor will it be the last that I always pack for my vacation.

First NUXE‘s Huile Prodigieuse® Dry Oil which is for me a cult beauty classic as it is so multi-tasking. It can be used on face, body and hair and smells divine like a bouquet of white flowers. It comes with a unique cocktail of borage, St Johnswort, sweet almond, camellia, hazelnut, macadamia plant oils and Vitamin E. This year as a limited edition in a cute golden dress.
CHF 34.90  (100ml)

Then there is LA MER‘s The Glowing Body Oil with its rich blend of vitamin E, nourishing oils and tiny sparkles that leave a subtle shimmer on your skin to create the perfect sun-kissed glow. This luxurious body oil softens and conditions skin for a youthful luminosity. The sparkles make the difference…
CHF 120.00 (95ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
Frayed «St. Tropez» embroidered straw sunhat by Miu Miu

Do you hate packing like me? And especially all your beauty belongings? Then I have the perfect solution for you, a kit already packed with 16 samples of some of the best skin, hair and makeup products. The collection is neatly stored in a transparent cosmetics bag for easy packing.

– Omorovicza‘s ‘Queen of Hungary Mist‘ is infused with Neroli and Rose to replenish and purify the skin by delivering moisture and restoring suppleness
– James Read‘s ‘Gradual Tan H20 Tan Mist‘ builds subtle color while moisturizing and delivering a streak-free finish and lightweight feel
– Joya‘s ‘Composition No.1‘ roll-on parfum is blended with top notes of fresh Mandarin and Orange, which gently fades into floral Heliotrope, the musky dry down of Tonka Beans and creamy Sandalwood

– Hampton Sun‘s ‘SPF45 Mineral Sunscreen Crème‘ hydrates and strengthens skin while offering broad spectrum protection from harsh UV rays
– Grown Alchemist‘s ‘Vanilla & Orange Peel’ hand cream is blended with Rosehip and Camellia Oils to nourish and hydrate dry, chapped or chafed skin
– Philip Kingsley‘s ‘Elasticizer‘ restores elasticity, bounce and shine without adding weight – it’s designed to target weak, damaged cuticles
– Packed with hydrating Geranium and Chamomile extracts, Oribe‘s ‘Crème for Style‘ delivers luminous shine and natural texture
– SACHAJUAN‘s ‘Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo and Conditioner‘ will rebuild, plump and fortify each fiber, while creating volume and leaving your tresses with a healthy bounce

– Legology‘s ‘Sun-Lite’ cream gives you a natural-looking sun-kissed glow, while hydrating skin and evening out overall tone
– Charlotte Tilbury‘s ‘Wonder Glow Instant Soft-Focus Beauty Flash‘ is infused with a subtle lustrous tint that reflects light to blur imperfections and fine lines
– This Works‘ ‘Perfect Legs Skin Miracle‘ is enriched with Vitamins C and E to even out skin tone and imperfections, while Arnica helps fade bruising

– Eyeko‘s ‘Yoga Waterproof Mascara‘ is blended with Matcha Green Tea and botanical fruit extracts including Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Vitamin E for instant lift, curl and a flexible hold
– Formulated with unique Triple Shine Complex and a blend of high-performance ingredients, Marc Jacobs Beauty‘s ‘Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer‘ promises brilliant luster and the illusion of a plumper pout. ‘Sugar Sugar‘ has a subtle mint scent and is flecked with gold, creating a shimmery finish that enhances its brilliant shine
– Enriched with Shea and Mango Seed Butters, Lipstick Queen‘s ‘Mornin’ Sunshine‘ shade adjusts to your individual body chemistry and pH level to create a unique, one-of-a-kind berry hue
– Inspired by the natural radiance of gem stones, Kevyn Aucoin‘s ‘The Loose Shimmer Shadow‘ enhances your eyes and illuminates skin. ‘Selenite‘ is a soft gray that is so flattering on cool-toned complexions

TO SHOP THE JET-A-PORTER BEAUTY KIT, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Net-à-Porter

«The aura given out by a person is as much a part of them as their skin,» proclaimed renowned 20th-century portraitist Lucien Freud when discussing his artistic aspiration to capture the complexion of his subjects. A perfect, glowing complexion is, after all, the incarnation of timeless beauty, the picture of health, the very essence of youth. But the portrait of beauty is only as perfect as its canvas — there can be no perfect complexion without perfect skin.

Are you looking exactly for this perfection? Then I would recommend that you try LA PRARIE‘s new Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation, the first compact foundation infused with Caviar Water, the brand’s exclusive cellular complex, that is combined with technologically advanced pigments and SPF 25 broad spectrum. The result is a fluid, hydrating emulsion that provides natural-looking complexion enhancement, smoothing and essential protection all in a single, perfect product.

Housed in a sleek portable compact, it is the beauty must-have for on-the-go touch-ups with sun protection that leaves skin with a refined texture, while buildable light-to-medium coverage offers a seamless, natural-looking finish.

Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation is available for CHF 225.00 (2 x 15ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Prairie
@laprairie #skincaviar #artofcomplexion #caviarinmybag

Playful in polka dots – JO MALONE launches colourful colognes, stripy candles and brilliant bubbles. Bath time has never been this fun- enjoy this limited edition collection «QUEEN OF POP!», curated by Poppy Delevingne.

Shh… Busy Bathing!

Enjoy a long, uninterrupted soak with the new luxurious Bubble Bath, available in three different scents. It nourishes skin with wonderfully fragrant bubbles. A relaxing bath time indulgence, its formula is enriched with a blend of sumptuous, skin-conditioning ingredients to cleanse and soften. All dressed up in a decorative bottle from Queen of Pop.

Black Cedarwood & Juniper and Nectarine Blossom & Honey Bubble Bath 500ml – CHF 95.00
Velvet Rose & Oud Bubble Bath 500ml – CHF 100.00

«The design of the collection was inspired by my love of stripes, polka dots and all things pink…I wanted every product to be eye-catching and above all, fun. The Colognes, Candles and Bubble Bath will look amazing in any bathroom…»
– Poppy Delevingne

Blackberry & Bay, Grapefruit and Basil & Neroli Home Candle 200g – CHF 86.00

Amber & Lavender, Red Roses, Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 30ml, CHF 72.00

In stores now. In Switzerland available at Jelmoli in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Lovely gift and a not from Poppy – thank you!

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone
#FromPoppyWithLove

You may have already spotted KNC Beauty‘s lip and eye mask on Instagram (#lipmaskandchill) as countless bloggers and influencers have been sharing photographs of themselves experiencing these collagen-infused treatments. Kristen Noel Crawley (photo top left in the collage) founded her brand after discovering and falling in love with lip masks on a trip to Tokyo. Realizing that most versions on the market contained hard-to-pronounce chemicals, she decided to produce products saturated in all-natural collagen.

To shop, just click on the highlighted product names to be transferred directly:

All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask by KNC Beauty
10 x 7.9g
Just say no to lifeless lips. All-natural Collagen is blended with moisturizing Rose Flower Oil, Cherry Extract and Vitamin E, so that you’ll feel the plumping effects of its deeply conditioning formula through a subtle tingle at the end. Yep, that’s that the collagen kicking in— going to work to give you that full, enviable look. Not only does it hydrate and plump, the deep conditioning mask will 100% change your lipstick game—acting as a smooth primer for all your favorite shades. Apply two to three times a week for 10-15 minutes for a gorgeous pout from the inside out.

All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask by KNC Beauty
10 x 7.9g

After KNC Beauty burst onto the scene with its cult lip mask, this under-eye version gets the same Instagram stamp of approval. Playfully shaped like shooting stars, they’re infused with Retinol to improve texture and stimulate blood flow. The plumping Collagen, soothing Aloe and moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid help reduce swelling and diminish dark circles in no time. Apply to clean under eye for 10-15 minutes at night time. Massage remaining essence gently into the skin. Safe to use 3-4 times a week.

And don’t forget to post your selfies…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of KNC Beauty

Last summer Estée Lauder made a huge move and tapped self-taught makeup artist and YouTube Star (violette_fr), Violette, to be its global beauty director. It might seem like an unexpected decision for such an established brand but personally speaking it is a statement and proves the power of today’s digital world. You have to think in new, different ways and real talent gets a chance.

Violette to the left applying the limited edition blush from her first collection with Estée Lauder.

34-year-old Violette, a French-born art school alum, obviously was a great choice. The partnership has already taken off with the first summer collection «Poppy Sauvage Collection by Violette» that is surely about to invade your makeup bag.

The seven-piece line, which is available now, is inspired by fire-red poppies and golden wheat in the South of France. Think of this beautiful shimmering landscape translating into eye shadows and products for lips and cheeks, causing a viral sensation.

Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks in Poésie / Vin Noir – CHF 45.00
Pure Color Sculpting 5-Color Eye Shadow Palette Les Nudes de Soleil – CHF 74.00
Pure Color Sculpting Blush Duo in Doré/Camélia – CHF 54.00
Deluxe Eye Crayon in Terre d’Or – CHF 29.00
Pure Color Paint-On LipColor in Poppy Sauvage – CHF 44.00
Soft Glow for Lips & Cheeks in La Rose – CHF 42.00

My favorites are those products:

Pure Color Sculpting 5-Color Eye Shadow Palette Les Nudes de Soleil
This superluxe powder shadows feel so plush and creamy. Go natural, intensified or dramatic, you can create multiple eye looks with one palette which I adore. Can be applied dry, or wet to intensify.

Pure Color Paint-On LipColor in Poppy Sauvage 
Intense, smooth, ultra-comfortable color that makes painting your lips a true passion. It saturates lips with a boldly seductive matte finish.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht
@esteelauder #EsteeLauderxViolette #EsteeBeautyDirector

Ladies, finally it is summer, time for us to enjoy the pool or the beach. But we all want to look our best without spending too much time on our daily make-up. Here is my personal super duper tip that will save you lots of hours and earn you many compliments.

My avid readers know I cannot live without this savior:
SOLEIL DE LA MER THE FACE AND BODY GRADUAL TAN
CHF 110.00 (200ml)

I tan pretty fast on my body but not on my face (this is also an advantage… less wrinkles!). I have a pretty pale complexion but since I use this amazing product all year around, I always get compliments for my tan. This refreshing self-tanning lotion absorbs quickly for an even, perfectly natural-looking glow with no streaks (no orange stripes, no bad smell). Infused with the nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™, heart of La Mer’s profound powers of transformation, it immerses skin in moisture, soothing sensitivities and restoring radiance. With sea-born antioxidant actives, it helps revitalize and recharge for a year-round radiance. It is so easy to apply! You will love it! And I use it on my body twice a week but daily on my face!

And then there are two new limited-edition products that LA MER has launched this summer that I don’t want you to miss.

Up first is the limited-edition SOLEIL DE LA MER BRONZING POWDER
CHF 98.00

Also infused with nutrient-rich Miracle Broth™, this silky pressed powder creates the look of a glimmering sun-kissed glow any day of the year. Harmonious and illuminating shades blend perfectly to highlight and define the contours of the face. The skin looks radiant with a sun-warmed, illuminated glow. It is scented with this kind of beachy resort-like fragrance that makes you feel like being on holidays in your own bathroom.

Next there are the two new limited-edition SOLEIL DE LA MER THE LIP AND CHEEK GLOWS (Coral Glow and Pink Sands)
CHF 75.00

This blend of glowing pigments suspended in nourishing oil gives skin a quick hint of healthy color. They are as well infused with the iconic nourishing Miracle Broth™, and add a sheer, buildable flush of color to lips and cheeks as they visibly refresh and renew delicate skin. I especially love to use them on my lips as they nourish them very well and moreover they taste amazing, reminiscent of  a delicious sweet mint.

You can find the LA MER summer collection out now. To see me wearing it, click here for this previous post at the pool. TO SHOP LA MER ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of La Mer and Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Get ready for some Summer lovin’ with OPI‘s new GREASE collection  introducing 12 limited edition shades in Nail Lacquer, Infinite Shine and GelColor, plus three new special effect nail lacquers. To celebrate the iconic film’s 40th anniversary, it’s time to grab these bright colors and be ready to spark romantic nights ahead.

Top left to right: Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milkshakes / Meet a Boy Cute As Can Be / Summer Lovin’ Having a Blast! / Was It all Just a Dream / Teal Me More Teal Me More / Chills Are Multiplying

Bottom left to right: Frenchie Like To Kiss / Pink Ladies Rule the School / Hopelessly Devoted to OPI / You’re the Shade That I want / Tell Me About It Stud / Danny & Sandy 4Ever!

Available as Infinite Shine (gel-like shine for your home) for CHF 24.90, Nail Lacquer for CHF 19.90 and GelColor (pro only).

Here are my personal favorite shades:

Grease is the Word
To celebrate the iconic film’s 40th anniversary, I am on hand to ensure you’re saying #TellMeAboutItStud.

Leader of the Pack
#PinkLadiesRulesTheSchool, so get ready to be top of the class in pastel shades.

The Nail That I Want
Our #ChillsAreMultiplying for this T-Bird approved icy blue.

You Better Shape Up
I am having a serious Sandy moment. #Danny&Sandy4Ever.

New: Leather Effects
Say hello to 3 additional limited edition shades with a three-dimensional effect and leather-like texture. Unfortunately not available in Switzerland.

New leather effect shades from left to right: Rydell Forever / Electryfyin’ Pink / Grease Is The Word.
Available for $10.50 each. More information here.

Grease Mini Set (Nail Lacquer) 4 Nail Polishes à 3.75ml each
CHF 24.90

Grease Mini Set (Infinite Shine) Primer, 2 Colours and Gloss Infinite Shine à 3.75ml each
CHF 34.90

In stores now for approximately three months.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of OPI #OPIxGrease
Collages: © Sandra Bauknecht