As a rule, I don't usually spend a lot of money on facial skin products as I tend to add them to my birthday and Christmas lists. If I need anything in particular I tend to spend my pennies wisely and opt for the cheaper, more affordable brands. The only expensive products that I have ever purchased are an Elemis papaya enzyme peel, which I paid £30 for, and the Clinique Turnaround Concentrate which also cost in the region of £30, and which I will be writing about.

The Clinique Turnaround Concentrate was an impulse buy...it was something that I had to buy as soon as I was offered to try on a free sample by the ever enticing staff behind the Clinique counter, in the Debenhams store. And this review will probably prove to you that I had in fact no choice but to buy it then and there, without giving one thought to my ever increasing overdaft. At that moment, my next birthday, only a couple of months away, seemed like a very long time away...and I convinced myself that this was something I needed right away.

The Turnaround Concentrate is an advanced cocktail of exfoliants, which Clinique claims, I quote, "to unveil skin's optimal radiance through an unprecedented multi-level skin renewal process. It continually resurfaces skin for a brighter, more even appearance. Immediately, skin looks perfected. Over time, the appearance of fine lines is reduced". Wow, it sounds magic! The Turnaround Concentrate comes in a small light blue glass bottle with the Clinique logo in silver, and white writing advising that it is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free etc etc. No ingredients are listed on the bottle itself, which contains 30 ml of this "visible skin renewer". It is advised that you use this twice daily and avoid eye area. The bottle has a silver dispensing pump, which helps control the amount you use (I find that an amount the size of a pea is sufficient for my face). The Turnaround Concentrate is fragrance free (something that I am not too keen on as I like a bit of a scent), ideal for sensitive skin.

Ok, I will now tell you why I had to buy this as soon as I opened and used the sample. I rubbed the Turnaround Concentrate onto my face, this was absorbed immediately (it is not runny or too thick in consistency). As soon as I had done that, my face felt like it had been touched by fairy magic. It felt almost impossibly smooth, silky, soft and even. I really cannot describe in enough words how wonderful my skin felt, I would keep on touching it over and over again, not really believing that anything of this earth could actually make my face feel like that. Even though I did not see an instant improvement, I had to buy it just because of the way it made my face feel. And anyway what can actually make your skin look different straight away, apart from a facelift or some botox? The effect seemed to last for the next few hours, as I kept touching my face and wondering what the heck was inside this little bottle.

I started using the Turnaround Concentrate daily and within a few weeks, my skin not only felt but also started to look better, fresher, brighter I would say. I still had fine lines, but as a smoker and sunbed user I couldn't really expect too much, perhaps if I didn't use the Turnaround Concentrate at all, these lines might not be so fine. Please believe me, you absolutely have to try this amazing potion, so next time you go past a Clinique counter, ask for a free sample. But just remember, that once you have tried it you will also end up buying it!