Sandra‘s Closet

A little, a lot passionately!

Ultra-feminine passion red combines with elegant gold. Eye shadows and powder are decorated with sparkling pearl. Silky textures melt into skin and last until dawn. Passion by Clarins offers everything you need to look chic during the festive holiday season.

Passion Face Palette – CHF 78.-

The star product of the collection is a precious powder presented in a gold case with a graphic design inspired by Art Deco motifs. An ultra-fine gold pearl shimmer helps you to subtly illuminate the face and décolleté for the festive season.

Passion Ombre Minérale 4 Couleurs  – CHF 62.-
Long-Lasting – Wet & Dry

Focus on the eyes with this palette for the perfect „smokey eyes“ look. The pearl texture of the highlighter is easy to use and leaves the eyelid ultra-shimmery. It can be used also as a base for your eye make-up. The three powder eye shadows can be used wet or dry, leaving you the decision if you prefer a more natural or more intense look. Flawless hold guaranteed.

How to create your Passion „smokey eyes“ look?

From left to right:
Apply make-up
1. Apply the coppery pink on the half of the top eyelid, to the inner corner of the eye.
2. Then the silvery grey on the other half, t the outer corner of the eye.

Intensify
3. Using the finer applicator, emphasize eyes with the charcoal grey eyeliner.

Highlight
4. Apply the silver highlighter in touches, on the inner corner of the eye.

Rouge Prodige – CHF 37.-
True-Hold – Colour & Shine Lipstick
131 Passion Rose

This limited edition shade in pearly rosewood with a subtle bronze shimmer would suit most skin tones. Not too light, not too dark, it is the perfect tone for winter. The sensously velvet texture provides a total comfort while remaining shiny for a long time. Let the party go on!

My beauty must-have: Rouge Prodige Passion Rose, I have one in my bag… love it!

All three limited-edition products are in shops now and as the season of goodwill is almost upon us, it is time to glam up…

LoL, Sandra

Swatch has teamed up with the American designer Jeremy Scott for the second time to create a range of five new watches. Scott’s latest designs for the Swiss brand are typically bold and provocative – just as we know his eponymous fashion creations. These Swatch timepieces therefore demand attention, ensuring anyone wearing them stands out from the crowd for all the right reasons. Today is not the day for minimalists!

SUOZ121 SWATCH PORTRAIT

Model: New Gent
Dial: solid black with the portrait printed on the glass
Case: solid black plastic
Strap: solid black silicone
Special: silver picture frame case guard

CHF 70.-

GZ261 MELTED MINUTES

Model: Gent Original
Dial: transparent plastic with melted effect
Case: transparent light brown plastic
Strap: transparent light brown plastic

CHF 60.-

GZ251 SWATCH PUNK

Model: Gent Original
Dial: solid green with black hands
Case: plastic with leopard patterns
Strap: silicone with printed leopard patterns and 6 yellow loops, wraps twice around the wrist

CHF 60.-

GZ252 DOUBLE VISION

Model: Gent Original
Dial: white with red twirl effect
Case: black plastic
Strap: black plastic
Special: double watch cases and special packaging

CHF 100.-

MX001S HYPNOTIC HEART

Model: Special edition
Dial: white with twirl effect and roman numerals
Case: 12cm heart-shaped hanging on a black silk entwining necklace
Special: limited and numbered to 777 pieces

CHF 390.-

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Swatch

Guerlain‘s inspiration behind their beautiful Holiday 2011 makeup look “Belle de Nuit” is truly worth reading it and might leave you intrigued. Enjoy!

“During the 1920’s and 1930’s, pioneers in aviation accomplished unimaginable feats and these brave pilots became instant, worldwide heroes. It was during this revolutionary period, in 1933, that Jacques Guerlain composed the legendary perfume Vol de Nuit, meaning “Night Flight,” as a tribute to the most famous women aviators of his time. Named for the second book written by his close friend Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Guerlain’s creation was a bold oriental fragrance that served as ode to all fearless women. Comprised of woody, vanilla and powdery iris notes, Vol de Nuit was for the woman who laughs in the face of fear, for whom nothing is impossible.

For Guerlain’s Holiday 2011 make-up collection Belle de Nuit, Creative Director Oliver Échaudemaison takes his inspiration from this legendary fragrance. Evoking the changing shades of the night sky, he created daring tones that are both dark and dramatic with mesmerizing iridescent accents. With lacquered and blue-green details, the products are encased within boxes that reveal the blue and black zebra motif found on the original Vol de Nuit box design. Belle de Nuit is a sophisticated and enchanting limited edition collection that is as fleeting as nightfall.”

Let’s take a closer look at those very luxurious limited-edition pieces:

Vol de Nuit Poudre Iridescente Parfumée – Face & Body – CHF 111.-

The star product is a combination of a luminous powder and a fragrance that wraps the skin with a veil of iridescent shimmer while being deliciously fragranced by the notes of Vol de Nuit. The universal pale pink shade is accentuated with blue-green and silvery hues to leave the face, body and hair sparkling. The bottle reinterprets that of the original Vol de Nuit, which was revolutionary at the time by being the first to combine glass and metal.

Météorites Perles de Nuit Poudre Lumière – Eclat Pur – CHF 74.-

The cult favorite is back and reinvented this holiday season. Although the formula remains untouched, Météorites Perles de Nuit leaves the face glowing and radiant with a new tailor-made harmony. Five perfectly smooth pearls correct, illuminate and even out the skin. It is composed of pink pearls to capture light, white to illuminate the complexion, gold to reflect light, orange to boost radiance and silver to add shimmer without whitening the skin.

Parure de Nuit – Poudre Pressée & Blush – CHF 97.-

Parure de Nuit is a face powder and blush in one and uses pale pink, white, deep pink and blue green to harmonise skin tone. It comes with a super-soft brush so you can softly sweep across all the shades for face illumination. So pretty!

Ecrin 4 Couleurs N° 10 Les Ombres de Nuit – CHF 80.-

Guerlain has developed a new color harmony made especially for night owls that creates smoky, seductive and spellbinding eyes. An iridescent texture of green, blue and grey pearlescent particles release luminous color with an extremely metallic finish and is combined with an extra-matte black shadow for a precise, intense liner effect.

Rouge Automatique – Le Rouge Hydratant Longue Tenue – CHF 54.-

The thirties icon Rouge Automatique is back and is more modern and attractive than ever. The Art Déco inspired case opens and closes at the flick of a hand revealing two new shades for holiday. Seductive, yet innocent, in Rouge Automatique, Guerlain has created a second-skin texture allowing for long-lasting wear.

Two limited edition shades:
169 Flirt d’un Jour: A soft and luminous pink, evocative of passionate kisses.
170 Nuit d’Amour: A surprising black red that reveals an intense plum color on the lips (above).

Opening a Guerlain product feels like opening a present, so have fun indulging yourself in pure luxury. The collection is available now.

My beauty must-have: Vol de Nuit Poudre Iridescente Parfumée that will add the perfect sparkle to every festive outfit.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Guerlain

A symphony of red, gold and light. Majestic and refined, gold adds a sumptuous touch to delightful festivities. On the face, it becomes one with the skin, reflecting the light in an exceptional way. LES SCINTILLANCES DE CHANEL is composed of eyeshadows and sparkling powders. Ivory, black, golden beige and red: Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, uses the iconic colours of the House of CHANEL for a makeover scintillating with gold and light.

Mixing fine jewellery and costume jewellery are an integral part of the style of Gabrielle Chanel. She loved their sumptuous radiance or the touch of lightness that they added to an evening gown or simple knit. For his Exclusive Creation, Peter Philips drew inspiration from a belt buckle worn by Mademoiselle in a photo taken in the 1930s:

LUMIÈRE SCULPTÉE DE CHANEL – Highlighting Powder, CHF 84.-

A simple brushstroke adorns the face with an iridescent halo of beige sprinkled with gold. The sheer powder catches the light on cheekbones and sweeps lightly over the forehead or chin to accentuate the structure of the face.

Rouge Allure in 197 Enivrée and 207 Famous – CHF 48.-
Lèvres Scintillantes in 297 Sweet Beige and 307 Sparkle d’ Or – CHF 41.-
Rouge Allure Laque in 707 Empire – CHF 51.-
Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 517 Triomphal – CHF 48.-
Le Vernis in 587 Rouge Carat – CHF 35.-

Ombre Essentielle in 407 Blazing Gold and 417 Beige Lamé – CHF 43.-
Ombre Contraste Duo in 27 Noir-Ivoire – CHF 60.-
Ligne Extrême in 307 Or – CHF 45.-
Poudre Universelle Libre in 47 Féérie – CHF 67.-

My beauty must-haves: Lumière Sculptée de Chanel Highlighting Powder and Le Vernis in 587 Rouge Carat.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel, © Solve Sundsbo

During the next days, I will show you the newest makeup looks for the Holiday 2011 season. The festive time of the year stands mostly for shimmering, dramatic colours. Giorgio Armani‘s Creative Makeup Director Linda Cantello has seeked inspiration from the ’30s. An inspiring era…which is setting the tone for the season. Pure lines, sophisticated colours, luxurious details… Art Deco in all its glory with one of its iconic materials: Madre Perla. Madre Perla inlaid in a precious case, heralding a must-have product. Madre Perla, too, in Linda Cantello’s colour inspiration, with subtle reflections and iridescent effects.

“Like a 1930s’ boudoir… A touch of lacquer and patinated metals add a sophisticated feel to satiny, pearlescent tones. Delicate shades reminiscent of the silk lingerie of the time.” (Linda Cantello)

FACE & EYES PALETTE
CHF 77.- (black lacquer case)

Inspired by Art Deco style, Giorgio Armani’s famous black case is decorated in real Madre Perla. Precision work done entirely by hand in the purest tradition of luxury craftsmanship. Inside are found three luminous, satiny powders in sand, champagne and aqua. Silky shadows that skilfully combine a featherlight texture with radiant colour. Blended over the eye area, the three shades sculpt and illuminate the eyes. Lightly dabbed onto the facial contours, the sand and champagne tones catch the light to increase the radiance of the complexion. The Face & Eye Palette is also available in Giorgio Armani’s iconic black lacquer case.

Eyes to Kill Gold Silver

EYES TO KILL EYESHADOWS
CHF 48.-

Giorgio Armani’s most spectacular shadow is revealed in a limited edition of three metallic shades subtly patinated: a gold, as an echo to antique gilt, a toned down silver plutonium, and an intermediate shade blending gold and silver. Thanks to Colorfil color matrix, these creamy, powder-free shadows adhere to the eyelid like a second skin, without ever fading or flaking.

Eyes to Kill Silver

Gloss Armani Pink

GLOSS D’ARMANI
CHF 41.-

A play of light and shade for the eyes… while the lips are adorned in vibrant lacquered shades. A real weave of colour, Gloss d’Armani offers comfortable, long-lasting hold, expressed in four limited edition shades: barely iridescent rosewood enhances the natural colour of the lips, while a velvety “amaranth” red and sienna intensely emphasise their shape. And an unexpected choice: a bold amethyst, which is vivid yet so translucent on application that it matches any skin tone.

Gloss Armani Purple

Gloss Armani Red

The beautiful collection will be available starting this month.
My must-have: Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow in Gold Silver.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Travel expert Kuoni and globetrotting consultant Thomas Erber have collaborated to present “Kuoni No.1”, a travel bag made of premium Barenia calfskin, created by the Swiss label “Van Astyn“ in association with Thomas Erber and Peter Nitz. It comes in an edition of 20 individually numbered pieces and is an object that ages with its owner and gracefully absorbs the traces of experience over many years of travels.

The bag is available exclusively for € 1890 at colette in Paris and through Kuoni Concierge in Zurich (+41 58 702 65 55). If you like it, you will have to hurry as there are only a few left.

LoL, Sandra

Designer Peter Nitz with me

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Alain Nathan for the still life pictures

Natalie Portman who’s now the face of Diorskin Forever, the latest foundation by Christian Dior, shows us what flawless complexion means. To achieve this “made to measure” – Haute Couture teint, Dior has introduced two new makeup products along with new lip shades to give your face the perfect radiance. Please scroll down for further details.

Dior Forever Fluid
Flawless Perfection – Fusion wear makeup – SPF 25

Diorskin Forever Fluid Foundation provides a new generation of fusional wear, fluid foundation. Its ultra-sensorial texture, bursting with made-to-measure perfecting skin care ingredients, melts into the skin for an absolutely perfect complexion that lasts all day long. The foundation blends seamlessly with the skin for a smoother, more even complexion day after day.

Price: CHF 68.50

Diorskin Forever Compact
Flawless Perfection – Fusion wear makeup – SPF 25

A true innovation, Dior has invented an exclusive manufacturing process to integrate a record quantity of skincare into a powder texture. For the first time, a powder complexion provides all the benefits of skincare in an ultra-soft and creamy texture. It melts into the skin like a cream for a velvety, non-powder finish and an ideal sensation of comfort throughout the day.

Price: CHF 80.50 (Refill CHf 59)

Rouge Dior and Forever – The Perfect Harmony
Haute Couleur Voluptuous Care Lip Blush

For the “Lip Blush” range, Dior has combined Diorskin Forever skin-coloured pigments with coloured pigments. The lipsticks match skin tone perfectly for an instantly beautiful makeup. This combination of complexion and lipstick provides a well-match and natural duo.

Price: CHF 48

For my Zurich based readers, I have some good news. Next week, from 17th-22nd of October three of Dior’s 12 international pro makeup artists are coming to Jelmoli to introduce the new products. This is your chance to get tips and a makeover from the international pros.

You can choose between two options:

■ An one hour makeover for CHF 60 (redeemable in products)

■ An one hour makeup lesson for CHF 120 (redeemable in products) in which the makeup pro applies the makeup to one half of the face and than explains to the customer how to create the look at home.

Book your personal makeup appointment for a Dior Haute Couture Makeup with an international pro by calling +41 44 220 40 65. For furter information on the makeup artists, please see below.

Jamie Coombes – UNITED KINGDOM

To design the outfit that won him admittance to the London College of Fashion, Jamie took inspiration from Mr. Dior. Sometimes those signs of destiny really mean something… His creativity and talent led to his rapid integration at Dior, where he worked for special events. In between fashion shows, magazine work and professional trips, he takes inspiration from his artistic passions.

What does Dior mean to you?

“A garden full of sensations, textures and colours that just have to be picked to give every woman style. It’s impossible not to be enchanted by the feeling of freedom the products provide.”

Eugenia Kameneva – RUSSIA

Dior introduced Eugenia to the world of beauty and luxury. It has been an interesting and challenging way that eventually led her to International Pro-Team. Eugenia’s mission is to emphasize the natural beauty of Russian women. The core principle she believes in and pursues – Dior was established and operates for women. Her creative energy is aimed first of all at the development and improvement of her team performance – the best make-up artists in Russia. Working closely with Eugenia over a number of years, many of them became well-known make-up professionals and are now welcomed by Vogue, Top Beauty, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour as well as at TV shots.

One of the key Eugenia’s interests is reading – she adores the works of classic Russian writers (Nekrasov, Pushkin, and Tolstoy) and they serve as the source of inspiration for her at work.

Your beauty must-haves?

“In metropolitan cities like Moscow women are facing an extremely hectic rhythm of life and are often under a time pressure. To be always beautiful and reduce the negative impact of aggressive environment, every woman has to have in her cosmetic bag a white Khol Eyeliner – it will help to “light” the look and mask the marks of fatigue. One more essential make-up ‘magic wand’ is Skinflash that can easily whitewash all skin problems while emphasizing the beauty”.

What does Dior mean to you?

“The world belongs to women and Dior affirms it.”

Junior Cedeño – SPAIN

Junior sees make-up as an art so he continually works on enriching himself to use it creatively. After studying at the European Institute of Design, he began working as a make-up artist for cinema and television. He then worked on fashion shows for top fashion designers where he absorbed techniques and tricks, that he adapted to his own professional secrets. He also met the famous Pat McGrath and, thanks to her, fell in love with Dior’s creative energy and freedom of tone.

What does Dior mean to you?

“Luxury, tradition, innovation and above all the fusion between art and glamour.”

Velvet Eyes, a repositionable, adhesive eyeliner patch providing the perfect doe-eyed look in one easy step, has been launched exclusively for “Vogue Fashion Night’s Out 2011” and will be exclusively available during the event at Jelmoli.

These new, limited edition Dior eyeliner patches allow you to create spectacular and sophisticated make-up in a fun, easy way. A veritable couture look that identically reproduces the expertise of the backstages professionals.

Designed by Dior make-up artists, the patches are available in four seductive versions.

■ Two pairs of matte, black, Effet Velours patches provide either a full and expressive line or slightly curved line for a graphic look.

■ One pair of Effet Brilliant patches, thanks to black Swarovski micro-crystals which decorate the line.

■ Finally, the last pair plays the Effet Haute Couture card, with three Swarovski crystals subtly positioned at the corner of each eye.

LoL, Sandra

“Blue has no dimensions. It is beyond dimensions, whereas the other colours are not.” 
– Yves Klein

During the last days, I have been telling you all about the vibrant blue fashion trend. Here you see an art work that would match perfectly: Yves Klein’s Victoire de Samothrace by Lalique, 2011. The sulpture  is a limited edition of 83 crystal pieces, in tribute to the late artist Yves Klein who would have been 83 years old this year, combining two artistic approaches, the one of Lalique and the one of Klein.

Yves Klein (1928-1962), inventor of the IKB (International Klein Blue), a distinctive ultramarine blue, is considered to be one of the most important protagonists of the post-war artistic avantgarde.
René Lalique (1860-1945) was a major player of the Art Nouveau and subsequent Art Deco movement. His perfume bottles and glass designs transformed the female shape into a sensuous and mysterious body within the decorative home.

This weekend, I was invited to the private viewing at Galerie Gmurzynska. The sculpture is based on its namesake, an iconic work from Greek antiquity held in the Louvre, for which Klein obtained the moulds in 1962. Lalique have recreated Victoire de Samothrace with the lost wax technique, which René Lalique used for his original jewellery creations. The works are individually crafted and sculptured by the master glassmakers, making each crystal edition unique.

The new version, to be made by Lalique’s craftsmen, is priced at £75,000. Daniel Moquay, the president of the Yves Klein Foundation, who is married to Klein’s widow, told the British Telegraph that he has approved the enterprise and the price: “It is not a copy, it is a reinterpretation in the spirit of Yves Klein. But it won’t be included in the artist’s catalogue raisonné. It is 100 per cent Lalique.”

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Just a quick post about the best red nail polish in a while. Chanel‘s summer launch 08 Pirate is the perfect shade and will be fortunately staying in the product range. As you know, I love Chanel nail polishes because of their texture and their brush.

For a different effect, I recommend Chanel’s limited edition mat top coat. The only bummer is that it doesn’t last long as using hand cream for example will slowly make it look shiny again.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

A year of events in celebration of Gucci’s 90th anniversary culminated last week. During Milan fashion week, Gucci hosted a party at their Via Montenapoleone store. For this evening, a new limited edition canvas bag (see photo above) was launched that will only be available there.

Party guests were able to explore the shoe artisan corner where you could watch the different steps of manufacturing a pair of Gucci loafers live. Shoes bought that night were personalised with the buyer’s initials.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

In Florence Monday night, Gucci partied on and opened their new GUCCI MUSEO inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia located in Florence’s Piazza Signoria. It was in 1921 that Guccio Gucci opened his company and first store in Florence with a dream and a vision that still lives on today through a heritage of icons and values that continue to inspire the House.
Conceived by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, the GUCCI MUSEO is a living space encapsulating the House’s “Forever Now” philosophy. A permanent exhibition from its rich and culturally significant archive, which has been preserved and amplified throughout the years, will be juxtaposed with contemporary art installations supported by the Pinault Foundation. An icon store, bookshop, caffè and gift shop complement the exhibition spaces to create a destination location for visitors. The museum will be open from today all year round.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Getty Images