Choosing a moisturiser is quite frankly, a tricky business. From dry skin to combination, from designer to high street brands, there are probably more options than choosing a wedding gown, well it can feel like that anyway!

I became interested in Clinique products after using their clarifying lotion on my rebellious teenage skin, so when the time came for a new moisturiser a while back I decided to enquire at the Clinque desk, as they claim to be "skin specialists", giving you an individual profile to tailor the needs of your skin. When ordering some more clarifying lotion online, I was given a weeks supply of the "dramatically different moisturiser" as it was part of a promotion Clinique were running, whereby if you bought two products online you could choose a product, from a number of their other ranges for free. A factor which swayed me in picking this moisturiser, is Clinque say it is part of a "3 step routine", and as I had already purchased step 1 and 2, decided I may as well give the moisturiser a bash too.

The product I received, is essentially a smaller version of the original bottle, which is a square bottle shape, with a silver screw top lid. Although I was given a 15ml weeks supply, I still have a considerable amount left despite using this product numerous times so it has certainly lasted longer than a week! But, is it any good?

I have dry, sensitive fair skin (celtic, if you must know). I'm like the vegetarian equivalent at the beauty counter, if all those beautiful foundations were meat (as they are simply too dark for my skin). Needless to say, my skincare routine has to involve products which will hydrate my skin very well, and not irritate it.

When pouring some of the product onto my hand, I was a little perplexed that it was yellow... it almost looks like runny custard. A yellow product on my skin will hydrate it? The smell also leaves little to be desired, it's ok, but smells like opening a box of pencil crayons... it's not unpleasant, but I think smells too plain and crayony. The consistency is similar to that of melted butter. It looks a little too runny, however on the plus side it is easy to rub into the skin because it spreads out easily.

I applied the product all over my face (I have just done this to replicate the results). We're 10 minutes in to this experiment, and the product felt cool and was quick to sink into my skin, but I can't say there has been a "dramatic difference", in the way my skin feels overall, particularly in relation to hydration.

I always apply moisturiser in the morning before applying my foundation, to ensure my skin has had a drink and also to give a good base for my make-up once it's settled in. Honestly, my skin does not feel all that smooth or hydrated after using this product. Given I have dry skin and this product is supposed to be tailored for such needs, it's a bit of a let down. This would probably explain why I never did move on to the full sized bottle...

Overall, I found the Clinque dramatically different moisturising lotion, to be a dramatic let down. Although it initially felt cooling on my skin, it's overly plain smell and it's yellow colouring do it no favours, add to all that the fact that my skin only felt slightly moisturised afterwards (certainly not matching that kind of expected price tag)... I really don't think I will be buying this in the future. If you do wish to purchase it though, it currently retails between £15-£30 from selected retailers and online.

I think the biggest let down, is Clinique are supposed to be the big guns when it comes to skin care, they have a counter in every department store and stock some fantastic products, yet have really let me down on this one. If you took away the label and tried this on your skin, you certainly wouldn't think it's a Clinique product, let alone it costs £30 a bottle. In short, I much prefer my Nivea moisturiser from Superdrug which costs me £5 a time. Don't waste you money on this product!