wet n wild photofocus foundation

Milabu Rating

  • Overall
    (4.1)

Price Category: Value

  • $6.89 Retail

Sign up for a discount

99 sign ups needed for 10% off
Learn more


Pros

  • Spatula applicator
  • Easy to blend
  • Lightweight
  • Long wearing (for not setting)
  • Shininess wasn’t out of control; Stayed radiant, not oily all day

Cons

  • Heavily fragranced
  • Can exaggerate dry spots and texture
  • Pores became more visible throughout the day

Overview

I really enjoyed the dewy Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation formula. It didn’t make me look like a disco ball and it wore well, but it did exaggerate some texture.

See Foundation in Action ▶️

Sign up for a discount

99 sign ups needed for 10% off
Learn more

Some links to purchase are affiliate.

Our Rating Criteria

I enjoy the matte Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation, but will I enjoy the dewy version?

You guys know me. I’m always on the hunt for a good drugstore foundation. Today I’m testing out the new dewy formula of Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation that offers 26 shades. This foundation retails for under $6, and has some bold claims. From a promise to be long lasting, to blurring imperfections, minimizing pores, and more. I’m excited to test out the dewy formula, as I do get pretty oily throughout the day in my t-zone. So, let’s find out: would it keep my oil at bay, or would I be a greasy disco ball at the end of the night?

Promises vs. Performance: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation will take you from day to night.

The newest to the Wet n Wild PhotoFocus franchise is the dewy version of the foundation. It claims to be a weightless foundation for natural all day wear. Wet n Wild promises PhotoFocus “easily transitions from day to night wear.” It is most ideal for normal to dry skin types, because it is a more moisturizing formula. The formula seamlessly blends, blurring imperfections and minimizing the appearance of pores with its buildable coverage. What you’ll be left with is a smooth, dewy finish that hydrates all day long.

There are twenty shades to choose from with this foundation and I picked up two, Shell Ivory and Rose Ivory, and ended up mixing to create my own custom shade. Using a brush, PhotoFocus Dewy blended in super easy and seamlessly as promised. I was met immediately with a dewy, radiant finish that felt lightweight. However, it did exaggerate the dry spots and texture I was experiencing on my face. I loved how it looked at initial application even though it wasn’t fully set. I don’t typically like setting dewy foundations, and I loved the fresh youthful radiance it gave me. Though, I think you would be perfectly good to go if you topped it off with some powder.

I’m not mad about how Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation wore. It wore pretty even and didn’t make me too shiny by the end of the day, especially with not using a setting powder. I will say, my pores did become more visible as the day went on. Despite a few minor hiccups, I think this foundation looked really beautiful on my skim because of its youthful glow. One thing I will say, is that it is heavily fragranced so beware if you are sensitive!

Quick RATING Rundown

This Product

(4)
wet n wild photofocus foundation

:Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation

Price: $6.89

0.95 oz

Value

(5)

Application

(4.5)

Coverage

(4)

Texture

(4.1)

Longevity

(3.2)

Shade Range

(3)

Extra Benefits

(3)

Industry Standard

(4.4)
L'Oréal Infallible, one of the best drugstore foundations

:L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear

Price: $15.99

1.0 oz

Value

(5)

Application

(4.5)

Coverage

(4)

Texture

(4.3)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

MILABU PICKS

(4+)

:Best Rated Full Coverage Foundations Under $25

Price: $11 – $22

various sizes

Value

(4+)

Application

(4+)

Coverage

(4+)

Texture

(4+)

Longevity

(4+)

Shade Range

(4+)

Extra Benefits

(4+)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)
Best Makeup Foundations Review

:12 Best Foundations You Need To Try

Price: $15 – $70

various sizes

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Coverage

(4.5+)

Texture

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)
Previous
Next

Our Rating Criteria

How It Compares: If you’re looking for a dewy drugstore foundation, check out the dewy formula of Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation.

There are several things I enjoyed about this foundation, but there are also some parts I didn’t love. For starters, it blended out super easily and seamlessly with a brush. I got a solid medium coverage without using too much product, and immediately noticed the dewy, radiant finish it gave my skin. Though the wear wasn’t perfect, I was impressed that the dewy finish didn’t make me look overly oily or greasy by the end of the day, especially for not setting with a powder. Though, it did exaggerate my dryness and texture and looked as if it was just sitting on top of these areas instead of the smooth finish Wet n Wild promised. At the end of my full day wear test, the wear was even and the only major complaint I had was my pores were a bit exaggerated.

But… I still give L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear (rated **** 4.4) a better score. Infallible is one of those foundations that I will probably always love. Yes, there are better out there, but this is the one I compare everything to. It provides a buildable medium to full coverage with a natural finish that keeps me (mostly) shine free all day. It doesn’t cling to any dryness or texture I’m experiencing, or exaggerate my pores. If I’m looking for a foundation that won’t let me down from day to night, Infallible is one I can always count on.

For a complete list of our top full coverage foundations under $25 (rated ****4.0+), check out our MILABU PICKS article, ‘Best Rated Full Coverage Foundations Under $25.’

Milabu Beauty Method: Even if you’re oily, you can enjoy this foundation too!

Although Wet n Wild says the formula is better suited for normal to dry skin, I find that oily types can enjoy too, by simply adding a powder over top.

  1. Because this foundation can exaggerate pores, dry spots, and texture, I’d suggest a blurring primer underneath. One of my favorites is Porefessional from Benefit ($32).
  2. I enjoy applying the foundation directly to my skin using the included spatula applicator. Evenly dot the foundation across your skin.
  3. With dewier formulas, I prefer using a brush (a damp sponge can sometimes add more dew). A buffing brush like this one from e.l.f. ($6) works really well for this type of formula.
  4. If desired, layer more foundation for additional coverage.
  5. Personally, I don’t typically set dewy foundations unless they are overly glowy. I don’t find I need to set this one immediately. However, if your skin is on the oilier side, I would layer with a loose setting powder over top. Coty Airspun ($6) is a classic that looks good over most foundations!

For a complete list of our top foundation formulas (rated ****4.5+), check out our MILABU PICKS article, ‘The 12 Best Foundations You Need To Try.’

Advertised Product Highlights

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation Dewy

# OF SHADES: 20

FORMULATION: Liquid

FINISH: Dewy

COVERAGE: Medium, Full

LONGEVITY: All day wear

SKIN TYPE: Normal, Dry

PROTECTION: No SPF

BENEFITS: Moisturizing formula; Seamlessly blends into skin; Blurs imperfections; Minimizes appearance of pores; Silky, creamy texture

OTHER: Cruelty free, Vegan

CLEAN BEAUTY CLAIMS: Gluten-free, Talc-free

Edited by Maddie

Back to top