While I LOVE trying out new makeup releases and get excited every time I get my hands on a new lippie or the latest must-have palette, when it comes to skincare, I’m a bit of a one trick pony - sticking to the same old favourites year after year. However, when a Slovenian brand Hemptouch reached out to me, I just knew I have to give their products a go and put my test bunny hat on. Not only only do I have a soft spot for amazing business from my homeland, but they also bring something new to the table. Their products, most of which are vegan, are completely natural and locally produced from an extremely versatile and healing industrial hemp, also known as cannabis sativa. If you’re not familiar with the science behind the CBD oil and its benefits, I suggest you to check out this page. They explain it far better than I ever would. 

Medtem ko sem pri preizkušanju najnovejših šmink in paletk vedno v nizkem štartu, pri negi kože zadnje čase redkokdaj eksperimentiram. Vsake toliko pa tudi mene premami kakšen nov produkt oziroma meni še neznana znamka, kot je naša slovenska Hemptouch (očitno sem živela pod skalo). V testnega zajčka sem se bila pripravljena preleviti takoj, ko sem izvedela, da so njihovi izdelki poplnoma naravni, v večini veganski in narejeni iz lokalno pridelane industrijske konoplje. Če slučajno še niste seznanjeni z delovanjem in pozitivnimi konoljine smole CBD, hitro odklikajte semle. 

As my skin is quite sensitive and dry, I’ve tried out three of their products targeted towards irritated skin. Let’s start with the Oinment for Irritated Skin, the consistency of which was a complete surprise to me - it’s rock solid, much like coconut oil in its solid state, but melts upon touch, so you can easily apply it with your fingers. It doesn’t sink in completely, though, as it’s quite thick and oily, so wearing it under makeup or throughout the day in general is a no-go for me. Instead, I’ve been using it before bed, mostly focusing on my cheek area to nourish my skin and keep my dry patches at bay. It can also be used on the rest of the body, and after two months, I’ve barely even made a dent in it, so 50 ml goes a long way.

Izdelki, ki sem jih preizkušala, so namenjeni predvsem suhi in občutljivi koži, kakršna je tudi moja. Konopljino mazilo za razdraženo kožo me je presenetilo s strukturo, ki ni kot navadna krema ampak bolj kot kokosovo olje v trdnem stanju, vendar se ob dotiku stopi in lepo razmaže. Uporabljam ga pred spanjem, saj je precej gost, se ne vpije popolnoma in pusti malce lepljiv finiš, ki ni idealen kot podlaga za makeup, je pa super za suhe predele na obrazu oziroma telesu. 50 ml produkta je v obeh primerih več kot dovolj, saj sama izdelek nanašam na obraz že dva meseca, pa se komaj vidi, da je kaj uporabljen.

Hemptouch Nurturing Face Cream is also suitable for dry, sensitive skin, but unlike the oinment, it’s very much like your ‘regular’ face cream with a creamy consistency that sinks in straight away but still keeps your skin nourished. For my dry patches, I prefer the oinment, but I’ve been using the nurturing face cream as a day cream when my skin isn’t in need of extra special TLC. Before I forget (because I got so used to it), your nose will probably need some time to adjust to the scent of these hemp oil products, especially if you haven’t dabbled into the world of all natural skincare yet, but it isn’t intolerable or unpleasant at all. 

Negovalna krema za obraz je prav tako primernejša za suho kožo, vendar je za razliko od mazila ‘običajno’ kremasta, ter se hitro vpije. Za targetiranje ekstremno luskastih suhih predelov obraza bi prej priporočala mazilo, kremo pa za vsakodnevni, jutranji nanos - jaz jo uporaljam kot dnevno kremo. Preden pozabim, moram izpostaviti tudi konopljin vonj produktov, ki ni smrdljiv ali neznosen, ampak traja nekaj časa, da se ga navadiš. Na začetku me je po pravici povedano malce odbijal, zdaj pa me niti ne gane.

The Intensive Lip Care lip balm is my absolute favourite of the bunch, and one that never leaves my side anymore. It’s by far the best lip balm I’ve ever tried - beyond buttery, and has even passed the ultimate test of keeping my lips soft in extreme weather conditions. A week of hitting the slopes at an altitude where the sun is scorching, the wind is strong enough to move you up the hill, and the icy snow being thrown in your face is not such a rare occurrence normally leaves my lips in havoc, but this year, there wasn’t a single crack in sight. Thanks Hemptouch! 

Izdelek v katerega sem se naravnost zaljubila je njihov balzam za ustnice - vsepovsod gre z menoj! Zame je res najboljši balzam, kar sem jih kdaj imela, pa sem jih res preizkusila že nešteto. Všeč mi je, da je tako ‘putrast’ pa tudi učinkovit. Da ga res stestiram, sem ga zanalašč s seboj vzela na mojo tradicionalno prvomajsko smuko, saj so moje ustnice po enem tednu močnih vetrov, babje jeze in žgočega sonca na visoki nadmorski višini vedno v popolnem razsulu, letos pa sem jih odnesla brez ene same razpoke. Hemptouch, najlepša hvala!

In Slovenia, you can find their products over here on Zeleni dotik, but fear not, they’re also available in the UK on this website and even at Planet Organic! I already have an Intensive Lip Care backup in my shopping cart, and as an anxiety sufferer, I’m also intrigued by their new CBD sprays.

V Sloveniji so izdelki Hemptouch na voljo v spletni trgovini Zeleni dotik, v Veliki Britaniji pa na tejle spletni strani in v trgovinah Planet Organic. Rezerven balzam za ustnice je že v moji nakupovalni košarici, mikajo pa me tudi nova CBD pršila, saj naj bi pomagala pri anksioznosti, s katero se borim že leta. Poročam! 

For some reason, Lisbon has never been on my 'top places to visit' list, but when it was time to choose my first solo travel destination, it got recommended to me right, left and centre, and so the decision has been made - Sandra is going to Lisbon! Why I hadn't thought about paying it a visit sooner is beyond me, because it's honestly one of the best (and most affordable) European weekend getaways, combining old Mediterranean charm and what I describe as San Francisco vibes. Long story short, I loved it! You can expect lots of tips and guides coming your way in the following few months, but today let me introduce you to the hotel I stayed at on my last night in the city.

Lizbona nikoli ni bilo eno izmed mest, ki sem si jih pod nujno želela obiskati. Pravzaprav niti ne vem zakaj... Mogoče, ker se o Portugalski prestolnici ne govori toliko kot na primer o oblegani sosedi Barceloni, ki jo ima že vsak na svojem 'to-see' seznamu? No, kakorkoli. Vesela sem, da sem na koncu prav Lizbono izbrala za moje prvo uradno solo potovanje - navdušila me je z nizki cenami, pridihom starega Mediterana in podobnostjo s San Franciscom, ampak več o tem v prihajajočih objavah. Danes je na sporedu ocena hotela, v katerem sem prespala zadnjo noč. 

Hotel Lisboa Plaza, a charming boutique hotel run by the same family since the 1950's, had me at hello with its location, before I even set foot inside. It's an ideal starting point to explore the city, right around the corner from the nearest metro station, just off the famous designer shopping avenue Avenida da Liberdade, and a stone throw away from all major sights. Having everything on the doorstep was such a nice change after my 20-minute uphill battles to get from the nearest metro station to the hotel I previously stayed at, haha! But it's not just the central location that impressed me. The double room in a traditional style with modern touches was incredibly spacious, had the comfiest bed, a proper sofa and a beautiful tiled study desk I fell head over heels with the moment I spotted it - I love unique little details like this!

Hotel Lisboa Plaza je malo večji družinski hotel, ki me je v prvi vrsti prepričal z lokacijo v samem centru mesta. Nahaja se ob znani nakupovalni aveniji Avenida da Liberdade, blizu vseh glavnih znamenitosti in metro postajo dobesedno za ovinkom - pravi balzam za noge po štirih dneh 20-minutnih nočnih maratonov navhrib od najbližje postaje mojega prejšnjega hotela. Navdušila me je tudi prostornost sob (v moji sem imela celo kavč), ter preplet tradicionalne in moderne notranje opreme. Pisalna miza s keramičnim pultom me je osvojila v prvi sekundi! 

Another thing I need to mention are the communal areas. I'm not the one to rave about reception lobbies, but the lounge area at Hotel Lisboa Plaza is on another level. I wouldn't mind waiting there all day for my check-in. There's a TV, a library section, refreshments (tea and coffee), and even an internet point with computers and a printer for guests to use when they please. Not what you normally see in a four-star hotel! Speaking of the internet, you'll be happy to hear the wi-fi is free of charge, fast, and available throughout the hotel.

Recepciji oziroma skupnim prostorom hotela se res nikoli ne posvečam, ampak vse je enkrat prvič. Tale 'javna dnevna soba' si zasluži omembo. V njej se lahko zlekneš na kavč, gledaš televizijo, prebereš kakšno knjigo iz hotelske mini knjižnice, ter se vmes še osvežiš z brezplačno kavo ali čajem. Aja, pa tudi hotelska pisarna z računalnikom in tiskalnikom ti je na voljo 24/7, brez dodatnega plačila. Popolnoma nepričakovano v hotelu s štimiri zvezdicami, ampak zelo dobrodošlo, še posebej če se nimaš kam dati, medtem ko čakaš na check-in. Mimogrede, brezplačen wifi je na voljo po vsem hotelu, pa še hiter je! Zame vedno zelo pomembna informacija... 

The roof terrace with loungers and a bar section is a nice addition as well! It was a bit too chilly for me back in March to take advantage of it, but in the summertime I bet it's an amazing spot to rest your feet and enjoy a drink after a long day of sightseeing. I did a quick tour of it here in my vlog, where you can also see how my room looked like in detail.

Terasa z ležalniki in mini barom v petem nadstropju hotela je prav tako prijeten dodatek. Za sončenje je bilo marca na žalost še malce premrzlo, si pa kar mislim kakšo luštno vzdušje mora biti tam poleti - za noge v luft in koktelj v roke po napornem dnevu pohajkovanja. Za lažjo predstavo, en hiter ogled terase (in svoje sobe) sem ovekovečila tudi tule v mojem zadnjem vlogu iz Lizbone. 




Last but not least, let's have a word about the hotel breakfast. I'm not too picky when it comes to it - a slice of bread with some cheese and tomatoes or a jam croissant normally does it for me - but I was seriously impressed with the extensive buffet selection. There was everything from pastries, jams, eggs and yoghurts to fruits, cheese, salami and even desserts for those with a morning sweet tooth - chocolate fountain included. Yes, really, there was an actual chocolate fountain. Good thing you also get access to the gym!

Jaz pa seveda ne bi bila jaz, če se za konec ne bi dotaknila še hrane - v mojo nočitev je bil namreč vključen tudi samopostrežni zajtrk. Sama sem po pravici povedano zadovoljna že s kosom kruha in sirom ali pa kakšnim rogljičkom in od hotelskega zajtrka že v štartu nikoli veliko ne pričakujem, ampak tokrat sem bila prijetno presenečena. Izbor hrane je res ogromen, za vsakega se nekaj najde. Od peciv, marmelad, jajc in jogurta do svežega sadja, narezkov in celo konkretnih sladic, takšnih za po kosilu. In ja, tudi čokoladna fontana se je znašla med njimi (na sliki spodaj). Še dobro, da v kompletu z nočitvijo pride tudi dostop do fitnesa! 

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better night's stay, and if I visit Lisbon again (or should I say when, because I'm definitely coming back for more sightseeing and octopus), Hotel Lisboa Plaza or another one of the charming Lisbon Heritage Hotels will be my number one choice for my home away from home.

Po vsem prebranem že lahko sklepate, da sem bila nad hotelom več kot očitno navdušena. Če se vrnem v Lizbono (oziroma ko se vrnem, saj sem si za naslednjič pustila še nekaj dnevnih izletov pa tudi hobotnica me vabi), se zagotovo vrnem na isto lokacijo ali pa preverim še kakšen drug Lisbon Heritage hotel - po prvotnem vtisu pričakujem le najboljše.

2017 has been a year of old beauty favourites for me but a few months ago a bundle of It Cosmetics goodies entered my life and turned my makeup routine upside down. I don't remember the last time a new (to me) brand impressed me so much. Every single item from them I've tried so far has made it onto my all-time favourites list and gotten a permanent place in my makeup bag. 

Leto 2017 je bilo zame leto starih favoritov. V moji kozmetični torbici se ni znašlo prav veliko novih izdelkov, ki bi me posebno navdušili, vsaj dokler ni pred kratkim v moje življenje vstopila znamka It Cosmetics in obrnila mojo vsakodnevno rutino na glavo. Res ne vem, če se mi je že kdaj prej zgodilo, da me je očaral prav vsak produkt iz ponudbe ene same znamke. Seveda nisem preizkusila celotne kolekcije (ko bi jo le lahko), ampak kar mi je prišlo pod roke, je v trenutku pristalo na mojem seznamu najbolj priljubljenih ličil vseh časov in dobilo dosmrtno mesto v moji kozmetični torbici. 

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ captured my heart with seamless application, higher than expected coverage and non-drying formula. It's the only foundation I've tried so far that can apply with an actual brush without having it cling to dry patches - I normally have to use a wet makeup sponge to avoid the problem. My current favourite is this Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection Brush, which allows me to blend it in streak-free and in a matter of seconds, which saves me A LOT of time. One layer gives me almost medium coverage, higher than my Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum I've been using since forever, but looks flawlessly natural and feels non-existing on my skin. All boxes checked! I have the shade called Medium (there's seven in total, ranging from fair to deep), but I'm going with Light next time, as I do find Medium slightly too dark for my currently tan-less skin. 

Your Skin But Better CC+ krema z SPF 50+ me je osvojila z brezhibnim nanosom, visoko prekrivnostjo in neizsušujočo formulo. Običajno moram za nanos podlage uporabiti navlaženo gobico, da se izognem čezmernemu oprijemanju podlage na suhih predelih obraza, pri tej pa lahko brez problema uporabim čopič. Trenutno je moj najljubši Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection, prav tako od It Cosmetics, s katerim CC kremo nanesem hitro in enakomerno. En sloj mi da skoraj srednjo prekrivnost, višjo kot podlaga Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, ki jo uporabljam že leta, finiš je popolnoma naravnega izgleda, pa še na koži se skoraj ne čuti. Sama imam odtenek Medium, ki bi mi mogoče ustrezal po poletnih počitnicah, trenutno pa mi je malce pretemen, tako da se bom naslednjič odločila za odtenek Light. 

The Superhero Mascara is pretty good at ticking all those boxes too. Lengthening? Check! Volumising? Check! Lifting? Check! My favourite thing about it is that it holds the curl all day long, as my lashes normally droop quite quickly after applying mascara, but not with this one. I also haven't noticed any smudging or clumping, so it's now sharing the number one spot with Jordana's Best Lash Extreme. 

Superhero maskara je prav tako super. Trepalnice precej podaljša, doda jim volumen in jih lepo tudi privzdigne. Najbolj mi je všeč, da drži trepalnice zavihane prav ves dan, saj moje ponavadi hitro padejo dol, pa tudi z razmazovanjem in lepljenjem nisem nikoli imela težav, tako da si zdaj deli prvo mesto z Jordana Best Lash Extreme, edino drugo maskaro, ki me je sto odstotno prepričala. 

I feel like I've been battling with my prominent under eye circles since the day I was born, and they've only been getting worse thanks to my lovely insomnia. Even though I've found a couple of pretty good concealers over the past few years, none have been 'strong' enough to be used on their own. I always have to combine them with a salmon-toned corrector, but the Bye Bye Under Eye provides such full coverage it manages to conceal the darkest of them all on its own. The texture is quite thick so you do have to blend it out properly, but once it's set with powder, it doesn't crease and lasts very long. I don't use it just under my eyes, though. It works for other imperfections too. I apply it in the corners of my nose to cover my broken capillaries and of course on the spots too. The shade I have is Medium and it's actually perfect for me. I wouldn't go for a lighter one. 

Podočnjaki so moji najhujši sovražniki. Z njimi se borim že odkar pomnim, zadnja leta pa se je zaradi moje nespečnosti situacija še poslabšala. Čeprav sem odkrila že kar nekaj dobrih tekočih korektorjev, noben izmed njih ni dovolj prekriven sam po sebi, tako da jih vedno uporabljam v kombinaciji s kremnim korektorjem v lososovi barvi, Bye Bye Under Eye korektor pa zadevo reši sam. Je namreč neverjetno prekriven in zakamuflira tudi najbolj modre podočnjake, je pa tekstura precej gosta, tako da ga je treba zabrisati z dobrim čopičem in zacementirati s transparentnim pudrom, da zdrži cel dan na mestu in se ne useda v gubice. Ni pa uporaben samo za podočnjake. Sama ga uporabljam tudi za prekrivanje mozoljev in razpokanih kapilar okrog nosu. Odtenek Medium mi je za mojo polt ravno pravšnji in za razliko od CC kreme, ne bi posegla po svetlejšem.

The Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil stands out to me because it's just so easy to use. The retractable oval tip can be used from two different angles, giving you the option of thin or wide strokes, and apparently this particular taupe shade works for every single hair colour. I haven't tested that claim out myself, so I can't confirm it, but I do know it matches my brows perfectly. Plus I also love that there's a spooley brush on the other side so you can brush through your eyebrows in case you go in too heavy-handed.

Brow Power univerzalen svinčnik za obrvi me je prepričal predvsem s priročnostjo. Ni ga treba šiliti, konica je ovalna, z ostro in ploščato stranjo, tako da lahko vlečeš tanke ali širše črte, na drugem koncu pa je še krtačka, s katero lahko obrvi prečešeš, če slučajno naneseš preveč produkta. Svinčnik pride samo v enem, taupe odtenku, ki se baje prilagodi vsem barvam las. Tega sama nisem uspela preveriti, tako da izjave ne morem potrditi, vem pa to, da popolnoma ustreza moji lastni barvi obrvi.

I don't know about you, but I'm completely sold on It Cosmetics and itching to try more. I would love to hear your recommendations if you've tried any products yourself! I'm almost out of Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, so I'll need to do some shopping soon... 

Mislim, da je več kot očitno, da me je znamka It Cosmetics povsem očarala. Glede na to, da mi Your Skin But Better CC+ krema počasi že gre h koncu, bom morala kmalu spet v nabavo, zato bi bila vesela tvojih predlogov, če si se slučajno tudi sama že navdušila nad kakšnim It Cosmetics izdelkom.

They come with a flattened, sharp-edged doe-foot applicator, which does an amazing job at applying the product quickly but precisely, and the formula is not bad for a drugstore product either. It's mousse-like, but sets very fast into a non-sticky velvety matte finish, and the pigmentation is very good as well, although I do like to apply two coats. What impressed me the most, though, is how long long lasting they are - they don't transfer, they survive meals and are hard to get off without a waterproof makeup remover.

Njihov aplikator je sploščen z ošiljeno konico, ki omogoča hiter in natančen nanos, razočarala pa me ni niti formula, ki po teksturi spominja na mousse, vendar se hitro posuši v nelepljiv, žametno mat finiš. Pigmentacija je zelo dobra, čeprav sama raje nanesem dva sloja, obstojnost pa je tista, ki me je najbolj prepričala. Šminka se namreč ne prenese na dotik, preživi obrok in zahteva vodoodporen odstranjevalec za ličila. 

The only thing that bugs me is the fact they're slightly drying and therefore not the most comfortable to wear all day long, and the five darker shades I was excited for the most are unfortunately mega streaky, so avoid, avoid, avoid. If I were you, I would stick to the lighter from the range. My favourite is 'Be My Baby'.

Na žalost pa ni vse rožnato, saj sta me pri šminkah zmotili dve stvari. Niso dovolj vlažilne, tako da mi zelo hitro osušijo ustnice, poleg tega pa je nanos temnejših petih šmink iz kolekcije, ki sem se jih najbolj veselila, prava nočna mora, saj je zelo neenakomeren. Pri svetlejših odtenkih tega problema na srečo ni, tako da bi vam priporočila slednje. Moj najljubši je 'Be My Baby'. 

I have a confession to make. Even though I'm an avid traveller, staying in a hostel is something I'd never even considered. I'm far from being a princess, but the thought of spending my nights in an environment where hygiene is questionable and sleeping in a room with complete strangers never tickled my fancy. As you can tell by now, my perception of hostels wasn't the best, but all that changed a few weeks ago, when I spent the weekend at ClinkNOORD. When they invited me to come over to explore Amsterdam with a group of fellow bloggers, I quickly said yes without giving it a second thought. I've been dying to go back to Amsterdam since April when I first fell in love with it, and the last few years of my life have been all about stepping out of my comfort zone anyway, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally give hostel life a go.

And I'm glad I did - ClinkNOORD was nothing what I expected a hostel to be. It was spotless, comfortable and stylish, with modern interiors and super cool 1920's features like these beautiful stained glass windows of the original building, which used to be a laboratory! Perfect combo for the hip area the hostel is located in - in Amsterdam Noord, just north of the city centre, but not far at all. It took me only 40 minutes all together to get from the airport to the hostel! The easiest way is to catch a train to the Amsterdam Centraal Station, then jump on a super quick fairy from the outside of the station to Veer Buiksloterweg, and once you come off, the hostel is right around the corner. By the way, the ferry is free and runs 24/7, just like ClinkNOORD's reception - super convenient if you're arriving late at night or leaving early in the morning like I did. 

ClinkNOORD is quite a large hostel and there's plenty of different accommodations to choose from. You can book a private en-suite room (single, twin, double or quad) or get a bed in a 4-6 bedded en-suite dorm or a larger 8-16 bed one. The latter comes with en-suite as well as shared facilities options. If you're a female traveling on her own, you'll also be happy to hear they even have en-suite dorms for girls only! I stayed in a 4-bed en-suite dorm with three other cool blogging chicks, and I have to say it exceeded my expectations. We had two sets of bunk beds with our own reading lights, overhead shelves and USB slots; four lockers to store our belongings in; a bathroom with a shower and a sink, as well as a separate toilet with another sink, which made the getting ready process a whole lot quicker. Plus we had a big mirror on the wall in the main room too, so we could spread out and do our makeup all at the same time! A very important piece of information, right ladies, haha?! I actually filmed a quick tour of the room we were staying at, so click over here to give it a watch. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the bed linen is provided, so no need to bring it along, but do bring your own towel (unless you want to hire it for a fee) and a padlock for the locker. 

What I liked most about the hostel are all the social spaces they have on offer to relax in and hang out with other travellers. There's a library/work/general chill area, a spacious atrium, a cafe and even a bar! But that's not all. To keep the guests entertained, the events team also organises plenty of fun activities on a daily basis - quiz nights, karaoke, live music, beer pong contests, movie nights, yoga, cocktail workshops... you name it! I've never experienced such an amazing atmosphere in any of the places I've stayed at before. It felt strangely homey, and if this is how most hostels are like, please sign me up for more! One last thing I also need to mention is the food. There's a self-catering kitchen open from 12:30pm to 12am, but you can also get pastries and sandwiches from their CatalystCAFE or order pizzas, burgers, etc. from ZincBAR. In the morning, they also serve breakfast for EUR 6,90 which I'd say is great value for money, because they have everything from cheese, salami and jams to muesli, sausages and eggs. Oh, the eggs! The scrambled eggs are not to be missed. I don't know what their secret is, but they were the best I've ever had, so definitely give them a try, and if you're coming over for Christmas, I can tell you you're in for a treat too! We were lucky enough to be the test bunnies for their all-vegan Christmas dinner menu, and oh my gosh, every single dish was de-li-cious!

I can be a bit of a creature of habit when it comes to makeup, especially when life gets busy. But I don't remember the last time I religiously used one product for six months straight besides foundation. This Sleek Face Form Contouring & Blush Palette in Fair is everything I've ever wished for in a pocket-sized face palette. It comes with a cool-toned contouring powder, a golden shimmery highlighter, and a coral blush with tiny gold particles - my favourite of the bunch. It gives the nicest glow to your face and goes perfectly with the copper and peach shades I've been wearing a lot recently.

The quality is top notch. For £9.99 I would expect poorer pigmentation and chalkier consistency, but all three products are highly pigmented, easy to blend and last just as long as the professional makeup in my collection. I also love how compact the palette is! It's tiny, perfect for traveling, with sturdy packaging and a clear, big mirror, which comes in very handy when you're on the road. I always do my makeup in front of a window when I'm staying in hotels and even at home sometimes, so I really appreciate a nice, big mirror.

I've been a bit MIA from the whole beauty blogging world recently, so I'm not sure if anyone has drawn any comparisons with the NARS Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm Blush, but I own them both, and I would say we have potential dupes on our hands! The shades are very similar, the only difference being that the Sleek ones are actually more pigmented believe it or not, so if I had to choose between the two, Sleek would definitely be my winner. 

I'm a huge fan of sheet masks. My dry, dehydrated face loves them. But little did I know, there's some for hands as well! Beauty Pro came out with Hand Therapy, a collagen infused anti-age treatment that also promises soft, supple and rehydrated skin in no more than twenty minutes. My hands always feel like sandpaper during the winter time unless I'm applying hand cream 24/7, so who better to test them out, right?

As far as application goes, it's really convenient. You get two sheet-mask-like gloves with removable tips, which make it super easy to go about your day. I hate having to sit around, doing nothing while waiting for my masks to do their thing, so this is the perfect solution for me. Then, after 20 minutes, you just remove them and massage the rest of the product into your hands.

To see the actual results, I decided not to apply any hand cream for a week prior and in the following few days after the treatment, and I have to say, it did a pretty solid job. Right after, my hands felt soft and hydrated, and the results ended up lasting for two days before my hands went back to being their old dry selves. I can't talk about any long-lasting results, as I've only tried it once, but I think it's the kind of product you would use for a bit of a pamper every now and again for extra nourishment. I'm all for it!

How I managed to miss this gem in the recent flood of liquid lipsticks is beyond me, but at least I know of it now. When I first got the Matte Me Ultra Smooth Matte Lip Creams, I expected them to be what lip creams usually are - thicker glosses with a semi-matte finish - but instead, they surprised me with a velvety consistency and a proper matte effect. 

Upon the application, they are slightly creamier, but the right kind of creamy, the kind where the product doesn't go all over your face and is instead easy to apply precisely, which is what you need when you're dealing with bolder shades. It dries down very quickly, into that non-moisturizing but non-drying consistency that is completely comfortable to wear, and most importantly, turns truly matte. The only annoying thing I've noticed with regards to consistency is the slight stickiness when you press your lips together. If you're not constantly rubbing your lips together like I am (I really need to get rid of the habit), you probably won't even notice it, though. 

L: Vino Tinto, R: Velvet Slipper

I usually apply two layers. The lighter shade, Velvet Slipper, doesn't streak at all, while the darker Vino Tinto does tend to get slightly patchy, so make sure your lips are exfoliated. They both wear well throughout the day and are actually super long-lasting on condition you don't eat or drink. Otherwise, the product does disappear from the inner side of the lips. Having said that, it is fuss free to touch up. It's the removal part that requires a slightly heavier approach. While micellar water can do its job just fine, it's way way quicker if you grab an oil-based makeup remover and get it off gently. 

I have to give a huge thumbs up to these Sleek MakeUP numbers, especially since Velvet Slipper has now crawled onto my all-time-favourite-lip-products list. And with them being only £4.99 a pop, you really can't go wrong. You know what? I don't even want to try the Kylie Jenner Lip Kits anymore. I'll take these Sleek lip creams instead any day! The only thing that's left for me to do now is to give the lighter shades a go as well. Have you tried any?