I’m Not a Religious Gal, but Saie’s Slip Tint with SPF 35 Is Heaven-Sent

• Value: 19/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Ease of Use: 20/20
• Aesthetics: 20/20
• Results: 20/20
• TOTAL: 99/100

With my bottle of Ilia’s Super Serum Skin nearly empty, I was in the market for a new clean tinted moisturizer with SPF. Like the Ilia serum, I wanted something that would keep my morning skincare and makeup routine streamlined. So, when my group text thread (you know, the pals you text 24/7 about all things essential…and not) unanimously gave Saie’s Slip Tint two thumbs up, I immediately ordered color One, which the brand describes as “for very light skintones with pink undertones.” I’ve been wearing it every day since it arrived, and I’m obsessed. Here’s why.

The Slip Tint glides on like buttah and smooths, brightens and moisturizes your skin upon application. While I’ve read some reviews that it doesn’t provide enough coverage, I actually prefer that it’s more translucent, because it means you really can’t mess it up. There have been too many times I’ve been out all day only to catch a glimpse of myself and discover my entire left cheek is orange and pilling.

Speaking of looking orange, I found the Slip Tint relatively easy to match my skin. Though Saie offers fewer shade options than Ilia (14 compared to Ilia’s 30), it’s sheerer and blends in more seamlessly, so I have yet to have an “oh crap, I didn’t blend in my makeup” moment.

As for pilling, even though it includes 15 percent zinc oxide SPF, I’m thrilled to report that it goes on smoothly and stays that way all day.I can use products underneath it like vitamin C serums or other moisturizers, and I can even layer more mineral SPF over it throughout the day without causing any chalky texture or flaky pilling. Part of that probably has to do with its formula. There’s pansy flower, which works with hyaluronic acid for extra moisturizing power. There’s also coco caprylate/caprate, which is a coconut-derived emollient that helps give its namesake slip. I’ve found that even though the Slip Tint plays well with others, I don’t need as many steps to get my skin into shape because it's working on all cylinders for everything I’m after: brightness, sheer coverage, sun protection and hydration.

Dewy skin is all the rage. But as a person with combo skin—dry and oily somehow at the same time—I’m not quite in the market to look as if I just emerged from the ocean. Again, there are some disappointed reviewers on Sephora citing a lack of dewiness, but I have no problem with its dewiness factor. It’s perfectly dewy for my taste, as in it leaves slight reflection that makes my cheekbones glimmer in the right light. However, if you want to add more shine, Saie’s Glowy Super Gel Dewy Highlighter ($28) does just that—plus it blends seamlessly with the Skin Tint. Whenever I feel like my skin is on its best behavior, I’ll add a drop of Super Gel to my Slip Tint. And, because I’m a risk-averse coward, I top things off with an all-over smattering of the Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder ($30), ya know, to keep all the opposing forces in harmony.

I initially docked Saie’s Slip Tint three points on value since it costs $35 for a 1.35 oz. tube. But looking at some of its competitors (like Ilia’s serum, which costs $48 for 1 oz.), I changed my tune.

I’ve become a brand evangelist for Saie and hope they never change their formulas because they work so well with my skin. Everything I’ve tried in the line has a super buildable texture, which means you're very much in control of the application. On that note, I also really love their Super Gel highlighter and the Sun Melt cream bronzer. Overall? I very rarely go all-in on one brand, but I've clearly become a devout convert.