Winner Takes All!

Left: Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturizer (shade 03)

Right: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Perfector BB Cream (medium/deep)

I am ready to lay the SMACK DOWN on these two products! I heard all the buzz about BB Creams over the past few months and was really excited to see that a few drugstore brands had come out with their own (Maybelline, Garnier and L'Oreal). BB Creams, otherwise known as "Beauty Balms" are supposed to be a supreme tinted moisturizer. They are supposed to smooth, hydrate, cover imperfections flawlessly, protect skin, and perfect skin. I compared the two products (although Clinique does have their own BB Cream, I had this tinted moisturizer on hand). I'll compare the two, starting with Garnier:

Pro's: 

Hydrates REALLY well (I can totally skip a moisturizer)

Blends well 

Nice, build able coverage. 

No harsh smell

Really keeps skin smooth and soft

Spf 15

Cons:

Only available in two shades (light/medium, medium/deep)

Leaves my whole face really shiny

Here's the deal: The fact that only two shades are available works against this product. While it does blend well, the end result leaves my face looking slightly darker than the rest of me. For this reason, I have to use a bronzer to blend out my neck/chest area. This product is a great moisturizer, but it leaves my skin so shiny that I have to use pressed powder to matte it down. Those are really the only two points I have against it. Other than that, it is a nice make-up product and covers well.

Next up is Clinique! Pros:

Less is more - a little bit can go a very long way

Shade matches flawlessly

So easy to blend

spf 15

Very "natural" look

Cons: 

Can't really build up to full coverage (while I don't really care for full coverage, this may be a concern for some people)
hydrating, but a moisturizer underneath is suggested
Not the greatest staying power

Overall, I love this product. I have been using it for years and it is the perfect amount of coverage for someone like me. I never feel greasy when I have it on. Clinique's products always do wonders for my skin.

Personally, I don't understand the buzz about the BB creams. To me, they do the same thing that tinted moisturizers have been doing for years. While I do enjoy Garnier's BB Cream, I have to say that I will be sticking to Clinique's tinted moisturizer for years to come.