January 29, 2019

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer Review & Swatches

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
1 stars out of 5

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer ($4.99) is a new, lightweight facial primer that’s water-based and contains hyaluronic acid which is available in three fragrances for Spring 2019. This is an interesting pick for those who have drier skin as the primer’s formula is made up of over 60% water and very much mimics water drop gel moisturizers from Korea. It’s an interesting product but I had issues with it….!

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer arrives in a 0.68 oz squeeze tube and will set you back five bucks. Wet n Wild introduced this formula in three different fragrances of rose, cucumber, and coconut. Aside from fragrance there are no other changes in the formula, all three have the same exact ingredients. Sadly, there is no fragrance-free version which likely would have been a popular pick.

Photo Focus Water Drop Primer isn’t an incredibly groundbreaking formula. It contains water as one of the first ingredients but other hydrating ingredients like Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are overpowered my fragrance and silicones. Honestly, I do question how much hyaluronic acid is in this formula as it is very, very far down the least which means it likely contains a very small amount which likely won’t provide any mega hydrating benefits.

I think the texture could be where this product shines as it’s a water burst or water drop formula that’s quite lovely. Basically what that means is it starts out life as a thick creamy primer but bursts into a water as soon as it touches skin and absorbs quickly without leaving skin sticky, tacky, or dewy. If you wear a sunscreen that isn’t part of your moisturizer this doesn’t really play nicely with it. I felt like it sort of laid on top of my skin and didn’t quite absorb when using it over my SPF. I just felt like I was pushing it around my face.

I did most of my testing using this without SPF under it as that seemed to work out best for me. I think it’s more gimmick than anything else though. I think they rely to heavily on trying to impress you with a water drop/water burst formula. It’s not terribly moisturizing and only provides a very light moisture that seems to disappear as the product dries down. It doesn’t extend the wear of foundation nor does it aid in application! At least if it hydrates that would provide a smoother surface for my to apply my foundation. I felt like it didn’t do that at all.

But one of the worst things about it is the smell. I got coconut and it smelled like a baby vomit and Sharpie marker with a tiny hint of coconut under all that. It smelled like it went off somehow! Like it was laying in a drawer for a year!

Another issue was the tube has a really big spout which results in a lot of primer being released when you squeeze. If you do purchase this, be sure to squeeze gently otherwise you’ll end up with a huge glob of primer!

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer Review & Swatches

Where to buy

Wet n Wild

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer is 0.68 oz and $4.99. This is a gel water drop formula that contains over 60% water according to Wet n Wild. Sadly, all that water doesn’t result in more moisture. I felt like this provided all the littlest amount of hydration and didn’t exactly prep the way for foundation on my drier skin. It’s available in three different fragrances all of which have the same formula however, the coconut scent I choose smelled horrible and even off or expired. This formula seems to rely rather heavily on impressing you with the water burst formula but fails in other important areas like prepping for foundation and extending its wear.

Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propanediol, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Isododecane, Fragrance/Parfum, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, [+/- (MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR): Mica, Chromium Oxide Greens/CI 77288, Red 6/CI15850.

Pros

  • Water drop formula is fantastic! Bursts upon contact with skin and turns into a water.

Cons

  • Smells horrible.
  • Advertised hyaluronic acid is very low on the list of ingredients which likely won’t be beneficial to skin.
  • Packaging is faulty.
  • Not moisturizing enough.

Who

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Water Drop Primer has a unique formula which might make some users curious enough to try it but do read my cons before indulging!

I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kjh

    Hahaha. Thanks for taking the hit. I think they have a shitton of nerve calling it a water primer, when 4/6 tops in the list are ‘cones. Really? BTW you have hit my suggested stories on the iPad, for the Saem review. Shows how they fish: Muse + yesstyle+AB = suggest this story. Checking the Saem forthwith! Thanks.

  • Carol G

    Why on earth do you need a fragrance in your makeup primer? Anyway, this sounds like they were trying to do something but failed. I saw these at Walgreens over the weekend and thankfully didn’t buy one because I kept thinking, Why are they scented? At any rate, thanks for the review. Now we all know to avoid this like the plague… Besides, I use primer to extend the wear of my foundation and to provide a smooth canvas…this does neither.

    • Isabella Muse

      I sort of think that’s their selling point as well as the water drop formula. Kind of “Look! scented primer! How cool and cute!” I didn’t like the formula nor the fragrance :-/

    • kjh

      It seems all this fragrance stuff is aimed at the younger set, those who do not know better, research anything, and buy ‘cute’ things on impulse. I used some crap (but HE) stuff when I was young. My fave toner was Charles of the Ritz Dual lotion, which was high alcohol and menthol! Lucky I have any skin left. But way BITD, they did not know as much, and info was not instantly available. I wish every co made an unscented option.

    • Isabella Muse

      lol thank you but I can’t take all the credit. I have to share my major award with Wet n Wild for making stinky facial primer!

  • Silvia

    Glad to find out! I tried the foundation and it was one of those rare things I had to return. It showed like the moon surface on me very dry and caking and just well no. Lol! I live many, many WetnWild things but not the foundation or mascaras. I do love however the radio active lip pencil is switching my shades toward Spring now and wore it again and it’s so pretty. The color instantly made me look happy. Lol! Going to get a couple of back ups at Rite Aid love those so much! Especially this color.