Sandra‘s Closet

Finally, summer has arrived in Switzerland and I couldn’t be any happier about it. I spent the last sunny days like probably most of you outside and really got impatient to get a nice tan. Here is a post dedicated to my favorite beauty musts for the sun. Whether you want to look slightly sun-kissed or savagely tanned, these bronzers and spray tanning products will deliver.

Especially on your first day at the beach (like me above in Maui – Happy 4th of July to my American readers by the way!!!), you don’t want to look too pale, so you better start getting organized now…

ALL YEAR AROUND
LANCÔME Flash Bronzer Self-Tanner Gel gives you the perfect glow in a record application.
CHF 45.00 (50ml)
GUERLAIN Terracotta Sunless Tinted Self-Tanning Gel smells well and gives you a golden skin tone in a second.
CHF 72.00 (150ml)
GUERLAIN Terracotta Sun Celebration La Lacque Couleur in 602 Tonka Impériale. This limited edition nail polish has the perfect shade to match your summer tan.
CHF 37.00

BEFORE TANNING – SUN PROTECTION
BIOTHERM Brume Solair Dry Touch SPF 30. I love this ultra-sheer, oil-free and waterproof sun protection spray for the body that leaves a dry and matte touch.
CHF 39.00 (200ml)
SISLEY SUNLEŸA G.E. Age Minimizing Sun Care SPF 30 is the “Rolls-Royce” among the sun protection products and I love using it specially for my face. It is waterproof, protects and also minimizes the signs of aging.
CHF 245.00 (50ml)

AFTER SUN CARE
GUERAIN Terracotta After Sun Cream prolongs your tan and restores comfort to the skin after a day in the sun.
CHF 72.00
SISLEY SUNLEŸA Age Minimizing After-Sun Care is the best product to minimize aging due to sun exposure. It hydrates and cools your face. I like to use it as a mask.
CHF 207.00 (50ml)

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Sisley Paris has been launching many amazing new products lately and their new Phyto-Lip Twist shades will be no exception. Giving lips a deep, luscious colour while moisturizing them at the same time, I am amazed how easy the application is and how long they stay on.

It’s up to you how you want to wear them as a one-time application gives a sheer colour while for an intense and opaque coverage you can easily build up the colour. And great news is that you don’t need to sharpen them, just twist the end… I always carry one in my bag.

In Switzerland available in 6 colors (1 Nude, 2 Baby, 3 Peach, 4 Pinky, 5 Berry and 6 Cherry) from February 2014 for CHF 45.00 each.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Sisley

Flying, time difference, being sleep-deprived, and not eating the healthiest food is stress for your body which shows in your face. But it is common practice during NYFW. Due to the weight limit for the luggage on the plane, I like to take as less as possible with me. Here are some beauty products that work their magic instantly to make sure you look like coming from a spa treatment, nothing more needed.

RODIAL Glam Balm™ Hand

This innovative cream gently repairs, protects and moisturises skin. It is wonderfully scented, reminiscent of almonds and coconuts, like a mini holiday at the beach. Perfect to comfort you if you cannot fall asleep because of your jet-lag. Exclusively available in Switzerland at Marionnaud. CHF 63.00

CLINIQUE Moisture Surge Overnight Mask

Drinking lots of water is indispensable for a radiant complexion. But you can also replenish lost moisture (perfect after a long flight) by using this creamy, oil-free, penetrating night mask which helps skin drink deep to build reserves for the next day. All night long, it soothes and nourishes  so that you wake up with soft, dewy, glowing skin. CHF 52.00 (100ml)

SISLEY Eau Efficace Démaquillant Doux

This product is perfect for travelling as it combines three cleansing steps in one. You can remove your face and eye make-up, cleanse and tone the skin in one single sweep. CHF 105.00 (300ml)

SHISEIDO Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream

A powerful time-fighting cream for day and night that is formulated with Rose Apple Leaf Extract to protect skin from harmful environmental aggressors and maintain youthful looking skin. Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid N supplies a high level of moisture which helps maintain a positive cycle in the skin. Perfect for travelling! CHF 152.00 (50ml)

This post is available in German and French on the Marionnaud blog.

LoL, Sandra

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

One product for three steps that I couldn’t live without! To remove face and eye make-up, cleanse and tone the skin in one single sweep, Sisley has created Eau Efficace, a gentle, sensory, high-performance and non-rinse cleansing lotion.
The ideal product for busy women… and to take away for holidays!

Eau Efficace Démaquillant Doux – CHF 105.00
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Sisley

LUISAVIAROMA‘s Firenze4Ever was once again an outstanding experience. The sun was shining, blue sky over Florence and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Below are some backstage impressions and a little teaser of my photo shoot with Tommaso Fontanella.

A goody bag filled with amazing products from the likes of MCM and Sisley (my favourite mascara) among others waited for me.

LUISAVIAROMA goes punk!

Being interviewed by the lovely Kelly for Glamour and Vogue Italia.

My F/W 2013 selection: Fausto Puglisi, Emanuel Ungaro and Givenchy…

Tommaso showing me the first pics.

Very happy with the result of the shoot: Tom, Anna and me.
Stay tuned for the style labs coming up soon! Missing Florence already…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

As promised, here is the makeup tutorial for emerald eyes. The Pantone Colour of the Year 2013 looks gorgeous on nearly every eye colour.

Products used to create the look:

1 CHANEL Stylo Eyeshadow 47 Blue Bay
2 DIOR 5 Coleurs Eye Shadow 374 Blue Lagoon
3 MAC Eye Shadow Vanilla Velvet
4 DIOR Diorshow Liner Waterproof Aqua Green
5 SHISEIDO The Makeup Eyebrow and Eyeliner Compact BL3 Light Brown
6 ANASTASIA Brow Gel Clear
7 SISLEY So Intense Mascara Black
8 CHANEL Mascara Inimitable Waterproof 37 Lime Light
9 CHANEL Lèvres Scintillantes/Glossimer 427 Envolée

Brushes: BOBBI BROWN Angle Eye Shadow Brush and MAC Brush 228

And here you go:

To complement the emerald green eyes, I like to wear apricot hues on the lips. My favourite at the moment is CHANEL Glossimer 427 Envolée from the new summer look (available in Switzerland end of May 2013).

Hope that you have enjoyed that makeup tutorial! Happy Sunday!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The best eye concealer ever! Personally speaking, the house of Sisley has surprised me lately with every single new launch. Having invested a lot in their research program, they have come up with some amazing new products. Do you remember the BOTANICAL D-TOX for the face or the new SO INTENSE mascara?

PHYTO CERNES ECLAT has hit the shelves this spring. This concealer is the first one that truly works its magic, by covering every sign of fatigue without looking too caked on. In the contrary, it is smoothing out fine lines, giving the whole area under the eye a boost, making it look radiant and fresh by instantly masking dark circles. My eye contour area feels moisturized upon application. What a treat!

Available for CHF 91.00 (15ml) in three different shades.
TO SHOP, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Sisley

The last weeks have been incredible, I had so many amazing experiences, wonderful travels and endless parties. One thing that went missing though was sleep. So skin is attacked, its natural defenses are weakened and wrinkles set in. Don’t we all need a little rescuing sometimes? Therefore I would like to show you the three products that helped me look kind of fresh every morning. I like to keep my beauty savers easy and handy, here we go:

BOTANICAL D-TOX by Sisley

This product is a life saver! At times of stress or extreme tiredness, this powerful one month night treatment program enriched with detoxifying plant extracts refreshes the skin, as if it has been replenished by a good night’s sleep.
In 4 weeks, the face looks rested, skin regains its glow and energy.

CHF 209.00 (30ml)

PRODIGY POWERCELL EYE URGENCY by Helena Rubinstein

Those SOS eye patches work real magic, having an instant de-puffing, smoothing and lifting effect in one. It is a true luxury and sensorial feeling to put them on as they feel like a second skin due to Bio-cellulose that fusions with the skin. Your immediate anti-fatigue booster.

CHF 164.00 (6 pack), CHF 33.00 (1 pack)

TOP SECRETS TOUCHE EXPPRESS WAKE-UP EYECARE by Yves Saint Laurent

Perfect for on-the go rescue! It helps you fight puffiness and dark circles. Its smoothing emulsion is enriched with arnica, known for its decongesting and microcirculation activating properties. I love the draining action of this roll-on applicator. Regain a radiant look in a flash.

CHF 70.00 (2.5ml)

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht, Stills: Courtesy of Sisley, Helena Rubinstein and YSL

The beginning of 2013 marks the launches of many new mascaras. As you know, I went to Paris for the new DIORSHOW ICONIC CURL which I absolutely love. Mascaras are such an individual product. Therefore it is hard to recommend one as everybody applies it differently and a formula or brush that works best for me might not be applicable for you. So here is my IT-LIST (from left to right) with comments. I am sure, you will find one that suits your lashes best.

BEST CURL
DIORSHOW ICONIC OVERCURL by Dior

Dramatic volume and curl in a stroke. The new brush adapts perfectly to your lash line. One of my favorites. (For more information on the product and the photo shoot for it, please click here).
In stores now. CHF 48.00

BEST TEXTURE
SURREALIST EVERFRESH by Helena Rubinstein

A true mascara revolution with 4 exclusive patents pending. Its innovation? Due to its ideally-gliding texture and brush, it is the first mascara ever on the market that doesn’t try out, feeling like a brand new mascara every day. 
Available in Switzerland from March 2013. CHF 53.00

BEST WATERPROOF FORMULA
SUMPTUOUS EXTREME WATERPROOF by Estée Lauder

This lash multiplying volume mascara offers deep, rich color. Its smooth, non-clumping formula leaves lashes feel soft and light, which is unusual for a waterproof product. With a good eye makeup remover, the removal is not a problem and no scrubbing is neccessary. I am not a fan of waterproof mascaras, but I could warm towards this one.
Available in Switzerland from April 2013. CHF 45.00

BEST FORTIFYING APPLICATION
SO INTENSE by Sisley

Another one of my absolute favorites. The very thin brush might take you some time to get used to it. But once you can handle it, you will thank me forever. This mascara instantly thickens, coats and separates lashes in just one stroke. Its fortifying formula, enriched with a vitamin-packed peptide, helps you to achieve fuller, longer, more beautiful lashes from day to day. Amazing product! (To see me wearing it, please click here).
In stores now. CHF 57.00

BEST VOLUME
LE VOLUME DE CHANEL by Chanel

The application of Chanel’s newest volumizing mascara is amazingly simple due to its unique, patented “Snowflakes” brush that coats lashes from root to tip in an instant. Your lashes are longer, plumper, thicker and more intense. The result is undeniable: eyes are defined and look bigger with a wide-open effect.
In stores now. CHF 47.00

BEST SCENT
CILS D’ENFER by Guerlain

As its names applies, this mascara is bombastic, creating maximum volume, curl and hold. The formula is nice, lightweight and doesn’t smudge or flake. Its application is a true pleasure due to its beautiful rosy scent.
In stores now. CHF 44.00

I hope that I could help you find your new favourite mascara to achieve an unforgettable look.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands, © Sandra Bauknecht

A Small World hosted the pre-launch party of Zurich’s new hot spot Aura last Thursday.
The location is gorgeous, home to a bar and smoker’s lounge, a restaurant and a nightclub which can be booked for special events. The large room is surrounded by projectors that can be part of a presentation or show.

Getting ready at home, I put on some upbeat music that got me psyched for the night. Great for dancing, I chose a pretty short dress and comfortable boots. 
My look: Knit dress by Alexander McQueen, purple “punk”-style fur bag by Tom Ford, overknee boots by Gucci and cocktail ring by Roberto Cavalli.

With night in full swing and the lights low you can afford to get stronger with your makeup. I went for smokey eyes paired with dark bold lips. Here are all the products I used:

FACE
1 NEW Teint Visionnaire by Lancôme
Launched this month, this first hi-tech make-up duo pushes the concept of perfect skin to an all-new level by the help of a high-coverage corrector enriched with vitamin CG and a perfecting foundation that reconciles perfect coverage, a natural finish and skincare efficacy.
2 Maestro Eraser by Giorgio Armani (the perfect lightweight concealer)

EYES
3 Pure Chromatics Collector’s Palette Arctic Night (limited edition) by YSL
4 Eye Color Quad in 10 Titanium Smoke by Tom Ford
5 Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet by Bobbi Brown (glides on smoothly, stays in place for hours)
6 NEW So Intense Mascara in Black by Sisley
The most innovating mascara that thickens, lengthens, curls and nourishes in one.
Easy application! In Switzerland available from February 2013.

LIPS
7 Cremestick Liner inVelvetella by MAC
8 Rouge Dior in 786 Mysterious Mauve by Christian Dior

CHEEKS
9 Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna by Nars (for the ultimate sun-kissed radiance)
10 Météorites Wulong by Guerlain (pressed powder, great for highlighting)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Aura, A Small World and © Sandra Bauknecht