Sandra‘s Closet

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and wearing pink is a great way of showing your support. I am in love with this uber-cute pink ruffled silk-mikado mini dress by Moschino and those lace-up fuchsia rubber rain boots by RED Valentino.

Many companies, such as Estée Lauder and Bobbi Brown, sell special products to raise awareness and funds by donating part of the retail price. This year, Estée Lauder compagnies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign is celebrating its 20th anniversary in the fight against breast cancer and honouring the life and legacy of Evelyn H. Lauder, BCA campaign founder and Pink Ribbon co-creator. This is definitely worth supporting!

Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact by Estée Lauder
This irresistible collectible compact is an elegant way to show your support of Breast Cancer Awareness for women and men. Filled and refillable with Lucidity Translucent Pressed Powder, the Evelyn Lauder Dream Collection also helps raise awareness that early detection saves lives. In special honour of Evelyn Lauder, 100% of the suggested retail price of each Dream Compact sold will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® from August 2012 – June 2013. Available in Switzerland for CHF 120.-.

Limited Edition Pink Peony Set by Bobbi Brown

Exclusive set in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Bobbi will be donating $10 of every sale of this set during the month of October to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. Featuring the Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony, an innovative blend of sheer powder and micro pearls to give skin a natural-looking glow, paired with a Mini Face Blender Brush topped off with a bright pink handle. It’s a fun way to put on your makeup and show your support. Available in Switzerland for CHF 60.- (CHF 5.- will be donated).

Pink Bouquet by Moschino
A fruity-floral fragrance that exhales a lot of positive energy, youthful freshness and euphoric notes while being romantic and feminine.

Top notes: Bergamot, pineapple sorbet and raspberry.
Middle notes: Jasmine, pink lily of the valley, violet and peony petal.
Base notes: Peach, oakmoss, gingerbread and musk.

Eau de Toilette Nat. Spray 30 ml CHF 54.00 – 50 ml CHF 81.00 – 90 ml CHF 107.00
Perfumed Deodorant Nat. Vapo 50 ml CHF 42.00
Perfumed Shower Gel 200 ml CHF 42.00
Perfumed Body Lotion 200 ml CHF 52.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Moschino and net-à-porter.

The wind of change is blowing at Estée Lauder. The house’s new scent VERY ESTÉE, which will be launched this fall, comes with an effective advertising slogan of great impact:
“The new sexy fragrance.”

It is a floral musky scent, elegant and modern.

Top notes: Lotus flowers, freesia, cassis and pink pepper
Middle notes: Bulgarian rose, rose oil NaturePrint®, Brasilian gardenia NaturePrint® and jasmine FirNat®
Base notes: Sandalwood, cedar, cashmere accord and musk

Available in the beginning of October 2012 in Switzerland.
Eau de Parfum 1.0oz / 30ml (CHF 60.-) and 1.7oz / 50ml (CHF 80.-)

Estée Lauder spokeswoman, Hilary Rhoda, is the face of the campaign. (I met her and Tom Pecheux once in New York during Fashion Week, click here for the photos.)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

In the summertime, it is hard to wear foundations as most of the time, you look like you are literally melting away. Therefore it’s best to go easy on the makeup and to choose the right formulas such as tinted moisturizers. If you want to wear heavier foundation, look for a product that controls oil.

Here are three amazing products for you:

ESTÉE LAUDER INVISIBLE FLUID MAKEUP

See no makeup; feel no makeup. The first-of-its-kind IntuiTone™ technology guarantees your true-to-life shade and keeps it real in every light. Fresh, flawless and radiant. Ultra-light, ultra-breathable and oil-free. It will change how you feel about makeup forever. Available in 12 long-lasting shades for beautiful skin of every ethnicity. It lasts all day, controls excess oil and won’t clog pores. Very important to know is that you have to shake it well with each application for fresh, perfectly blended makeup and if you need extra coverage, just add another layer.

CHF 54.- (30ml)

CLARINS EVER MATTE

An anti-shine, skin-balancing oil-free formula, ideal for women looking for a matte appearance in all circumstances. The plant-based “Skin Detox” complex helps regulate oil production and tighten pores. Its lightweight texture blends easily and allows skin to breathe without drying. The complexion appears more beautiful thanks to an invisible, long-lasting matte “veil” that evens skin tone and keeps skin shinefree from morning to evening. Unrivalled radiance: Clarins exclusive “Light-Optimizing+” complex captures, diffuses and magnifies light. Fine lines and small imperfections are visibly minimized. The complexion appears more even and radiant. SPF 15. Matte finish – Medium coverage , for all skin types with anti-pollution protection.

CHF 48.- (30ml)

CLINIQUE STAY-MATTE OIL-FREE MAKEUP

An oil-free makeup that helps you stay matte all day.
 This formula absorbs shine, controls oil, resists sweat and has been tested for streaking and fading at 25°C / 88°F with a constant 80% humidity. Laminaria Saccaharina extract helps regulate sebum production to give less surface oil, while siliceous earth absorbs oil from the skin surface to keep it feeling fresh.

It’s a must-buy summer foundation for all powder-only ladies with oily skin as it won’t show the lines so easily. Trust me on that one.

CHF 43.- (30ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Estée Lauder, Clarins and Clinique

Estée Lauder‘s summer looks have been on my shopping list since many years and fans of the brand know, the house’s iconic summer fragrance, re-launched every year, sells out in days.

Have fun exploring my must-haves from
Estée Lauder’s BRONZE GODDESS CAPRI Summer 2012 look:

1. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée makes you looked as sun-kissed as possible. This limited edition is an exquisite, and lust-worthy bronzing highlighter that comes with a new formula of liquid, powder, and gel to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. Use it as an all-over soft sheen or layer it for some luminous pearly highlighting.
Suggested retail price: CHF 58.-

2. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molton Lava for sexy eyes in seconds.
Suggested retail price: CHF 32.-

3. The Bronze Goddess Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Sands. With its new innovative prisma shine technology, you can create a gorgeous subtle day time look or really vamp it up for night time glamour. Same as the Bronze Goddess Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée, it comes with a tri-brid of a liquid, powder and gel all in one, to give the softest, most blendable shades that can be used wet or dry.
Suggested retail price: CHF 72.-

4. Bronze Goddess Capri is a summer limited edition fragrance, a “solar Oriental fragrance inspired by the seductive Isle of Capri.” It includes notes of blackcurrant, mandarin, lemon leaves, jasmine sambac, lily of the valley, peony, vanilla, amberwood, patchouli, and musk.
Suggested retail price: CHF 78.- (100ml)

Ladies, it is time to head to the nearest Estée Lauder counter!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder and © Sandra Bauknecht

With those freezing temperatures outside, I love to dream of warm weather, the sun, the sea and my new bikini outfit!

Metallic triangle bikini by Gucci, crystal-embellished leather sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti, canvas bag with Hawaiian print by Stella McCartney, round-frame acetate sunglasses by Yves Saint Laurent, gold-plated plexiglass cuff and multi-stone brass ring, both by Emilio Pucci.

It is the time of the year when it is best to get organized for your next trip to a tropical destination. As the lights of fitting rooms are in general not so pleasant for pale skin, I prefer ordering swimwear online.

For the perfect sunkissed make-up look, I recommend those products below:

For radiant skin:
1 – PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURIZER SPF30/PA+++ by Nars
Infused with naturally derived ingredients from French Polynesia where François Nars loves to spend a lot of time, this new tinted moisturizer instantly hydrates and evens out the skin tone. It has also been shown that it can reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots with regular use. The luxurious, oil-free formula obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections while providing a translucent veil of broadspectrum sun protection.
Available in 9 shades with beautiful names: 1 Finland, 2 Alaska, 3 St. Moritz, 4 Annapurna, 5 Cuba, 6 Malaga, 7 Seychelles, 8 Martinique and 9 Polynesia.
In Switzerland in stores Mid March, CHF 72.-.

For sun-kissed cheeks and a glowing face:
2 – PURE COLOR ILLUMINATING POWDER GELEE TOPAZ CHAMELEON by Estée Lauder
High polish for your skin: 

This innovative tri-blend liquid, powder, gel formula goes beyond face powder to give you a sexy, sophisticated glow. 

It comes with a perfect mix of pigment and pearls for a multi-reflective finish. 

Smooth it on as an all-over soft sheen or sweep it on the cheeks for a luminous pearl highlighting effect. The perfect companion for the beach.
Available now for CHF 58.-.

For beautiful eyes in the shades of the ocean:
3 – OMBRE MINERALE 4 COLEURS in 08 Blue Sky by Clarins
This eye quartet palette has four long-lasting shades in the hues of the ocean. They can be applied dry or damp for a natural or sophisticated look. 
Available now for CHF 62.-.

4 – PURE COLOR INTENSE KAJAL EYE CRAYON in Dramatic Black by Estée Lauder
Reminiscent of Indian kajal eye crayons, those must-have pencils provide you with intense, smouldering colour in one single stroke. 

It glides on velvety smooth and blends easily.

 Use as a liner along lashline and softly smudge over lids to intensify the smoky look.
Available now for CHF 30.-.

5 – DIORSHOW NEW LOOK in Noir New Look by Christian Dior
A new amazing mascara that delivers infinite volume and an unparalleled lash-multiplying effect. 

Diorshow New Look features an exclusive breakthrough nana-brush to catch and coat every last lash with the precision of a couturier’s hand. The extraordinary formula with a Lash Amplifier™ ingredient provides an instant lash-multiplying action.
Available in Switzerland starting February 8, 2012 for CHF 48.-.

On the lips:
6 – LARGER THAN LIFE® LIP GLOSS in Gold Digger by Nars
The new Larger Than Life® Lip Gloss provides lustrous shine that stays in place for hours, while lips feel protected and moisturized. Natural lip enhancers provide volume while a new, shorter bristle brush delivers a precise application to define and shape lips. 
Available for CHF 35.-.

For eyecatching nails:
7 – PURE COLOR NAIL LACQUER in Topaz Teal by Estée Lauder
Colourful nails are a must and this turquoise shade is the perfect hue for the beach.
Available now for CHF 34.-.

To make sure that your body looks great in the sun, have a look at those upcoming new products that I can highly recommend:

For a healthy-looking tanned body:
DIOR BRONZE AUTO-BRONZANT Self Tanning Oil Natural Glow by Christian Dior

AMAZING MOOD-LIFTING PRODUCT!

Dior Bronze is the perfect replica of all pleasures of the sun to enhance the skin and lift the mood! On the application, the skin is satiny, luminious, perfectly moisturized and progressively recreates a radiant tan.
On the mood, you will feel the perceived pleasure of a unique uplifting action. A plant-based active ingredient helps stimulate the natural production of ß-endorphins, the so-called “pleasure molecules”, for an immediate mood-lifting sensation, as if you just spent time sunbathing!
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 58.- (100ml).

For a well-toned body:
DIOR SVELTE  BODY DESIRE Integral Perfection Care by Christian Dior

Anybody among you who is not wishing for the perfect well-toned body?! Here is a product that will help you to achieve it in one single step (But you still need to work on your daily sports routine and calories intake, sorry!).

This body care product acts on all of the key characteristics of a desirable body: slimming, firming, moisturrizing, toning and smoothing. How is that possible?
At the “heart” of the skin, adiponectin – a protein with a sensational spectrum of action discovered by Dior science – affects all those features. Stress and the excesses of modern life tend to inhibit the influence of this unique protein. Dior Svelte reactivates the natural synthesis of adiponectin for a visibly enhanced body in 4 weeks.
Available in Switzerland beginning of March for CHF 96.- (200ml).

You have still lots of time left to get in shape for summer! But better get started early…  this is all you need!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Last week, I went to the presentation of the 15th annabelle Prix de Beauté which was held at the Dolder Grand in Zurich. The presentation could be best described as the “Swiss Beauty Oscars”. I felt very honoured because I was asked to be in the jury.

The highly coveted “Anna” trophy.

My task? Test 100 beauty products in the category facial care. No problem at all!

For my Swiss based readers: All the winners of the different categories will be published in the annabelle 04-2012 magazine which will be available starting February 22, 2012. From March 2-17, 2012 all the awarded products will be displayed at Manor in Zurich.

Some of the winners were already featured on Sandra’s Closet such as the Diorskin Forever Foundation or the Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator by Estée Lauder.

Below you can see what I wore to the event. I hope that you will like it.

LoL, Sandra

My look: Bouclé-tweed mini dress by Alexander McQueen (40% off on sale), lace-appliquéd mesh knee boots by Valentino (70% off on sale), pearl necklace by Lanvin, lace-print bag by Prada (from a previous season) and Lady Exalibur watch by Roger Dubuis.

Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht

Are you looking for the perfect little gift for your mum, your grandma or even your mother-in-law? Have a look at Estée Lauder‘s limited edition solid perfume and powder compacts that come each year in different designs.

Here in Switzerland the complete new collection will be available.

1 Powder Compact LOVE, CHF 95
2 Powder Compact JEWELED PINK RIBBON, CHF 95
3 Powder Compact PROSPERITY, CHF 95
4 Solid Perfume Compact YOUTH-DEW PROSPERITY, CHF 160
5 Powder Compact PEACE, CHF 180
6 Solid Perfume Compact PLEASURES HAPPINESS BY JAY STRONGWATER, CHF 480
7 Compact Powder YEAR OF THE DRAGON, CHF 105
8 Compact Powder LUCK, CHF 150
9 Solid Perfume Compact BEAUTIFUL LOVE, CHF 160
10 Solid Perfume Compact BEAUTIFUL LUCK BY JAY STRONGWATER, CHF 515

Around the world, collectors crave for the new miniature must-haves. 1981’s “Cinnebar Imperial Princess” has today a collector’s value of $8000!

“Cinnebar Imperial Princess”, 1981, Photo:©Swisslady

If you are interested, please have a look at solidperfume.com, a collector’s website completely dedicated to Estée Lauder’s solid perfume compacts.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

Meet Tom Pecheux, the Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder. The internationally acclaimed make-up artist was in charge for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 runway beauty looks.

I was invited to go backstage before the show to interview Tom which was just wonderful. His thoughts on makeup
 are so modern, he has an amazing aura.

Tom Pecheux with me

The best compliment for the Parisian beauty guru that is loved by celebrities and top photographers all over the world?
To hear someone say “I feel great” and not “this make up is great”.

Enjoy the photos I took backstage and the interview! You will be up-to-date how your makeup should look like for next summer.

What was the inspiration behind your makeup look for the Derek Lam S/S 2012 show?

The inspiration was sort of that modern relaxed archtitecture on the West Coast, California, sunshine, earth – this kind of juxtaposition between both. The juxtaposition between masculine and feminine. If you look at the make-up, you have a very bright yellow which is generally a very feminine colour, but it is in a masculine finish. It is almost matte, a light satin finish, instead of being shimmery. The cheeks are very softly sculpted. Sunkissed, bronzey. I took the pink out of the lips by using a yellow tone which neutralized the pink, so that you get a „not-so-girly“ finish.

When Derek showed me his collection and he told me about his inspiration, I felt immediatly the warmth of the West Coast. When you go to L.A., you see colours that you don’t see anywhere else, the sand is special. So I wanted the yellow to present the warmness that you find in California.

How do you apply it?

It is super easy to apply. First the concealer with the finger. Some loose powder. After we start with the colour to apply. A powerful eyebrow mixed with a little bit of black and brown depending on the skin tone. A brown shimmery shadow just under the brow bones to create a even darker and stronger look. I really want the girl to feel powerful.

The yellow shadow I am using on the eyelid for a nice contrast. It is a colour that many people are afraid off so I took that challenge to make it look good. For the transparent, high-shine pout I just put a sheer, shimmery yellow gloss without a lip liner.

What is your beauty must-have for the next season?

This is hard to say. If you are a makeup artist, you don’t stick to just one thing. But the focus for the S/S 2012 is definitely on the eyebows, you should concentrate on getting them beautifully shaped and defined.

I do love the yellow. I love to find a way to use colour a little bit frightening, to make it work. To make a girl look gorgeous, to show that it is not weird. It is basically challenging myself not to get bored.

Estée Lauder’s spokewoman Hilary Rhoda with me

Do you have a favourite face?

No, not really. I mean I love beautiful women. But what I truly find interesting is to work on women that are not models and to realize how much you can give like for example during Fashion’s Night Out.

Estée Lauder’s slogan is „Every Woman can be beautiful“. Not every woman will look like Constance or Hilary. But every woman in her own world will look gorgeous. It is also not about trying to look like somebody else. It is more about feeling good, happiness and confidence.

In your opinion, should a woman always wear makeup when she leaves the house?

If you feel good, you can leave the house without. I don’t like the rules, I like to break them. Try different things, like an unusual colour. You may like it or you may not but the most important thing is to not get stuck. Enjoy exploring new things and you will feel beautiful and confident.

I couldn’t agree more with Tom! So I am ready for the yellow eyeshadow and you? Unfortunately we will just have to wait until January 2012 to get our hands on Estée Lauder’s limited edition Pure Colour Gloss in Citron Kiss and Pure Colour Eyeshadow Palette.

But isn’t anticipation the greatest joy?

LoL, Sandra

Photos:  © Sandra Bauknecht

Fashionistas lining up in front of the Chanel store to get…

…a free manicure…

…with the three gorgeous shades of Les Jeans de Chanel.

I took the three bottles home, yippie!

Estée Lauder‘s face since 2007: Stunning Hilary Rhoda.

A little warm-up for me for my upcoming interview with Estée Lauder’s Global Creative Director Tom Pecheux on Sunday.

Two Estée Lauder spokeswomen: Liu Wen talking to Constance Jablonski.

Gorgeous presentation of Jo Malone‘s new scent: Wild Bluebell.

Hair guru Frédéric Fekkai

Lydia Hearst

Supermodel Doutzen Kroes…

…doing graffiti with designer Christian Cota.

Open your eyes, it is him…

…me with designer Prabal Gurung.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Yesterday, I came across those photos from my trip to Istanbul that I had taken with my new small Leica camera and completely forgotten about. The purple light of the night had been so beautiful and my outfit had just blended in.

My look: Pink and black striped dress by Alexander McQueen, clutch and sandals by Prada, necklace by Etro, ring by Roberto Cavalli and watch by Roger Dubuis.

On my finger nails: Ballerina Pink by Estée Lauder
On my toe nails: Purple Passion by Estée Lauder

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht