Sandra‘s Closet

Sephora is one of the best places to find amazing gifts to spoil all of your beauty-loving friends. When I went to the Sephora press day, I narrowed down the best skin-care, makeup, hair, and fragrance sets, so you can cross all of your beauty-obsessed friends and relatives off your list in the last minute.

In fact, there’s so much holiday goodness that it can be a little overwhelming to start from scratch. So I did the hard work for you and compiled the most affordable and breathtaking options.

Happy Holidays!

LoL, Sandra

Sephora Collection Palette Blockbuster – CHF 39.90
88 shades: 60 eyeshadows, 6 face powders (2 highlighters, 2 blushs and 2 bronzer), 16 lip glosses, 3 eyebrow powders and 3 cream eyeliners.

Nars Explicit Content Climax – Duo De Mascaras – CHF 45.90
A makeup set featuring two full-sized Climax Mascaras in attractive packaging.

Drunk Elephant Drunk Break Weekend Edition Holiday Kit – CHF 88.90
This is a complete facial routine featuring a pro-quality AHA/BHA mask.

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set – CHF 50.90
Featuring the award-winning, cult favorite Brazilian Bum Bum Cream that is a must for all beauty lovers.

Fresh Cleanse & Moisturize Set – CHF 28.90
Your skin care prep essentials in one set.

Too Faced Better Than Sex – Ornament – CHF 19.90
Trim your tree with a limited-edition holiday ornament with a travel size version of the #1-selling prestige mascara in America! Makes the perfect gift!

Pumpkin Spice Second Slice Eye Palette – CHF 57.90
Capture all the sexy colors of fall with our phis palette, made of 18 fragrant, warm and spicy shades.

Kenzoki Youth Flow Set – CHF 49.90
The perfect mix of global anti-ageing action and feel-good formula.​

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored. We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

LUNA ROSSA, Prada’s newest men’s fragrance, seeks inspiration from the Italian house’s sailboat of the eponymous name which regularly participates in the prestigious America’s Cup (For more information on the famous competition, scroll to the end of this post please).

The scent and ingredients blended by Daniela Andrier, Prada Luna Rossa is a masculine fragrance without compromise that reinterprets traditional ingredients with agility.

A wave of aromatic freshness crashes through the scent conveying strength and dynamic energy, while its signature is noble and sensual.The backbone of the fragrance is lavender – an unmistakable natural ingredient in perfumery – but here pushed to the edge in a unique modern interpretation. Even the Prada Luna Rossa fragrance bottle is inspired by the technological excellence and sleek, dynamic beauty of extreme sailing boats. The power of the elements is reflected in the materials and design, which project both strength and sophistication.

Top Notes: Lavender Absolute and Bitter Orange
Middle Notes: Clary Sage and Spearmint Nanah
Base Notes: Ambroxan and Ambrette Absolute

Prada Luna Rossa for Men EdT 50ml (CHF 87.-) / EdT 100ml (CHF 117.-)
Aftershave Lotion 125ml (CHF 85.-)
Shower Gel 200ml CHF 50.-)
Deodorant 150ml (CHF 45.-)

Available September 2012.

The Luna Rossa Story

The America’s Cup is the most coveted and elusive prize in sport and the apex of the sailing world. It is an intense competition propelled by an almost mythological history, the obsession and dedication of its participants and thrilling advances in design and engineering. It is a race fought along lines of technology and athleticism, but fundamentally bound by the forces of nature; enjoyed the world over both for the visceral excitement of the competition and the grace of the boats as they cut through the waves.

The Luna Rossa sailing team emerged from the shared determination and grand ambition of two men. Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada and German Frers, one of the world’s foremost yacht designers, met in 1997 to discuss a cruising boat and the designer made a provocative jibe – “why not the America’s Cup?”. There was no turning back. In order to meet strict entry deadlines Bertelli organized a crew from scratch in a record time of just two weeks – a process usually taking many months. Since then, the Luna Rossa team is one of the most renowned and beloved competitors of the America’s Cup – the oldest and most prestigious trophy in sport.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Prada, © Carlo Borlenghi

Dior introduces two new fragrance that belong to the house’s iconic Addict line of perfumes, dedicated to seduction, femininity and to style. “Having style, means having your own”, said Christian Dior.

Dior Addict is her perfume – her identity. She loves explosive colours – they represent her freedom. Oriental, fresh or floral, she has fun with all the Dior Addict fragrances.

The advertising campaign was shot by one of my favourite photographers, Tim Walker. The face is Daphne Groeneveld.

Dior Addict is a universe composed of three fragrances with contrasting scent compositions. Every shade of the palette asserts the audacious and complex personality of the Dior Addict woman. Which one are you? Or are you probably all three of them?

A SCENT WARDROBE

Dior Addict Eau Fraîche

Its scent signature? Bright and sharp, yet fresh and woody.
Its colour? A vivid, saturated, radiant pink for a sparkling cocktail.
Its flower? A radiant Freesia.
Its style? A swirling dress of transparent silk chiffon

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle

Its scent signature? Floral and sensual, harmonious and luminous.
Its colour? A tender mauve.
Its flower? A velvety Rose.
Its style? An elegant, lilac coloured silky dress.

Dior Addict Eau de Parfum

Its scent signature? Oriental and modern, smooth and vibrant.
Its colour? The deep blue of a nocturne music score.
Its flower? The opulent Queen of the Night.
Its style? A low-cut black sheath dress in the finest organza.

In stores from today (All prices are only for information and suggested retail prices).

ADDICT EAU FRAICHE and EAU SENSUELLE Spray
20ml / CHF 66, 50ml / CHF 99, 100ml / CHF 140

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior

Calyx Perfume was launched already in 1986 by the house of Prescriptives. It is a very special fragrance that combines floral sweetness with fruity freshness in a very sophisticated way.

Sophia Chodosz Grojsman, the mastermind behind Calyx, worked some alchemical magic by reproducing the overripe sweetness of tropical fruits and combining it with the citrusy bitterness of a grapefruit accord. It smells so authentically that you can almost taste the rind. She added green and woody notes plus fresh florals for an interesting and luxurious experience.
Different from the fruity scents that often stink up the perfume aisles today, it is very elegant and feminine. If you are looking for a summery scent that is romantic and fresh in one, than you might have found it.

Top notes: Guava, passionfruit, mango and grapefruit
Heart notes: Rose, freesia, jasmine, marigold and lily of the valley
Base notes: Green leafs, sandalwood, vetiver and oakwood

For my Swiss based readers, Calyx will be available starting March 2011 at Globus and Jelmoli among others.

LoL, Sandra

Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 15 ml CHF 46.-
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 50 ml CHF 86.-
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Spray 100 ml CHF 120.- (NEW)
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Shower Gel 200ml CHF 43.- (NEW)
Calyx Exhilarating Fragrance Body Lotion 200ml CHF 52.- (NEW)