Sanctuary Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser

When you think of the words hot cloth cleanser, the first two words of everyone lips - Liz Earle - the ultimate leader in the market. At nearly £15 for a standard product, it might be a little expensive for some, especially if you're trying it for the first time.

This is why I wanted to share with you an ever so slightly cheaper version - The Sanctuary Spa Brightening Facial Polishing Hot Cloth Cleanser, priced at £10.20 from Boots.

Just like the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, the Sanctuary's version came with a muslin cloth and cleanser. After following the instructions carefully, I was surprised at how clean my skin felt afterwards. It claims to deeply cleanse the skin, as well as helping to stimulate circulation and leave you with a glowing complexion. I wouldn't exactly say my skin was 'glowing' but it certainly felt refreshed and a lot cleaner compared to when I use my everyday face wash. I'm not sure if this is down to the fact that it asks you to apply both hot and cold water to the skin, while massaging the product in too, which helps to wake your skin up.

The whole routine itself takes no more than a couple of minutes and the cleanser is really easy to use. You don't need a lot either, which means that £10 tube will last you quite a while. The only downside I guess, is that the muslin cloth can get quite mucky. I tend to take my eye make-up off beforehand, otherwise I'd end up spreading it across my face and that's not hygienic at all.

Due to how fresh your skin feels afterwards, I imagine this product would make a great cleanser for mornings. But I love my sleep too much and cut my skin care routine down to a mere make-up remover wipe and moisturiser, so I have mainly stuck to the evenings. I would also like to point out how few blemishes I have had since using this product too. During the last couple of months I have started to gain a few spots around my hairline, but these have cut down dramatically since using the product. I can only assume it means I am cleansing my skin properly and my pores are no longer becoming blocked.

I would definitely rate this product as an alternative high street version compared to the more expensive ones. So go on, give it a go! Let me know how you get on.

What's in my make-up bag 2012

Back in 2011, my make-up bag looked like this. Considering we're three months away from 2013, I thought I was due another one and to see how much my make-up routine has changed - apparently not so much. I guess I'm a creature of habit.

First of all my make-up bag is Cath Kidston and was bought as a Christmas gift from my beautiful Sister. It's a lot smaller than the last one I had, so I've had to cut down on a few products, leaving room for just the essentials.

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream (Light Skin Tone) - My current make-up essential, you won't see me go a day without this product. To read my full review of this product, click here.

L'Oreal True Match Touché Magique Concealer - I have never, ever found an under eye concealer that works so well with my skin tone and hides those pesky dark circles as good as this one. It's a fantastic product and almost a cheaper version of the Yves Saint Laurent's Touché Éclat. Price, £7.19 from Boots.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-in-One BB Cream (Light) - I bought this quite a while back, back when I wanted to try a BB cream that wasn't going to cost me the earth. I loved this as a starter product, but wanted a BB cream that did a little bit more. I still keep this one in my make-up bag for days when I don't feel like wearing too much make-up. Available from Boots at £7.49.

Powder FX (E40) - I was given this at a press show around about a year ago and unfortunately I haven't kept any details on the brand. For the last year I have sworn by bareMinerals, but after running out and realising I had no other foundation, I fell towards this. The lovely gentleman who I spoke to at the time, matched my skin perfectly, which I guess is why I haven't stopped using it. The only problem is it doesn't last that long and by midday, it's worn off. But the consistency is lovely and feels ever so light on the skin.

Benefit 'that gal' Brightening Face Primer - I received this as a sample from a magazine. It smells amazing and feels really light and as a primer itself, I think it's okay. I haven't really used it enough to get a full grasp on it yet. Full sized product cost £21.50.

bareMinerals Prime Time Brightening Pearl Eyelid Primer - I haven't yet used an eyelid primer that trumps this one, but if you have any to rival, let me know. It helps make your eyeshadow pop and won't budge at all. To read my full review, click here. Price, £16 for 3ml.

Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Eyeliner (black) - I believe that every woman should own a liquid eyeliner. It's an essential product for creating a completely different look in one sweep. The great thing about this eyeliner is the size of the wand - it's quite long, as is the brush, which makes application really easy and seamless. A must have product of mine that I have been buying for years. Price £5.29.

Bourjois Eyeliner Pencil (black) - I think this product has been discontinued because I can't seem to find it anywhere. But needless to say, it's pretty much a standard eyeliner pencil. Stays put for most of the day, but tends to bleed under your eyes. Price is unknown.

L'Oreal Volume Million Mascara - I don't often buy a mascara more than once, but this one has been an exception to the rule. In fact, I think I have bought this twice over. What I love about this mascara is the wand and how well it coats all of your lashes.

Barry M Nail Polish (shade NP318) - One of my favourite Barry M nail polish shades, slightly too bright and summery for the Autumn months, so I will be swapping this with a darker navy or deep red shade instead. Price, £2.99 from Boots.

Clinique Instant Life for Brows (soft brown) - Quite possibly one of the best eyebrow crayons I have used, it's really subtle and easy to apply. The highlighter on the other end of the crayon gives a great lift to the brow bone too. Available in three colours, soft blonde, soft brown and deep brown, and available from Clinique for £15.

Benefit Posy Tint - This was a mini sample from a magazine, that I'm still trying to scrape the remnants from. It's a great little product and add a slight pink tone to your cheeks. This is a lip tint too. Price for the original size is £24.50.

Tools

(Unknown brand) eyelash curlers - A must-have for any girls make-up bag. I don't go a day without using these!

Vie at Home Double-Ended Eyeshadow Brush - Unsure of price

bareMinerals Wet/Dry Shadow Brush - £13 from bareMinerals

bareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush - £19 from bareMinerals

Please link me to your make-up bag posts - I love having a good nosey!

Liebster Blog Award

When looking at my emails this morning I was greeted with a lovely comment from Eve telling me that she had nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award - a fab little award given to bloggers, from other bloggers whose blog has 200 followers or less. In order to accept the award, there are some rules, so here goes...

1) Each winner must post 11 facts about themselves
2) The winner must also answer 11 questions the tagger has set for them
3) The winner must then create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they decide to tag
4) They must then choose 11 bloggers to tag with less than 200 followers
5) And lastly, these lucky bloggers nominated, must then be told

So first of all here's 11 facts about myself ...

• I am completely, 100% scared of anything with wings. Be it moths, butterfly's, birds, daddy-long-legs. As soon as one flies into the room, I'm outta there! 
• I trained as a gymnastic for 7 years, where i competed in competitions and trained at the same gym as Louis Smith
• My Dad is my hero
• When I was born I was named Sydney for a week
• I am too honest for my own good, in fact it gets me in trouble more often than not
• I have had the pleasure of spending a morning, discussing beauty with Lulu 
• I won Johnson & Johnson's New Beauty Journalist award in 2011
• I'd rather watch a good action film over a chick-flick anyday
• I love to cook
• I couldn't live without my mascara
• I have never watched Dirty Dancing or Footlose

Now for the questions that I have been asked to answer...

What is your most embarrassing moment?
My most embarrassing moment has to be when I was 16 years old, working as a waitress in my local pub. It was New Years Eve and very busy. After clearing up dirty plates from a table, I carried them back to the kitchen, only to slip over in front of the whole bar, while a group of sixth form students from school laughed at me.

What is the best film you have seen this year?
This is a really hard question, but I think it has got to be The Help - inspirational, beautiful and funny.

What is your best buy?
This is quite a vague question, but if it was beauty related I would definitely say mascara. I don't have a favourite brand as I like to try different ones as often as I can.

What's the first item on your wish list?
It has got to be a Michael Kors rose gold watch. I'm absolutely obsessed with rose gold at the moment.

Have you got a favourite childhood toy?
My favourite toy growing up was definitely my Barbie dolls.

What is your favourite nail varnish?
My favourite nail varnish brand is Maybelline Forever Strong Pro, but they're really limited on colours. But if I was to go for favourite nail varnish overall, it would be Nails Inc in Haymarket.

Coke or Pepsi?
Coke

What's your most recent purchase?
Was a faux leather skirt and pug patterned top both from River Island.

What's the most expensive item in your wardrobe?
The most expensive item(s) in my wardrobe are both my pairs of Ugg boots - one in chestnut and the other in chocolate - everyone needs a bit of variation!

Is there a TV program you can't miss?
Keeping Up with the Kardashians is a definite and Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model.

Comfort or style?
Style

I have sent my questions to the blogs I've tagged myself in, instead of placing them on my blog. Thank you to Eve again for nominating me.