MAC NC40 to NC42 Foundation Matches

MAC NC40 and NC42

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.

Buying foundation is such a hit or miss thing for me. Somehow I always end up with a shade that’s completely wrong for me. And then I discovered this fantastic megathread at r/MakeupAddiction where the makeup aficionados there listed all the popular foundation shades that matched their skin tones.

I wanted to make that super useful resource easier to use, so I’ve extracted the shade info from the thread and sorted it by MAC shade.

The full list contains all the MAC shades.

Enjoy!

Don’t know your skin tone or MAC shade?

If you don’t know your skin tone or MAC shade, use the Find Your Foundation Match by Skin Tone Visual Guide to determine your skin tone before viewing the shade matches/equivalents below.

Top rated MAC NC40 to NC42 foundations/concealers

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer in
Caramel

COVER FX Natural Finish foundation in
G60

Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation in 330 Natural Tan

L’Oreal True Match Tinted Serum Foundation in
Tan 6-7

If MAC NC40 is too light for you and NC42 is too dark for you, these foundation/concealer shades might suit you:

Foundation/ Concealer	Shade	Review
Becca Complete Coverage	Olive
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation	56
COVER FX Natural Finish foundation	G60
Covergirl Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle Defying Foundation	255 Soft Honey (neutral/warm undertones)	Review
Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion	40
Estee Lauder Double Wear	3W2 Cashew	Review
EX1 Invisiwear foundation	F300
Fenty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Foundation	300
Fenty Pro Filtr Soft Matte Powder Foundation	300
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk	7.5	Review
Givenchy Photo Perfection	#8
IT Cosmetics CC Cream	Tan	Review
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo	M57
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer	SX11
Lancome Teint Idole	410 Bisque (W)	Review
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish	Amber
L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder	260 Golden Sun (golden warm undertone)	Review
L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation	Honey Beige N6 (neutral undertone)	Review
L'Oreal True Match liquid foundation	Sun Beige W6 (warm undertone)	Review
L'Oreal True Match Tinted Serum Foundation	Tan 6-7	Review
MAC Face & Body foundation	C4	Review
MAC Pro Longwear concealer	NC 42
MakeUp Forever HD	153/Y405
MakeUp Forever Mat Velvet+	#53
Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer	30 Honey	Review
Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation	310 Sun Beige	Review
Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation	Golden 312	Review
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Multi-Use Concealer	Caramel	Review
Maybelline SuperStay foundation	Golden 312	Review
Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer	07 Sand (cool undertone)	Review
Missha Perfect Cover BB	#31
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer	Sucre D’Orge
NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation	15 Caramel	Review
Revlon ColorStay liquid foundation for Combination/Oily skin	330 Natural Tan (neutral undertone)	Review
Tarte Creaseless Under Eye Concealer	40S Tan Sand
Tarte Face Tape foundation	42S Tan Sand
The Ordinary Serum foundation	3.0Y (yellow undertones)
Too Faced Born This Way	Sand (golden undertones)	Review
Too Faced Born This Way Multi-use Sculpting Concealer	Cookie
Urban Decay Naked Skin	7

Find Your Foundation Match Mega List

Want more foundation/concealer matches? Check out the Find Your Foundation Match Mega List.

More beauty resources

Best Blush for Medium Skin, According to Reddit

Best Blush for Fair Skin, According to Reddit

Maybelline Foundation Finder: What the Numbers Mean and Finding Your Perfect Shade

What’s the difference between Maybelline’s Classic Ivory, Natural Ivory, Ivory and Fair Ivory shades?

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer Swatches and Shades Guide

MAC Foundation Shades for Indian Skin

Beige Skin Tone — How It Looks Like (Visual Guide)

Medium Skin Tone – How It Looks Like (Visual Guide)

ILIA Skin Tint Shade Finder

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Comments 6

Jacqueline
July 15, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Absolutely love this!

For me MAC NC40 is a tad too light, and MAC NC42 is a tad too dark.
Please list more brands and shades that will also be perfect.

Thank you ❤

1. MJ
  September 29, 2020 at 2:53 pm
  
  Girl I am the same way. Have you tried Frankie Rose cosmetics? I use the color oatmeal and is just perfect. I also blend frankie rose cosmetics and urban decay shade 7. together and it gives me a littel more color when im on the tanner side. TRY it out.
  
  1. Post
    Author
    
    Redmond Mom
    April 13, 2022 at 10:55 am
    
    Thanks for the tip, MJ!
    
2. Ankita
  February 12, 2021 at 10:03 pm
  
  Hi,
  “For me MAC NC40 is a tad too light, and MAC NC42 is a tad too dark.” I hear you girl .
  Have you tried NC41 in studio fix fluid and powder? I find it absolutely perfect ….
  
  1. Post
    Author
    
    Redmond Mom
    April 13, 2022 at 10:56 am
    
    That’s good to know, Ankita! Thanks for sharing!
    
3. Post
  Author
  
  Redmond Mom
  March 15, 2022 at 11:59 am
  
  Hey Jacqueline, so glad you found the list useful. We’ve added more brands and shades to the list. Enjoy!