Are you looking for your MAC foundation shade? In this MAC foundation shade finder, we’ll show you which MAC foundation and shade is right for you depending on your skin type and skin tone, as well as reviews of the top MAC foundations.
Alternatively, you can jump directly to our Foundation Matcher page to find your foundation/concealer matches.
Table of contents
- Which MAC foundation is right for you?
- MAC foundation shade system explained
- LIGHT MAC SHADES
- LIGHT TO MEDIUM MAC SHADES
- MEDIUM MAC SHADES
- MEDIUM DARK MAC SHADES
- DARK SHADES
- More on Redmond Mom
Which MAC foundation is right for you?
MAC Cosmetics currently sells 8 different types of foundations that come in liquid, cream or powder forms. In this post, we’ll review their top 3 most popular foundations and show you how to pick the right MAC foundation shade.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 review
Studio Fix Fluid is undoubtedly MAC’s most popular foundation and comes in a mind-boggling 63-shade range. Here’s what you need to know about this bestselling foundation:
- has light to full coverage, depending on how you apply it — for light coverage, use your fingertips; for fuller coverage, use a brush or damp makeup sponge
- oil-free, lightweight coverage that lasts all day
- natural-looking finish that looks like real skin
- works for all skin types, including oily skin and dry, mature skin
- has SPF 15
- comes in 63 shades
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation review
Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation is one of MAC’s oldest products and here’s what you need to know about this classic foundation:
- it’s a medium to full coverage powder foundation that’s extremely easy to apply
- has a very matte finish that controls shine really well, especially in hot and humid conditions
- has a non-cakey finish that makes pores disappear
- feels lightweight on the skin and is comfortable to wear all day
- best for oily and combination skin types
- no SPF
- comes in 50 different shades
MAC Studio Face and Body foundation review
MAC Studio Face and Body foundation is MAC’s answer to tinted moisturizers. Here’s what to know about this cult-favorite foundation:
- provides sheer to light coverage that is undetectable on the skin
- longwearing formula that lasts all day
- has a glowy, second-skin finish
- feels extremely lightweight on the skin and is suitable for body use as well
- won’t settle in pores or wrinkles
- best for dry, mature, normal and combination skin types
- pair this foundation with concealer for more coverage
- comes in 30 different shades
MAC foundation shade system explained
Once you’ve decided on the foundation, it’s time to pick the shade.
The MAC foundation shade system is classified by undertones and skin tone depth.
Figuring out undertones
This part is crucial because the worst foundation mismatches tend to be shades that make one appear unusually orange or pink or grey.
Broadly speaking, skin undertones fall into 4 categories:
Warm skin tones look more yellow.
Cool skin tones look more pink.
Neutral skin tones are somewhere between yellow and pink.
Olive skin tones have green and grey hues.
MAC undertone abbreviations
MAC uses the following abbreviations to classify undertones:
NC: has yellow, neutral and olive undertones
NW: has pink and neutral undertones
C: has yellow and olive undertones
MAC skin tone depth
The smaller the number, the lighter the shade. This means that NC5 is lighter than NC10, and NC40 is lighter than NC42.
Undertone + skin tone depth = MAC shade
This means that someone who is NC15 has light skin with yellow, neutral or olive undertones.
And someone who is NW45 has deep skin with pink undertones.
LIGHT MAC SHADES
Light skin tones range from very light to light skin color. It’s usually described as “porcelain”, “fair” and “ivory” and “cream”.
Examples of light MAC shades are:
MAC NC5 is a is a very fair beige shade with golden undertone for very fair skin.
MAC NC10 is a very fair beige shade with neutral undertone for very fair skin.
MAC NC15 is a light beige shade with golden undertone for light skin.
MAC NC20 is a light beige shade with neutral golden undertone for light skin.
MAC NW13 is a fair beige with neutral undertone for light skin.
MAC NW15 is a light beige with neutral undertone for light skin.
MAC NW20 is a warm neutral beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin.
Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.
LIGHT TO MEDIUM MAC SHADES
Light to medium skin tones fall somewhere between light and medium shades. Light-skinned people may also find themselves in this shade range as they get more sun in summer. It’s usually described as “beige skin color”, “light beige”, “rose beige”, “buff” and “nude”.
Examples of light to medium MAC shades are:
MAC NC25 is a is a light beige shade with golden peach undertone for light skin.
MAC NC30 is a light to medium beige with golden undertone for light to medium skin.
MAC NC35 is a light to medium beige with peachy golden undertone for medium skin.
MAC NW25 is a rosy beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin.
Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.
| Light to medium warm shades | Light to medium cool shades |
| NC25 Foundation Matcher | NW25 Foundation Matcher |
| NC30 Foundation Matcher | NW25 to NW30 Foundation Matcher |
| NC35 Foundation Matcher |
MEDIUM MAC SHADES
Medium skin tones are some of the most common skin tones and are usually described as “tanned” or “caramel”.
Some examples of medium MAC shades are:
MAC NC37 is a medium beige with neutral undertone for medium skin.
MAC NC40 is a medium beige with golden peach undertone for medium skin.
MAC NC42 is a true medium beige with golden undertone for medium skin.
MAC NW30 is a medium beige with rosy undertone for medium skin (neutral-warm).
Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.
| Medium warm shades | Medium cool shades |
| NC37 Foundation Matcher | NW25 to NW30 Foundation Matcher |
| NC40 Foundation Matcher | |
| NC42 Foundation Matcher |
MEDIUM DARK MAC SHADES
Medium dark skin tones fall somewhere between medium and dark shades. It’s usually described as “toffee” and “bronze”.
Some examples of medium dark MAC shades are:
MAC NC44 is a tanned caramel shade with golden undertone for medium to dark skin.
MAC NC45 is a bronze shade with golden undertone for dark skin.
MAC NW45 is a medium mahogany shade with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin.
Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.
| Medium dark warm shades | Medium dark cool shades |
| NC44 Foundation Matcher | NW45 Foundation Matcher |
| NC45 Foundation Matcher |
DARK SHADES
Dark skin tones are the deepest shades and are usually described as “coffee”, “cocoa” and “deep bronze”.
Some examples of dark MAC shades are:
MAC NC50 is a rich brown shade with golden undertone for deep dark skin.
MAC NW45 is a medium mahogany shade with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin.
MAC NW47 is a deep auburn shade with neutral undertones for dark skin.
MAC NW50 is a rich coffee shade with neutral undertone for dark skin.
Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.
| Dark warm shades | Dark cool shades |
| NC50 Foundation Matcher | NW45 Foundation Matcher |
| NW47 Foundation Matcher | |
| NW50 Foundation Matcher |
Thanks for reading our post on MAC foundation shades. Don’t forget to check out our shade finders for our foundation and concealer brands.
More on Redmond Mom
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Comments 1
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