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Foundation Stick 120 dupes and alternatives Essence

Light · Warm · yellow undertone

Closest shade match is the equivalent shade, scored on colour, depth and undertone only. Closest overall alternative is the most similar foundation overall, scored on shade match (55%), finish and visual result (25%), wear and performance (15%) and skin suitability (5%).

Only showing matches in liquid form, without talc or alcohol denat.

  • 8 matches have no formulation listed and are not shown.
  • 1 match has no ingredient list listed and is not shown.

Closest shade match: Dior Forever Skin Wear Blurring Natural Matte Foundation 2.5W Warm

The equivalent shade: scored on colour, depth and undertone only.

Your shade
Essence
120Change shade
Depth and undertone: Light · Warm · yellow
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
The match
Dior
2.5W Warm
Depth and undertone: Light · Warm
Finish and coverage: Matte · Buildable coverage
Shade match
98out of 100
Colour
97
Depth
98
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$60SephoraSephora
Costs $53.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative: Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15 Warm Beige (W-046)

The most similar foundation overall: shade match 55%, finish and visual result 25%, wear and performance 15%, skin suitability 5%.

Your shade
Essence
120Change shade
Depth and undertone: Light · Warm · yellow
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
The match
Bobbi Brown
Warm Beige (W-046)
Depth and undertone: Light · Warm
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
Overall match
88out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
97
Finish (Finish & visual result)
100
Wear (Wear & performance)
40
Skin (Skin suitability)
60
Best price
$58SephoraSephora
Costs $51.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

More matches

Show
Overall alternativesShade matchesRanked by the overall match: the most similar foundation on shade, finish, wear and skin suitability together. Each row leads with its overall match; the shade match is beneath it.

Ranked by the overall match: the most similar foundation on shade, finish, wear and skin suitability together. Each row leads with its overall match; the shade match is beneath it.

  1. Shade match 87
    $60SephoraSephoraCosts $53.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame matte finishClaims a blurring effect

    Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertoneBuildable rather than medium coverageNot marketed for normal/sensitive skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Very close colour · Matte · Buildable coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 4% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone · Buildable rather than medium coverage · Not marketed for normal/sensitive skin · Contains listed fragrance · Contains drying alcohol

    Retailer shade note: light skin with neutral tones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. #4 · Bobbi Brown

    Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15

    Cool Beige (C-046)
    Shade match 80
    $58SephoraSephoraCosts $51.01 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishSame medium coverage

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneNot marketed for dry/sensitive skinContains listed fragrance

    Score details
    Shade match
    80
    Finish & visual result
    100
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Looks identical · Matte · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 6% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin · Contains listed fragrance

    Retailer shade note: Light to medium, cool undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. Shade match 94
    $48SephoraSephoraCosts $41.01 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSimilar undertone (neutral vs warm)Same medium coverage

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishNot marketed for dry/sensitive skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    94
    Finish & visual result
    68
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin

    Retailer shade note: for light skintones with neutral warm undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. #6 · Wet n Wild

    PhotoFocus Liquid Foundation

    Nude Ivory
    Shade match 89
    $5.24$7.49Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty$1.75 less (25%)

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishClaims a skin-like finish

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverageNot marketed for combination/oily/sensitive skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    89
    Finish & visual result
    73
    Wear & performance
    50
    Skin suitability
    40

    Looks identical · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverage · Not marketed for combination/oily/sensitive skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. Shade match 81
    $69SephoraSephoraCosts $62.01 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishClaims 24-hour wear

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneFull rather than medium coverageNot marketed for dry/sensitive skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    81
    Finish & visual result
    91
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Looks identical · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 7% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Full rather than medium coverage · Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin · Contains listed fragrance

    Retailer shade note: fair medium with cool undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to Essence Foundation Stick 120 (Light · Warm · yellow undertone) in each concealer range, compared on measured colour, depth and undertone. Price never changes the order.

Closest concealers

  1. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer

    2W1

    Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer, shade 2W1

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Warm undertone

    $34

  2. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer

    180W

    Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, shade 180W

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Warm undertone

    $24

  3. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    3 Warm Peach

    Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer, shade 3 Warm Peach

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Warm · peach undertone

    $42

  4. Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

    Golden Beige

    Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer, shade Golden Beige

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Warm · golden undertone

    $36

  5. Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Matte Concealer

    27S light-medium sand

    Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Matte Concealer, shade 27S light-medium sand

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Warm · golden undertone

    $32

  6. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer

    2W

    Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer, shade 2W

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Warm undertone

    $38

Concealer shade colours are sampled from retailer swatch images, so check the shade on the retailer page before buying.

Why the closest shade match works

Dior Forever Skin Wear Blurring Natural Matte Foundation in 2.5W Warm, against Essence Foundation Stick in 120. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade120Closest shade match2.5W WarmScore
Shade match55% of overall98
Colour97#e6b99b#e4b797Looks identicalColour difference 0.9 (0 is identical)
Depth98LightLightSameDepth difference: 1.1
Retailer descriptionLightFairSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100Warm · yellowWarmClosefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared89
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage100MediumBuildableCloseBuildable coverage rather than medium (buildable: one step of tolerance)
Skin-like finishnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a skin-like finish
Blurring40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a blurring or smoothing effect; your product does not list it
Wear & performance15% of overall · 1 of 5 compared40
Longevity40Not listed24-hour wearSome differenceThe match claims long wear; your product does not list it
Transfer resistancenot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists transfer resistance
Settlingnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stabilitynot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfortnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall60
Skin type60Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveDry, combination, oilyBoth marketed for combination/​dry/​oily skin
Overall match 85/100Shade match 98/100Medium confidence· Digital match

Weights are each part's share of the overall match and each attribute's share of its part; an attribute neither product lists is not comparable and its weight goes to the others in its part. Confidence reflects data quality, not similarity. Price and ingredients are not part of either score.

How scoring works

If you switch

To Dior Forever Skin Wear Blurring Natural Matte Foundation in 2.5W Warm.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same warm undertone
  • Same matte finish
  • Buildable rather than medium coverage
  • Claims a blurring effect
  • Claims 24-hour wear

Different

  • Not marketed for normal/sensitive skin
  • Fragrance is listed in the formula
  • Contains alcohol

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

3 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 4%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
Basemoderate siliconeWater-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedListed (fragrance)
Drying alcoholNot listedListed (alcohol)
SPFNot listedNot listed
OverlapUnknown-based vs water-based; silicone moderate vs high

Why the closest overall alternative works

Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15 in Warm Beige (W-046), against Essence Foundation Stick in 120. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade120Closest overall alternativeWarm Beige (W-046)Score
Shade match55% of overall97
Colour96#e6b99b#e3b898Looks identicalColour difference 1.2 (0 is identical)
Depth99LightLightSameDepth difference: 0.8
Retailer descriptionLightLight mediumSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100Warm · yellowWarmClosefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared100
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage100MediumMediumSameSame medium coverage
Skin-like finishnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a skin-like finish
Blurringnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a blurring or smoothing effect
Wear & performance15% of overall · 4 of 5 compared40
Longevity40Not listedLong-wearingSome differenceThe match claims long wear; your product does not list it
Transfer resistance40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims transfer resistance; your product does not list it
Settling40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims not settling into pores or fine lines; your product does not list it
Colour stabilitynot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; your product does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall60
Skin type60Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveNormal, combination, oilyBoth marketed for combination/​normal/​oily skin
Overall match 88/100Shade match 97/100Medium confidence· Digital match

Weights are each part's share of the overall match and each attribute's share of its part; an attribute neither product lists is not comparable and its weight goes to the others in its part. Confidence reflects data quality, not similarity. Price and ingredients are not part of either score.

How scoring works

If you switch

To Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15 in Warm Beige (W-046).

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same warm undertone
  • Same matte finish
  • Same medium coverage
  • Claims long-wearing
  • Claims transfer resistance
  • Claims not settling into lines
  • Claims a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 15

Different

  • Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin
  • Fragrance is listed in the formula

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

5 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 6%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
Basemoderate siliconeOil-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedListed (linalool)
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedSPF 15
OverlapUnknown-based vs oil-based; silicone moderate vs high

Where to buy

Closest shade match

Dior Forever Skin Wear Blurring Natural Matte Foundation 2.5W Warm

Best price
$60SephoraSephora
Costs $53.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative

Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15 Warm Beige (W-046)

Best price
$58SephoraSephora
Costs $51.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

How these matches are scored

30 similar shades scored two ways: the shade match on colour, depth and undertone; the overall match on shade match, finish and visual result, wear and performance and skin suitability. Ingredients are shown for information and used by the filters only. Prices are shown next to every match and never change a score. How scoring and confidence work.

Shade colours are sampled from Beautler’s processing of retailer swatch images and are a digital approximation. Prices and stock were last checked when the product was imported; the retailer page is the source of truth.