Wet n Wild Photo Focus Stick Foundation Review

The Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation is one of my top favorite drugstore foundations (blogpost here), so naturally, I was intrigued when Wet n Wild recently released a Stick Foundation from the same line.

What it is: The Photo Focus Stick Foundation delivers long lasting coverage in a breakthrough, lightweight, multi-dimensional formula that applies to a flawless semi-matte finish. Infused with Argan and Sunflower Seed oils for intense moisture and seamless bendability, the Photo Focus Stick Foundation perfects your complexion and boosts your confidence to have you looking and feeling great from sunup to sundown (wetnwildbeauty.com).

Price: $5.99 (wetnwildbeauty.com)

Packaging: The typical twist up packaging is practical, but honestly, nothing to write home about. I much prefer the sleek, aesthetically pleasing packaging of the Makeup Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation (review here) or Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation (review here). But to be fair, I wouldn’t hold that against them as long as the product inside performs well, especially for the affordable price tag.

Formula: I always dread the dryness and cakiness of stick foundations, but I was impressed with how creamy this is, while simultaneously feeling weightless on the skin. This foundation gives light-buildable-to-medium coverage with a matte, airbrushed finish. This blurs imperfections without emphasizing my skin texture, dry patches, or larger pores (particularly around the nose). I noticed that this dries down and sets fairly quickly, so I recommend buffing or blending it out right after application. Once it sets, it doesn’t leave behind any stickiness or tackiness on the skin so I don’t feel like I have to set my entire face with powder, which I appreciate! In terms of longevity, I would put it around the 6-8 hour mark. By the end of the day, it had worn off around my nose area, but the rest of the face looked pretty darn good.

Shade Range: There are currently 21 shades offered, which is generous, particularly for stick foundations at the drugstore. However, I wished that the Wet n Wild website provided shade descriptions, which would make it infinitely more helpful when ordering foundations online.

Swatches: I picked up the shade Golden Honey, which I would describe as a medium with neutral undertones. It is about two shades too light for me, as I’m more tanned at the moment, but I make it work with some extra bronzer. If I could go back, I would pick up the deeper shade Golden Tan instead, which looks like a closer match to me.

Application: I have very dry skin so as a precaution, I always apply a moisturizing primer beforehand. Then, I buff this foundation in first with a flat top kabuki brush, followed by a damp beauty sponge (my current favorite is the ELF Total Face Sponge) for the most natural finish. One layer is plenty of product, as I don’t mind my natural skin (or spots!) peeking through 😉 But you can easily apply another layer for additional coverage, if so desired.

Overall Rating: Based on my experience, I’m rating the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Stick Foundation as 9/10 stars. $5.99 is a very reasonable price for a quality drugstore foundation. As a bonus, I was able to score this during their sitewide 40% off sale so it was a total steal! Dare I say, this foundation performs just as well, if not even better, than the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Stick Foundation?! 😱 If you are looking for an affordable, drugstore option to hop on the stick foundation trend, look no further.

Have you tried the new Wet n Wild Photo Focus Stick Foundations? How did it work for you?

XO,

Mary Dee

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