This $6 Wet n Wild Tinted Moisturizer Is Surprisingly Good

Wet n Wild Bare Focus was a pleasant surprise.

Who doesn’t love a makeup steal? I know I do! I picked up the Wet n Wild Bare Focus Hydrator on a whim, and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty impressed. Drugstore products sometimes get a bad rep because of how cheap they are. But, to be honest, there’s some drugstore products out there that perform better than luxury. There are several drugstore products in my collection that I keep on rotation, and this one from Wet n Wild tinted moisturizer is one of them.

Promises vs. Performance: What can a $6 tinted moisturizer do?

Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator features hyaluronic acid and vegan squalane for hydrated, nourished skin. The lightweight formula claims a buildable sheer to medium coverage with a semi-matte finish. Its 11 shades claim to be versatile to fit all skin tones. Tinted Hydrator is oil free, fragrance free, cruelty free, and vegan.

I’m going to be honest – I wasn’t sure what to expect from a $6 tinted moisturizer. But, I can tell you I was pleasantly surprised from the moment I applied it to my skin. It has a creamy, lightweight texture that applies easily with the fingers, a brush, or a sponge. I prefer a brush (this one from e.l.f. works great) as it allows me to get closer to a medium coverage. The formula is hydrating, but still provides a natural soft-matte finish, making it suitable for all skin types.

Now, this skin tint isn’t 100% perfect. Depending on the skincare, SPF, and primer I wear underneath, there can be some pilling. However, I am pleased that there is minimal settling and creasing. I mainly noticed this happening around my smile lines, which is where I typically experience settling. It also doesn’t help control excess oil. I felt pretty shiny at the end of the day, especially on my forehead.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.4)

Wet n Wild:Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator

Price: $6.49

0.91 oz

Value

(4.8)

Application

(4.7)

Coverage

(4.5)

Texture

(4.1)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4)

Extra Benefits

(4.2)

Industry Standard

(4.6)

Loreal :True Match Nude Tinted Serum

Price: $19.99

1.0 oz

Value

(4)

Application

(4.9)

Coverage

(4.6)

Texture

(4.7)

Longevity

(4.9)

Shade Range

(4.4)

Extra Benefits

(3.8)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)

Best Skin Tints:Skin Tints That Elevate Everyday Makeup

Price: $7 – $50

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+)

_{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: Not the best skin tint, but it stacks up.

I’m just going to take a second to brag on Wet n Wild’s Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator. For $6, this one is good. It provides adequate light to medium coverage with a natural matte finish. The formula is hydrating thanks to an infusion of squalane and hyaluronic acid, but doesn’t look or feel greasy on the skin. Skin tints as a category aren’t known to be the longest wearing. I would give Bare Focus a solid 4-6 hour wear, depending on how you prep your skin and if you set your face.

As much as I do enjoy Bare Focus, my holy grail drugstore skin tint would have to be L’Oreal True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. This one gives a light coverage with a radiant finish (more natural looking). It has a satin, non-greasy feel and lightweight wear. The texture is thinner, which, in my opinion, allows it to pair even better with a wide variety of base products. It creates a stunning blurred effect on the skin, doesn’t accentuate imperfections, and doesn’t contribute to excess oiliness. These are just a few of the reasons why I love this skin tint.

But, let me be honest, I love skin tints and can’t get enough of them. Check out the Milabu team’s list of the Best Skin Tints for all of our favorites, including favorite formulas like this one from Wet n Wild, L’Oreal, plus other coveted formulas from brands like caliray, Saie, and ILIA.