Sandra‘s Closet

Last September, TOM FORD got into the see-now-buy-now game for his F/W 2016 collection. This season, he skipped the show and had the fashion world speculating about when he would launch his S/S 2017 line. Earlier this month, the pieces quietly debuted online where they could be bought immediately.

I am totally in love with TOM FORD’s fuchsia velvet blazer and the black Natalia leather shoulder bag. How gorgeous would those two pieces look in combination with the new Shade & Illuminate Lips in Saboteur. (All pieces in collage above).

Let me tell you a little more about the new S/S 2017 Seasonal Color Make-up Collection. TOM FORD’s distinctive beauty point of view resonates from his ideal of balancing light and shadow to create symmetry. This summer, a range of new products is revealed that illuminate, sculpt, and contour to help transform the look of the face.

SHADE & ILLUMINATE LIPS
This palette applies the concept of contouring to your lips – a trick that makes them appear fuller and more defined. This new lip duo contains a bright and a darker shade, available in six variations.
Impulse – Possession – Automatic – Tantalize – Nikita – Saboteur
CHF 74.00

SHADE & ILLUMINATE CHEEKS
This is a new combination of blush and highlighter with a creamy texture that is available in two color combinations.
Scintillate – warm beige and orange
Sublimate – cool pink and berry
CHF 90.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tom Ford

Stimulate your senses with a collection where high-performance color meets the art of fitness.

LIPSTICK – CHF 28.00
Bi-ceptual nude beige (lustre)
Relentlessly Red bright pinkish coral matte (retro matte)
Muscu-linity soft brown (lustre)
Testosterone mid-tone rose (lustre)

 CRYSTAL GLAZE GLOSS – CHF 36.00
Oh My Lunge! sheer cool baby pink
Nice Cheeks soft peach
Sixxx Pack bubble gum pink
Love Your Body coral pink
Ripped red cherry
Flex Appeal deep violet

M·A·C STUDIO QUIKTRIK STICK  – CHF 46.00
Soft Side / A Latte Sheen coral/gold
Whiff Of Pink / Softly Does It pink/silver
Here You Go / All Aflush berry / rose with copper sparkleCHROMAGRAPHIC PENCILS – CHF 24.00
Primary Yellow bright, clean yellow
Genuine Orange bright orange
Process Magenta matte magenta
Rich Purple dense purple
Marine Ultra bright naval blue
Landscape Green lush, bright green

IN EXTREME DIMENSION LASH – CHF 31.00
In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash black
Squat It, Sugar rich cool brown
Well-Toned rich plum purple
Gym Dandy rich denim blue
Hold For 10 bright cobalt blue
Spin & Twist forest green
Sweaty Betty bluish-green
No Pain, No Gain green with slight blue undertone
Cool Down bright violet purple
Feel My Pulse blackened blue-red
Heart Rate’s Rising rich red
Abs Of Steel fuchsia pink
Warm Up orange with reddish undertone
Energized bright yellow
Hottie With A Body bright lime green
Sky Is The Limit pastel bright sky blue
Muscle Tee pure white

PREP+PRIME FIX+/SIZED TO GO – CHF 14.00
Coconut Rose Lavender

This vibrant and colorful limited edition is available now at all M∙A∙C locations, M∙A∙C Stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics

One week ago, I was invited by CLINIQUE to explore the launch of their new Fresh Pressed™ products at JOE & THE JUICE in Zurich’s Sihlcity. A match made in heaven as both brands prioritize the importance of freshness in their products.

For the next three months, their will be a specially created “Fresh Pressed Daily Booster” juice with a high amount of Vitamin C, that is orange like the packaging, available at the Danish juice and coffee bar.

Recipe for 1 Portion of Clinique Fresh Pressed Juice with Vitamin C
4 medium-sized organic carrots
2 medium-sized organic apples
30g ginger
juice of half of an organic lemon
Mix all ingredients in a juicer and enjoy immediately!

What is CLINIQUE Fresh Pressed™ exactly?
There are two skin care products suitable for all skin types- a daily booster and a cleanser that deliver the full power of pure, fresh Vitamin C at the highest concentration to brighten, even and retexturize skin.

CLINIQUE Fresh Pressed™ Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
CHF 99.00 for 34ml (four portions)
Just like your morning fresh-pressed juice or vitamin helps you stay healthy on the inside, this super-potent booster was designed as a daily supplement to visibly rejuvenate skin from the outside – and a simple, seamless way to reinvigorate your de-aging routine without changing a thing. Simply mix 2 drops with your moisturizer AM & PM.

CLINIQUE Fresh Pressed™ Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin
CHF 37.00 for 28 portions (14g)

This water-activated powder cleanser with fresh Vitamin C delivers visible benefits. Instantly the skin is awakened, purified, with a refined texture and brighter look. This non-drying, non-stripping formula is gentle enough for use each morning, and preps skin for treatment with Clinique Fresh Pressed™ Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%.

Is the vitamin C in CLINIQUE’s Fresh Pressed™ actually “fresh”?
Fresh means powerful. Pure Vitamin C naturally degrades when exposed to oxygen, so it’s most powerful when fresh. Therefore CLINIQUE has chosen the stay-fresh packaging that isolates the pure Vitamin C until activation, maintaining its freshness and full power for maximum results.

A private introduction to the new line by Karin Marschall, CLINIQUE Education Manager.

Who is CLINIQUE Fresh Pressed™ recommended for?
Absolutely anyone! Although it’s a de-aging product, it also makes your skin look brighter after the first use – and honestly who wouldn’t like this?

If I drink juices that are high in vitamin-C, isn’t that enough for my skin?
Just drinking juices with Vitamin C really isn’t enough because neither your body nor your skin can produce Vitamin C so you should use skin care products that have Vitamin C in it too.

From when and where can I buy CLINIQUE Fresh Pressed™ products?
The products are available now. Either online at clinique.com or in-store at a Clinique counter.

With Shari Jafari, the new CLINIQUE Brand Manager Switzerland, at the event last week.

At CLINIQUE, a new wind is blowing. The beauty brand is very innovative, extremely focused on social media and full of energy, with or without a Vitamin C boost. BRAVO!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Andrea Monica Hug for Clinique

Today is International Women’s Day (IWD) which is celebrated every year on March 8 to honor the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Bobbi Brown has worked hard to empower women beyond makeup. Through «The Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women & Girls», that was launched in 2013, the cosmetic brand has partnered with organizations that make education and learning accessible to women and girls on a global level. In 2017, Bobbi Brown is is teaming up with Kiva by donating $300,000 to the global non-profit organization that helps low income women in over 80 countries secure microloans and create better futures for themselves.

What is it?
Pretty with a purpose – introducing Bobbi’s best-selling, multi-tasking lip and cheek formula Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Pot Rouge in limited edition Pretty Powerful Pink III. Your purchase will support Bobbi Brown’s donation to Kiva.

Who is it for?
The woman looking for a creamy color formula that can be used on both lips and cheeks.

How do I use it?
Press onto apples of cheeks, blending out and down toward hairline using your fingertips. Apply with fingertips or the Lip Brush (sold separately) on lips; can be worn alone or with Lip Pencil and Lip Gloss.

Why is it different?
One thing is clear: an educated girl is a pretty powerful girl. With the purchase of this limited edition shade, you will support Bobbi Brown’s $300,000 donation to Kiva. Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Pot Rouge is available now at all Bobbi Brown locations and online.

You can also support Kiva by lending directly to a woman or girl in a developing country. Once your loan is repaid, you can use the funds again and again – truly a gift that keeps on giving.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bobbi Brown and © Sandra Bauknecht

This spring, Aerin Lauder takes her favorite three fragrances to new heights with the launch of the AERIN d’Or collection. All three existing scents are newly interpreted with the addition of very luxurious ingredients such as fine woods, like oud and patchouli, along with musk and amber.

The golden packaging is beautiful and will look gorgeous on your bathroom shelf. What a great gift for Mother’s Day!

TANGIER VANILLE D’OR
Oriental

Tangier Vanille turns to gold, taking you more deeply into the mystery and splendor of Morocco, leaving a trail of scent that is shimmering like gold in the air.

Top notes: Bergamot, plum and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Madagascar vanilla, saffron and myrhh
Base notes: Cashmere wood, crystallized amber, tonka bean and sandalwood

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

EVENING ROSE D’OR
Oriental Floral

The allure of night in the city that is what Evening Rose is about when it turns to gold.

Top notes: Blackberry, litchi and pink pepper
Middle notes: May rose, Bulgarian rose and honey
Base notes: Incense, patchouli, amber and leather

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

AMBER MUSK D’OR
Oriental Floral

Amber Musk turns to gold, enveloping your senses in its soft, inviting world.

Top notes: Magnolia and coconut water
Middle notes: Lily-of-the-valley and May rose
Base notes: Oud accord, ambroxan, amber, praline, musk, benzoin and incense.

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

In Switzerland available from Mid March 2017 exclusively at Globus or in the Swiss webshop.
TO SHOP AERIN BEAUTY ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Estée Lauder
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Can a lip balm make you smile? EOS thinks so and invented a lip balm (EOS Smooth Spheres Organic Lip Balms ) that is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Delightfully flavored and packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter, and jojoba oil, these lip products have caused a hype among beauty lovers. But not everyone was pleased with its nourishing results.

Last year, EOS was in the news as there was a class action lawsuit in the US filed for severe allergic reaction to the iconic lip balm. Now, this has been settled and the brand is said to have updated its packaging to address the adverse reactions some customers have had.

Personally speaking, I have those little «ping pong balls» in an array of colors plastered around my house, in my car and my hand bags. I have never had an allergic reaction to them. But as I tend to have very dry skin, those lip balms alone would not be enough and I still need more nourishing products at night.

View from Haute restaurant.

Recently, I was invited to their press event at Haute restaurant in Zurich. Overlooking the Swiss city, I was able to indulge in the world of EOS and learnt some interesting facts:

– It is the beauty brand with the highest social media engagement.
– The pomegranate flavor sells best in Europe whereas the strawberry one is the bestseller worldwide.

– The ones that come with the swirl packaging (EOS Visibly Soft™ ) have a more nourishing effect as they have an extra dose of cocoa butter and shea butter, which is great for winter.
– The only one with an SPF is the yellow lemon drop (see photo below).

EOS lip balms are available for CHF 6.90 at Manor in Switzerland!
Happy Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography

Lately, I was invited by Perfumery Osswald in Zurich and had the amazing honor to have dinner with Frédéric Malle, a very captivating and inspirational gentleman, a father of four, and the man behind the niche fragrance house Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle. Born in 1962, he grew up immersed in the world of perfumery (his grandfather Serge Heftler-Louiche founded Christian Dior Perfumes, and Frédéric’s mother later worked as an Art Director for the same perfume house) and has a deep knowledge of raw materials, fragrance structure and accords that he shared with me that night. His ‘Editions’ collection includes scents by distinguished noses including Dominique Ropion, Jean-Claude Ellena and Pierre Bourdon.

With Frédéric Malle at dinner at the Widder hotel.

Malle studied art history and economics at New York University. In 1988, he began his career at Roure Bertrand Dupont, the prestigious perfume laboratory. After working in the industry for more than 12 years, Frederic was ready to embark on a new adventure.

4 of his first launched perfumes in 2000: Lipstick Rose (Ralf Schwieger), Musc Ravager (Maurice Roucel), En Passant (Olivia Giacobetti) and Une Fleur de Cassie (Dominique Ropion).

In 2000, using his connections and experience in the industry, Frédéric invited nine top perfumers to design their own original perfumes with no restrictions, not even financially regarding their ingredients they chose. Thanks to Frédéric Malle, the return to luxury perfumery took place at the beginning of our century. In an era in which most companies put more importance on brand names, Malle brought the attention back to the product itself: perfume.

Until today, through a simple “back to basics” approach, Editions de Parfums is challenging all prevailing trends. Frédéric Malle’s contribution to the creation of the different fragrances sold under Editions de Parfums varies depending on the perfumers’ desire. Perfumers appeal to him to assess their work in progress and to share ideas.

These fragrances are packaged in bottles that feature the name of the perfumer—a first in the industry, where the perfumer is traditionally behind the scenes and credit for the scent is given to the fashion house or celebrity on the bottle. While we were talking during dinner, I could sense that Frédéric Malle is very fond of Dominique Ropion‘s work. The two of them seem to build an amazing team.

The development of a signature scent is a lengthy process, generally lasting between 6 and 18 months. Each fragrance starts with an idea, an “olfactive sketch,” which can either take the form of a material base – the mix of two or three raw materials, like colors in an abstract painting – or of an initial feeling, the desire to translate or convey a specific emotion. From there, the perfumers gradually build a full-scale composition, tinkering and problem-solving until a perfect balance is achieved. The challenge is to polish and perfect without losing the impact and personality of the original idea.

“Eliminate all that is superfluous or merely decorative” – this, Frédéric Malle’s credo, is the only rule imposed on the house perfumers. Malle requests that each fragrance be designed to uniquely merge with the wearer’s skin rather than to just be a “pretty scent.”

Designer Frédéric Malle has more than 25 perfumes available at the moment, made in collaboration with perfumers Jean-Claude Ellena, Dominique Ropion, Maurice Roucel, Bruno Jovanovic, Carlos Benaim, Olivia Giacobetti, Pierre Bourdon, Edmond Roudnitska, Ralf Schwieger, Edouard Flechier, Michel Roudnitska and Sophia Grojsman.

New investments under the new helmet: Frédéric Malle’s London store at 14, Burlington Arcade.

Two years ago, The Estée Lauder Companies acquired Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle.

Frédéric Malle said about his decision to sell part of his company: “The Estée Lauder Companies has great respect for the art of perfumery and for the creativity, dedication and mastery required to create truly exceptional fragrance experiences. The company’s commitment to a high standard of excellence and ability to support the growth of entrepreneurial concepts in a way that preserves all that is unique and special makes The Estée Lauder Companies the ideal partner for us.”

A truly inspirational creator and a real business man!

TO SHOP FREDERIC MALLE ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.
In Switzerland a large selection is available at Perfumery Osswald in Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Frédéric Malle and © Sandra Bauknecht, via Mr Porter

Protecting your skin from the sun is essential but finding the right products can be tough. I like to use the highest protection possible, but don’t want to have a white veil all over my body.
Last time, I was in the Caribbean I took four products from the LANCÔME SOLEIL BRONZER line with me and they have all absolutely convinced me! They truly help you to achieve a beautiful and healthy tan.

Here is a brief summary of each of them:

SOLEIL BRONZER Smoothing Protective Milk-Mist
Luminous and Even Tan
SPF 30 – High Protection UVA-UVB – Body – CHF 54.00
All Skin Types (even sensitive) with Argan, Monoï and Musk Rose Oils

Immediately thanks to the performance of its lightweight melting and delicately perfumed formula, skin is enveloped with a protective film. Water-resistant. The precious oil trilogy prevents skin from premature aging.

SOLEIL BRONZER Smoothing and Refreshing Protective Cream
Luminous and Even Tan
SPF 50 – High Protection UVA-UVB – Face – CHF 47.00
(Available as Sun BB Cream which is lightly tinted – I love!)

Lightweight, non-sticky water-resistant formula boasting a dry-touch finish. The skin is optimally nourished, smoothed and protected.

SOLEIL BRONZER Smoothing Protective Mist
Luminous and Even Tan
SPF 50 – High Protection UVA-UVB – Body – CHF 53.00
All Skin Types (even sensitive)

It is the best SPF 50 sun protection I have ever used! Its water-resistant formula can be applied so easily due to its ultra-fine mist, leaving the skin smoothed, refreshed and instantly protected. After its application, your skin already reveals a mysterious radiant glow, an exceptional light.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A delightfully idea for Valentine’s Day comes from Clinique. Do you know this feeling when your hands smell so yummy because of a delicious hand cream that you would like to sniff them all the time… This fast-absorbing cream strengthens skin’s moisture barrier, so hands look and feel smoother, while skin is lightly fragranced.

Available in three different versions for CHF 20.00 (30ml):
Sugared Petals: a floral bouquet featuring bergamotte, orange blossom, rose petals and musk
Berry Blush: like a fruit basket containing raspberry, mandarine, freesia and soft woods
Happy: Clinique’s iconic Happy scent

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

For those who prefer timeless glamour to all-out flash, matte reigns supreme. The M∙A∙C innovation on this classic texture is back with 12 new saturated shades of Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (for the previous post click here please) in on-trend muted and deep tones. Each promise one thing: A big splash of color in a liquid-suede-finish that’s impossible to forget.

Carnivorous – blackened red
Young Attitude – blackened teal
Dash O’Spice – yellow beige
Ess-Presso – deepened chocolate brown
Simply Smoke – brown taupe
Stone – greyed neutral brown
Cafe Au Chic – greyed beige
Burnt Spice – creamy dirty rose
So Me – greyed plum
Topped With Brandy – deep dirty rose
Uniformly Fabulous – blackened grape
Chocotease – warm chocolate brown

In stores now for CHF 32.00 each at all M∙A∙C locations, M∙A∙C stores and online.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of M∙A∙C Cosmetics