Sandra‘s Closet

A dear friend of mine asked me for advice as her favorite skin perfector had been discontinued. For her,  it was important that the product(s) delivered light coverage, sheer complexion, and a beautiful glow. Immediately, I thought of this unbeatable combination that I love to use as well, especially in the summer.

SISLEY Phyto Hydra Teint Beautifying Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

What it is: A tinted moisturizer that combines the effectiveness of a daily skin care product with a veil of color, all in one. Available in three shades, I wear Teint 2.

What it does: Its fresh, glide-on, very light texture melts into your skin to deliver a natural, perfecting result and a bare-skin effect. It contains a healthy skin ingredient cocktail to help even, correct and illuminate your skin while a beauty booster complex provides hydration and perfection to skin. Day after day, your skin’s texture appears more refined and your complexion’s radiance is boosted.

How to use: Apply using your fingertips or a fluid foundation brush, using light strokes all over the face.

DR. BARBARA STURM Glow Drops

What it is: A skin care formula designed to make your complexion glow, providing deep hydration, nourishment and pore refinement.

What it does: The potent anti-aging compounds in Glow Drops perfect skin quality and health, while the long-term glow comes from ingredients like purslane, bisorta root, rosa canina and sweet almond oil.

How to use: Use as a finisher to your skin care regimen and as a touchup throughout the day. Place a pipette length of formula in the palm of your hand and spread over your face, eye area and neck, gently patting in. Apply following your moisturizer for a lit-from-within glow, over your makeup or combine with your preferred skin care regimen.

I hope you will like them as much as I do.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Let me introduce you to my favorite body lotion at the moment. SISLEY‘s ‘Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion‘ is a lightweight cream that easily absorbs into the body without residue. It’s blended with Black Rose, Camelina Oil, and White Ginger to deeply moisturize and soothe. With regular use, it’ll help to maintain the skin’s natural elasticity.

It smells very subtly and wonderfully of damask rose while providing the natural radiance and suppleness of youthful skin.

To shop the SISLEY Black Rose Beautifying Body Emulsion, click here please.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht / Sisley Paris
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Beauty fridges? Of course you need one! A skincare fridge keeps your makeup and facial products cooled which is prolonging their shelf life and increasing absorption. Furthermore, it is very practical to have your products close by so that you don’t need to run to your kitchen fridge to get them as I used to do before.

 Designed in sleek black just for Net-à-Porter, or in a girly pink, the Beauty Fridge has plenty of space for your top picks, plus two removable shelves for organization and extra storage on the door. It includes hot and cold settings, depending your needs.

But what should you store in your beauty fridge? Not just what looks good on instagram, actually. Here is my personal list of favorites:

FACIAL TOOLS
Rose Quartz Face Roller by Omorovicza
Facial rolling is an age-old technique used to sculpt features and stimulate lymphatic drainage.

SHEET MASKS
The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask by La Mer
Sheet masks kept in the fridge make for the ultimate hangover cure. You can do the same with your eye mask patches, making them ultra-cooling and de-puffing.

FACE MISTS
Pure Rosewater by Chantecaille
Rich in antioxidants that help tired skin look more youthful, there’s no doubt that keeping this face mist cool will make it feel more refreshing and skin-tightening.

DAY CREAM
Moisturizer With Cucumber by Sisley Paris
Known for its refreshing properties, this skin-balancing moisturizer is infused with cucumber to restore hydration levels, giving your complexion a visible boost within half an hour. Storing it in the fridge will double the effect. Keep some fresh cucumber slices in the fridge to put them on your eyes for 5-10 minutes, this will work wonders.

PROBIOTIC SKINCARE
Overnight Recovery Mask by Aurelia Probiotic Skincare
I recommend probiotic skincare to be refrigerated to extend the life of the bacteria. This overnight mask works to repair hidden damage while you sleep, leaving your complexion nourished and more luminous.

NAIL POLISH
Nail Color by Christian Louboutin Beauty
Mum’s old trick works wonders. Keeping nail polish in the fridge will maintain the stability of the formula, preventing it separating and going all gloopy.

Happy Weekend!

LoL, Sandra

 Photos: Via The Beauty Fridge – Stills: Courtesy of the Brands
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise. 

Great news! SISLEY introduces a new mascara, called «So Stretch». After injecting intensity with my all-time favorite «So Intense», creating curves with «So Curl», and building density with «So Volume», SISLEY is launching a new «So», with the «So Stretch» formula, which shapes and coats lashes and enhances their beauty, length and vitality, leaving them longer, denser, stronger, and more beautiful, day after day. This new care-infused triple-action mascara lengthens, separates and shapes lashes instantly and flawlessly for a wide-eyed result.

With a single application, each lash receives just the right amount of product. Enriched with Bamboo powder and Beeswax, the lightweight, elastic texture of «So Stretch» instantly extends lashes to open up the eyes. In the blink of an eye, the lashes are coated from root to tip. The Beeswax contained in the formula works to effortlessly separate each lash for a clump-free, fanned-out result.

The shaping, sculpting and curling properties of Carnauba wax amplify the intensity of the eyes and promise lightweight, long-lasting volume. The lashes are lifted but never overloaded, giving a sophisticated, elegant and natural finish.

Specially designed to enhance the performance of the formula, the «So Stretch» mascara brush‘s supple, triangular fibres catch the lash fringe and coat it in mascara, separating even the smallest, finest eyelashes and reaching the most inaccessible corners. The long bristles ensure optimum lash separation and give an ultra-defined result that opens up the eyes.

Immediately from the first coat, the lashes are infused with the many benefits of different active ingredients. In addition to boosting length and intensity, the formula of «So Stretch» strengthens and nourishes eyelashes and contributes to proper growth. Enriched with softening Castor oil and Damask Rose, the new mascara leaves lashes supple and silky. With repeated application, they become longer, thicker and more resistant.

Personally speaking, I am still a huge fan of «So Intense», but I love to use the «So Stretch» as the final touch because it makes the lashes look extremely long and defined. A perfect combination for me.

The new «So Stretch» mascara is available in 3 shades:
Deep Black, Deep Brown, and Deep Blue, for CHF 62.00 each from February 2, 2020.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © SISLEY

Having a spa day at home can be just as relaxing and beautifying as a day spent somewhere expensive. Pick a day when you won’t have any interruptions, turn off your mobile phone, and light some candles to set the scene. Use a body scrub to completely exfoliate your arms, legs, and torso. Your skin will feel soft, smooth and healthy when you get out of the shower. Follow with deep nourishing and a self tanner to achieve a glow as if you just came back from a beach holiday. Enjoy those new and innovative products below that have just been launched this spring.

LoL, Sandra

LA MER The Renewal Body Oil Balm
One of my favorite new products! A lightly scented hydrating body balm that melts into a silken body oil on contact to create hydrated glowing skin all over.

LIERAC Body-Hydra Micropeeling
This innovative micropeeling scrub hydrates and plumps the skin while providing it with a gentle exfoliating action. Infused with two forms of hyaluronic acid, as well as repairing silicium, it re-firms and re-plumps the skin, leaving it radiant and renewed. I personally love its smell.

HAIR RITUEL BY SISLEY Color Perfecting Shampoo
I don’t have grey hair yet and don’t colour my hair but I have many girlfriends who truly suffer that they cannot go to the hair dresser at the moment. Therefore I recommend this shampoo that is designed to gently cleanse and care for colored and highlighted hair. The color is prolonged and doesn’t fade after repeated washes.

SISLEY Self Tanning Hydrating Body Skin Care
SISLEY Self Tanning Hydrating Facial Skin Care
Get a summer glow while enjoying your home office. Those two new self-tanners come with a fresh and pleasant fragrance, and are enriched with moisturizing active ingredients, to give the skin a lasting golden glow. From the very first application, they provide a natural-looking tan (even on light skin). To achieve optimum results on your body, use the velvet tan applicator mitt provided with the product.

CLARINS Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté
Inspired by the movement of the sunflower’s stem, Clarins Laboratories combined sunflower extracts – unsaponifiables obtained from the seed and auxins obtained from the stem – to visibly improve the elasticity and firmness of the flexible neck and décolleté area, boosting the skin’s resistance to daily bending and rotating while protecting against premature signs of aging.

VALMONT Primary Pomade
Created to provide intense nourishment for even the driest skin, this next-generation balm plunges deep into the epidermis to replenish and soften dry or flaky skin. The skin is smooth, soft, feels comfortable, and heals faster after an aggression. You can use it on the face – I personally love putting it on my elbows, feet and knees.

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and © Sandra Bauknecht

Makeup for midnight – Bring in the New Year beautifully! From epic parties to more low-key hangouts, New Year’s Eve is one time of year when going all-out with your beauty look is always appreciated. Here are some great products for you to consider:

The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20 by La Mer
For the perfect complexion. My tip: Use it as body makeup – just add a few drops to your body lotion and massage onto your arms, legs and décolletage.

Blur Expert Powder by Sisley
My all time favorite: this powder gives you the same airbrushed finish as your favorite Instagram filter, but in real life.

Eye-Conic Longwear Eyeshadow Palette – Glambition 720 by Marc Jacobs Beauty
An amazing neutral eyeshadow palette for New Year’s Eve.

See-quins Glam Glitter Eyeshadow – Blitz Glitz 92 by Marc Jacobs Beauty
Inspired by the shimmery luster of sequins, this smooth, blendable formula washes lids in multi-dimensional shine.

SPF15 Baume De Rose Lip Care by By Terry
Bursting with nourishing ingredients and glossy without being sticky – I love everything about this  cult-favorite. Simply dab it on to instantly soothe and plump your lips or mix it with your favorite lipstick color.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

Ladies, today is International Lipstick Day and this is your chance to win a SISLEY Le Phyto Rouge Lipstick that celebrates its one year anniversary today.

What makes SISLEY Le Photo Rouge so special?

It is its intensity of a lipstick combined with a balm-like sensation in an exceptional skin care formula and a stunning packaging that makes it a real beauty accessory. Thanks to the «Hydrobooster Complex» composed of microspheres of hyaluronic acid and konjac glucomannans, lips are immediately plumped up, voluptuous and smoothed.

I love SISLEY Le Photo Rouge in 10 Beige Jaipur.

What do you have to do to win one of five lipsticks?

To participate, please send me an e-mail with your postal address and the header «INTERNATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY» to . All entries must be received until August 2, 2019. No purchase or payment of any kind is necessary to enter or win this contest. By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these official rules. The winner has to have a Swiss address. Good luck!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of SISLEY Paris and © Sandra Bauknecht

Today’s post is dedicated to my favorite facial summer 2019 sunscreens that will protect your skin from harmful rays with these trusty products that work as make-up or do their job without. They won’t make you look pale or will clog your pores, but they will prevent your skin from aging through the sun.

Let’s start with the basics. The number on the container means it will last times that amount it takes your skin to burn in the sun. For example, if you’re a whiter shade of pale and it takes five minutes for you to feel the burn, and you have an SPF 15 on, you’re going to last 75 minutes before you need to reapply. So keep a handy reinforcement in your bag to keep topping up as the number is individual to the wearer. Check in with yourself to see what fits throughout the day.

Personally speaking, I love these cushions. Healthy glow make-up, that you can take with you wherever you go this summer thanks to their travel-friendly packaging. In the blink of an eye, the complexion is warmed up and corrected with a lightweight, non-cakey finish. Applied all over the face or in touch-ups, it instantly creates an endlessly buildable, glowing natural tan, while offering sun protection.

GUERLAIN Fresh Bronzing Fluid Make-up
Buildable sun-kissed glow – SPF 20 (available in two shades, I wear «natural») – CHF 40.00

CLARINS Mineral Sun Care Compact
Enriched with antioxidants –  SPF 30 (universal nude beige) – CHF 45.00

SHISEIDO Sports BB Compact
Very water-resistant – SPF 50 (available in three shades, I wear «medium») – CHF 43.20

For a more classical application to protect your facial skin, I recommend these products that also work perfectly under foundation without leaving your skin pale and white. Both provide instant hydration and long-lasting comfort for face, neck and décolleté. Skin’s youthfulness is preserved at all times.

CHANEL UV Essentiel Complete Protection
UV – Pollution – Antiox – SPF 50 – CHF 68.00

SISLEY Super Stick Solaire Teinté
Tinted sun care – very high protection – SFP 50 – CHF 70.00

Better looking skin starts with healthy habits. Therefore I recommend LA ROCHE-POSAY’s wearable sensor and the companion app to measure your exposure to UV, pollution, pollen and humidity. No battery is needed. You will get personalized advice and product recommendations as well, a skincare regimen tailored to you.

LA ROCHE-POSAY My Skin Track UV
Available on apple.com – CHF 69.95

LA ROCHE-POSAY Anthelios Shaka Fluide 
Invisible ultra-resistant for sensible skin – SPF 50 – CHF 31.90

Wishing you a beautiful and wrinkle-free summer!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The skin around the eyes is the most hard-working part of the face – we blink up to 28,000 times a day – but it can also be fragile and under-nourished. Here are the best eye creams and treatments to strengthen this sensitive area.

THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIAL
The Eye Concentrate by La Mer
This light, deeply conditioning cream comes with an applicator that doubles as a massager. Use the cool metal tip from the inner corner of the eyes outwards to get rid of puffiness.

THE DAILY ANTI-AGER
Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix by Estée Lauder
This lightweight eye serum tackles all the major problems that we have around the eyes: puffiness, dark circles, dry and crepey skin. The skin around the eye doesn’t produce natural oils, so the high dosage of hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates before applying your eye cream – and don’t be fooled by the name, you can use it in the mornings, too.

THE MASK
Eye Contour Mask by Sisley Paris
One of my favorites as you’ll see instant results from the first use! Apply a thick layer of this transparent gel and gently tissue off 10 minutes later to look refreshed, rested and rejuvenated. 

MASK ON THE GO
All Natural Retinol Infused Eye Mask by KNC Beauty
I always have them in my pocket and take them on my trips. Playfully shaped like shooting stars, they’re infused with retinol to improve texture and stimulate blood flow. The plumping collagen, soothing aloe and moisturizing hyaluronic acid help reduce swelling and diminish dark circles in no time.THE DE-PUFFER
Eye Express Radiance Ice Cubes by Anne Semonin
Perfect ahead of a big event or to counter the effects of jetlag, these clever cubes use cryotherapy to refresh tired eyes. Keep them in the freezer for at least three hours before use, remove the cube and gently run along the contours of your eyes. The freezing temperature firms the skin and helps to eliminate toxins and lessen the effects of eating too much salt or a night of drinking a few too many mojitos.

THE GADGET
SpectraLite EyeCare Pro by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet are reduced by 72 LED lights penetrating the skin to stimulate collagen production. Use for two weeks, three minutes per day, for noticeable results.

THE COVER UP
The Cure Sheer Eye Cream & Concealer by Natura Bissé
This multitasker, infused with water lily and caffeine, acts as an anti-aging eye cream and a concealer. The perfect mix of skincare and coverage, it goes on like a lightweight foundation while the added serum brightens and hydrates.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

This summer, CLARINS and SISLEY have come up with the cutest packaging as well as with sweetest products. Get ready for some candy action…

CLARINS

Catch’ Light Stick Rosy Glow CHF 27.00 (6g)
In one easy step, tis smooth, refreshing highlighter stick leaves behind a veil of light. Can be used on its own or over make-up. Lights up the complexion instantly.

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector Rose Pearl CHF 27.00 (12ml)
The ideal candy-flavored lip perfecto for perfectly smooth, luminous lips with subtle natural-looking colour. This softly textured gel formula moisturizes, repairs and protects day by day.

Hand and Nail Treatment Cream CHF 13.00 (30ml)
My favorite hand cream in general comes now in the cutest travel size packaging in three too-die-for scents (available in Jasmine, Neroli and Magnolia). Acting like an «invisible glove», it protects while leaving hands never sticky.

Bronzing Compact Poudre Soleil CHF 59.00 (17g)
Pink flamingos and palm trees decorated this beautiful limited edition sun compact.

SISLEY
Ecological Compound CHF 231.00 (125ml)
This limited edition glass bottle is embellished with red and pink flowers. Inside is the famous fluid, a rich complex of balancing, toning and stimulating plant extracts that helps to fight environmental damage.

Photo Lip Delight Pretty CHF 50.00 (6ml)
This newly launched light, transparent make-up immediately brightens the lips, highlights their natural beauty and enhances them day after day. Available in three shades, Cool, Pretty and Sweet.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht