Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer

As the warmer weather approaches a good transition face product is a tinted moisturizer. I was pleased to see Clinique come out with one recently, the Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. This product is described as "allergy tested, 100 fragrance-free, sheer, hydrating coverage, natural finish... smooth on an instant moisture boost with SPF protection and a hint of skin-perfecting colour. Lightweight formula provides a no-makeup look and feel, yet covers imperfections with a natural, hydrating touch. Long-wearing, oil-free, apply prior to sun exposure." 

I am a big fan of Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief from Clinique, the gel that comes in a small pink pot, however recently I learned that it wasn't meant as a moisturizer but as an initial complimentary product, a sort of drink of water for dehydrated skin. It helps your skin feels moist and hydrated at first and then wears off. My skin is quite dry, so I layer products on anyway and Moisture Surge went on top of my regular moisturizer. Apparently Moisture Surge should not be recommended for those with dry skin because it contains NO moisturizing abilities in it (this information comes from makeupalley). Anyway, when I first thought of this product I thought it would be like that same gel consistency that Moisture Surge is, well it's not, it's more of a light cream consistency, which is too bad, it feels like any other foundation. For complete ingredients list, check it out on makeupalley here, the product contains Menthol which people are complaining about, so if you have sensitive skin, maybe a no no.

It comes in a 30ml bottle, just like any standard sized foundation, the price is the same as most Clinique foundations, $30 CAD/$24.50US. I have it here in the lightest colour, 01 VF-N (I think that means very fair neutral). And as I predict for all Clinique foundations, it's anything but "very fair" this colour isn't a great match for me, it's a bit too dark, but since it's not high coverage, I can make it work, or so try my best to. The bottle looks smaller than the other Clinique foundations that I have, but it's the exact same size, it's a bit wider too. 

When I shake the bottles up, I can tell that Moisture Surge tinted moisturizer is the most watery out of the three Clinique foundations that I have. This product blends very easily since it's such a thin consistency. It has replaced the Almost Makeup and Moisture Sheer Tint, both products have been discontinued, however I've read this product gives better coverage (I haven't used the others). The coverage is light, nice for dry skin and for those with oily skin, I would suggest setting it with a powder for sure since the finish is dewy. On my skin, this tinted moisturizer never really felt like it set or dried down, which I suppose is the idea of a tinted moisturizer, I did set it with a powder (Laura Mercier Loose Setting). It feels very light on the skin, like a moisturizer, but with the added benefits of a bit of colour too. For those with minor imperfections, I think this is a good product. 

Here is my problem with Moisture Surge however, the colour selection! As you can tell from the swatches above, this product is the darkest and most yellow out of the three Clinique foundations that I own (all in lightest shades). I'd say Shade 01 in this is like NC/NW20, and I am lighter than that. And I find that it does get darker as it sets, what is up with that? Even Better still reigns as my favourite Clinique foundation, it has the most luminosity and moisturization in my opinion for my skin and the colour is the best (less yellow than Moisture Surge).

Would I recommend this product? If you're a fan of tinted moisturizers, this is a nice one to try out, if you can find your colour match. For those with dry skin, looking for something light feeling with light coverage, this is nice to have. However, for me I was a bit disappointed because it wasn't that gel consistency that I was hoping for.