Sandra‘s Closet

Here comes the new super mascara by Lancôme: Hypnôse Doll Eyes.
The latest version of the iconic Hypnose mascara gives you long and voluminous doll eyelashes, a little like a ’60s Twiggy. It is the first mascara that is scented with a very feminine floral and hypoallergenic perfume which makes it a true pleasure applying it. The brush ensures perfect separation of all lashes, even the shorter ones, while adding length and volume. I am using the mascara at the moment and I am completely convinced of its quality.

Mascara Doll Eyes CHF 44

The new mascara is accompanied by four pastel coloured eyeshadow palettes, called Baby Glam, Baby Nu, Baby Romance and Baby Pop to finish off your ­’60s look to perfection.

Palettes CHF 75 each

The campaign that was shot by Mario Testino stars famous supermodels Daria Werbowy, Arlenis Sosa and Elettra Wiedemann.

My personal favourites: Hypnôse Doll Eyes, Palettes Baby Pop and Baby Nu

And that it is definitely worth investing in a beautiful look tells us this quote of the world’s most famous doe-eyed icon:
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

– Audrey Hepburn

To be launched in Switzerland in July, in other countries already available since a few days.

Enjoy your weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Naturally, the right skin protection is indispensable when the sun is shining like the last days. At the moment, my favourites are Lancôme’s new Génifique Sôleil releases. I have to admit that I hate applying suncreams but those sprays are easy and fast to use.

FACE
The lightweight melting and water-resistant formula for the face delivers optimal UVA-UVB protection. It works for all skin types, even sensitive.
The skin is ideally tanned and its youthful appearance is visibly protected.
Génifique Sôleil Visage SPF 15, 50ml, CHF 49.-

BODY
Lancôme has made a major scientific discovery: UV rays affect gene expression and reduce the synthesis of certain youth proteins. Therefore the French brand invented its first skin youth protein UV protector oil with a pleasant texture combining a broad UVA-UVB filter system and antioxidant complex Applied immediately before sun exposure, the skin is irresistibly sparkling and has a velvety soft touch feel.
Génifique Sôleil Huile Corps SPF 10, Spray, 200ml, CHF 51.-

AFTER SUN
The last step is the after sun care that moisturizes the skin perfectly while leaving it lovely scented. The tan is magnificently radiant and even, as if lit from within.
Génifique Après-Soleil, Crème Corps, Spray, 200ml, CHF 53.-

Depending on your own skin type, you might consider taking a higher UV protection.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht

Mother’s Day is right in front of us and probably you are still looking for a little surprise accompanying your hand-written poem. Why not getting her one of those new summer fragrances? I am sure that your mom would love it.
Odoriferous ideas destined to make her day.

LoL, Sandra

The Lady

Life Threads Ruby Sheer by La Prairie is an Oriental Floral fragrance for women. And a lighter variation of the original fragrance.

Top notes: Orange flower, bergamot and lily-of-the-valley
Middle notes: Jasmine, ylang-ylang, saffron and rose
Base notes: Vetiver, musk, sandalwood and vanille.

Great news: In celebration of the launch of their new Color Design Palettes, Lancôme gives away a trip to NYC to shop with a Lancôme ambassadress!

This is your chance to win this trip or one of those fantastic palettes. Create a set with some of the stylish items that coordinate with each of the 10 high-potency Lancôme Color Design Palettes. You must style a complete look. New colours will be released every three days, so be sure to come back for more creations.
The contest ends on May 17, 2011 at 11:59pm EST.

Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

THE CONTEST HAS ENDED!

One of the biggest make-up trends for summer is a supernatural look with the emphasis on the lips. A radiant skin with glowing cheeks is important. The lips are coloured with see-through lipsticks and glosses in sorbet-coloured hues. Vibrant and colourful are the nails in eye-popping shades like blue and green. Nail lacquer has really become a fashion statement like a must-have accessory.

Here is all you need for a supernatural look for summer that is easy and fast to achieve, that will make you look much younger and that works perfect on hot days. If you like, you can add a touch of mascara. Please find herewith my favourite products for this season.

LoL, Sandra

1 This spring Estee Lauder has stepped up their nail game by introducing sixteen nail polishes in a new long lasting formula.

The king of color, Creative Director, Tom Pecheux has created the mesmerizing shades of which eight are limited, among them the extravagant hues: Wicked Green and Wild Blue. My must-haves! CHF 34

Wicked Green

Wild Blue

2 Dior Summer 2011 is Electric Tropics, and the stars of the collection are two bronzing powders, called Diorskin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder.

The one that I use is the lighter one with a soft pink tone, so-called Aurora (001), see photo to the left.

The darker powder is named Sunset (002) and is slightly peach-coloured.

One-shots

CHF 68.50 each.

3 Dior’s Electric Tropics Collection also includes two catwalk duo nail polishes.

These are the vibrant orange Aloha (638) that I wear below and the bright jelly pink Paradise (558). Each is packed with a super glossy topcoat to add a special flash of shine to your summertime nails.

One-shots

Available now for CHF 54 each duo.

4 Dior Addict Crystal Gloss – Jelly Gloss Spotlight Shine comes straight from the runway, it features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, “spotlight shine” effect.

Shades Available:

Sweet Peach (047) – the one I use
Luminescent Peach (087)
Luminescent Rose (077)
Sweet Rose (037)

CHF 44 each

5 Lancôme’s new L’Absolu Nu is a bare lip sensation!

Enriched with enhancing pigments to reveal the radiance of beautifully replenished lips, it enhances your natural lip tone in a veil of shiny, translucent colour while leaving them moistured for up to 8 hours. My favourite tone is 302 Voile de Rose.

CHF 44

6 A flawless complexion and peach-soft skin! Moisturization and radiance in one easy step.

HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer by Clarins continously moisturizes and colours the complexion with a transparent finish, giving it a natural radiance and healthy glow. It protects against UV rays (SPF 6, 100% mineral filter), pollution and free radicals. Available in several shades to suit all skin tones.

Available starting Mid April for CHF 49

7 Colour Quench Lip Balm by Clarins provides you with long-lasting shine and moisture.

The best is the fruity flavour that makes you want to lick your lips all the time. This ultra-shine gloss helps your lips to appear fuller and more beautiful day after day.

My personal favourites are:

04 Rasberry Smoothie
05 Delicious Plum
06 Sweet Papaya.

CHF 26 each, available Mid April in 8 different shades.

8 Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm by Clarins – an innovation from the Clarins Laboratories.

This is an amazing product which combines crystalline transparent colour with the repairing benefits of a lip balm. The minute you apply it, you feel a unique sensation of softness and comfort. Trust me, it works!

Available in three colours:

01 Crystal Coral
02 Crystal
03 Crystal Red

CHF 35 each

This morning, I took the flight at 7am to London and hadn’t gone to bed at all before. Too much excitement and packing stress… it is London Fashion Week.
I still don’t look like a zombie thanks to those lifesaving products. Let me introduce you to my 5 minutes radiance treatment:

Lancôme Rénergie Yeux Multiple Lift

This amazing eye care product combines 2 formulas for 6 different results. A unique treatment that addresses both wrinkles and lost firmness, featuring the GF-Volumetry™ complex, shown to help support cellular communication

A dual action lift: The cream texture helps to prevent sagging eyelids and to recover a young, lifted look. The natural firmness is visibly regained and the eye contour appears redefined.
The tinted texture (works like a highlighter) makes dark circles and puffiness to disappear.
Youthful eye contours return: skin is visibly lifted, firmer, and reshaped.
Available in Switzerland in March 2011, (15ml, CHF 125).

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Emulsion SPF 30

A gossamer-light, skin-brightening, moisture-replenishing lotion with a high level of SPF protection and multiple anti-aging benefits.
Quartz crystals and reflective pigments, imbedded in La Prairie’s Radiance Complex, filter environmental light through miniscule prisms to soften the effects of harsh lighting and give the skin a subtle radiance. This action is intensified by the presence of colloidal gold, which has a warming effect on these radiant substances.
The product will be in stores in Switzerland end of March 2011, (50ml, CHF 570).

Origins Vita Zing™ SPF 15 Energy-boosting moisturizer

This multi-tasking moisturizer handles the vital jobs of hydrating, energizing and protecting to maintain skin’s momentum all day. Gives skin the refreshing zing of antioxidant-rich Mangosteen. And adds a healthy hit of radiance that mimics the glow you get from a week’s vacation. All in 10 seconds max. Slip it on first thing tomorrow – you’ll look like you eat right, sleep tight & don’t
have a worry in sight, (50ml, $35.-).
Estée Lauder DayWear Sheer Tinted Release Moisturizer SPF 15

You won’t believe your eyes once you have tried it. The light texture that smells so lovely like cucumber, transforms into an ultra sheer tint when applied, enhancing any skintone with a healthy, even-toned glow. Moreover, the moisturizer is a super effective anti-oxidant and broad-spectrum sunscreen protection to help prevent and diminsh the appearance of the first signs of aging.
Apply as your last step. Available now (50ml, CHF 72).

You don’t need to use all of the products together. I do so in case of a facial emergency like today and believe me, those products work their magic…

Stay tuned, will be heading to Matthew Williamson’s F/W 2011 show this afternoon.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of the Brands

Lancôme’s S/S 2011 make-up collection “Ultra Lavande” is extremely pretty. Aaron de Mey, the house’s artistic director, got inspired by the 70s with lots of disco shimmer and soft colours in lavender, purple and silver. The butterfly decoration along with the beautiful sparkles make this collection so desirable.
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, daughter of French Vogue’s Carine Roitfeld, is the face of the camapign. In stores in the beginning of next year. Please find below my favourite products.

LoL, Sandra

Le Vernis Disco Silver

Le Vernis Ultra Lavande

Ombre magnetique in Ultra Lavande

Ombre magnetique in Disco Silver

Ombre magnetique in Disco Gold

Star product: La Rose Butterfly Blush

Meet fantastic L’Wren Scott, the brainchild behind the eponymous label. Born 1967 as Luann Bambrough in Utah, the former model is noted for her height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) and a frequent companion of Mick Jagger.

L'Wren Scott and Mick Jagger, Photo: Kevin Mazur

As a tall teenager, she took her first steps in making clothes. Later, she worked as a stylist and a costume designer before starting her own line that has become quickly a favourite among red carpet celebrities.

Her F/W 2010 collection, Tuxedo Terrace, presents a modern take on tuxedo dressing with great pieces for cocktail and black tie attire. Available at NET-À-PORTER.

Another gorgeous collaboration will hit the counters in November. The leggy designer teamed up with Lancôme to create an exclusive make-up look for the upcoming holiday season.

The slate gray nail polish had already been on the models’s nails during L’Wren Scott’s F/W 2010 runway show. Must-haves will also be Hypnôse Drama Mascara in a limited-edition shimmery silver and the sultry red shade for lips.

A classic look that will work perfectly this upcoming season.

LoL, Sandra