Whilst drifting through Duty Free (ok, I’m trying to be nonchalant – whilst maniacally combing through Duty Free) my first stop was the Clinique counter to see what travel exclusives they had going on (a HUGE Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+). BUT, to my surprise, the new Clinique For Men line was already stocked and on display.

I will point out that I’m writing this at 5am in Terminal 2, Manchester Airport; there are many things you can say about me but not being committed to my trade isn’t one of them!

Manface will be one of the first places you’ll see reviews on the new Clinique For Men, but until my preview samples get in, I was pretty much just as in the dark on this as everyone else (although I knew the launch was on it’s way since last September and it’s been painful keeping my gob shut, but I managed).

The major difference to the range is that it’s been totally repackaged and it seems, aimed at customers suffering with late stage cataracts – I could read the bottles from the other side of the beauty hall. Sadly, Skin Supplies For Men seems to have been killed off in favour of the snapper Clinique Men; I will miss saying “SSFM” (I’ll get over it… in time).

In the new Clinique Men line, from what’s in stock here, there’s:

• Face Wash
• Oil Control Face Wash
• Exfoliating Tonic
• Oil Control Tonic
• Moisturizing Lotion
• Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer
• Anti Age Moisturizer
• SPF 21 Moisturizer
• Face Scrub
• Maximum Hydrator
• Post Shave Soother

I had a feeling this would be the case, but the 3-Step system for men has also been shot in the back of the head. I’m not surprised to be honest, because for guys it’s often just to much to choose from without the help of a Clinique consultant and with such an enormous array of different options and combinations, that on the surface/packaging all seem to do the same thing, it can be a bit of a minefield. So, there we go.

Finally, I took a photo of the large Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ because I got all excited when I thought I’d finally found a size big enough… Shame it’s not real.