Sandra‘s Closet

«Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.» – Mark Twain

January is my birthday month and I love having my big day. My friends keep wondering why I don’t fear turning one year older. Personally speaking, aging is a gift not everyone gets to receive in life. Happiness is a mental and emotional state of being; it comes as a result of the choices we make. It’s all about attitude, perspective, and what we make age mean to us. We all are what we believe. If nobody sees how old you really are, how can you be afraid of aging?!

Time is the most precious asset we’ve got. It means life, and it’s never coming back. So use it wisely. Invest in yourself, in your wellbeing, treat your body as your precious vehicle that gets your everywhere you want to go. I have always invested in me-time and taken care of my skin. My skincare routine is precious to me.

My favorite product line is with no doubt GENAISSANCE DE LA MER™. This ultimate time-transcending collection accelerates skin’s renewal and means total transformation. It is exceptionally crafted with the potent Crystal Miracle Broth™, which is the purest expression of LA MER’s legendary Miracle Broth™ elixir. It infuses your skin with the healing energies of the sea, transporting it to a more ageless dimension. For me, it is an elevated ageless ritual that turns back time all day long and deeply into the night.

The Infused Lotion
The velvety primer softens, nourishes, and begins the power of Genaissance de la Mer™.

The Serum Essence
This silken serum measurably reduces the look of lines and wrinkles and boots skin’s elasticity.

The Eye & Expression Cream
The ultra-sumptuous cream visibly fades fine lines and dark circles with plumping, healing hydration.

The Concentrated Night Balm
This ampoule-strength treatment gives skin a firmer feel and helps visibly reverse lines and wrinkles while you sleep.

The Concentrated Night Balm is such a game changer for the skincare routine. Each evening before sleep, I apply it with the moon-shaped applicator to scoop a small amount and apply the product to the face and neck, gently smoothing into the skin. My morning and evening routines are always followed by the application of my favorite moisturizer, the iconic The Moisturizing Cream. Don’t forget to warm up the product between your fingertips before applying it.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GENAISSANCE DE LA MER™, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

«Growing older is inescapable; aging is optional.»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise! ©lamer #GenaissancedelaMer #LoveLaMer #CrystalMiracleBroth

You know how much I love the LA MER Moisturizers. I have a moisture wardrobe for every moment, no matter the season, style or destination.
Infused with cell-renewing Miracle Broth™, the famous moisturizer collection delivers healing moisture and potent renewal. From ultra-rich to refreshingly cool, they adapt to your moisture needs no matter the occasion or destination.

Below you will find the five different textures. I compared them to fabrics to give you an idea how they feel like. It is up to you to find your favorites. Go to the counter and try them. I use them according to my daily needs, the weather conditions and my mood.

So let’s have a look at the 5 different options – that all provide your skin with this extra kick of moisture:

THE MOISTURIZING MATTE LOTION
This ultra lightweight hydrating lotion gives skin a smooth, healthy-looking matte finish, ideal for oilier skin.

If it was a fabric, it would be a fine wool …

THE MOISTURIZING SOFT LOTION
This lightweight lotion absorbs quickly, delivering all day healthy moisture. Ideal for combination skin.

If it was a fabric, it would be a soft satin …

THE MOISTURIZING COOL GEL CREAM
This lightweight gel cream leaves the skin feeling cooled and soothed with a fresh, healthy radiance. Ideal for combination / oily skin.

If it was a fabric, it would be a cool silk …

THE MOISTURIZING SOFT CREAM
With Miracle Broth™ infused Moisturizing Spheres, this lighter-weight cream renews skin’s barrier for a naturally vibrant radiance. Ideal for combination / drier skin.

If it was a fabric, it would be an exquisite cashmere …

CRÈME DE LA MER
This luxuriously rich cream helps heal dryness by immersing skin in deep, soothing moisture. Fine lines appear softened over time. Ideal for drier skin.

If it was a fabric, it would be a rich velvet …

Great news is from November 25 – 27, 2021, you can enjoy a «Black Friday» special. You will receive automatically 4 LA MER deluxe samples, a silk scarf and a make-up pocket mirror for every order over CHF 130 at checkout – only while stock lasts.

Here are some ideas how to wear the beautiful silk scarf. My favorite is to wrap it around the handle of a bag.

Happy Black Friday weekend!

TO SHOP THE LA MER MOISTURIZERS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and David Biedert Photography 
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. #LaMer #LoveLaMer

Today I would like to give you my tips and how to self-tan at home and get professional-looking results. Enjoy these tricks, and product recommendations that will make you look sun-kissed as if you just got back from holidays. Let’s get started…

DO EVERYTHING ELSE FIRST
If you need to get a wax or shave your legs (do it at least one day in advance), get a manicure or touch up your hair color, do it before applying any self-tanner, as those treatments could remove the self-tanner.

EXFOLIATE
The most important thing to do in advance is exfoliate in order to achieve an even self-tan! Self-tanner sinks easily into dry skin, leaving dark patches that look horrible. I use the Aromatherapy Associates Rose Triple Exfoliator for my face and body. Don’t forget too focus on rough spots like the knees, elbows, ankles, and heels.

MOISTURIZE
First of all, let your skin be completely dry after showering. Then I like to moisturize my skin before the application with a light texture (The Reparative Body Lotion). For the rough spots (knees, elbows, and ankles), I dab Crème de la Mer The Moisturizing Cream and rub it well in. For the face, I mix it with self-tan drops. You will be amazed how well the self-tan application works afterwards. Say goodbye to those orange tones …

For my Swiss readers, don’t forget my special promo code VSASANDRALAMER, that is only valid until May 30, 2021. You will receive CHF 40 off any purchase of minimum CHF 200. This code is a one time use and not combinable with other offers or codes. It works only in the Swiss La Mer website. Just use vsasandralamer at checkout. It will be applied automatically.

PICK YOUR SELF-TANNER
After La Mer discontinued their amazing self-tan lotion (still furious about this), I have been looking for something equally easy to use. My search ended when I tried TAN-LUXE for the first time. The brand has seriously changed the tanning game with its product range. It is all about personalization as their cult self-tan drops can be added to your favorite skincare. Developed by a team of chemists at its lab, the formulas are odorless and enriched with organic active complexes to create the most natural sun-kissed glow. I use them daily to build my desired tan tone. The revolutionary dropper system allows for total control; the more you drop, the more you glow!

Customize your self-tan routine (from left to right): The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops (my favorite), The Face Anti-Age Rejuvenating Self-Tan Drops, (both are available for different skin tones), and Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum.

FIRST THE FACE
First thing, I do in the  morning, I start by tanning my face because it’s the easiest area to apply self-tanner with your bare hands, especially as the drops can be mixed with your favorite moisturizer. Like this, you can customize the intensity. However, wash your hands immediately to prevent any staining. Don’t forget to tan everywhere, including under the eyes, over eyelids, on the tips of the ears, on the neck, and even around the back of the ears, which can be seen when long hair is tied back.

You can also customize also your body self-tan routine: Hydra-Mousse Hydrating Self-Tan Mousse (my favorite, no stains on clothes or bedding!), The Water Hydrating Self-Tan Water, (bothe are available for different skin ones), and The Gradual Illuminating Gradual Tan Lotion.

BODY SELF-TAN
Starting the self-tanner application process way down your ankles is probably one of the most important tips to give when it comes to doing your own faux glow. Another great one is to tan the feet with any excess self-tanner from that initial application. Then work your way up the body. Take your time and blend it well. By using the moisturizer on the rough spots, you will see how much easier the application becomes. Wash your hands in between and extensively after the application is finished.

For the lazy ones among you, mix a few drops of The Body Illuminating Self-Tan Drops with your body lotion.

SPOT-MOISTURIZE
Just as moisturizer is important for priming the skin for self-tanner, it can help perfect the results after you’re done applying it. Apply your moisturizer (Crème de la Mer The Moisturizing Cream) over the tan from the palm up to the crease in the wrist and over the heel and up to the crease to finish.

CLEAN UP MISTAKES
Self-tanner mistakes happen, but there’s no need to start from scratch when they do. Use Nannette de Gaspé’s Treating & Cleansing Facial Cloths (you can also use baby wipes) for quick clean-ups during the application process. They can also help you to clear your nails and cuticles of self-tanner.

For dark streaks and patches, you can start exfoliating them off during your first shower after with circular motions on wet skin to help lift the color.

NO TIME TO SELF-TAN
No time to self-tan? Here is your savior! Perfect for parties and events, TAN-LUXE’s Instant Hero
is the secret to flawless, sun-kissed skin in seconds. This quick-drying formula delivers a full-coverage tan that can be washed off at the end of the night. The light-reflecting nanoparticles and micro-pigments blur imperfections like redness, cellulite and spider veins, while Aloe Vera smooths and hydrates.

MAINTAIN YOUR GLOW
After you achieve the flawless, sunless tan you sought, certain measures can be taken to prolong it. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, make sure your skin, also on your body, is always well moisturized, and avoid using retinols and acne treatments, which can dissolve color on your face. This will guarantee a flawless, seamless, professional result every time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: All products featured on Sandra’s Closet are independently selected by my humble self. However, when you buy something through the retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Did you know that LA MER’s famous moisturizer Crème de la Mer comes in five different textures? Let’s discuss why it’s very popular in the first place and let me tell you why I am so addicted to it.

Originally developed by scientist Max Huber to treat burns sustained after a lab accident, LA MER’s unique blend of transformative biofermented sea kelp and other pure ingredients, the famous Miracle Broth™, has seen the moisturizer achieve cult beauty status. The formulation is now found across the brand’s skincare range to target and transform specific areas.

All creams come with the famous Miracle Broth™ and a few other ingredients that make the consistency to be different. See below please to find out what is the difference between those five different textures?

Crème de la Mer – Ideal for drier skin.
Benefits: Heals dryness with deep moisture.
Texture: Ultra-rich cream to be warmed up between fingers before application.
Look: Natural, healthy, radiant.

Personal take: My all-time favorite, part of my daily beauty ritual! I cannot live without it all year around. It’s formulated to alleviate the natural effects of aging by smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines. The skin appears immediately softer and firmer.  You can do so much with this cream and I use it not only on my face, but also on a lot of different parts of my body as the elbows, and the knees. An amazing makeup trick I learnt from Mary Phillips is the following: after applying foundation, apply a pea-size amount of The Moisturizing Cream with The Powder Brush all over the face for an instant, hydrated, creamy glow. You can also use this application trick to refresh the glow of your makeup during the day.

The Moisturizing Soft Cream – Ideal for combination / drier skin.
Benefits: Deeply hydrates and comforts.
Texture: Ultra-soft cream.
Look: Natural, healthy, radiant.

Personal take: I use The Moisturizing Soft Cream preferably in summer, especially during the day. It absorbs quickly and is a great base for your make-up application.

The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream – Ideal for combination / oilier skin.
Benefits: Calms, cools and replenishes moisture.
Texture: Lightweight gel.
Look: Fresh, healthy, soothed.

Personal take: As I have very dry skin, this texture is not for me, but if you tend to have oilier skin, you will adore The Mosturizing Cool Gel Cream. Store this lightweight in the fridge – a pure treat during the warmer summer months.

The Moisturizing Soft Lotion – Ideal for combination skin.
Benefits: Quickly absorbing, lastingmoisture.
Texture: Lightweight lotion.
Look: Natural, healthy, balanced.

Personal take: With the legendary Miracle Broth™ at its core, this lotion is lightweight and fast-absorbing to deeply penetrate beneath the surface, creating a healthy glow. This is a texture I also like to use to change a my daily routine from time to time.

The Moisturizing Matte Lotion – Ideal for oilier skin.
Benefits: Controls shine and diminishes pores.
Texture: Ultra-lightweight texture.
Look: Fresh, healthy, matte.

Personal take: Those with oily skin will know the hunt for the right moisturizer is a serious one and this lotion is perfect for controlling shine. My fiancé loves to use it as it keeps the hydration levels steady throughout the day while keeping the skin matte.

Don’t forget my special promo code VSASANDRALAMER, that is only valid until May 30, 2021. You will receive CHF 40 off any purchase of minimum CHF 200. This code is a one time use and not combinable with other offers or codes. It works only in the Swiss La Mer website. Just use vsasandralamer at checkout. It will be applied automatically.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © La Mer / NET-À-PORTER, © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This is a paid collaboration with LA MER. 

As promised earlier this week, here is my daily ritual of renewal, my four LA MER beauty essentials, that enhance my self-care routine and provide my dry skin with comfort and moisture, for the ultimate radiance in any situation. Morning and evening, and sometimes in between, I take a moment to myself with these must-haves, that I use in the order mentioned below and that make my beauty regimen always a pure delight.

TREATMENT LOTION
The pre-lotion is a must. It supercharges my skin with a rush of liquid energy for a glowing radiance to start with and prepares it for the steps to follow.

THE CONCENTRATE
Especially now, during the cold season, or while wearing face masks all the time, my skin especially around the nose and mouth gets easily irritated. This miracle product is my savior. In only a short amount of time, it restores the skin’s natural barrier and its antioxidant protection. Good news is that you only need a small amount. I use it only on the spots that need help.

CRÈME DE LA MER
I adore the original ultra-rich product that you warm in your fingers before the application. It melts into the skin and soothes it immediately. It is a moisture miracle. A well hydrated skin is the key to a beautiful and plumped complexion, and wrinkles are smoothed automatically.

THE EYE CONCENTRATE
This is my dark circle savior and a source of strength for the delicate eye area. I also apply to the area around my lips to avoid wrinkles before going to sleep. Never forget your eye cream!

Thanks to the healing and cell-renewing energies of the iconic Miracle Broth™, my skin feels renewed, healed and soothed after those four steps that I always incorporate and cannot live without. However, I personalize my LA MER routine from day to day, for example I add serums, masks or oil. It is like a moisture wardrobe that caters to my personal needs, which makes it also so much more fun. If you have never tried LA MER, this would be a great starter kit to work with.

Here is a little secret from my side. When my big day is coming up, I will apply those four essentials to walk down the aisle with the perfect bridal glow … stay tuned!

TO SHOP THE LA MER ESSENTIALS AT GLOBUS, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. However, I only recommend products I love and those ones I love very much. Promise. For the outfit post, click here please.

A huge thank you to everyone, who participated in my first Live Stream on Instagram with LA MER Skincare Artistry Manager Rodolphe Bories. If you missed it, you can now watch it on my IGTV (@sandrascloset).

Rodolphe shared some very useful tips for your skin regimen. Below are some very interesting facts you might enjoy:

– You can use the iconic LA MER Crème de la Mer and Treatment Lotion even for your eye area.
– The best eye care product to get rid of dark circles and puffiness is the newly formulated Eye Concentrate. (Don’t miss Rodolphe’s amazing massage techniques in the video!)
– The Genaissance line works for all concerns and is the most luxurious skincare line. Especially the Serum Essence will help you to fight anti-aging, irritation, hyperpigmentation and more.
– The Renewal Oil can be used as one of the first steps. It won’t clog your pores. Together with the Treatment Lotion, it boosts hydration to the extreme.
– The Concentrate is the miracle product to reduce irritations, scars and any skin problem you might experience.
– The Intensive Revitalizing Mask is a great base for any make-up application. Apply it in a thin layer in the morning before your skincare regime, while you are enjoying a cup of coffee, and don’t remove the excess. It will leave your skin glowing and plumped.

Me tonight at the Live Talk, surrounded by my own favorite LA MER products.

Great news is that with you will save CHF 20 on your LA MER purchase from CHF 100 on with the special promo code SANDRALAMER20 (valid until June 30, 2020). Click here to be transferred directly to the LA MER webshop.

Tomorrow we will be announcing the winner of the exclusive LA MER Spring Set in the value of CHF 285.00.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of LA MER, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored.

«The story of La Mer is one of hope, healing, and one man’s deep respect for the power of the living sea.»

Dear readers, let me invite you to my home to discover the hero, the icon, the original moisture miracle by LA MER.

In the beginning of September, I hosted a lovely intimate dinner with LA MER at my house for my dear friends. The evening was filled with everything we as women like – from discovering skincare products to sharing beauty secrets, from great conversations to playing games. Under the eye of a sea god with great abs, real mermaids were swimming in the pool while we enjoyed lots of PERRIER-JOUËT bubbly and a four-course gourmet meal.

A huge thank you the LA MER team – pure women power!
From left to right: Quynh Arguello, Jasmin Aziz and Maike Kiessling with me.

During dinner, Quynh and Jasmin gave us a lovely insight into the journey of the famous cream that began when Dr. Max Huber suffered burns in an experiment gone awry. Scientist by day, star-gazer and dreamer by night, he hoped to unlock the legendary healing powers of the sea he held so dear.

Living by the ocean, he was constantly inspired by marine life, especially the extraordinary, self-regenerating properties of giant sea kelp. Eventually he created his own method of unlocking potent activity from such pure ingredients, using the power of fermentation, an art that works like alchemy. Perfected over 12 years, after nearly 6,000 experiments, this transformative process finally produced the iconic cell-renewing Miracle Broth™ by using light and sound energies to amplify activity. The elixir that soothed his skin still flows through every LA MER product today.
Every time the Miracle Broth™ is created, it all begins with a starter drop from the previous batch – the unbroken link to Dr.Huber’s very first Crème de La Mer.

I am truly a LA MER fan. I like that the fact that I don’t need to worry about finding the right product. It is one cream, available in different textures and accompanied by additional products such as body care must-haves, serums, masks and more. Here I am explaining my addiction to the brand’s self-tanning lotion.

As I am having very dry skin, I love to indulge in the original texture of the Moisturizing Cream. For those who will try it for the first time, don’t forget to warm the product between your fingers before you apply it. If you prefer a lighter texture, I recommend using the Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream or the Moisturizing Soft Lotion.

During dinner we were able to try many different LA MER products and even enjoyed a fish sabayon served in the famous white jar.

On display was a preview of this month’s launch: to celebrate Crème de la Mer’s transformative touch, a vintage edition is available now featuring one of the brand’s earliest jar designs.

After dessert, the ladies were invited around the pool to chance their luck by playing «Message in a Bottle». Our lovely sea god fished them for us. Each of us was gifted with a little note and three even got some extra surprises.

It was a beautiful summer night filled with laughter and fun. A huge thank you to LA MER for this beautiful idea and to all my lovely girlfriends for coming!

LoL, Sandra

All Photos: © André Hengst – www.on-eyes-photography.ch
#LoveLaMer www.lamer.ch

MEET THE LATEST COLLECTOR’S CREAM
Adorned with shimmering sea fans and watercolor coral, LA MER introduces this year’s Blue Heart Limited-Edition Crème de la Mer, already a true collector’s cream, to commemorate WORLD OCEANS DAY! Inside the pot is the famous luxuriously rich cream that deeply soothes, moisturizes and heals away dryness. My skin looks naturally vibrant and feels restored to its healthiest center. The iconic Miracle Broth™ – the legendary healing elixir that flows through all of LA MER – infuses the skin with sea-sourced renewing energies. Available for CHF 490 (100ml).

LA MER has teamed up with Sea2See Eyewear to produce this pair of sustainable sunglasses, made entirely from sea-salvaged plastic and handcrafted in Italy.

WHAT IS LA MER OCEAN’S FUND?
The ocean’s beauty is reflected in everything LA MER stands for. The sea is the brand’s constant inspiration. Alongside a devoted community of advocates, explorers and scientists, LA MER advocates for ocean protection through charitable donations, awareness-raising initiatives, and supporting ocean conservation projects.

AWAKEN A SEA CHANGE
The sea in you is the sea in me – and LA MER seeks to honor and protect the living connection we all have to the Earth’s precious seas for generations to come. Through the LA MER Blue Heart Oceans Fund’s commitment to marine protected areas in the Azores Islands, Grenada and the East China Sea, the brand hopes to positively impact the future of our seas.

In the East China Sea, #LaMerBlueHeart supports the groundbreaking research development of global sustainable fishing strategies to bring harmony back to marine ecosystems.

BEACH CLEAN UP
Each year, LA MER team members around the world lead an effort to clean their local shores and beaches.

All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health. Share your connection with the Earth’s ocean with #LaMerBlueHeart and mention @lamer for a chance to be featured.

TO SHOP LA MER ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © La Mer and © Sandra Bauknecht

Since 1992 when it had been first inaugurated, World Oceans Day has been unofficially celebrated every June 8th until its official recognition by the United Nations in 2009. It is an annual observation to honour the world’s oceans, celebrate the products they provide such as seafood as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value.

To cherish the sea world, LA MER has launched BLUE HEART in 2014 with the commitment to support the protection of ocean habitats for generations to come and to raise awareness of the importance of healthy oceans worldwide.

To commemorate World Oceans Day and LA MER’s BLUE HEART foundation, a 100ml jar of Crème de la Mer with a limited-edition design will be available from now for CHF 490.00.

Always a magic moment for me: When you spot the sea of your holiday destination from the plane and you know you are going to jump in the crystal clear water within a few hours.

The brand also invites you to become an editor-at-sea and to share your story with the hashtag  #LaMerBlueHeart. Have fun!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of La Mer and © Sandra Bauknecht

Last Wednesday, the 16th annabelle Prix de Beauté ceremony was held at the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich and I felt very honored to be in the jury like last year. Above you can see annabelle’s editor-in-chief Lisa Feldmann with me at the event.

For those of you who are not familiar with this trophy, the “Anna” is like the “Swiss Beauty Oscar”. Many products in different categories are tested among the jury members and the winner is analyzed with the help of an elaborate questionary.

“Anna” of 2013

Many of the winners have been featured here on Sandra’s Closet:

Fragrance Women: Coco Noir by Chanel
Fragrance Men: Tom Ford Noir by Tom Ford
Make-up: Holland Collection by OPI
Facial Care: The Moisturizing Soft Cream by La Mer
Natural Cosmetics: Idéalia Crème by Vichy
Body Care: Eau des Jardins Crème Corps Délicieuse by Clarins
Hair Care: Elixir Ultime by Kérastase
Sun Care: Swiss Suncare by La Prairie
Dior Bronze Crème Protectrice Sublimante SPF50 by Dior

Lovely Katrin Roth who is in charge of annabelle’s beauty blog with me. You can check out all her photos of the night by clicking here! Please stay tuned for the detailed post of my outfit that will be coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht