Sandra‘s Closet

Gift sets are a great way to treat a fellow beauty lover or yourself. Whether your complexion needs lifting, smoothing, brightening or plumping, it will always benefit from a targeted regimen. Enjoy these three curated sets of skincare saviors.

Best for smoothing lines and wrinkles: DR. BARBARA STURM – The Super Set

Any good anti-aging approach takes hands into consideration – they’re exposed to the wind, UV rays and pollutants as much as our face, and are even more prone to dehydration and premature aging with today’s stringent handwashing demands. That’s why this super trio from Dr. Barbara Sturm pairs the brand’s Anti-Aging Hand Cream – packed with mega-hydrators aloe vera, prickly pear and hyaluronic acid – with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient-rich Serum and Face Cream from the same range. All three come housed in a reusable, grey velvet pouch that’s as coveted as the firmer, smoother, plumped-up skincare results delivered over time.

Best for head-to-toe hydration: AUGUSTINUS BADER – The Icons with the Cream

The skin on your body deserves as much attention as the skin on your face, and this double act from Augustinus Bader will help you elevate these two self-care rituals. Both The Rich Cream – a more indulgent, extra-hydrating version of the original cult moisturizer – and The Body Cream are infused with the brand’s Trigger Factor Complex, a bespoke blend that activates the body’s own stem cells so you get major anti-aging benefits (think fewer lines, less redness and pigmentation). Really knead the body cream into particularly dry areas, including knees, elbows and over hips and thighs to address cellulite, too.

Best for clearing congested skin: EVE LOM – Rescue Ritual Gift Set

Pore size and texture make a big difference to the look of your complexion, and these two full-sized iconic products work in tandem to purify and clear skin that’s prone to blemishes and visible pores or in need of a deep cleanse. On top of effortlessly removing waterproof makeup, Eve Lom’s signature cleanser blends four aromatic plant oils to open pores, tone skin and boost circulation without overtaxing the skin. Apply the kaolin clay-packed Rescue Mask to really draw out impurities and grime from pores, while buffing away dead skin cells with the set’s muslin cloth.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © NET-A-PORTER
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

If you are looking for an anti-aging skincare with great benefits without being too expensive, you will definitely become a fan of bareMinerals‘ new AGELESS PHYTO-RETINOL COLLECTION.
It is an anti-aging skincare with clean, vegan Phyto-Retinol, which is a plant-based retinol alternative, that is as effective as retinol without causing redness, dryness or sensitivity.

Rethink retinol. This collection is clinically shown to dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and uneven texture and tone in just 1 week. The gentle yet potent formula also stars Protein Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid which work together to improve hydration, texture and smoothness for fresher, more youthful-looking skin. Made for all ages, skin types and skin tones.

AGELESS PHYTO-RETINOL Face Cream CHF 80.00
AGELESS PHYTO-RETINOL Neck Cream CHF 86.00
AGELESS PHYTO-RETINOL Eye Cream CHF 65.00
AGELESS PHYTO-RETINOL Night Concentrate CHF 78.00

Available in Switzerland exclusively at Marionnaud.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of bareMinerals, © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored. However, I received the products to test.

CAPTURE TOTALE – a complete skincare ritual to lastingly triumph over time

Let me get you started on the Dior Capture Totale line with some astonishing facts:
1986 Launch of the first Capture serum
2011 25th anniversary 1 nobel price for the discovered technology
13 international patents for Capture Totale & One Essential
260 scientists have worked on the products

I have tried all of the revised and new products for almost a month now to give you an honest and detailed report of the results.
Moreover I will explain a little how the ingredients work. Once you understand the strategy, it all makes perfect sense. The official launch date will be January 14, 2011.

25 years of breakthroughs by Dior Science now make it possible for CAPTURE TOTALE to target the very „heart“ of the skin: the stem cells, the source of youth. At the origin of all other cells of the epidermis, they have the power to regenerate the skin’s beauty, day after day.
However, over time, the structures that protect this source of life break down. Cells with high regenerating power are „deactivated“. By targeting the stem cells directly, it allows the skin to recover perfectly.

Question is now: Is your anti-aging 100% effective?

Dior discovered that skin toxins significantly impair cell regeneration and the effectiveness of your skin treatment. Building up by billions every day in the skin, toxins exhaust and suffocate cells. The consequences are that aging celerates, firmess disappears and that anti-aging ingredients cannot deliver their full power to the heart of the cells.

ONE ESSENTIAL – the first universal anti-aging booster by CAPTURE TOTALE

More than a simple serum, ONE ESSENTIAL goes beyond skin repair. By eliminating skin toxins, it achieves to trigger exceptional cellular regeneration to heighten the youthfulness of the skin. All visible signs of aging (wrinkled, loss of firmness, uneven skin tone) are intensely corrected.

Applied before all other skincare products, it boosts its performance by amplifying the targeted effectiveness of major anti-aging active ingredients for exceptional youthful appearance.

At the heart of ONE ESSENTIAL is Dior’s most powerful anti-aging blend composed of Longoza-Cellular Complex and Dextoxinyle. Longoza is a plant from Madagascar of which blossoms, stems and seeds are used.

I have to say from the first application, my skin was instantly brightened. And even if you prefer other anti-aging products to follow, I recommend using ONE ESSENTIAL as a base because no serum or cream can be 100% effective without skin detoxification. Even that I am not a scientist, this makes perfect sense to me. It is really an amazing product.

Price: 30ml, CHF 128 / 50ml, CHF 179

MULTI-PERFECTION CONCENTRATED SERUM – ultra-concentrated with anti-aging active ingredients, it restores the fine qualtiy and velevty feel of youthful skin and deeply repairs even the most deep-set visible signs of aging.

Price: 30ml, CHF 216 / 50ml, CHF 280

MULTI-PERFECTION CREME (normal to combination skin)
NURTURING RICH CREME (normal to dry skin)

Two textures specially adapted for each skin type in order to fulfill all needs and lastingly correct all visible signs of aging with each application. Intensly nourished, moisturized and strengthened, the skin reveals new youthfulness.

Price: 50ml, CHF 216

CAPTURE TOTALE RADIANCE RESTORING SERUM FOUNDATION

The radiance of the complexion comes not only from the skin surface, but also from the very „heart“ of the skin.

Young skin has a structure and surface which give it optical properties of translucency. Light infuses all layers to inundate the complexion with vivid radiance that seems to come from within. However, as time passes, skin becomes less smooth, firm and even. Dior’s Light-Booster Pigments help to get that youthful appearance back. After just 5 minutes, the complexion gains more radiance. No kidding, it is true!

Price: 30ml, CHF 119.50

My opinion is that all products together really work well and give you an energy boost that you might need while it is cold outside and after all the partying during the last weeks.
Even if you are attached to the products you are using, it is truly worth changing sometimes your cosmetic line as it challenges your skin again in a good way.

LoL, Sandra