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Foundation Stick 201 dupes and alternatives Essence

Medium tan · Neutral 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 made for sensitive skin, without talc.

  • 3 matches have no skin type listed and are not shown.
  • 2 matches have no ingredient list listed and are not shown.

Closest shade match: PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 Medium Tan TP4

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

Your shade
Essence
201Change shade
Depth and undertone: Medium tan · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
The match
PÜR
Medium Tan TP4
Depth and undertone: Medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Natural · Medium coverage
Shade match
96out of 100
Colour
95
Depth
97
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Match price
$34Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $27.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty · product price; shade not separately priced

Closest overall alternative: LORAC PRO Soft Focus Longwear Foundation 18

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

Your shade
Essence
201Change shade
Depth and undertone: Medium tan · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
The match
LORAC
18
Depth and undertone: Medium tan · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
Overall match
83out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
95
Finish (Finish & visual result)
81
Wear (Wear & performance)
40
Skin (Skin suitability)
100
Best price
$38Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $31.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

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 95
    $45Ulta BeautyUlta BeautyCosts $38.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneSame matte finish

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverageContains drying alcohol

    Score details
    Shade match
    95
    Finish & visual result
    79
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverage · Contains drying alcohol

    Retailer shade note: for medium deep neutral skin with a peach hue

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. Shade match 89
    $14.95Ulta BeautyUlta BeautyCosts $7.96 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishSame medium coverage

    Differences: Not marketed for combination/dry skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    89
    Finish & visual result
    100
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Looks identical · Matte · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Not marketed for combination/dry skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. Shade match 86
    $5.60$8Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty$1.39 less (20%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame matte finish

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertoneFull rather than medium coverage

    Score details
    Shade match
    86
    Finish & visual result
    91
    Wear & performance
    50
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 8% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertone · Full rather than medium coverage

    Retailer shade note: medium or tan skin tones with a yellow undertone

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. Shade match 89
    $14.50Ulta BeautyUlta BeautyCosts $7.51 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishClaims a blurring effect

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverage

    Score details
    Shade match
    89
    Finish & visual result
    81
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Looks identical · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 8% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Full rather than medium coverage

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. #7 · L'Oréal Paris

    True Match Super-Blendable Foundation

    W7 Warm Medium Deep
    Shade match 87
    $13.99Ulta BeautyUlta BeautyCosts $7 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame medium coverageClaims a skin-like finish

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertoneNatural rather than matte finish

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    68
    Wear & performance
    50
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 6% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertone · Natural rather than matte finish

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  6. Shade match 87
    $54SephoraSephoraCosts $47.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame medium coverageClaims a blurring effect

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertoneNatural rather than matte finish

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    70
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly warmer undertone · Natural rather than matte finish

    Retailer shade note: medium with warm undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  7. #9 · L'Oréal Paris

    Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation

    495 Amber
    Shade match 88
    $18.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $12 more

    Matches: Very close colourClaims 32-hour wearClaims transfer resistance

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishFull rather than medium coverageContains listed fragrance

    Score details
    Shade match
    88
    Finish & visual result
    67
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Natural · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 4% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Full rather than medium coverage · Contains listed fragrance · Contains drying alcohol

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to Essence Foundation Stick 201 (Medium tan · Neutral undertone) in each concealer range, compared on measured colour, depth and undertone. Price never changes the order.

Closest concealers

  1. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    4.5 Neutral

    Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer, shade 4.5 Neutral

    • Very close colour
    • Medium tan · Neutral undertone

    $42

  2. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage Waterproof Concealer

    Caramel Corn 5.1 Neutral

    Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage Waterproof Concealer, shade Caramel Corn 5.1 Neutral

    • Very close colour
    • Medium tan · Neutral undertone

    $31

  3. Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer

    Tone 7.8 N

    Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer, shade Tone 7.8 N

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Neutral undertone

    $32

  4. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer

    8

    Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer, shade 8

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Neutral undertone

    $42

  5. bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer

    Tan 4N

    bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer, shade Tan 4N

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Neutral undertone

    $31

  6. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer

    11 Tan

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer, shade 11 Tan

    • Very close colour
    • Medium tan · Neutral undertone

    $36

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

PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 in Medium Tan TP4, against Essence Foundation Stick in 201. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade201Closest shade matchMedium Tan TP4Score
Shade match55% of overall96
Colour95#c58a60#c88e67Looks identicalColour difference 1.5 (0 is identical)
Depth97Medium tanMediumCloseDepth difference: 2.0
Retailer descriptionMedium tanTanSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared76
Finish56MatteNaturalSome differenceNatural finish rather than matte
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 · 2 of 5 compared40
Longevitynot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists long wear
Transfer resistancenot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists transfer resistance
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 overall100
Skin type100Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveCombination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveBoth marketed for combination/​dry/​normal/​oily/​sensitive skin
Overall match 83/100Shade match 96/100Medium 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 PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 in Medium Tan TP4.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Same medium coverage
  • Claims not settling into lines
  • Claims a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 15

Different

  • Natural finish instead of matte

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
Basemoderate siliconeno silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedSPF 15
OverlapBoth unknown-based; silicone moderate vs none

Why the closest overall alternative works

LORAC PRO Soft Focus Longwear Foundation in 18, against Essence Foundation Stick in 201. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade201Closest overall alternative18Score
Shade match55% of overall95
Colour92#c58a60#c28556Very close colourColour difference 2.0 (0 is identical)
Depth96Medium tanMedium tanSameDepth difference: 2.4
Retailer descriptionMedium tanMedium tanBoth described as medium tanThe retailers describe the same depth
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared81
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage80MediumFullCloseFull 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 · 2 of 5 compared40
Longevity40Not listedLong-wearingSome 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)
Comfort40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; your product does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall100
Skin type100Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveCombination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveBoth marketed for combination/​dry/​normal/​oily/​sensitive skin
Overall match 83/100Shade match 95/100Medium 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 LORAC PRO Soft Focus Longwear Foundation in 18.

Same or better

  • Very close colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Same matte finish
  • Full rather than medium coverage
  • Claims a blurring effect
  • Claims long-wearing
  • Claims a lightweight feel

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
Basemoderate siliconeSilicone-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedNot listed
OverlapUnknown-based vs silicone-based; silicone moderate vs high

Where to buy

Closest shade match

PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 Medium Tan TP4

Match price
$34Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $27.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty · product price; shade not separately priced

Closest overall alternative

LORAC PRO Soft Focus Longwear Foundation 18

Best price
$38Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $31.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

How these matches are scored

32 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.