Sandra‘s Closet

True luxury should last forever … Personally speaking, being able to show your true authentic self is the highest form of luxury for me. Since an early age, I have followed that motto and I have always believed in investing into things to treasure for decades to come. Quality over quantity is the key. Luxury, like happiness, is the blurry notion of something good that happens. Everything you see on SANDRA’S CLOSET is part of this journey.

When it comes to perfumery, I am a huge fan of KILIAN PARIS. Twisting traditional French luxury with his own audacious take, Kilian Hennessy has created his contemporary vision of perfumery. With long-lasting accords that recall luxury fragrances of former eras, the House is uncompromising when it comes to the quality of the ingredients.

On top, Kilian Hennessy established a practice in tune with our times: a favorite perfume is bought only once and refilled for life.

With sustainability in mind, insisting on well-crafted design with timeless style, a KILIAN Paris flacon is perpetually refillable, making it an everlasting collector’s piece. Styled after elegant, sophisticated barware, they are beautiful scented objects of desire to last a lifetime. To the brand’s Founder, the words ‘disposable’ and ‘luxury’ are incommensurable. Luxury should live with us and go beyond us, like an object our great-grandchildren might find and cherish as part of their heritage.

«To me, a true luxury product must have in its DNA the capacity to be passed on from generation to generation. True luxury should last forever!» – Kilian Hennessy

HOW TO REFILL YOUR FLACON

1. Unscrew the cap and carefully remove the atomizer from the original Kilian Paris perfume bottle.

2. Turn upside down the refill and insert its end into the cavity of the original perfume bottle.

3. Rotate the refill bottle clockwise until the liquid starts fillin up the original perfume bottle.

4. Rotate the refill bottle counterclockwise to extract it from the perfume bottle cavity.

5. Tighten the original perfume bottle with the original cap.

While less waste and a lighter carbon imprint are the result of doing things a little bit differently from the start, KILIAN Paris understands that the gesture is small relative to what remains to be done and the future evolutions of the beauty industry in view. Sustainability, especially in the context of KILIAN Paris’s unique approach to packaging already in place, is an area where the brand seeks constant self-revision and improvement.

A KILIAN Paris perfume addiction is declared once and refillable always, making the brand an «eco-luxury» native, a small but significant gesture in leading luxury back to its lasting nature.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Sanjeev Velmurugan
The photos were taken at the KILIAN PARIS counter at Jelmoli Zurich.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

I am a  true addict when it comes to my daily fragrance ritual. Wearing fragrance well requires a little more skill and finesse. Where you put your perfume, matters a lot. Target areas such as pulse points of the neck, the wrists, inner elbows, back side of your knees along with a hair mist for an enhanced and multidimensional olfactive trail. I also love misting my scarf, or the seam of my coat, because they move with the air, which helps with the diffusion of the scent. Talking about leaving a lasting impression. And never rub your wrists together as it destroys the molecules.

By the way, the best place to store fragrance is not on the shelf but in your cabinet away from sunlight, and at room temperature.

Here are my favorites at the moment:

GOOD GIRL GONE BAD Eau Fraîche
A limited edition scent for summer – CHF 240

Adding a cool and aquatic olfactive touch to the original perfume Good girl gone Bad by KILIAN for the warmer season, somewhere between floral and airy, it is the season’s nectar keeping summer bees busy. The perfume opens with notes of luminous Orange Blossom from North Africa and Roses from Turkey and Morocco but in its heart this new blend comes true: Egyptian Jasmine Sambac is splashed with a watery uplift and the ever-voluptuous Tuberose that is gentler by a textured sensation of freshness.

WOMAN IN GOLD
A perfume as complex and dazzling as the woman who wears it.

Inspired by Gustav Klimt‘s famous «Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer», it is my favorite for the colder season or for romantic nights. As complex and glamorous as the work of art, it opens with a blend of tart Bergamot, ripe Mandarin Orange and Aldehyde top notes that leads to a heady Rose Petal heart combined with Freesia and Geranium. The drydown consists of smooth Vanilla Absolute peppered by Patchouli and Akigalawood. Those Kilian flowers are composed like a narcotic dependence.

Woman In Gold Travel Set – Eau de Parfum and Refills, 4 x 7.5ml
Perfectly sized to accompany me on my travels or during the day, this beautifully engraved travel spray atomizer comes with three additional refills.

KILIAN’s  first hair mist, under the scent of Woman in Gold perfume, is joining the season’s seduction arsenal as a protective and perfumed secret weapon of the finest order. It is the final touch to one’s hair styling ritual. Carefully considered to offer the best of scent and science with UV protective elements, it comes with hydrating properties to help protect hair against the drying effects of the sun. It is so long-lasting, the best hair mist I have ever had. I truly hope that this will stay as it is a limited edition at the moment.

Like Kilian Hennessy says: «In perfumery, it is as much about seduction as it is about protection».
Enjoy your weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © By Kilian and © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

Today, I would like to introduce you to the new Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances that just have launched with a cute little story written in paradise…

IN GAULTIER’S GARDEN

One morning, Jean Paul Gaultier walked into his Factory. It was large and lively and happy. He looked at the women, and he looked at the men. And his mind wandered to leisurely pastimes. And he thought, «Women and men should spend time together, it is good.»

On the first day, he created a garden. The garden was magical and enchanting, and in the spirit of easy virtues everywhere!

On the second day, he created La Belle and Le Beau. Born from JPG Classic and Le Mâle, but as butt naked as their first day in this world. And they’re not even cold, those two! On the third day, he created the most delightful, divine and delectable sins … On the fourth day he rested. In his garden, the party was in full swing. Everyone was in the mood for discovery, adventure; of themselves and each other. And it smelled (al)most divine!

THE BOTTLES

Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of La Belle – and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a woman’s bust. It was red dipped in pink, and spoke of modesty as well as the most lascivious licentiousness. Around the neck, gold roses formed a necklace, a modest covering that serve only as an invitation to a final and temptation-filled unveiling …

Then, Jean Paul Gaultier created the bottle of Le Beau, and the bottle appeared. In the shape of a naked chest. It was green, and it shimmered. A leaf of vine, in gold, carefully placed where the eyes might linger.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the exquisite busts and exclaimed: «These two were made to lead us into temptation!» And they were.

THE PACKAGING

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing of La Belle, and the case appeared in the garden. It was the softest green, almost almond, and amongst the foliage of this very modern Eden, matched with everything. Its gold letters gleamed, and it was oh-so-tempting to touch the fruit, – and it wasn’t even forbidden!

Jean Paul Gaultier created the casing for Le Beau, and the case appeared at the foot of a bush. It was emerald green, so dark, reminding us of all that is lush in this world. Its golden letters glimmering like the honey of original desire.

Jean Paul Gaultier looked at the two provocative, sexy cases, and said: «Presentation is everything – and nothing!» And it was.

THE FRAGRANCES

Jean Paul Gaultier opened the case of La Belle, took the bottle, and inhaled deeply the essence of the perfume. It smelled of oriental vanilla, but a vanilla so fresh, it quenched the soul. He could also identify vetiver; where the miraculous smell of fruit, a pear, was clearly pointing.

Jean Paul Gaultier opened Beau‘s case and, closing his eyes, inhaled (no denials here). The smell of coconut wood inspired a profound desire to relax, while the bergamot and the tonka bean whispered to him that lounging was the most refreshing of sins.

Jean Paul Gaultier inhaled both perfumes together, and declared: «They go well together. Forever and ever.» And thus a world was created.

PERFUMERS

Quentin Bisch and Sonia Constant teleported themselves to Gaultier’s garden.
As is their way, they emerged themselves into this strange and soothing exotic world. These two, who love to explore the world and who know it so well, came back mesmerised by The New Land, with a special place in their heart for La Belle and Le Beau. And as we know, the heart is never far from the nose.

Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle und Le Beau are available from now in the following sizes:

La Belle Eau de Parfum 100 ml / CHF 161.00
La Belle Eau de Parfum 50ml / CHF 118.00

Le Beau Eau de Parfum 125ml / CHF 120.00
Le Beau Eau de Parfum 75ml / CHF 89.00

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

«All Art is Erotic» –  Gustav Klimt

KILIAN HENNESSY celebrates ten years of redefining the art of modern perfumery and invites us into a new Golden Age, inspired by the sensual glamour and sumptuous luxury of fin de siècle Vienna, and its most subversive artist, Gustav Klimt.

Kilian Hennessy with me

«Klimt is the authority when it comes to gold artwork, gold leaf,» says Kilian. The universe he created full of seduction and opulence represents «a cultural reference, a touchstone – more than just decoration.»

Two new fragrances, each of which experiments with dualties: darkness and light, feminity and masculinity, modernity and proud tradition. Let me introduce you to WOMAN IN GOLD and GOLD KNIGHT, one more beautiful than the other. Launching in the end of September 2017, I don’t want you to miss those richly textured and mysterious scents.

«It doesn’t interest me to provoke just to provoke. I need artistic reasoning,» Kilian goes on. «The idea was to play on the contrasts between shadown and light, to express that we are all made of good and bad – but within light and dark there are a myriad of facets. I wanted to achieve this duality with perfume.»

WOMAN IN GOLD

Inspired by the 1907 portrait of Leading Viennese art patron and taste-maker Adele Bloch-Bauer, the only woman Klimt painted twice.

Top Notes: Bergamot
Middle Notes: Rose, Vanilla Absolute
Base Notes: Akigalawood, Patchouli

GOLD KNIGHT

Inspired by the dashing, gold-armored chevalier in Klimt’s 1902 Beethoven Frieze.

Top Notes: Anise, Bergamot
Middle Notes: Honey, Vanilla
Base Notes: Patchouli

The extremely beautiful cases are inspired by Klimt’s works and are inspired by the Byzantine mosaics the Viennese painter saw at the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy.

«True luxury is meant to last» – Kilian Hennessy

The faceted flacon, inspired by the timeless cognac carafe, is an object of uncompromising elegance and artisanship. The 250-ml bottles are refillable and accompanied by a black travel spray.

Mini Carafe 250ml (CHF 720)
Refillable Spray 50ml (CHF 335)

TO SHOP KILIAN ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Kilian Hennessy and © Sandra Bauknecht

We all know the beauty of a well chosen perfume that is a reflection of you. After you have found your favorite scent, you should also master the art of perfuming. Here are some tips on how to perfume yourself in a way you might have not thought about before.

Perfume behind your wrists, ankles and knees
These blood pulse points « heat up » the perfume on the skin and allow it to exhale in an unexpected and subtle manner each time you move.

Perfume your ribbons or hair accessories
To add rejoicing scented touches to your hairstyle, as if it was styled with flowers.

Perfume the hem of your dress or skirt
Fragrant notes are revealed with elegance, enhancing the movement of the body and leaving on you an exquisite perfume trail.

Perfume the inner side of your belt
As it was traditionally done in royal and imperial courts, perfuming the inner side of a leather accessory brings an additional touch of femininity.

Perfume the inner lining of your coat or jacket
To sign your appearances, each time you take it off at a rendez-vous, a dinner or a party.

Perfume your fan
Each movement brings a subtle refinement to the room by liberating a delicate scent.

Perfume the inside of your handbag
Each time you open your bag, a joyful shot arises, expression of an extreme sophistication.

LoL, Sandra

Illustration: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

With the new Extrait de Cologne, Roger & Gallet brings up to date the art of perfuming, bequeathed by the “Incroyables” and the “Merveilleuses”, a group of young whimsical Parisians at the end of the 18th century. At that time, they were crazy for Jean-Marie Farina’s Eau de Cologne and thoroughly splashed themselves with it… on their skin, but also on their clothes, hats or accessories of any kind.

In 2017, Roger & Gallet invited five famous perfumers to create their own scent for this new collection. The campaign is absolutely beautiful and I am happy to share with you these beautiful photos and all the information regarding the new fragrances that all include up to 90% natural ingredients.

Five iconic perfumers from left to right: Alberto Morillas (Thé Fantasie), Fabrice Pellegrin (Néroli Facétie – MY FAVORITE), Juliette Karagueuzoglou (Verveine Utopie), Anne Flipo (Tubérose Hédonie) and Elise Bénat (Cassis Frénésie) have created a collection of five beautiful scents.

CASSIS FRÉNÉSIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,1% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Crisp, tonic, energising. Fights melancholia, stimulates good mood and euphorises senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Elise Bénat, French perfumer, has selected:
Blackcurrant bud absolute
Pepper essence
Rose infusion
Precious distilled essences of geranium, lavandin, galbanum & buchu.

Always more, always more often, life has so much to offer!
Cassis Frénésie, is an appetite for living, loving, tasting pleasures, without moderation, in an utmost exaltation.

NÉROLI FACÉTIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 87,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Tranquilizing, pleasing and balancing. Relieves anxiety, facilitates sleep and lightens the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Fabrice Pellegrin, French perfumer, has selected:
Neroli essence
Orange blosson absolute
Immortelle absolute
Precious distilled essences of cedarwood, petitgrain, angelica seeds & vetiver.

Here, all is mischievousness, comical, slapstick, fun. Jokes and laughs!
Néroli Facétie is an attitude, cheerful, joyful, playful. A sheer art of having fun with facial expressions or little games.

TUBÉREUSE HÉDONIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,8% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Extraordinarily relaxing and aphrodisiac. Rouses the mood and invites body and mind to let go.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Anne Flipo, French perfumer, has selected:
Tuberose absolute
Jasmine absolute
Bergamote essence
Precious distilled essences of pink pepper, Neroli & celery grains.

You must seize the day, every minute!
The hedonist lives for pleasure. To please oneself, as often as possible, in every possible manner, satisfying one’s senses, with no reserve, here is the goal of his existence, the supreme value, above all others.

THÉ FANTAISIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 90,7 % OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Untiring, energizing, destressing. Comforting, appeases tension and stimulates the mind.

To create his Extrait de Cologne, Alberto Morillas, Master Perfumer, has selected:
Black tea extract
Benzoin resin
Sandalwood essence
Precious distilled essences of coriander, Cardamom, sage & vetiver.

What matters is to have fun!
The fantasist takes pleasure in doing things off the beaten track, far from conventions. Originality, a hint of mischievousness and lightness as a way of life.

VERVEINE UTOPIE EXTRAIT DE COLOGNE
CONTAINS 89,3% OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS:
Stimulating, invigorating, anti-fatigue. Refreshes the body, freshens the mind and galvanizes the senses.

To create her Extrait de Cologne, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, French perfumer, has selected:
Exotic verbena essence
Gentian extract
Precious distilled essences of cedar wood, Gaiac and vetiver wood, basil & absinthe.

He is a dreamer, a poet in search of the absolute, in quest for the wonderful!
The utopist lives for an ideal, the perfect world in which each one could find happiness. With passion and innocence, this stargazer draws up a flow of ideas to change the world and make it better.

In stores from September 2017 – 100ml (CHF 70.00), 500ml (CHF 170.00).

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Roger & Gallet

This spring, Aerin Lauder takes her favorite three fragrances to new heights with the launch of the AERIN d’Or collection. All three existing scents are newly interpreted with the addition of very luxurious ingredients such as fine woods, like oud and patchouli, along with musk and amber.

The golden packaging is beautiful and will look gorgeous on your bathroom shelf. What a great gift for Mother’s Day!

TANGIER VANILLE D’OR
Oriental

Tangier Vanille turns to gold, taking you more deeply into the mystery and splendor of Morocco, leaving a trail of scent that is shimmering like gold in the air.

Top notes: Bergamot, plum and Bulgarian rose
Middle notes: Madagascar vanilla, saffron and myrhh
Base notes: Cashmere wood, crystallized amber, tonka bean and sandalwood

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

EVENING ROSE D’OR
Oriental Floral

The allure of night in the city that is what Evening Rose is about when it turns to gold.

Top notes: Blackberry, litchi and pink pepper
Middle notes: May rose, Bulgarian rose and honey
Base notes: Incense, patchouli, amber and leather

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

AMBER MUSK D’OR
Oriental Floral

Amber Musk turns to gold, enveloping your senses in its soft, inviting world.

Top notes: Magnolia and coconut water
Middle notes: Lily-of-the-valley and May rose
Base notes: Oud accord, ambroxan, amber, praline, musk, benzoin and incense.

CHF 240.00 (100ml)

In Switzerland available from Mid March 2017 exclusively at Globus or in the Swiss webshop.
TO SHOP AERIN BEAUTY ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Stills: Courtesy of Estée Lauder
Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

This March, JO MALONE will bring you closer to nature with the launch of the new limited «THE HERB GARDEN» collection. Comprised of five fragrances created by Anne Flipo, this extravagant series marries together unexpected ingredients to bring out the best in both.

No matter the season, this garden has something for everybody.:

SORREL & LEMON THYME
«It is those stolen few moments when you step outside to breathe in the new season and find yourself enveloped with green and vivid scents.»

Top Notes: Bigarade, Petitgrain
Middle Notes: Sorrel, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary
Base Notes: Geranium Leaves, Moss
__________

WILD STRAWBERRY & PARSLEY
«This peppery scent evokes those late summer afternoons, when shadows lengthen and the
sun mellows.»

Top Notes: Parsley, Tomato Leaves, Blackcurrant
Middle Notes: Blackcurrant, Violet Leaves
Base Note: Moss
__________

NASTURTIUM & CLOVER
«This fragrance is all about the thrill of getting lost in a rambling, bucolic and rustic English garden;
a surprise around every corner.»

Top Notes: Rocket, Lemon
Middle Notes: Nasturtium, Jasmine
Base Note: Vetiver
___________

CARROT BLOSSOM & FENNEL

«This unexpected cologne conjures the earthy satisfaction of a home harvest: the journey from planting a garden, nurturing it, finding fresh ingredients and then finally reaching that moment of cutting into homegrown fennel and slicing a crisp, sweet carrot.»

Top Notes: Carrot, Fennel
Middle Notes: Rose, Orange Flower Water,
Base Note: Moss
____________

LAVENDER & CORIANDER 
«This scent captures the deep warmth of midday heat on high summer days; the calming quality
of lavender juxtaposed with the energy of coriander for a muscular, clean modern fougère. The most masculine of the five fragrances.»

Top Notes: Lavender, Coriander
Middle Note: Sage
Base Note: Tonka Bean

Available from March 2016 for CHF 72.00 each Cologne.
And isn’t the model just absolutely adorable?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Yves Saint Laurent‘s beautiful scent MANIFESTO that was launched in February 2013 has already got two new family members. Each of the three variations has a white floral at the heart combined with elegant woody notes in the base.

Manifesto – Eau de Parfum (Spring 2013)

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Bergamot and black currant
Heart notes: Sambac jasmine and lily of the valley
Base notes: Cedar, sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean

30ml (CHF 84.-), 50ml (CHF 124.-) and 90ml (CHF 157.-)

Manifesto L’Elixir – Eau de Parfum Intense (Fall 2013)

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Bergamot and mandarin orange
Middle notes: Sambac jasmine, heliotrope and tuberose
Base notes: Cashmeran, vanilla and ambroxan

30ml (CHF 104.-) and 50ml (CHF 154.-)

Manifesto L’Eclat – Eau de Toilette (February 2014)

ORIENTAL FLORAL
Top notes: Neroli, currant buds, green tea and bergamot
Middle notes: Orange blossom, red rose, freesia and jasmine
Base notes:  Cashmere wood, sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla

50ml (CHF 111.-) and 90ml (CHF 140.-)

The complete fragrance family is a wonderful addition to your wardrobe of scents.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent

I cannot wait to fly to London soon to visit The Burberry Beauty Box in London’s Covent Garden. This new retail concept brings the house’s must-have fashion and beauty together in an innovative format that allows you to explore the connections between make-up, fragrance and accessories through personalised physical and digital experiences.

Featuring the full Burberry Beauty collection of make up and fragrance, as well as limited edition beauty products, the new space also houses accessories including sunglasses, scarves and an exclusive selection of bags, available only in the store. A new look will be revealed each month, available to experience in store.

Below you can discover some of Burberry signature looks:

Brit – an irreverent look inspired by music

Body – a natural, nude look

Tender – a fresh, dewy look

Icon – a timeless look inspired by the Burberry icons

All products are gift-wrapped in exclusive Burberry Beauty Box gift packaging. Payments are taken using a mobile point of sale system on iPads and iPhones, which also offers the option of digital receipts. What a great concept! Love it!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Burberry