If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable foundation that works year-round, the NYX Make ‘Em Wonder Soft Matte Foundation is one of the best drugstore options available right now.
It promises buildable coverage, a soft matte finish, and 24-hour wear but the REAL question is does it actually deliver?
What Makes This Foundation Stand Out?
The NYX Make ‘Em Wonder foundation sits in that sweet spot between natural everyday makeup and long-wear performance.
According to the official product description, it’s a “skincare-infused, weightless foundation with buildable coverage and a real-skin finish”. This foundation combines make-up and skincare-inspired ingredients.
Key features:
- Soft matte yet not flat looking
- Medium, buildable coverage
- Lightweight feel on the skin
- Infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
- Long wearing formula
- Wide shade range, it is available in 45 shades
This makes it a strong contender for anyone looking for a natural-looking drugstore foundation that doesn’t feel heavy.
Texture & Application
This is where the foundation really shines.
- The texture is thin and fluid, making it easy to blend
- Works well with both brushes and sponges
- Layers smoothly without going patchy
- It is very lightweight and feels like I have NO foundation on.
- It doesn’t streak or cling if your skin is hydrated.
I like to apply it in thin layers as this foundation builds beautifully.
Coverage: Natural but Buildable
This foundation really surprised me because I have tried drugstore foundations and have always been left disappointed, to the point that I did switch to high end foundations.
This foundation is really easy to build up and can be customised to your desired coverage level.
- Apply just a little for a light-medium coverage which evens out skin tone.
- Apply slightly more for a solid medium coverage which covers redness and mild acne.
- It can also be built up easily to close to full coverage without looking cakey.
It doesn’t give that heavy, mask-like look which is why it works well as an everyday foundation.
Finish: The Good Kind of soft matte
Unlike traditional matte foundations, this one:
- Doesn’t look dry or cakey.
- Keeps a slight skin-like glow.
- Blurs pores without exaggerating texture.
- It did not oxidise to a whole different shade which is sensational.
What I was truly impressed with is that it gave natural skin with a subtle filter effect and not flat Instagram matte.
When I tested it out at the gym through my training I got told that it looked like I had a literally skin filter on, which pumped the foundation up in my mind even more.
This is my before and after using the NYX Make Em Wonder foundation in shade 09, light nude. As you can see my skin had redness , uneven skin tone and not glowing for sure. The difference is outstanding, it’s a Tiktok filter in a bottle.
Wear Test: How Long Does It Last?
This was my other important concern, how long would this foundation last? Would it oxidise? Would it break down? Would it settle into lines or pores?
I found the following:
- 6–8 hours: the foundation still looked fresh and smooth. It didn’t draw out oil so my face wasn’t shiny, which I absolutely hate.
- 8–10 hours: there was slight fading around nose/chin as part of eating, blowing my nose and general everyday actions that affect it. Also a slight break into the smile line.
- 10+ hours: it was still wearable with minor touch-ups. I did powder it to look fresher.
Best for skin types
My skin is combination type skin and I tend to have normal to dry areas and a t-zone which erupts in oils if the weather is warmer or with an oil enhancing foundation. I hate looking oily!
This foundation actually does so well with keeping me from having that dreaded oily t-zone. With the majority of the foundations I use, I end up looking oily after 4-6 hours. uuu98u9
OILY / COMBINATION SKIN TYPES
- Controls shine without over-drying.
- Holds up well throughout the day.
NORMAL SKIN TYPES
- Gives a balanced, natural finish.
DRY SKIN TYPES
- Can work but preping the skin is key.
- Use a hydrating primer or moisturiser underneath.
Shade range
The NYX Make ‘Em Wonder Foundation has an extensive shade range of 45 foundations. It is very inclusive and well-structured.
I was sent to test the NYX Make Em Wonder foundation in shade 09 light nude and 10 nude.
09 Light Nude which is a light skin with neutral-warm tone. This shade is best for light/medium skin tones, which have neutral ro slightly warm undertones. I love that this foundation brightens complexion.
10 Nude which is a light to light-medium neutral tone. This shade is best suited to light/medium skin with neutral undertones. It has a slightly deeper finish.
Although I generally like a foundation one shade lighter than my skin as it brightens up my face but I would say that the 09 light nude NYX Make ‘Em Wonder Foundation shade was an EXACT MATCH in terms of colour match.
For reference I am a 03 Warm in the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation and this is also a bang on match for me.
Pros & Cons
The pros and cons of using the NYX Make ‘Em wonder foundation are:
Pros
- Lightweight, breathable formula
- Buildable without caking
- Soft matte which is wearable daily
- Great shade range
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Not fully transfer-proof
- May cling to dry patches without prep, but I can guarantee that with hydrated skin you won’t have this issue.
- Shade matching can be tricky online
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?
Yes, especially if you want a reliable, everyday foundation that looks like skin. I would say it does better than a lot of high end foundation I have tested. This foundation will be a staple in my make-up routine.
If you’re choosing between shades like 09 Light Nude and 10 Nude, the formula itself won’t disappoint, the main challenge is just finding your perfect match.
Who Should Buy This?
You should buy this is if you are looking for a natural soft matte finish, medium coverage you can build and if you want a foundation that feels light all day.
However, if you like a foundation that gives you a dewy/glowy finish this won’t be the foundation for you.
Have you tried the NYX Make ‘Em Wonder foundation ? Comment below if you have.
If you enjoyed this post, why not check out my NYX Jelly Job Gloss Review: One Shade, Infinite Lip Combos or my NYX Brow Glue Crazy Lift Review.
“This product was kindly gifted me, but all the opinions above are truthful and my own. I do have an affiliate link, where if you make a purchase I will make a small commission which contributes towards running the website.”
