Sandra‘s Closet

Gucci Westman (48) believes that cosmetics should do more than enhance – they should calm, replenish and balance to create the perfect canvas. Known for her «second-skin» approach, the celebrity makeup artist developed Westman Atelier so you can achieve a dewy, glowing complexion at home. The label’s line of creamy foundations, blushes and bronzers are consciously made using clean, plant-based actives for a naturally radiant finish. Don’t miss the eco-friendly brushes, thoughtfully designed for easy control and flawless application.

ABOUT GUCCI WESTMAN

Born in October 1971 in California and raised in Sweden, Gucci Westman has more than 20 years of professional experience as a major editorial makeup artist, contributing to publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana, and backstage at fashion shows such as Brock Collection and Oscar de la Renta. Gucci served as the International Artistic Director of Lancôme from 2003-2007 and Global Artistic Director of Revlon from 2008-2015. However, she rose to prominence creating dewy, supernaturally glowy looks for celebrity clients including Jennifer Aniston, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, and Gwyneth Paltrow—establishing her highly coveted «second-skin» approach to makeup.

A lifelong vegetarian with a commitment to holistic living, Gucci feels strongly that «luxury,» «efficacy,» and «clean» don’t have to be a contradiction when it comes to exceptional makeup. For her first beauty line, she designed a creamy range of seamless foundations, blushes, bronzers and highlighters that take a «plants-first» approach to crafting the perfect canvas.

Developed to work together as a «makeup wardrobe,» Gucci’s mission is to provide women with a seamlessly edited range of options as multifaceted as their lives. Naturally beautiful, radiantly amplified skin, now available to everyone.

Behind every successful woman stands a strong man… power couple Westman-Neville.

She has three children, Dashel, Gray and Petal, with Rag & Bone cofounder David Neville (44), who handles all business aspects of Westman Atelier, since he has stepped down as CEO from his own brand.

Fast. Easy. Flawless. Safe.
Makeup that makes life simpler.
Skin that feels as good as it looks.

ABOUT WESTMAN ATELIER

Gucci Westman’s cosmetics line stands for consciously crafted beauty that means…
– Luxurious, effortlessly beautiful makeup formulated with clean ingredients and no-compromises integrity.
– Balancing perfect shades and buttery textures that melt into the skin with plant-based actives and cutting-edge science.
– A passionate commitment to researching and reassessing the ingredients as new information comes to light.

Westman Atelier ingredients are thoughtfully curated by Gucci in the lab alongside the very best chemists to create skin-nourishing, clean makeup that uses potent actives at clinically proven efficacy levels – and performs at the highest possible standard.

Westman Atelier is now available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich.

MY PERSONAL HERO PRODUCTS

For my Swiss readers, I have some great news: Westman Atelier is now exclusively available at Spitzenhaus in Zurich. The team will happily assist you in finding your personal favorites. To make your choice easier, I have put together a list of must-haves you shouldn’t miss. Click on the highlighted product description to find out more.
To shop Westman Atelier online, click HERE please.

Lip Suede

This luxurious lip color palette contains four vibrant shades infused with long-lasting pigments and powerful regenerating benefits. Housed in a bright lacquered compact, each ultra-flattering lip shade – in fuchsia, brick, tomato red, and warm dusty rose – can be custom mixed for endless possibilities. Nourishes, plumps, and boosts collagen using clean actives in an innovative petroleum-free base. Matte suede texture moisturizes and conditions lips.

Eye Love You Mascara – Clean Black

This luxurious 96% natural origin mascara combines innovative plant-powered technology with creamy conditioning ingredients and a densely packed nylon brush that volumizes, defines, and curls. The result is supercharged lashes that are glossy, pitch black, and healthy from the root.

Foundation Brush

Paddle foundation brush with tapered, flat bristles that will quickly become your go-to for precise applications, correcting imperfections and achieving a naturally polished finish. Blends and smooths Vital Skin Foundation Stick for a fresh and dimensional look.

Vital Skin Foundation Stick

Luxurious cream foundation rich in antioxidants and formulated with active ingredients to combat redness, calm irritation, even out complexion, and boost moisture. Molten texture melts into skin for a radiant, natural finish. Your natural skin, effortlessly enhanced.

Have fun exploring this great new line…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Westman Atelier, © Net-à-Porter and © Spitzenhaus Zürich
*Less than 1% of silicones found in Baby Cheeks Blush, Face Trace Contour, and Beauty Butter Bronzer as part of a biomimicry technology system to protect skin. Read more about it here.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

With a name selected for its balance of charm and mystery, meaning intensely dark, the new GUCCI L’Obscur mascara is designed to be an object of beauty and desire. Featuring an ultra-rich creamy texture, which comes in one pure intense black shade, the first mascara by Alessandro Michele has a highly comfortable film with a long-wearing finish of up to twelve hours. The packaging couldn’t be prettier: a mirrored gold and pink boudoir-inspired tube.

«I designed L’Obscur mascara for an authentic person who uses makeup to tell their story of freedom, in their way. We called it L’Obscur because this word balances charm and mystery.» – ALESSANDRO MICHELE

The new mascara was already introduced at Gucci’s F/W 2020 show last week and offered its share of sartorial talking points. Michele staged a show in the round, exposing the behind-the-scenes action of the hair and makeup teams and the model dressers at work as they prepared the 60 cast members in their looks. As models were dressed in fuzzy knee-high socks, puffy ruffled lace dresses (dying!), sleek new bags, and preppy skirts, the most noticeable, eye-catching detail were tears and streaks of dark makeup running down her cheeks. The waterproof version is obviously not out yet:-) …

TO SHOP THE NEW GUCCI MASCARA ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: @ Gucci Beauty and via Vogue.com
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

This spring, all eyes are on CHANEL! The new mascara LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL is definitely something you shouldn’t miss. Why is that?

Two years ago, CHANEL shook up the beauty world with LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL mascara, equipped with the first 3D-printed brush marketed on an industrial scale – a first in the mascara world. It was an immediate hit with women worldwide and hasn’t dropped out of the Top 5 bestsellers in Europe since its launch (Presence in the Top 5 in Europe only, in the Top 20 in the UK and the US).

Launched in 2018: LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL

Today, CHANEL uses innovation to enhance beauty once again with LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL. It reveals a new brush that visibly extends lash length while offering perfectly controlled volume. With 3D printing by ERPRO 3D Factory, a start-up specialized in this technology, the frontiers of product design are pushed even further. By precisely crafting a unique, tailor-made brush, this was the only approach that could technically translate the creative concept defined by CHANEL in order to respond to new awaited makeup benefits. The mascara brush of LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL is protected by four patent applications.

Launched in 2020: the new LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL

Resulting from a close collaboration between the Packaging Innovation and Research teams, the Makeup Creation Studio and CHANEL Research, the new LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL mascara brush unveils an elegant, streamlined and curved shape that is extremely precise: five branches of two rows of bristles arranged in an elliptical shape with a micro-cavity at the center. This feat was only possible with 3D technology. A simplified approach was taken for a lighter and more flexible brush. With its elastic shape memory, it bends and stretches in all directions before returning to its original form. Ergonomic, it fills with mascara in an instant and delivers it just as intuitively. This brush is as easy to use as it was complex to design. With its perfectly crafted structure, it features an organization of bristles arranged precisely down to the last millimeter. The size of the bristles adapts to the elliptical shape for application in two steps: the longest bristles, at the center, grip and brush each lash by stretching them over their entire length, while the shortest bristles at the tips coat them evenly with the black formula, stroke by stroke. In other words, the work of two brushes in a single tool. This brush was created by printing successive layers of a polyamide powder derived from castor seeds (a bio-sourced material of vegetal origin) and then polymerized with a laser beam.

A mascara with a brush from another world…

The numerous trials carried out to finalize the brush also made it possible to adjust the most important factor: the affinity between the mascara formula and the tool. Thanks to this perfect balance, ensuring an ultra-effective tailor-made result, LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL unites volume and length without compromise. The formula is based on a perfect balance between natural-origin waxes for impeccable glide, stunning curve and a stretch effect. Candelilla wax coats lashes, while carnauba wax ensures magnetic shine. Jojoba esters guarantee the suppleness of the stretch-effect formula and beeswax promises perfect adhesion all day long. Like a latex film, the polymers spread out the lashes in a fan shape. Finally, cellulose coated with ultra-dark «carbon black» pigments envelops lashes and improves their density. Perfectly shaped and covered in black, lashes are extended to the max for eyes that look more wideopen than ever before.
LE VOLUME STRETCH DE CHANEL – CHF 48.00

A perfectly controlled line
New to the eye makeup family, LE LINER DE CHANEL comes in seven shades, including four limited-edition colors. In a simple and understated black tube, this liquid eyeliner hides a soft, extra-thin felt tip. With this flexible tip, this precision advantage helps stylize eyes in a single step with no risk of smudges. It’s never been so simple to show off eyes that look bigger and more wide-open than ever!
Its formula contains a polymer, inspired and derived from latex technology, that sets in the blink of an eye. It guarantees impeccable smudgeproof hold and a waterproof effect that lasts until evening.

Classic shades
512 Noir Profond: a deep black
514 Ultra Brun: a rich brown
516 Rouge Noir: a rich plum

Temporary shades
518 Mauve Métal: a metallic lilac
522 Bronze Doré: an intense caramel bronze
524 Gris Argent: a metallic silver gray
526 Bleu Cobalt: a navy blue
LE LINER DE CHANEL – CHF 48.00

Enhanced structure
It is often said that eyebrows structure the eyes. A good reason to define their shape with LA PALETTE SOURCILS, which unites two textures and four accessories to precisely groom each hair. On the left, a matte wax sculpts and colors the brow line. On the right, a powder softens this result for a more natural finish. Two brushes are included, as well as a spiral brush for more definition and mini tweezers to adjust brow shape hair by hair. It comes in three harmonies for all women, offering a natural makeup result that surpasses perfection.

Shades
01 Light
02 Medium
03 Dark
LA PALETTE SOURCILS – CHF 64.00

In stores in the beginning of March 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL

The two iconic Parisian brands are joining forces to introduce a makeup collection like no other. KARL LAGERFELD and L’Oreal Paris are pleased to announce an unprecedented collection of beauty products, featuring feminine shades with a sophisticated, rock-chic touch. It is one of the last projects of Karl Lagerfeld‘s life as the makeup collection was initiated by him before his passing on February 19.

Another homage to the couturier and connected by their Parisian heritage, both KARL LAGERFELD and L’Oreal Paris share a vision based on elegance, style and relentless innovation. As Karl once said, «Tomorrow I could be the opposite of what I am today» — which is also the idea this collaboration invites women to explore.

The striking campaign was inspired by Karl’s most iconic quotes. It features the inimitable Helen Mirren, Doutzen Kroes, Liya Kedebe, Ming Xi, Luma Grothe, Louise Bourgoin and Soo Joo Park.

Eyeshadow Palette – CHF 23.90
Eyeliner Matte Signature – CHF 20.90
Mascara – CHF 23.90
Highlighter Duo Compact – CHF 23.90
Colour Riche Lipsticks – CHF 21.90

In Switzerland, the limited edition Karl Lagerfeld x L’Oréal Paris collection will be in stores end of October 2019, exclusively at Manor.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © L’Oréal

This week was National Lash Day that is observed annually on February 19. The reason why I didn’t post it on the actual day was the passing of Karl Lagerfeld. So what do we celebrate on that day? Very simple… our love and need for true and false eyelashes, a day we honor our lashes that are a key staple to every makeup look and beauty enthusiast. Moreover eyelashes are essential for our health, as they help keep dirt or substances from entering our eyes and aid in preventing infections.

Billions of mascaras are sold every year at counters and department stores around the world. For obvious reasons, lashes have always been known to make your eyes pop and stand out from the crowd. It might be the simplest make-up step, but it makes all the difference.

My avid readers know that I am a huge fan of the thickening and strengthening Mascara So Intense, and my daughter loves the curling Mascara So Curl, but now comes a new product by Sisley’s Laboratories: So Volume. An ultra-volumizing mascara that gives an oversize effect while making eyelashes denser, stronger and more beautiful day after day.

Here are some facts why this mascara is so special and makes XXL sweeping lashes:

1.  For the first time, Sisley has combined two types of volumizing (Polymeric microbeads and Silica microspheres) to coat and thicken lashes, giving them instant, uniform volume from root to tip. They are covered in a sheathing Carnauba wax film to produce a sculptural, curled effect.
Meanwhile the volumizing polymer creates an enveloping, film-forming texture that intensely boosts lashes and enhances the volume effect.

2. The So Volume formula incorporates a cocktail of beneficial active ingredients that acts on both the lash and the root to give stronger, longer, denser, more beautiful and resistant lashes after just four weeks of use. With the help of a Vitamin peptide formed of three amino acids and Vitamin H, lashes are visibly longer and thicker. Great news is that it also helps to boost their anchorage (in-vitro test on the active ingredient), preventing eyelash loss during make-up removal. Due to the toning and revitalizing action of Arginine, it even promotes follicle growth.

3. The professional brush is extra-large for an easy application to achieve increased volume in a few seconds from the very first coat.

Do I need to convince you more? A make-up step that is actually a beauty treatment for your lashes. The new So Volume mascara from Sisley is #LASHGOALS!

My personal feedback: So Volume works best when I only apply mascara due to its amazing clump-free and flake-free 3-D effect. It is a great product for an every day make-up. Lashes become more dense and revitalized, more beautiful day after day.

For a smokey eyes look, I still prefer my So Intense as I adore how precisely lashes are defined. I personally also prefer the slim brush. In general, Sisley mascaras are the best on the market, it is up to you which one you prefer… and I am not getting paid for saying this!

So Volume is available in three shades: Deep Black / Deep Blue / Deep Brown
CHF 62.00

TO SHOP SISLEY MASCARAS ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sisley

I am having such a lash obsession this fall with the launch of ESTÉE LAUDER‘s Pure Color Envy Lash Collection. You might ask why this new launch is so special. Here is the answer.

This brand new mascara – Pure Color Envy Lash Multi Effects Mascara (CHF 39.00) – comes with a dual hybrid brush that is said to do the work of three mascaras with just one twist. It has two sides – a nylon fibre bristle side which builds full on volume and lift to the lashes, and a silicone moulded side to provide limitless length and separation. You can use both sides at one for the full effect or just one side for a custom-made look. The mascara also nourishes your lashes.

But all those advantages or the waterproof version are not the reason why I am so excited about this launch. It is the coloured versions in purple, blue and green that I like so much along with the limited edition Crystal Lash Top Coat (CHF 35.00) that offers liquid pearls that surround lashes with a multi-faceted lighting effect that adds extra sparkle to your eyes. You will also love it!

If you are at the Estée Lauder counter, get also a bottle of the new Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix (CHF 88.00/15ml) This worldwide first ultra-nourishing, skin strengthening formula with an innovative 360° Matrix Technology gives eyes a fresh, “wide-open” look.

I am using it right now and it absolutely reduces the look of lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. Moreover it intensely nourishes with the help of hyaluronic acid. I apply it morning and evenings with the included massaging applicator by gently rolling it under each eye three times. Then I massage it in a 360° circle under the eye area and above the lid and finish it off by patting the rest with my finger until it is fully absorbed.

All products are available now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Estée Lauder

My avid reader know how much I love Sisley‘s So Intense Mascara. But I have to admit, it has gotten competition.

«Brazen. Bold. Bad, bad, bad.» A new way to give your lashes the attention they deserve thanks to M∙A∙C Bold & Bad Lash. This revolutionary mascara is the ultimate product to create a 360-degree lash look from top to bottom. The dual-chamber package contains a brush for upper lashes, a brush for lower lashes AND different formulas in each. The larger brush delivers customized volume to the top, while the smaller brush creates smudge-proof definition to the bottom. Start a lash revolution!

Available online and in stores now for CHF 31.00!
LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics
@MACCosmetics #MACBoldnBAD #MACCosmetics

At the moment, I really like to put the emphasize on my eyes when it comes to make-up with voluminous lashes and a bold eyeliner. As if Lancôme read my mind, their newest product launch Monsieur Big is catering to this demand.

A new mascara with a best kept secret! It is the equation of a big, soft brush and an ultra black, volumizing and long wearing formula that makes it different. Get ready to meet your match, and forget all the others!

What it is:
This BIG volume mascara delivers instant heart-stopping volume with up to 24 hour wear that lasts all night, and even the morning after, for your biggest, blackest, boldest lashes yet.

What it does:
You’ll know Monsieur Big Mascara is the one at first stroke. The BIG brush and ultra-creamy formula glides like silk onto lashes to deliver up to 12x more volume* with up to 24 hour wear. No touch-ups, flaking and smudging. Perfect for your BIG evening out AND even the morning after.

BEFORE…

…AFTER – 12x more volume than bare lashes.

What else you need to know:
Monsieur Big’s brush has a unique shape with soft, wavy fibers to deliver the perfect amount of formula with the very first stroke. His ultra-creamy formula has supple waxes and polymers to adhere immediately to lashes for BIG, buildable volume and length. Apply one coat and you will see why Monsieur Big is the one. Keep applying and you’ll forget all the others.

Monsieur Big is accompanied by a marker for the perfect line and a brow stick that is available in different shades.

Mascara CHF 35.00
Marker CHF 35.00
Brow CHF 34.00
00 Highlighter 01 Blonde 02 Chestnut 03 Brown 04 Ebony

In stores now! I am sure that you have found THE ONE!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme
#LancomeOfficial

Giorgio Armani‘s beautiful ROUGE & BLACK ECSTASY collection is inspired by two of the most prominent colors: red and black. Strong and seductive, those shades are made for the Femme Fatale inside you.

I love the Rouge Ecstasy lipstick collection with its lightweight yet pigment-rich texture. Now there are three bold and vibrant new shades, all with oriental names.

ROUGE ECSTASY CHF 56.00
#404 Spice – #405 Orient – #406 Sultan (pictured) – (all Limited Edition).

All shades are also available as matte lip lacquers – LIP MAESTRO CHF 51.00 (#404 Spice pictured).

Part of this elegant collection is the new Black Ecstasy Mascara. Its high-tech technology that contains a black hosting polymer helps you to achieve thicker, longer and intensified lashes in a single stroke. Available in 4 different shades.

BLACK ECSTASY CHF 51.00
#01 Obsidian Black (pictured) – #02 Armani Navy (Limited Edition) – #03 Wood – #04 Tadzio (Limited Edition).

In Switzerland, the new collection will be launched in September 2014. The perfect products for sensual red lips and dramatic black lashes. Love this collection and I am sure that you will, too!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Giorgio Armani

First launched in 1982, CHANEL‘s Les 4 Ombres, the ultimate cult palettes for the eyes, have enjoyed a tremendous success over all those years. In 2014, a new chapter is added with 8 new quads inspired by the house’s famous tweeds, the fabric Coco Chanel loved so much. Each palette contains four eye shadows, of which each represents a colored tweed thread.

I have been a huge fan of these products and was all excited to try the new ones. Just one word, they are amazing and offer everything your little beauty addict heart desires.

Just like the house’s iconic tweed jacket, these palettes can be worn in many different ways to create natural, intense, almond-shaped or smokey eyes! At the end of this post, you can find the tutorials for each of those looks, created with Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tissé Vénitien.

Les 4 Ombres – CHF 77.00

202 Tisse Camelia
204 Tisse Vendôme
208 Tisse Gabrielle
214 Tisse Mademoiselle
224 Tisse Riviera
226 Tisse Rivoli
228 Tisse Cambon
232 Tisse Vénitien (see below)

Stylo Yeux Waterproof – CHF 35.00

905 Smoky Grey
906 Marron Glace
908 Iris
909 Bleu Metallique

Le Volume Waterproof – CHF 47.00

10 Noir
20 Brun
30 Vert Grise

Available in Europe (including Switzerland) starting Mid Mars 2014.
And now enjoy the tutorials on a sunny Sunday afternoon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Chanel