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Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC16 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics

Light medium · 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 in liquid form, with no drying alcohol.

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

Closest shade match: Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Luminous Hydrating Foundation 5N

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

The match
Makeup By Mario
5N
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Natural · Medium coverage
Shade match
99out of 100
Colour
98
Depth
99
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$48SephoraSephora
Costs $9 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

Closest overall alternative: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 CN 18 Cream Whip

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

The match
Clinique
CN 18 Cream Whip
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Cool
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
Overall match
89out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
90
Finish (Finish & visual result)
100
Wear (Wear & performance)
67
Skin (Skin suitability)
87
Best price
$49SephoraSephora
Costs $10 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

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 · Clinique

    Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer

    WN 38 Sesame
    Shade match 93
    $41Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $2 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame neutral undertoneSame full coverage

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishDoes not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim not settling into lines

    Score details
    Shade match
    93
    Finish & visual result
    76
    Wear & performance
    76
    Skin suitability
    87

    Looks identical · Natural · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 30% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: very fair, warm neutral undertone

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. #4 · e.l.f. Cosmetics

    Soft Glam Satin Foundation

    25 Light Neutral
    Shade match 98
    $8Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty$31 less (79%)

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame neutral undertoneBoth claim not settling into lines

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishMedium rather than full coverageDoes not claim transfer resistance

    Score details
    Shade match
    98
    Finish & visual result
    67
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    80

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 15% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: light with neutral undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. #5 · e.l.f. Cosmetics

    Soft Glam Satin Foundation

    21 Light Neutral
    Shade match 97
    $8Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)$31 less (79%)

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame neutral undertoneBoth claim not settling into lines

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishMedium rather than full coverageDoes not claim transfer resistance

    Score details
    Shade match
    97
    Finish & visual result
    67
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    80

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 15% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: light with neutral undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. #6 · KimChi Chic Beauty

    A Really Good Foundation

    108L
    Shade match 87
    $29Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)$10 less (26%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame full coverageBoth claim not settling into lines

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneNatural matte rather than matte finishDoes not claim transfer resistance

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    88
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    80

    Very close colour · Natural matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 24% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Natural matte rather than matte finish · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: Light with Cool Undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. Shade match 92
    $48SephoraSephoraCosts $9 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneClaims a skin-like finish

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishMedium rather than full coverageNo SPF

    Score details
    Shade match
    92
    Finish & visual result
    54
    Wear & performance
    91
    Skin suitability
    87

    Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 28% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: for light skintones with neutral cool undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  6. Shade match 88
    $48SephoraSephoraCosts $9 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourClaims a skin-like finishBoth claim transfer resistance

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneNatural rather than matte finishMedium rather than full coverage

    Score details
    Shade match
    88
    Finish & visual result
    54
    Wear & performance
    91
    Skin suitability
    87

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 28% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: for light skintones with cool undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC16 (Light medium · Neutral undertone) in each concealer range, compared on measured colour, depth and undertone. Price never changes the order.

From the same range

  1. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix 36HR Smooth Angles Hydrating Concealer

    NW13

    MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix 36HR Smooth Angles Hydrating Concealer, shade NW13

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $30

Closest concealers

  1. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Water-Resistant Concealer

    25.0 Medium Natural

    IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Water-Resistant Concealer, shade 25.0 Medium Natural

    • Looks identical
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $30

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

    Light Beige

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

    • Looks identical
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $36

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

    2

    Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer, shade 2

    • Looks identical
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $42

  4. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    2N Neutral

    Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer, shade 2N Neutral

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $42

  5. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Full Coverage Longwear Concealer

    Cedar 3.5

    Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Full Coverage Longwear Concealer, shade Cedar 3.5

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $39

  6. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer

    130N

    Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, shade 130N

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $24

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

Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Luminous Hydrating Foundation in 5N, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC16. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC16Closest shade match5NScore
Shade match55% of overall99
Colour98#deb392#deb18fLooks identicalColour difference 0.7 (0 is identical)
Depth99Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 0.8
Retailer descriptionFairLightSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared58
Finish56MatteNaturalSome differenceNatural finish rather than matte
Coverage60FullMediumSome differenceMedium coverage rather than full
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 overall67
Longevity7024-hour wearLong-wearingSome differenceYour product claims 24-hour wear; the match says long-wearing without hours
Transfer resistance40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims transfer resistance; the match does not list it
Settling40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims not settling into pores or fine lines; the match does not list it
Colour stability100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall40
Skin type40Normal, oilyNormal, dry, combinationBoth marketed for normal skin
Overall match 81/100Shade match 99/100Medium 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 Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Luminous Hydrating Foundation in 5N.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Both claim colour stability
  • Both claim a lightweight feel

Different

  • Natural finish instead of matte
  • Medium rather than full coverage
  • Does not claim transfer resistance
  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Not marketed for oily skin
  • No SPF

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

5 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 9%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
BaseWater-based, high siliconeOil-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15Not listed
OverlapWater-based vs oil-based; silicone high vs high

Why the closest overall alternative works

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 in CN 18 Cream Whip, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC16. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC16Closest overall alternativeCN 18 Cream WhipScore
Shade match55% of overall90
Colour98#deb392#e0b494Looks identicalColour difference 0.6 (0 is identical)
Depth99Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 0.6
Retailer descriptionFairVery fairSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone65NeutralCoolSome differencefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared100
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage100FullFullSameSame full 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 overall67
Longevity10024-hour wear24-hour wearSameBoth claim 24-hour wear
Transfer resistance40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims transfer resistance; the match does not list it
Settling40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims not settling into pores or fine lines; the match does not list it
Colour stability100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; the match does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall87
Skin type87Normal, oilyNormal, dry, oilyBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 89/100Shade match 90/100Medium 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 Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 in CN 18 Cream Whip.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same matte finish
  • Same full coverage
  • Both claim 24-hour wear
  • Both claim colour stability
  • SPF 25 instead of SPF 15

Different

  • Slightly cooler undertone
  • Does not claim transfer resistance
  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Does not claim a lightweight feel

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

25 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 27%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
BaseWater-based, high siliconeSilicone-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15SPF 25
OverlapWater-based vs silicone-based; silicone high vs high

Where to buy

Closest shade match

Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Luminous Hydrating Foundation 5N

Best price
$48SephoraSephora
Costs $9 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

Closest overall alternative

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 25 CN 18 Cream Whip

Best price
$49SephoraSephora
Costs $10 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

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.