The Ultimate wet n wild Cosmetics Review: Is This Drugstore Makeup Worth the Hype?
Hey there, beauty lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best makeup products that won‘t break the bank. And when it comes to affordable drugstore brands, wet n wild is a name that always comes up. But with so many products to choose from and new releases constantly dropping, it can be hard to know where to start. That‘s why I‘ve put together this ultimate wet n wild cosmetics review to give you the lowdown on the brand‘s best-sellers, hidden gems, and whether they‘re really worth the hype.
What is wet n wild?
Before we dive into the products, let‘s start with a quick overview of the brand. wet n wild is a cruelty-free and affordable makeup brand that‘s been around since 1979. They offer a full range of makeup products including foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, and more, with most items retailing for under $10.
The brand has gained a cult following over the years for their high-quality formulas, trendy shade ranges, and accessible price points. In fact, wet n wild is the #1 selling "masstige" (prestige for the masses) makeup brand in the U.S. and has earned over 60 industry awards.
One of the things I love most about wet n wild is their commitment to diversity and inclusion. They offer an impressive shade range for their complexion products (up to 40 shades for some foundations!) and feature models of all skin tones in their marketing. The brand has also partnered with organizations like the NAACP and The Trevor Project to support underrepresented communities.
But enough about the brand – let‘s get into the products! I‘ve personally tested dozens of wet n wild makeup items over the years, so I‘m excited to share my honest thoughts and experiences with you. Whether you‘re a wet n wild newbie or a long-time fan, I hope this review helps you discover some new faves to add to your collection.
Foundation
Let‘s start with the base – foundation. wet n wild offers several different formulas depending on your coverage and finish preferences. Here are the ones I‘ve tried:
Photo Focus Foundation
This is wet n wild‘s most popular foundation and for good reason. It‘s a medium-to-full coverage liquid formula that applies smoothly and blends easily. The finish is a soft matte that looks natural on the skin, not flat or cakey. And the best part? It has a "light-adjusting complex" that helps prevent flashback in photos.
I wear the shade Nude Ivory and find that it‘s a great match for my fair skin with neutral undertones. The foundation lasts well throughout the day, even in humid weather, and doesn‘t settle into fine lines or pores. At under $7 for 1 oz, it‘s an amazing value compared to high-end foundations. The one downside is that it can cling to dry patches, so make sure to moisturize well before applying.
Dewy Photo Focus Foundation
If you prefer a more radiant finish, the Dewy Photo Focus Foundation is a great option. It has the same medium-to-full coverage and light-adjusting complex as the original, but with a luminous finish that makes skin look healthy and glowy.
I like to apply this one with a damp beauty sponge for a smooth, seamless finish. It‘s also infused with hyaluronic acid and coconut oil to help hydrate the skin throughout the day. Just keep in mind that it may not be the best choice for very oily skin types.
Tinted Hydrator
For days when I want a lighter, more natural look, I reach for the wet n wild Tinted Hydrator. This is a sheer-to-medium coverage tinted moisturizer that evens out skin tone while feeling lightweight and comfortable on the skin.
The formula is infused with squalane and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, plus antioxidants like vitamin E and ginseng root to protect against environmental stressors. I love how quickly I can apply this in the morning for a fresh, no-makeup makeup look. It comes in 12 adaptable shades – I wear Light Medium for reference.
Foundation Comparison:
| Formula | Coverage | Finish | Standout Ingredients | Price |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Photo Focus | Medium-Full | Soft Matte | Light-Adjusting Complex | $6.99 |
| Dewy Photo Focus | Medium-Full | Luminous | Hyaluronic Acid, Coconut Oil | $6.99 |
| Tinted Hydrator | Sheer-Medium | Natural | Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid | $5.99 |
Concealer
Once I have my foundation on, I go in with concealer to brighten my under eyes and cover any blemishes or redness. wet n wild has a couple great options:
Incognito Concealer
This is a full-coverage, matte concealer that comes in a squeeze tube with a precise applicator. It‘s formulated with mango seed oil and vitamin E to nourish the skin while providing opaque coverage that doesn‘t crease or fade.
I use the shade Light Ivory to brighten my under eyes and find that a little goes a long way. The formula is on the thicker side, so I like to warm it up between my fingers before patting it in with a sponge. It‘s also great for covering pimples and dark spots – just make sure to set it with powder to prevent creasing.
Photo Focus Concealer
For a more natural, luminous finish, I like the Photo Focus Concealer. This one has a medium coverage that‘s buildable and blends seamlessly into the skin. It‘s infused with glycerin and vitamin E to hydrate and condition the delicate under eye area.
I wear the shade Light Ivory in this formula as well and find that it does a great job of concealing darkness and puffiness without looking heavy or cakey. The doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply and blend out with my fingers or a sponge. At under $5, it‘s a total steal compared to high-end concealers.
Concealer Comparison:
| Formula | Coverage | Finish | Applicator | Price |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Incognito | Full | Matte | Squeeze Tube | $4.99 |
| Photo Focus | Medium | Luminous | Doe Foot | $4.99 |
Setting Powder
To lock in my foundation and concealer, I always set my face with powder. wet n wild has a few options depending on your skin type and preferences:
Photo Focus Pressed Powder
This is a finely milled, translucent pressed powder that sets makeup without adding coverage or color. It has a silky smooth texture that blends easily and never looks chalky or powdery on the skin.
I like to apply this with a fluffy brush all over my face, focusing on my T-zone where I tend to get oily throughout the day. It helps control shine and blur the look of pores for a soft-focus finish. The compact is also great for touch-ups on the go.
Reserve Your Cabana Bronzer/Highlighter
Okay, I know this technically isn‘t a setting powder, but hear me out. The Reserve Your Cabana Bronzer/Highlighter is a multipurpose compact that can be used as a subtle bronzer, highlighter, or all-over setting powder.
The powder has a finely milled, silky texture with a hint of sheen that adds a healthy glow to the skin. I like to dust this all over my face with a big fluffy brush to set my makeup and add a bit of warmth. It never looks glittery or shimmery, just naturally radiant. And at under $5, it‘s an amazing dupe for high-end setting powders like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.
Setting Powder Comparison:
| Formula | Finish | Best For | Price |
| — | — | — | — |
| Photo Focus Pressed Powder | Translucent Matte | All Skin Types | $4.99 |
| Reserve Your Cabana | Luminous Sheen | Dry/Normal Skin | $4.99 |
Blush
To add a flush of color to my cheeks, I love using blush. wet n wild has some beautiful powder and cream formulas to choose from:
Color Icon Blush
These are classic pressed powder blushes that come in a range of flattering shades for every skin tone. The formula is richly pigmented but blendable, so you can build up the color to your desired intensity.
My favorite shade is Pearlescent Pink, a soft baby pink with a hint of shimmer. It gives my cheeks a healthy, natural-looking flush that perks up my whole complexion. I also love how long-wearing these blushes are – they easily last all day on me without fading.
MegaGlo Makeup Stick Blush
For a quick and easy cream blush option, I reach for the MegaGlo Makeup Stick Blushes. These twist-up sticks have a creamy, blendable formula that melts into the skin for a natural, dewy finish.
I love the shade Floral Majority, a fresh rosy pink that looks beautiful on fair to medium skin tones. I like to dab it directly onto my cheeks and blend out with my fingers or a stippling brush. The stick format also makes it great for on-the-go touch-ups.
Blush Comparison:
| Formula | Type | Pigmentation | Wear Time |
| — | — | — | — |
| Color Icon | Powder | High | Long |
| MegaGlo Makeup Stick | Cream | Medium | Medium |
Bronzer
To warm up my complexion and add dimension to my face, bronzer is a must. wet n wild has a couple great options for every skin tone and preference:
Color Icon Bronzer
These pressed powder bronzers come in 4 shades ranging from light to deep. They have a smooth, blendable texture with a matte finish that looks natural on the skin.
I use the shade Ticket to Brazil, a medium warm brown, to add warmth to my forehead, cheeks, and jawline. It‘s pigmented enough to show up on my skin but not so intense that it looks muddy or orange. I also appreciate that it‘s free of shimmer, so it mimics a true sun-kissed look.
MegaGlo Contouring Palette
For more sculpting and shaping, the MegaGlo Contouring Palette is a great choice. It comes with a contour shade and a highlighting shade in a sleek black compact.
The contour shade is a cool-toned brown that creates natural shadows, while the highlighter is a champagne beige that adds a subtle sheen. I like to use the contour shade to define my cheekbones and jawline, then pop the highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. The powders are finely milled and easy to blend, so you can create a seamless, sculpted look.
Bronzer & Contour Comparison:
| Product | Shades | Finish | Best For | Price |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Color Icon Bronzer | 4 | Matte | Warm All-Over Color | $4.99 |
| MegaGlo Contouring Palette | 2 | Satin/Matte | Shaping & Highlighting | $4.99 |
Highlighter
Highlighter is one of my favorite steps in my makeup routine – there‘s nothing like a gorgeous glow to make you look healthy and radiant. wet n wild has some incredible options for every highlight preference:
MegaGlo Highlighting Powder
These are baked powder highlighters that come in 6 shades with different undertones and intensities. The formula is smooth and creamy with a high-shine metallic finish that can be built up from subtle to blinding.
My favorite shade is Precious Petals, a pale gold with warm peachy undertones. It gives my skin an ethereal, lit-from-within glow that looks stunning in person and in photos. The powder is also infused with murumuru seed butter and shea butter to help moisturize the skin while you wear it. And at under $6, it performs better than some of my $40 highlighters!
MegaGlo Liquid Highlighter
If you prefer a liquid formula for a more natural, dewy look, the MegaGlo Liquid Highlighters are beautiful. They have a lightweight liquid texture that blends seamlessly into the skin for a soft, luminous sheen.
There are 3 shades: a champagne, rose gold, and bronze to suit different skin tones. I like to dab the shade Halo Goodbye (the champagne) onto my cheekbones, brow bone, and inner corner to brighten my complexion. You can also mix a bit into your foundation or moisturizer for all-over radiance. Just be sure to shake the tube well before using to mix the pigments and oils.
Highlighting Bar
For a complete glow kit in one, the Highlighting Bar is a must-have. It comes with 2 powder highlighters, 1 cream highlighter, and 1 tinted brow gel, all housed in a sleek rose gold compact.
The powder shades include a white gold and rose gold that work for a wide range of skin tones. They have a smooth, almost creamy texture that blends beautifully on the skin. The cream highlighter is great for a dewy look on the cheeks, lips, and body. And the brow gel is a nice bonus for adding some dimension and hold to your brows. At under $15, it‘s an amazing value for multiple glowy essentials.
Highlighter Comparison:
| Product | Formula | Shades | Intensity | Price |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| MegaGlo Highlighting Powder | Baked Powder | 6 | High | $5.99 |
| MegaGlo Liquid Highlighter | Liquid | 3 | Medium | $5.99 |
| Highlighting Bar | Cream & Powder | 2 Powders, 1 Cream | High | $14.99 |
So, is wet n wild worth the hype? 100% YES. I‘ve been consistently blown away by the quality, performance, and value of their products. From foundation to highlighter, primer to setting spray, they offer professional-level formulas at drugstore prices.
I love that I can experiment with new looks and shades without breaking the bank, and I never feel like I‘m sacrificing quality for affordability. Plus, the brand‘s commitment to diversity, cruelty-free beauty, and giving back is so refreshing to see in the industry.
If you‘re a makeup lover looking to save some coin while still getting amazing results, I can‘t recommend wet n wild enough. Trust me, you won‘t be disappointed!
What are your favorite wet n wild products? Any must-haves I didn‘t mention? Let me know in the comments – let‘s share the affordable beauty love!
