Read ALL about my review process including how I take swatches, photos, and more here.
Looking for your perfect foundation shade? Explore our Foundation Finder. Select your skin tone depth, then choose your undertone to meet your shade match. Green Veins-Warm toned-You are NW in MAC Once you have identified whether you are NC or NW in MAC you need to get shade tests done on you jaw/neck (definitely not on your wrist) area to identify the perfect shade & the finish you need. MAC numbers its shades the lower the number the lighter the shade,the higher the number darker the shade. For MAC NC25-NC30 to NC35-NC40 shade matches/equivalents in the best long-lasting, full coverage foundation releases of 2017, check out my blog post – The Best New Long-Lasting, Full Coverage Foundations of 2017 here. 10 of the 11 MAC Studio Waterweight NC shades from the left: NC15, NC20, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC45 and NC50 11 of the 14 MAC Studio Waterweight NW shades from the left: NW13, NW15, NW18, NW20, NW22, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45, NW47, NW50, N12 and N18. One of the main things MAC Studio Waterweight and Face and Body have in common is. MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER 'shade NC25' 0.30 OZ.READ DETAILS. at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Mac Pro Longwear Concealer 0.30oz / 9 ml New NO Box Choose Your Shade NC NW. M.A.C Pro Longwear Concealer 0.30fl oz New in Box.AuthenticSelect your shade.
I've been a part of the internet beauty world for AGES it seems. Before the proliferation of YouTube and blogs, there were beauty message boards and LiveJournal. I'm STILL friends with people I used to follow on LiveJournal from back in the early to mid 00s. I was a member in a VERY popular MAC Cosmetics LiveJournal community—this was back when MAC was practically the be-all, end-all in the internet makeup world (my, how things have changed) and practically everything in makeup was MAC-centric especially when it came to describing your skin tone. It was not uncommon, and still not uncommon today to describe yourself as being an NC45 or NW47 or NW58. I even used to use MAC foundations as a reference to help you guys figure out your shades when I would review other brands' foundations. But then some years ago I stopped comparing foundations to MAC. I even wrote a post about it and link to it every time I do a review. But I still get tons of questions referencing a MAC shade, so I figured let me do this post.
Using MAC as a guide can be helpful to a point, but as more and more brands start to expand their shade range beyond Beyoncé beige, it's practically impossible to keep comparing to MAC shades. Why? Because there's no uniform guide anywhere with foundation shades. Some brands are a little heavy handed with the red, some go ham on the yellow, some act like brown doesn't have variations in undertones at all. We beautiful Black and brown women come in all types of gorgeous shades and undertones—some of us might find a brilliant match in a foundation line that tends to go very yellow-based while others in one that goes very red-based. Then there are those of us with neutral undertones (like me). And then many of us tan in the summer—I say this a lot in reviews and other makeup posts, but I don't always simply go a shade or two deeper when I tan, many times I get redder in undertone–so I didn't get 'darker' so to speak but my undertones changed (and not every tan is the same). So I typically would go from my usually N110 in Cover FX to the P110. But even that isn't always going to be an exact science—I can tan a little or tan a lot. Which is why things like powders (I have Cover FX powders in N110, P110, and then I use P125 to contour or bronze) and Pro Foundation Mixers are amazing.
But here's another reason why I stopped using MAC foundations as a guide (aside from times when brands themselves supply them like SheaMoisture did for their Serum Foundation): Bluestacks 4 140 mac.
EVERYBODY AND THEIR MAMA IS NC45 OR NW45.
So my thinking behind this phenomena is a bunch of things 1. Some MAC artists were getting really crafty with shade-matching and trying to make their quotas so they put folks in whatever somewhat closely (or in some cases nowhere near as closely) matched their client 2. MAC was the most popular choice of makeup because it's EVERYWHERE (there are a lot of folks out there who still haven't heard of brands like BECCA, Cover FX, or Make Up For Ever) and in some places it's practically the only choice for women with deeper skin tones—I see this a lot when I'm in Europe 3. People were getting shade-matched back when social media wasn't as popping as it is now so you weren't taking a gazillion pictures of yourself and then later looking back on those same pictures like 'OMG, my foundation wasn't matching AT ALL.'
Back when I wore MAC foundation, I wore Select Tint, a tinted moisturizer that made my skin look FAN-FRIGGIN'-TASTIC but I had to buy NW45 and NW50 and mix them together to get my shade. No bother for me because that was my foundation jam back then. Then MAC discontinued it, replaced it with something else that goes nowhere near my shade (as of now—who knows if they'll extend the shades later on), and I moved onto BECCA foundations and then ultimately added on other brands like Cover FX. I haven't even worn MAC foundations (aside from the random review) in probably a decade. I hadn't even had a clue as to what the shade extensions MAC came out with some years ago looked like. Clearview 2 0 6.
But because I do know how hard it is for us women with deeper shades to find a good foundation can be and because I still get people asking what shade would be an NW46 or whatever in another brand's foundations, I figured I'd put this post together. I wanted to somewhat familiarize myself with the MAC shades again (and get to know the 'newest' ones) and also help more people understand why there can't always be a MAC equivalent to another brand's foundation shade. Especially since I'm going to be swatching a lot of new foundation shades from brands like Hourglass and Anastasia Beverly Hills this month for #SwatchesInSeptember.
Side note: This is also why highlighting and contouring is important for women of color (which I really explained in my Why One Foundation May Not Cut it for Women of Color post) because of the way so many of us are naturally colored. Many of us are lighter in color in the center of our faces and darker around the perimeter—highlighting and contouring is a way to mimic that—and no, it doesn't have to be super dramatic all the time. Because if you were to just put one foundation shade over all those beautiful natural shade variations, it can make you look very flat and in some cases unnatural. It's not about being all one shade when it comes to doing makeup for women of color—it's all about harmony and balance. You'll get a more natural look.
OK so enough rambling—but I hope you did read above and didn't just scroll down to the pics…lol.
(I have no idea why NW50 looks lighter than NW48—unless my NW50 bottle was mislabeled. I do know that NW50 came first before NW48 and maybe they didn't want to name NW48 NW51? I dunno)
I remember wearing NW45 in some MAC foundations and NW47 in others. It's not uncommon to wear a different shade depending on the foundation formula because water content can affect the shade. I don't like Studio Fix Fluid foundation (it breaks me out, I don't like the smell, and I don't love the finish) but I first tried NW45. Way too light. Then I tried NW46. Too light. I tried NW47. A touch too light and off in undertone (NW45 and NW46 were probably off in undertone as well but them being too light was the first dealbreaker). NW48 was the closest match but it still was off in undertone.
To drive the point home about MAC equivalents, I swatched a NW47 and NW48 in MAC alongside some other brand shades that are somewhat close in shade (essentially dark brown colors) but as you can see in the pics, they're far from being good matches for each other.
So how do you make sure your foundation is a good match??!?!
I got you! Check out my Foundation 101 video:
ADDITIONAL READING/VIEWING:
Free casino games without internet. BECCA Ultimate Cover Concealing Creme (full coverage foundation that is pretty undetectable but covers well)
Milani 2-in-1 Foundation & Concealer (another fuller coverage foundation that is pretty undetectable but covers well) How to get microsoft word for free on mac.
This post isn't meant to bash MAC foundations—if you have a great match and formula from the brand, of course continue to rock it. No foundation-shaming here ;)
Like this post and found it helpful? Please share it! You can use the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post.
See more Foundation review and swatch posts here
You may also enjoy:
How do I find my shade in Fenty Beauty?? This question is asked almost daily since the launch of Fenty Beauty. With such a diverse range of colors, its easy to get overwhelmed. I will try and give you references for a good majority of the colors, including shades from other brands that the people who matched to that color normally wear.
Another thing I should mention is I have not dealt with oxidizing of this foundation. From what I have researched, it just looks darker as it dries down. It also generally takes about 1-2 minutes for the foundation to dry down completely. So don't be afraid if it looks lighter in the store, it will dry down to a slightly darker matte finish.
**This post will update as I get more responses**
Shade 100
- Kat Von D Lock It L43
- Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 0.5
Shade 110
- MUFE HD 205
Shade 120
- Dior Diorskin 15 Tender Beige
- Maybelline Fit Me 220 Natural Beige
- Demi Matte Foundation Classic Ivory C
- Marc Jacobs Remarcable in Ivory
- Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation in .5
- Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 2
- Kat Von D Lock It Foundation in Light 43 Warm
Shade 130
- Loreal True Match Golden Ivory
- Loreal True Match Golden Natural
- MUFE Ultra HD Y225
Shade 140
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid – NW15
Shade 150
- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation Fair Neutral
- Wet N Wild photo focus foundation buff bisque
Shade 160
Mac Shades Nc Nw Hickory
Shade 170
- Bisque Medium in Marc Jacobs Genius Gel
- Fair in Becca in Aqua Illuminous Gel
- Natural (used to be Porcelain) in e.l.f Flawless Finish
- Fair in Laura Geller Balance n Brighten
- Classic Ivory in Rimmel Long Lasting 25 H foundation
Shade 180
- Mac NC 20
- Mac NC 25
- Lancome 24 hr 210 buff N
- NARS Ceylan light 6
Shade 190
Shade 200
- L'Oreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation Natural Buff
Mac Shades Nc Nw 77th
Shade 210
Shade 220
Shade 230
Shade 240
- Maybelline Fit Me 210
- Mac Studio Fix NC 25
- Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Suntan
- Clinique Custard
- Urban Decay All Nighter in 4.0
- Hourglass Immaculate in Nude
- L'Oreal Pro Glow #205
- Covergirl BB Matte in Light Medium
- MUFE HD Foundation #127
- Kat Von D Lock it Powder Foundation in Medium 53
- MAC NC30
Shade 250
- Urban Decay All Nighter 6.0
- Inglot YSM 45
- Mac Matchmaster 3.0
- Too Faced Warm Beige
Shade 260
Shade 270
Shade 280
Shade 290
Shade 300
- It Cosmetics CC in Medium
- Mufe Mat Velvet No. 40
- MAC NC 40
Shade 310
- Estee Lauder Double 3w1 Tawny
- Fit Me 240
- Mac Pro Long Wear NC42
- Lancome 410 24hr wear
- Mac NC44
- Mac Matchmaster 6.0
- Urban Decay All Nighter 8.0
- Lorreal Infalliable 107
- IT Cosmetics CC in Tan
Shade 320
Shade 330
- Bobbi Brown Warm Honey
- Loreal True Match N7
- Mac Studio Fix NC42
- Black Opal Truly Topaz
- Loreal pro matte in shade 107
- Lancome 24hr Foundation 410BIS W
Shade 340
- Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 7/8
- Urban Decay Naked Skin One and Done Medium
- Maybelline Fit Me 228
Shade 350
Shade 360
- Loreal True Match W7
Shade 370
- Mac Studio Fix NC45
- MUFE Ultra Foundation Stick Y505
- NARS Sheer Glow Tahoe
- Maybelline Better Skin 90 Warm Honey
- L'Oreal True Match Lumi N7-8
- Maybelline Dream Cushion 55 Caramel
- MAC Face and Body C6
- MAC Studio Sculpt NC45
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Toffee Caramel
- Revlon New Complextion 11 Carmael
Shade 380
- Estée Lauder rich caramel
- ABH Stick Foundation in Cool Golden
- Maybelline Fit Me in 338 Spicy Brown
Shade 390
- AJ Crimson 2
Shade 400
- Milani Chestnut
- Kat Von D Lock it Deep 76
- Maybelline Fit Me Coconut
Shade 410
- MUFE 178
- Kat Von D Lock It 74/76
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Sandalwood
- NYX Cappuccino and Caramel
- Mac NC 50
- MAC Nw 45 Mac studio fix powder
- MAC Nw 45 Mac liquid
- Maybelline Coconut and toffee mixed together
- Nars Barcelona
- Nutmeg and cappuccino drops by nyx
- Iman Clay 5
Shade 420
- Mac Matchmaster 7.5
- Mac Studio Fix Fluid NC50
- Estee Lauder Doublewear Sandalwood
- MUFE Y155
- Lancome 460
Shade 430
Milani 2-in-1 Foundation & Concealer (another fuller coverage foundation that is pretty undetectable but covers well) How to get microsoft word for free on mac.
This post isn't meant to bash MAC foundations—if you have a great match and formula from the brand, of course continue to rock it. No foundation-shaming here ;)
Like this post and found it helpful? Please share it! You can use the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post.
See more Foundation review and swatch posts here
You may also enjoy:
How do I find my shade in Fenty Beauty?? This question is asked almost daily since the launch of Fenty Beauty. With such a diverse range of colors, its easy to get overwhelmed. I will try and give you references for a good majority of the colors, including shades from other brands that the people who matched to that color normally wear.
Another thing I should mention is I have not dealt with oxidizing of this foundation. From what I have researched, it just looks darker as it dries down. It also generally takes about 1-2 minutes for the foundation to dry down completely. So don't be afraid if it looks lighter in the store, it will dry down to a slightly darker matte finish.
**This post will update as I get more responses**
Shade 100
- Kat Von D Lock It L43
- Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 0.5
Shade 110
- MUFE HD 205
Shade 120
- Dior Diorskin 15 Tender Beige
- Maybelline Fit Me 220 Natural Beige
- Demi Matte Foundation Classic Ivory C
- Marc Jacobs Remarcable in Ivory
- Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation in .5
- Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 2
- Kat Von D Lock It Foundation in Light 43 Warm
Shade 130
- Loreal True Match Golden Ivory
- Loreal True Match Golden Natural
- MUFE Ultra HD Y225
Shade 140
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid – NW15
Shade 150
- Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation Fair Neutral
- Wet N Wild photo focus foundation buff bisque
Shade 160
Mac Shades Nc Nw Hickory
Shade 170
- Bisque Medium in Marc Jacobs Genius Gel
- Fair in Becca in Aqua Illuminous Gel
- Natural (used to be Porcelain) in e.l.f Flawless Finish
- Fair in Laura Geller Balance n Brighten
- Classic Ivory in Rimmel Long Lasting 25 H foundation
Shade 180
- Mac NC 20
- Mac NC 25
- Lancome 24 hr 210 buff N
- NARS Ceylan light 6
Shade 190
Shade 200
- L'Oreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation Natural Buff
Mac Shades Nc Nw 77th
Shade 210
Shade 220
Shade 230
Shade 240
- Maybelline Fit Me 210
- Mac Studio Fix NC 25
- Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Suntan
- Clinique Custard
- Urban Decay All Nighter in 4.0
- Hourglass Immaculate in Nude
- L'Oreal Pro Glow #205
- Covergirl BB Matte in Light Medium
- MUFE HD Foundation #127
- Kat Von D Lock it Powder Foundation in Medium 53
- MAC NC30
Shade 250
- Urban Decay All Nighter 6.0
- Inglot YSM 45
- Mac Matchmaster 3.0
- Too Faced Warm Beige
Shade 260
Shade 270
Shade 280
Shade 290
Shade 300
- It Cosmetics CC in Medium
- Mufe Mat Velvet No. 40
- MAC NC 40
Shade 310
- Estee Lauder Double 3w1 Tawny
- Fit Me 240
- Mac Pro Long Wear NC42
- Lancome 410 24hr wear
- Mac NC44
- Mac Matchmaster 6.0
- Urban Decay All Nighter 8.0
- Lorreal Infalliable 107
- IT Cosmetics CC in Tan
Shade 320
Shade 330
- Bobbi Brown Warm Honey
- Loreal True Match N7
- Mac Studio Fix NC42
- Black Opal Truly Topaz
- Loreal pro matte in shade 107
- Lancome 24hr Foundation 410BIS W
Shade 340
- Armani Luminous Silk Foundation 7/8
- Urban Decay Naked Skin One and Done Medium
- Maybelline Fit Me 228
Shade 350
Shade 360
- Loreal True Match W7
Shade 370
- Mac Studio Fix NC45
- MUFE Ultra Foundation Stick Y505
- NARS Sheer Glow Tahoe
- Maybelline Better Skin 90 Warm Honey
- L'Oreal True Match Lumi N7-8
- Maybelline Dream Cushion 55 Caramel
- MAC Face and Body C6
- MAC Studio Sculpt NC45
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Toffee Caramel
- Revlon New Complextion 11 Carmael
Shade 380
- Estée Lauder rich caramel
- ABH Stick Foundation in Cool Golden
- Maybelline Fit Me in 338 Spicy Brown
Shade 390
- AJ Crimson 2
Shade 400
- Milani Chestnut
- Kat Von D Lock it Deep 76
- Maybelline Fit Me Coconut
Shade 410
- MUFE 178
- Kat Von D Lock It 74/76
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Sandalwood
- NYX Cappuccino and Caramel
- Mac NC 50
- MAC Nw 45 Mac studio fix powder
- MAC Nw 45 Mac liquid
- Maybelline Coconut and toffee mixed together
- Nars Barcelona
- Nutmeg and cappuccino drops by nyx
- Iman Clay 5
Shade 420
- Mac Matchmaster 7.5
- Mac Studio Fix Fluid NC50
- Estee Lauder Doublewear Sandalwood
- MUFE Y155
- Lancome 460
Shade 430
- Nars Luminous New Orleans
- Makeup Forever 178
- Mac Studio Fix Fluid NW47
- Mac Matchmaster 8.5
- Kat Von D Lock It 78 Neutral
- MAC Next To Nothing Deep Dark
- Nars Sheer Glow Cacao
- Maybelline fit me 360
- Revlon Colorstay 450
Shade 440
- MAC NW45/47
- MUFE 180/R530
- Cover FX N110
Mac Shades Nc Nw 82nd
Shade 450
- Covergirl Healthy Exliar 775
- L'Oreal Infallible Cappuccino
- L'Oreal True Match Foundation Shade 8W
- Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation NC50
- Revlon ColourStay Foundation – Shade Mocha
- Lancome Teint Idole Foundation- 15
Mac Shades Nc Nw 16
Shade 460
- Mahogany Naturals FK140
- Loreal Infailable 212
- Fashion Fair Souvfle Java
- MUFE R530
Shade 470
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW50
- Deep Amber
Shade 480
- MAC NW47
- Maybelline fit 360
- Loreal infallible 412
Shade 490
- NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation Khartoum
- ILLAMASQUA skin base foundation color 18
- Lancome Teite Idol 555
- LA Girl Foundation Dark Chocolate
- Lancome 560 Suede C
- MAC NW58
- Maybelline fit me 380
- Black Opal in Ebony Brown