The quick answer
In this half-face test, Nikol wore a $150 Chanel foundation on one side and the $5.79 Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy foundation on the other. Her honest verdict: she personally could not tell the two apart in finish or feel, and she crowns the drugstore option a “real winner” for the money. The Wet n Wild side actually looked slightly more dewy and matched her skin better, because she custom-mixed two shades. One important caveat: this is a first-impressions comparison, not a long-wear durability test.
Key takeaways
- The face-off is a $150 Chanel foundation (shade BR 12, rosy ivory) vs. the $5.79 Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy foundation from CVS.
- Both applied smoothly with a serum-like, lightweight, dewy finish; after two coats they looked very similar.
- Nikol preferred the dewiness and color match on the Wet n Wild side, where she mixed soft beige and rose ivory shades.
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy is vegan, talc-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and comes with a built-in twist-up applicator.
- This is a first-impressions test; long-term wear was not evaluated, and the Chanel bottle is larger (1.35 oz vs. 0.95 oz).
Watch the full comparison
Foundations are one of the categories Nikol has tested most: drugstore, high-end, CC creams, BB creams, and serum foundations across every price point. In this everyday-look tutorial she finally answers a question she had been curious about: can a genuinely inexpensive foundation hold its own against luxury? She splits her face down the middle and lets you see the application and finish side by side, so you can decide for yourself. As always, she is showing options, not telling you what to buy.
Is the $5 foundation really a Chanel dupe?
On first impressions, yes — very close. Nikol describes the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy as feeling “almost like a serum,” thin and silky as it glides on, and buffing into the skin without feeling heavy. When she put the $150 Chanel BR 12 on the other cheek, she said it felt “so similar.” After the first coat she even preferred the Wet n Wild side for its extra dewiness. Her key point stands out: she personally cannot tell a $150 foundation from a $5 one in this test. She is careful to note that a similar feel does not guarantee identical long-term performance; she is judging payoff, glide, coverage, and finish in the moment, not weeks of wear.
How do Chanel and Wet n Wild compare side by side?
Here is how the two stacked up in the demo:
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy ($5.79) pros: serum-like, lightweight glide; beautiful dewy, skin-like finish; buildable from medium to full; pleasant feminine fragrance; convenient twist-up applicator; vegan, talc-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free; better color match here thanks to shade mixing.
- Wet n Wild cons: smaller bottle (0.95 oz); has added fragrance (may bother scent-sensitive users); more dewy, so Nikol would set it with translucent powder.
- Chanel ($150) pros: luxurious serum-like texture; radiant, elevated feel; classic Chanel scent; larger 1.35 oz bottle that lasts a long time; includes a deluxe brush.
- Chanel cons: the BR 12 shade ran slightly light on her skin; the high price; in this test it grabbed blush a touch more heavily.
Which foundation actually won?
Both foundations looked beautiful, and Nikol is clear that Chanel is a lovely, high-quality product. But for the sensory experience, dewy finish, and feel on the skin at a fraction of the price, she calls the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy a “real winner.” Her framing: if you want an experience that mimics Chanel — from how it applies to how it wears through the day — this drugstore find delivers, and she was genuinely impressed, which she says does not happen often.
Complete the everyday look
The foundation face-off sits inside Nikol’s full go-to everyday routine, and a few Nikol Beauty favorites do the supporting work. She primes the lids with an eye primer to neutralize discoloration so shadow reads true, defines the lash line with a waterproof eyeliner, grooms the arches with a brow fix, and freshens the under-eyes with an eye brightener before finishing with blush, lip color, and setting spray.
The bottom line
You do not need to spend $150 to get a beautiful, dewy, luxurious-feeling foundation. In this side-by-side, the $5.79 Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy matched the look and feel of Chanel closely enough that Nikol could not tell them apart — choose based on your budget, your shade needs, and how much product you want in the bottle. Ready to build your own everyday look? Explore our makeup collection and shop our best sellers to find your new favorites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the $5 Wet n Wild foundation really a Chanel dupe?
In this half-face test, Nikol could not tell the two apart in finish or feel. The Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy delivered a similar serum-like, lightweight, dewy experience to the $150 Chanel, which is why she calls it a “real winner.” It is a first-impressions comparison, not a long-wear test.
Which foundation won, Chanel or Wet n Wild?
Both looked beautiful, but Wet n Wild won on value. Nikol preferred its dewiness and custom-mixed color match, and found it mimicked the Chanel experience for a fraction of the price.
What shades did she use?
The Chanel foundation was shade BR 12, a rosy ivory that ran slightly light on her. For Wet n Wild she mixed soft beige and rose ivory to get a closer, warmer match.
Is Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes. Per the brand, it is vegan, talc-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and it is made in Thailand. It also has an added fragrance, so scent-sensitive users should keep that in mind.
Where can you buy the $5 foundation?
Nikol picked hers up at CVS for $5.79 and suggests buying from an actual store like CVS or Walmart. She cautions against very cheap third-party listings online because she cannot be sure the product is authentic.
Does the drugstore foundation last as long as Chanel?
This was a first-impressions test, so long-term wear was not measured. Because the Wet n Wild is dewy, Nikol would set it with translucent powder. Note the Chanel bottle is larger (1.35 oz vs. 0.95 oz), so it may last longer between purchases.
