Foundation Stick 203 dupes and alternatives Essence
3.8 (142)·Tan · Cool 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%).
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.
Matches: Very close colour· Claims long-wearing· Claims not settling into lines
Differences: Neutral rather than cool undertone· Natural matte rather than matte finish· Full rather than medium coverage
Score details
Shade match
86
Finish & visual result
79
Wear & performance
40
Skin suitability
80
Very close colour · Natural matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap
Differences: Neutral rather than cool undertone · Natural matte rather than matte finish · Full rather than medium coverage · Not marketed for sensitive skin
Retailer shade note: Medium/Tan with Neutral Undertones
The closest shade to Essence Foundation Stick 203 (Tan · Cool undertone) in each concealer range, compared on measured colour, depth and undertone. Price never changes the order.
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
MAC Cosmetics Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation in NW45, against Essence Foundation Stick in 203. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shade203Closest shade matchNW45How they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall93
Colour60%90#af7854#ad724aVery close colourColour difference 2.3 (0 is identical)
Depth15%96TanTanSameDepth difference: 2.7
Retailer descriptionMediumMediumBoth described as mediumThe retailers describe the same depth
Overall match 73/100Shade match 93/100Medium 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.
Overall match 81/100Shade match 85/100Medium 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.
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.
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