Sandra‘s Closet

The skin around the eyes is the most hard-working part of the face – we blink up to 28,000 times a day – but it can also be fragile and under-nourished. Here are the best eye creams and treatments to strengthen this sensitive area.

THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL
The Eye Concentrate by La Mer
This light, deeply conditioning cream comes with an applicator that doubles as a massager. Use the cool metal tip from the inner corner of the eyes outwards to get rid of puffiness.

THE DAILY ANTI-AGER
Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix by Estée Lauder
This lightweight eye serum tackles all the major problems that we have around the eyes: puffiness, dark circles, dry and crepey skin. The skin around the eye doesn’t produce natural oils, so the high dosage of hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates before applying your eye cream – and don’t be fooled by the name, you can use it in the mornings, too.

THE MASK
Eye Contour Mask by Sisley Paris
One of my favorites as you’ll see instant results from the first use! Apply a thick layer of this transparent gel and gently tissue off 10 minutes later to look refreshed, rested and rejuvenated. 

MASK ON THE GO
All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask by KNC Beauty
I always have them in my pocket and take them on my trips. 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.THE DE-PUFFER
Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes by Anne Semonin
Perfect ahead of a big event or to counter the effects of jetlag, these clever cubes use cryotherapy to refresh tired eyes. Keep them in the freezer for at least three hours before use, remove the cube and gently run along the contours of your eyes. The freezing temperature firms the skin and helps to eliminate toxins and lessen the effects of eating too much salt or a night of drinking a few too many mojitos.

THE GADGET
SpectraLite EyeCare Pro by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet are reduced by 72 LED lights penetrating the skin to stimulate collagen production. Use for two weeks, three minutes per day, for noticeable results.

THE COVER UP
The Cure Sheer Eye Cream & Concealer by Natura Bissé
This multitasker, infused with water lily and caffeine, acts as an anti-aging eye cream and a concealer. The perfect mix of skincare and coverage, it goes on like a lightweight foundation while the added serum brightens and hydrates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

My avid readers know that I am totally addicted to yoga and ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Advanced Night Repair (please don’t laugh about the combination, it is actually a match made in heaven). For me, there is not one beauty regime happening without a drop of this beauty elixir before. I use it day and night, but the latter is the most important, this is when my night time ritual starts – along with the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix for the delicate eye area that repairs, fortifies and hydrates. After I applied the products, I start my bedtime yoga session. This calms me down, helps me to digest the impressions of the day and relaxes me after a busy day.

Carolina Fischer-Waibel with me at her ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon.

To give you an impression we took some photos at the beautiful ATHAYOGA studio in Zollikon (there is also one in Zurich city) while training with Carolina Fischer-Waibel who owns the studio along with her husband Roland Fischer (he photographed me – thank you!).

Strong pose – the Dancer’s pose

Some of the poses are pretty strong, so you have to be careful when doing them before bedtime as they might give you energy on the spot. Just do this routine one or two hours before laying down. Other exercises are more gentle and a great remedy to anyone feeling stress, anxiety or tension in the mind or body. It will help you to decompress and prepare for a good nights rest.

Yoga before bedtime can calm down your mind which helps you to sleep better.

Did you know that yoga before bed can be some of your best defense against insomnia? By calming down your body and your mind, you’re putting yourself in a better position for sweet and restful slumber. Stretching is so important for your body. A flexible body makes a flexible mind. If you add a little beauty secret, the effect is even better.

Never without my Advanced Night Repair!

Personally speaking I like to apply Advanced Night Repair before starting my 15 minute yoga bedtime routine, as I have the impression that my skin is perfectly prepared for extra pampering afterwards due to the activation of  the blood circulation through the yoga flow.

But why is this product so great? Here are some facts:

In 1982, Estée Lauder revolutionised the beauty world with Night Repair being one of the first beauty companies to make the link between DNA damage and skin ageing. Moreover, it was the first ever serum to launch, the first ever repair product and the first skincare product to use hyaluronic acid. The packaging of the little brown bottle was groundbreaking by being reminiscent of a pharmacy product. Over the last 30 years, many scientists have worked on Advanced Night Repair to constantly improve it.

In 2013, a new formula Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II was launched that has won 127 beauty awards worldwide (pretty impressive, isn’t it?!). The new pioneering product has patents valid until 2033. Every 8th minute, a ANR bottle is sold worldwide, which are around 4.5 million bottles a year.

I truly recommend trying ANR as you can easily apply it before the beauty products you like to use in general. I am sure you will see the difference after a few weeks and might be interested in other products of the Advanced Night Repair family such as the Advanced Night Repair Ampoules (I like to use them as a cure for two weeks four times a year) and the Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask, a weekly treatment ask that resets the look of your skin after the visible assaults of modern life. Your skin looks instantly fresher and renewed. For cleansing, I absolutely recommend the Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm, a lightweight balm that melts to a cleansing oil to remove makeup and impurities. You’ ll love it!

If you like my outfit, visit SPORTLES (Thank you Megan Herak!). I am wearing Drapey V back by Onzie, Shakedown bra by Vimmia, and Captain ankle tight leggings by Alala.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Roland Fischer for Estée Lauder Switzerland

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