Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm Review

First of all, if you're reading this I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years Eve celebration! I didn't do that much myself as I didn't have much time off so I pretty much just drank quite a few elderflower gin and tonics and did some much needed hibernating.

Like every good consumer, I took advantage of the recent sales - 10% off beauty at Selfridges to be precise and bought myself one thing - the Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm. I've had one beady eye on the balm for aaaages but wanted to wait until it was good and frosty outside before I added it to my basket because I knew it was going to be very, very hydrating and thick.

This tinted moisturiser has an SPF of 25 - though you probably guessed that from the name, so was probably developed for use in the summer though I'm not sure it will suit my skin if I'm a bit sweaty (though I will put this to the test once ice cream weather is upon us).

This is what I would call a true tinted moisturiser. Definitely not a foundation in disguise, it is in fact a moisturiser with a subtle tint. I reiterate this because there are so many 'tinted moisturisers' on the market that completely cake your face the same way a good old fashioned foundation would and you have to be careful to get an exact match or risk looking like you're wearing a mask.

For me, the Bobbi Brown Extra Tinted Moisturizing Balm blends pretty seamlessly and just 'kisses' my skin with colour, so I think I could have gotten away with a few shades darker or lighted than the colour I opted for - Light to Medium Tint.

In terms of texture, the balm feels like a pretty luxurious, thick moisturiser and is designed to use in place of your regular moisturiser. It doesn't stick to any dry bits (though I have gone exfoliator-crazy lately) or sit in pores and just adds a healthy tint to my face, leaving a dewy finish, which could be counteracted with a bit of translucent powder if the dewy look isn't your thing.

Also it smells really, really lovely. Kind of herbal and not very dissimilar to the Vitamin Enriched Face Base.

If you have dry skin, I can't recommend this enough. You don't need to use a lot of product at all (though it is slightly buildable), which softens the blow of the horrendous £36 price tag. The Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm is available in 7 shades from Alabaster through to Dark Tint and can be found anywhere that peddles Bobbi Brown. ETA - As of 2019, this product seems to have been discontinued. I will update with links if it comes back!