Many of us have experienced it: skin that looks dull, uneven, or tired, especially under the scrutiny of a camera lens. Factors such as dehydration, wrinkles or texture, or even the way light reflects on the surface of skin can each play a role in how the skin appears in photographs.
At NIOD, our goal is to optimize healthy-looking skin. We focus on improving the skin’s condition so that a naturally healthy complexion replaces the need for masking the skin with heavy coverage makeup.
NIOD’s Photography Fluid, Opacity 8% (PF 8%) and Photography Fluid, Opacity12% (PF 12%) serve as high-performance complexion enhancers that bridge skincare and makeup to blur, correct & illuminate the natural look of skin.
Here, we examine what PF 8% and PF 12% do, how to select the most suitable formulation for your skin, and approaches to incorporating them within skincare and makeup routines.
Photography Fluid is an instant serum-textured surface treatment formulated with light-reflecting particles, hue correctors, and advanced photo-finishing technologies to enhance radiance both in person and through the camera lens. Unlike pigment-based foundations, it does not mask the skin but instead diffuses the appearance of imperfections, imparts a natural glow, and subtly balances overall tone.
Additionally, Photography Fluid is formulated with a range of botanical extracts that enhance hydration and moisturization while improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin texture. It goes beyond conventional makeup by working to visibly improve skin quality over time while delivering subtle visible enhancement.
At the core of this formulation is a hydrophilic polymer system composed of perfectly spherical polymers that attract and retain water to hydrate the skin. This system also provides exceptional colour yield and light refraction, helping to minimize the visibility of skin irregularities that traditional foundations often accentuate
Photography Fluid is offered in two formulations, PF 8% and PF 12%, with the percentage reflecting the relative opacity of each. The 8% formulation delivers a more visible finish, while the 12% provides slightly more translucent finish.
Although both formulations can be used together, choosing between them depends on the desired effect. PF 8% may be used as an alternative to bronzing drops, either alone or mixed with moisturiser, to impart subtle warmth and a sheer tint without masking the natural appearance of the skin. PF 12% is suited to enhancing luminosity, creating a refined soft-focus finish in photographs, and serving as a priming base ahead of makeup application.
When incorporating Photography Fluid into a routine, only a small amount is required. The formulation can be applied with fingertips or a brush to ensure even distribution. Used alone, it delivers a natural, radiant finish that complements a “no-makeup” makeup approach. When applied beneath foundation, it functions as a primer, enhancing glow and improving light diffusion.
It may also be blended directly with foundation or moisturizer to create a customized finish tailored to individual preferences. For added dimension, the formulation can be layered over makeup on targeted areas to highlight or contour features.
“When I don't feel like putting a lot of effort in, I mix in Photography Fluid, Opacity 8% with my moisturizer, and it gives me that natural, bronzed glow" - Michelle, Social Media Manager
"A little bit goes a long way, you only need a drop. I mix PF 12% into my bb cream for a dewy and uniquely iridescent skin finish." - Bushra, Associate Manager, Scientific Communications.
Can’t live without.
“When I don't want to wear makeup but want a little "life" to my skin.”
This has become an essential in my kit.
“Used properly it’s imperceptible.”
Wow, my skin…
“I have always been so conscious of my skin texture and have longed for 'air-brushed' perfected skin. No foundation has ever given me the look I wanted for so long. Highly recommend it.”
This product creates.
“This product creates a beautiful, even skin tone. It adds radiance without adding glitter. It only takes 2 drops mixed with my liquid foundation to make a flawless finish. It has allowed me to have gorgeous skin on non-makeup days too. Beautiful skin tone in pictures. Pictures look like there’s a filter when there isn’t.”
How does Photography Fluid affect skin texture?
Photography Fluid does not create lasting changes to skin texture. It is a cosmetic formulation that is designed to provide a subtle visible effect. It works by blurring and smoothing the appearance of the skin’s surface but it does not treat or target texture concerns from a cellular level.
Is NIOD Photography Fluid cruelty-free?
Yes, all DECIEM products are cruelty-free.
What are the key ingredients in NIOD’s Photography Fluid?
Photography Fluid 8% contains a variety of light absorption technologies including bio-derivatives of Iceland moss and adaptive esters form a superb matrix for suspension and spreading of very fine high-definition interference pigments that would otherwise feel powdery. It also contains a prismatic gold technology that disappears immediately upon application with a natural golden hue as a foundation to healthy-looking, radiant skin. Learn more about PF8%’s ingredients.
Photography Fluid 12% contains a variety of advanced light refracting technologies including a super-blurring suspension that uses fine prisms to create a systematic confusion of a perfect-looking skin surface and to reduce the look of pores immediately. Learn more about PF 12%’s ingredients.
Can NIOD Photography Fluid replace foundation?
NIOD Photography Fluid is not a foundation and does not offer the full coverage typically associated with concealing imperfections. Rather, it is formulated to refine the skin’s appearance by imparting radiance and a subtle blurring effect. It may be worn alone for a lightweight finish that supports the look of minimal makeup, or underneath makeup.
Photography Fluid was conceived as an approach to skin optimisation, working at the intersection of skincare and colour. It integrates seamlessly into different routines, whether providing a quick lift before a video call or contributing to a more polished finish for an evening out.
Acting as a liquid skin filter, it enhances radiance, refines visible texture, and supports a more even appearance with minimal effort. The formulations can be selected according to preference: PF 8% imparts subtle warmth, while PF 12% delivers a pearlescent, soft-focus finish. Each may be applied alone, blended with moisturiser or foundation, or layered together, allowing the complexion to be tailored from understated refinement to a more defined effect.
