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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%).

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Finish

Formulation

Skin type

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Fragrance-free6No drying alcohol4Vegan6Cruelty-free2Oil-free3With SPF2Mineral1

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8 of 32

Only showing matches with medium coverage, in liquid form.

  • 8 matches have no formulation listed and are not shown.

Closest shade match: Dior Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 5.5N

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
Dior
5.5N
Depth and undertone: Medium tan · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Radiant · Medium coverage
Shade match
98out of 100
Colour
96
Depth
100
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$55SephoraSephora
Costs $48.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative: Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation 21

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
Urban Decay
21
Depth and undertone: Medium tan · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Medium coverage
Overall match
84out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
95
Finish (Finish & visual result)
89
Wear (Wear & performance)
40
Skin (Skin suitability)
60
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$40SephoraSephora
Costs $33.01 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. #3 · Urban Decay

    Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation

    23
    Shade match 95
    $40SephoraSephoraCosts $33.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneSame matte finish

    Differences: Not marketed for dry/sensitive skinContains drying alcohol

    Score details
    Shade match
    95
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin · Contains drying alcohol

    Retailer shade note: medium neutral

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. #4 · PÜR

    4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15

    Medium Tan TP4
    Shade match 96
    $34Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $27.01 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame neutral undertoneSame medium coverage

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    76
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish

    Retailer shade note: tan skin w/neutral or pink undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. #5 · Urban Decay

    Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation

    26
    Shade match 89
    $40SephoraSephoraCosts $33.01 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame matte finishSame medium coverage

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneNot marketed for dry/sensitive skinContains drying alcohol

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

    Looks identical · Matte · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin · Contains drying alcohol

    Retailer shade note: medium deep cool olive

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. #6 · e.l.f. Cosmetics

    Soft Glam Satin Foundation

    44 Tan Cool
    Shade match 87
    $8Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $1.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame medium coverageClaims long-wearing

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneNatural rather than matte finishNot marketed for sensitive skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    76
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    80

    Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Natural rather than matte finish · Not marketed for sensitive skin

    Retailer shade note: tan with cool undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. #7 · Laura Mercier

    Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Waterproof Foundation

    4W1 Suntan
    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
  6. #8 · Make Up For Ever

    HD Skin Hydra Glow Hydrating Foundation

    3N40 - Praline
    Shade match 97
    $49SephoraSephoraCosts $42.01 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneSame medium coverage

    Differences: Radiant rather than matte finishNot marketed for oily/sensitive skinContains listed fragrance

    Score details
    Shade match
    97
    Finish & visual result
    50
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    60

    Very close colour · Radiant · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 1% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Radiant rather than matte finish · Not marketed for oily/sensitive skin · Contains listed fragrance

    Retailer shade note: for medium to tan skin with neutral undertones

    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

    SephoraView at Sephora
  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

    SephoraView at Sephora
  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

    SephoraView at Sephora
  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

    SephoraView at Sephora
  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

    Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty
  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

    SephoraView at Sephora

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 Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in 5.5N, against Essence Foundation Stick in 201. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade201Closest shade match5.5NScore
Shade match55% of overall98
Colour96#c58a60#c8885bLooks identicalColour difference 1.2 (0 is identical)
Depth100Medium tanMedium tanSameDepth difference: 0.3
Retailer descriptionMedium tanMediumSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared53
Finish12MatteRadiantDifferentRadiant 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 · 1 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
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 overall60
Skin type60Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveNormal, dry, oilyBoth marketed for dry/​normal/​oily skin
Overall match 76/100Shade 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 Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in 5.5N.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Same medium coverage
  • Claims a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 20

Different

  • Radiant finish instead of matte
  • Not marketed for combination/sensitive skin
  • Fragrance is listed in the formula
  • Contains alcohol

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

2 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 1%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
Basemoderate siliconeWater-based, low silicone
FragranceNot listedListed (fragrance)
Drying alcoholNot listedListed (alcohol)
SPFNot listedSPF 20
OverlapUnknown-based vs water-based; silicone moderate vs low
View full match

Why the closest overall alternative works

Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation in 21, against Essence Foundation Stick in 201. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shade201Closest overall alternative21Score
Shade match55% of overall95
Colour92#c58a60#cc885aVery close colourColour difference 2.0 (0 is identical)
Depth100Medium tanMedium tanSameDepth difference: 0.3
Retailer descriptionMedium tanMediumSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared89
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage100MediumMediumSameSame medium coverage
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 · 3 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
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 overall60
Skin type60Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveNormal, combination, oilyBoth marketed for combination/​normal/​oily skin
Overall match 84/100Shade 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 Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation in 21.

Same or better

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

Different

  • Not marketed for dry/sensitive skin
  • Contains alcohol denat.

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
Basemoderate siliconeSilicone-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedListed (alcohol denat.)
SPFNot listedNot listed
OverlapUnknown-based vs silicone-based; silicone moderate vs high
View full match

Where to buy

Closest shade match

Dior Backstage Glow-Up Skin Tint Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 5.5N

Best price
$55SephoraSephora
Costs $48.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative

Urban Decay Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation 21

Best price
$40SephoraSephora
Costs $33.01 more

Your shade $6.99 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

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.