Ajda Sitar /

As a world leader in beauty services, Urban Retreat’s collection of essential skincare staples has been specially designed by Reena Hammer, Urban Retreat’s Creative Director to promote beautiful skin post service and as a core range for everyday use. Based on effective natural, bio-active ingredients such as lavender, rose geranium and ylang ylang the Urban Retreat Product range is a staple skincare line which can be used by everyone. I got the chance to review two of their new products – THE Cleanser and THE Moisturiser.

Urban Retreat – THE CLEANSER

What they say at Urban Retreat?
The Urban Retreat Cleanser has been developed to thoroughly remove all make-up and impurities, leaving skin deeply cleansed, soft and radiant. The natural oils within this cream cleanser include Apricot Kernel, Olive and Rosehip Seed Oil which all work together to lift away excess sebum from the skin whilst still leaving it perfectly nourished. Together, Avocado oil and Pomergranate extracts contain a range of essential anti-ageing Vitamins, including A, E, C and D, to protect the skin against environmental stressors for a smooth, radiant and moisturised complexion. It is suitable for all skin types. Use it morning and evening, massage into the skin using circular motions and rise off using a wet sponge or mitt.

What do I say?
First of all, I like the packaging – it’s practical, hygienic, nice and simple. However, due to the fact that the bottles are practically identical, you must be a bit careful, especially if you store these two products together (if you wear prescirption glasses/contact lenses reading might be challenging not to mix them up). The Cleanser is sort of a lotion cleanser, that removes face make up really well; however you can also remove eye make up with it (just be careful you don’t get it into your eyes). I mostly use it as Urban Retreat suggests, anyway it works well if you put it on a cotton pad. After cleansing, my skin feels soft, clean and calm. It it slightly scented, but in my opinion it shouldn’t cause any problems/irritations. Overall, it is a great product for those who have normal, mixed or dry skin (I cannot say how it works for oily skin type, but it might be ok as well). I’ve been using it in a combination with The Moisturiser and I think these two make a pretty good “team”.

Ingredients: Aqua · Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil · Glyceryl Stearate · Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil · Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil · Cetearyl Alcohol · Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice · Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil · Glycerin · Phenoxyethanol · Ceteareth-20 · Sodium Carbomer · Linalool · Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice · Tocopherol · Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil · Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil · Citronellol · 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol · Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil · Geraniol · Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract · Benzyl Benzoate · Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract · Benzyl Salicylate · Farnesol · Sodium Benzoate · Citral · Limonene · Lactic Acid · Citric Acid · Ethylhexylglycerin · Benzoic Acid · Dehydroacetic Acid · Potassium Sorbate · Parfum · Sodium Hydroxide.

Price: 20£ (120ml) BUY HERE

Urban Retreat – THE MOISTURISER

What they say at Urban Retreat?
Rich in Vitamins E, B and essential fatty acids, THE Moisturiser rejuvenates skin improving overall elasticity, tone and firmness too. Rosehip Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil nourish dry skin to leave it deeply nourished and supple. THE Moisturiser also includes Sodium Hyaluronate to draw in and retain moisture for added hydration whilst Oat Oil and Shea Butter create a protective veil over the complexion to lock in moisture. THE Moisturiser has an almost gel like consistency for deeper penetration into the skin without any greasy residue. Use morning and night after cleansing with THE Cleanser. Apply a five pence piece sized amount to fingers and massage between palms to warm product. Apply to neck and face in an upwards motion.

What do I say?
The packaging of the both two products is practically identical – and I really love it, because it is really hygenical and practical. The Moisturiser is also delicatley scented and has a gel/cream texture. It is quite fastly absorbed and doesn’t leave a greasy layer. It is light, perfect for Spring and Summer. My skin type is normal to dry and this moisturiser is a perfect match for my daily skincare routine. It might work great for all skin types, however for those who suffer from severe dehydration or have really dry skin, it might not be enough. At the moment, I’m often mixing it with La Prairie’s Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal dry oil. The Moisturiser is a perfect base for any foundation and overall an amazing product perfect for upcoming bit warmer days. The combination of The Cleanser and The Moisturiser is quite impressive, my skin is soft, moisturised, nourished and healthy. Urban Retreat launched an amazing high quality beauty line, hands down.

Ingredients: Aqua · Cyclopentasiloxane · Cetearyl Alcohol · Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice · Polysorbate 20 · PEG-100 Stearate · Glycerin · Glyceryl Stearate · Phenoxyethanol · Dimethicone · Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil · Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil · Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil · Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter · Carbomer · Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Oil · Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil · Panthenol · Tocopherol · Sodium Hydroxide · Linalool · Citric Acid · 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol · Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium) Oil · Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil · Citronellol · Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil · Geraniol · Rhizobian Gum · Sodium Hyaluronate · Benzyl Benzoate · Benzyl Salicylate · Farnesol · Chlorphenesin · Limonene · Citral · Parfum.

Price: 35£ (50ml), 60£ (120ml) BUY HERE

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Ajda Sitar /

This Spring, I am all about light, pastel colors. Who isn’t? My new ivory handbag is a total timeless beauty and the matching wallet trully is perfection! Beige/ivory handbags allow you numerous outfit combinations and are perfect for Spring and Summer. In my opinion there’s nothing better then a perfect high quality purse large enough for all my necessary and unnecessary stuff. A “what’s in my bag” post is coming up for sure!

wearing:
Ivory Olivia Shopper (buy HERE)
Ivory Wallet (buy HERE
Perla necklace
Mini Watch

photo: Domen Blenkuš

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Ajda Sitar /

La Prairie went up high to the top of the Swiss Alps, where nature’s secrets to timeless beauty bloom from under the ice and snow, to find three survival plants for the new Cellular Swiss Ice collection (soldanella alpina, swiss snow algae and purple saxifrage). Their patent-pending swiss ice crystal complex is a skincare innovation so revolutionary that it fortifies your skin against the impact of time and elements. I got the chance to be a part of the launching event here in Slovenia and try the La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil and Cream out.

What does La Prairie say?
La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil is sheer moisture-binding, weightless treatment dry oil that instantly becomes one with your skin. By helping support your skin’s natural lipid barrier function, a combination of rare and pure oils in the Swiss Ice Crystal Complex seal moisture within your skin longer than ever thought possible. Your skin will glow, look smooth and reborn. It builds skin’s resistance to daily skin-aging stress. Rebuilds skin’s moisture barrier to prevent moisture loss; calms, soothes and protects. Use morning and/or night after cleansing and toning, apply to face, neck, and décolleté. Avoid eye area. May be used alone or blend 1-2 drops with moisturising cream or emulsion in the palm of the hand before applying, to enhance the hydrating elements of the moisturiser. May be used over serum, if blended with moisturiser first. A complimentary deluxe sample of Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Cream, included in your purchase.

What do I say?
Hearing all about these three precious plants flourish where nothing else can, I must admit, I was quite impressed. The whole presentation was really nice – they even organised a private ice skating show, just for us; and the La Prairie international training manager’s presentation was interesting, fun and inspiring (Victoria Harper truly masters her field). I couldn’t wait to review their La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil. Well, you could guess it turned out to be amazing. I’ve been using the La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Dry Oil for a month now and I am really impressed with the results. When it comes to dry oil, you either like it or not. My skin loves these kinds of products (normal to dry skin type). I currently use it in combination with my moisturiser, but I can see that it will be nice to use with a liquid foundation in summer. The best word to describe the scent is “La Prarie”, light and pleasant (all La Prairie fans will definetly know what I’m talking about). It is really simple to use, the packaging is divine, practical and luxurious. Well, it should be for that price, right? But still, this dry oil is actually at the bottom of the La Prarie price range (and the cream as well); plus you don’t really use much of it and you can mix it with your current moisturiser. My skin feels soft, moisturised, nourished, glowy, doesn’t feel oily; love, love love it! “Under the ice, time stands still” and hopefully this lovely La Prarie product will help my skin look young and healthy for as long as possible.

Price: 267,50€ (30ml)

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Soldanella Alpina Extract, Saxifraga Oppositifolia Extract, Algae Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Cell Culture, Ubiquinone, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Alchemilla Alpinia Extract, Hippophar Rhamnoides Oil, Rosmarinus Officialis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, C10-18 Trigycerides, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Seed Oil, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Tocopheryl Succinate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fragnance (Parfum), Farnesol, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Butyphenyl Methylpropional, Garaniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal, Alha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Phenoxyethanol

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Ajda Sitar /

I came across the Popbasic concept a while ago and I was really impressed by it. It is a kind of a “beauty box” related program, in which you get three fashion items 85$ worth (including shipping) which are either basic or trendy/pop. In a new Sunday micro collection I got the Blueberry Silk Blouse (which is totally classic), Wishbone Bangle and Wishbone Ring (really trendy high quality pieces). All the products are really well made, they can form a perfect match all in the same outfit or look awesome worn individually. You can get the new Sunday Collection HERE.

Maxmara coat
Gigi New York handbag
Popbasic Micro collection
Perla necklace

photo: Katarina Veselič

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Ajda Sitar /

A week ago, here in Slovenia Vichy introduced the new Teint Ideal line of foundations and powders with Liquid Light Technology. I had the opportunity to be part of the media lauching event as a model. Nika Veger (an amazing make up artist) demonstrated the application of Teint Ideal line on my face and gave us some useful advice. I was totally blown away by all 4 new products – liquid foundation, foundation cream, compact powder and bronzer. My absolute favorite is the Teint Ideal cream foundation and you can read my thoughts on it down below.

That they say at Vichy?
Teint Ideal illuminating foundation cream is a truly innovative Vichy’s product suitable for dry skin. It allows the skin to breath and gives a smooth and radiant result to the complextion. The formula with Liquid Light Technology and Correction Complex helps to correct your skin complexion and gives a satin and glossy natural finish that lasts up to 14h. Teint Ideal foundation cream contains SPF 20, it comes in 4 shades, it is non-comedogenic and paraben free.

What do I say?
Teint Ideal is certainly my favorite Vichy foundation line so far, mainly because it’s not too matt and not too shiny. My top pick would be the Teint Ideal foundation cream (the one that I’m reviewing today). I have it in shade 15 (neutral/yellow undertone) which matches perfectly to my skin tone (I am rather pale at the moment). I love its cream and moisturising texture that gives comfort and wonderful medium coverage (which lasts quite long – in a combination with compact powder I’d say about 12hours). It is buildable and it doesn’t look cakey or overly noticeable. You don’t need much for a nice healthy looking result. Applying it with fingertips or a foundation brush, either way it’s really simple. The packaging is simple, elegant and practical. You may prefer the glass bottle with a pump (Teint Ideal liquid foundation for normal to combination skin), but the tube is easy to use as well. Either way, they all look very prestige (do not forget that Vichy actually is a brand that sells in pharmacies). To sum up – Vichy’s Teint Ideal cream foundation gives perfect smooth, bright results, allows my skin to breathe and deals great with dry patches. My favorite foundation at the moment!

Price: 21€ (30ml)

Ingredients: Aqua / Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Magnesium Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Bis-Diglycerly Polyacyladipate-2, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment (+/-may contain: CI77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI77491, CI77492, CI77499 / Iron Oxides, CI77163 / Bismuth Oxychloride)

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