Is the NYX Make ’Em Wonder Foundation Really Worth the Hype?

NYX Make Em Wonder Foundation has been getting a lot of buzz lately. It feels like everyone is talking about it. But is it actually as good as people say, especially for mature skin?

When it comes to foundation reviews, hype alone does not impress me. I do not do quick first impressions or single-day wear tests. Every foundation I review gets worn for multiple days in real life, under different conditions. After testing hundreds of foundations over the years, I only do standalone reviews when there is truly something worth discussing.

So let’s get into it! This is my full, honest review of the new NYX Make Em Wonder Foundation and how it performs on mature skin.

My Skin Type

Before diving in, it is important to know my skin type because it plays a huge role in how complexion products perform.

I have combination/oily skin that is pretty normal around the perimeter and can lean dry there at times. And I get shine in the center of my face throughout the day. I live in New Orleans, which means high humidity year-round and heat most of the year.

If a foundation works well for me in my challenging climate, that tells me a lot.

NYX Make Em Wonder Foundation

Despite the packaging’s small appearance, it is the standard 1 oz size. It comes in a lightweight, travel-friendly squeeze tube that dispenses cleanly without leaking.

• Price: $16
• Shade Range: 45 shades
• Shade Tested: 12 Natural (neutral undertones)
• Formula: Silicone-based, slightly runny texture
• Claims: Buildable coverage, transfer-resistant, waterproof, sweat-resistant, all-day shine control

It is also cruelty-free, vegan, alcohol-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free, which I always appreciate.

Application & Texture

This foundation sets fairly quickly, helping it blend into the skin and giving it a smooth, skin-like finish. It blends beautifully with either a brush or a sponge. As with most long-wearing or quick-setting foundations, I prefer to apply and blend it in sections rather than dot it all over the face at once. 

Initially, I thought a brush might leave streaks, but it didn’t. That said, if you struggle with dry flakes or surface dehydration, a damp or dry sponge is the best way to apply this. When applied with a sponge, it consistently looks smooth and flawless without exaggerating dryness or flakes.

Coverage & Finish

Coverage is easily buildable from light to medium-full without looking heavy. What impresses me most is how evenly it covers with such a thin layer. The skin still looks like skin, just smoother and more even.

• Finish before setting: Natural matte
• Finish after powder: Soft matte
• Feels: Lightweight, no tackiness or stickiness, which is great for you if you don’t like setting with powder.

How It Wears

Without primer, it wears beautifully throughout the day. As my natural oils come through, it shifts back to a natural matte finish rather than breaking down or looking greasy.

By the end of a long wear day (around 11–12 hours), my skin has a soft sheen, with no heaviness, greasiness, or discomfort. Even in my humid climate, it holds up impressively.

If you live in a drier climate or have normal to dry skin, you may see little to no shine at all. For extra oil control, pairing it with a mattifying primer or lightly setting with translucent powder keeps that soft matte finish all day.

Skincare-Infused Claims

NYX markets this as a skincare-infused foundation with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. While those ingredients are present, they appear far down the ingredient list.

Yes, there are beneficial ingredients like guarana seed extract, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, but this is not a foundation you should buy for skincare benefits. Think of these ingredients as a nice bonus, not the main event.

How It Compares to Other Foundations

Several aspects of this foundation remind me of the original Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation, before it was reformulated. The thin texture, buildability, natural skin-like finish, and long wear are all very similar.

A Quick Note

It’s also worth noting that NYX appears to be discontinuing its Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation. If that was a favorite of yours, this is not a direct replacement, as it’s more versatile and friendlier to a wider range of skin types, including mature, dry skin. I love Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, but I never recommended it for dry skin because it was so mattifying.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?

In my opinion, NYX Make Em Wonder Foundation lives up to the hype and then some. It’s one of the most impressive drugstore foundation launches I have seen in a while. It performs beautifully across different skin types, wears exceptionally well, and looks flattering on mature skin.

My only hesitation would be for extremely dry or dehydrated skin, given how quickly it sets, but even then, with proper application, it still applies and performs very well.

If you are looking for an affordable, skin-like, long-wearing, soft matte foundation that doesn’t settle, cake, or feel heavy, this drugstore foundation is 100 percent worth trying.

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