Updated 4/14/2022
Confused about which foundation shade is right for you? What exactly is medium skin tone? How about beige skin tone? And what in the world is warm ivory skin tone?
We get lots of questions about skin tones and foundation shades, so we’ve put together a comprehensive shade guide to break down what it all means.
Read on to learn more about skin tones and how to find your foundation shade.
Why is it important to know your skin tone?
Knowing your skin tone is crucial if you want your foundation/concealer to look undetectable on your skin.
It’s also the first step to finding your foundation matches/equivalents.
Not knowing your skin tone could result in foundations looking too pink or orange on your face, or clashing badly with your neck.
Knowing your skin tone would also make shopping for makeup online easier, especially when you cannot test the product in person (thanks Covid!).
Skin tone depth
When we describe someone as “light-skinned” or “dark-skinned”, we are really describing their skin tone depth.
Therefore, someone with “medium skin tone” would fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.
Undertone
Once you’ve figured out your skin tone depth, it’s time to determine your undertone.
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 Foundation Shade System Explained
Here at Redmond Mom, we use the MAC foundation shade system to classify brands and shade matches/equivalents because it’s more precise.
NC: has yellow, neutral and olive undertones
NW: has pink and neutral undertones
C: has yellow and olive undertones
For example, someone who is NC40 has medium skin with yellow, neutral or olive undertones.
While someone who is NW20 will have light to medium skin with pink and/or neutral undertones.
Now that we’ve gone over skin tone depth and undertones, it’s time to view these skin tones visually.
We’ll begin with some of the most common skin tone questions.
Question 1: What does “warm ivory skin tone” look like?
Someone with “warm ivory skin tone” has light skin with warm (yellow or olive) undertones, ranging between MAC NC15 to NC20.
Question 2: What does “warm beige skin tone” look like?
Someone with “warm beige skin tone” has light to medium skin, and warm undertones, ranging from NC25 to NC35.
Question 3: What does “warm medium skin tone” look like?
Someone with “warm medium skin tone” has medium skin with warm undertones, ranging from MAC NC37 to NC42.
Skin Tone Type 1: Light Skin Tones
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 skin shades are MAC NC5, NW13, NC20 and NW20.
Skin Tone Type 2: Light to Medium Skin Tones
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 skin shades are MAC NC25, NW25, NC30, NC35.
| Light to Medium Warm shades | Light to Medium Cool shades |
| NC25 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | NW25 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
| NC30 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | NW25 to NW30 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
| NC35 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
Skin Tone Type 3: Medium Skin Tones
Medium skin tones are some of the most common skin tones and are usually described as “tanned” or “caramel”.
Some examples of medium shades are MAC NW30, NC37, NC40 and NC42.
| Medium Warm shades | Medium Cool shades |
| NC37 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | NW25 to NW30 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
| NC40 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | |
| NC42 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
Skin Tone Type 4: Medium Dark Skin Tones
Medium dark skin tones fall somewhere between medium and dark shades. It’s usually described as “toffee” and “bronze”.
Some examples of medium dark shades are MAC NC44, NC45 and NW45.
| Medium Dark Warm shades | Medium Dark Cool shades |
| NC44 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | NW45 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
| NC45 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
Skin Tone Type 5: Dark Skin Tones
Dark skin tones are the deepest shades and are usually described as “coffee”, “cocoa” and “deep bronze”.
Some examples of dark shades are MAC NW47, NC50, NW50 and NW60.
| Dark Warm shades | Dark Cool shades |
| NC50 Foundation Matches/Equivalents | NW47 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
| NW50 Foundation Matches/Equivalents |
How to find your foundation shade that matches your skin tone
Once you’ve figured out your skin tone depth and undertone, check out our extensive Find Your Foundation Match page or view below to find foundation brands and shades that match your skin tone.
For warm, neutral and olive skin tones (MAC NC Shades)
NC5 to NC10 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If NC5 is too light for you and NC10 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC10 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
very fair beige with neutral undertone for very fair skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC10.
NC15 Foundation Matches
light beige with golden undertone for light skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC15.
NC15 to NC20 Foundation Matches
If NC15 is too light for you and NC20 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC20 Foundation Matches
light beige with neutral golden undertone for light skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC20.
NC20 to NC25 Foundation Matches
If NC20 is too light for you and NC25 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC25 Foundation Matches
light beige with golden peach undertone for light skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC25.
NC30 Foundation Matches
light to medium beige with golden undertone for light to medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC30.
NC30 to NC35 Foundation Matches
If NC30 is too light for you and NC35 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC35 Foundation Matches
light to medium beige with peachy golden undertone for medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC35.
NC35 to NC40 Foundation Matches
If NC35 is too light for you and NC40 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC40 Foundation Matches
medium beige with golden peach undertone for medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC40.
NC40 to NC42 Foundation Matches
If NC40 is too light for you and NC42 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC42 Foundation Matches
true medium beige with golden undertone for medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC42.
NC44 Foundation Matches
tanned caramel with golden undertone for medium to dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC44.
NC44 to NC45 Foundation Matches
If NC44 is too light for you and NC45 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC45 Foundation Matches
bronze with golden undertone for dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC45.
NC45 to NC50 Foundation Matches
If NC45 is too light for you and NC50 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NC50 Foundation Matches
rich brown with golden undertone for deep dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NC50.
For cool/neutral skin tones (MAC NW Shades)
Lighter than NW10 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to Lighter than NW10.
NW10 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
very fair beige with rosy undertone for fair skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW10.
NW10 to NW20 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If NW10 is too light for you and NW20 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NW10 to NW13 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If NW10 is too light for you and NW13 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NW13 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
fair beige with neutral undertone for light skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW13.
NW15 Foundation Matches
light beige with neutral undertone for light skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW15.
NW15 to NW20 Foundation Matches
If NW15 is too light for you and NW20 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NW15 to NC20 Foundation Matches
Neutral when pale but golden/yellow when tanned
If NW15 is too light for you and NC20 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NW20 Foundation Matches
warm neutral beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW20.
NW25 Foundation Matches
rosy beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW25.
NW25 to NW30 Foundation Matches
If NW25 is too light for you and NW30 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
NW45 Foundation Matches
medium mahogany with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW45.
NW47 Foundation Matches
deep auburn with neutral undertones for dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW47.
NW50 Foundation Matches
rich coffee with neutral undertone for dark skin
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to NW50.
For light, neutral skin tones (MAC N Shades)
MAC N1 to N2 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If MAC N1 is too light for you and N2 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
MAC N4 to N5 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If MAC N4 is too light for you and N5 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
MAC N1 to N5 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If MAC N1 is too light for you and N5 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
Lighter than MAC N5 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
Try these foundation shades if you are matched to Lighter than MAC N5.
MAC N5 Foundation Matches/Equivalents
If MAC N5 is too light for you and N10 is too dark for you, these foundation shades might suit you.
Want to learn more? Check out our Shade Guide Resources
MAC Foundation Shades for Indian Skin
Maybelline Foundation Finder: What the Numbers Mean and Finding Your Perfect Shade
Top Rated Foundation Reviews
Image credits: https://www.maccosmetics.com, www.amazon.com