Beautler.Your beauty butler

Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC18 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%).

Filters, 4 applied

Coverage

Finish

Formulation

Skin type

Preferences

Fragrance-free5No drying alcohol5Vegan0Cruelty-free2Oil-free0With SPF0Mineral0

Avoid an ingredient

Sort

5 of 31

Only showing matches made for sensitive skin, with buildable coverage, without talc or alcohol denat.

  • 1 match has no coverage listed and is not shown.
  • 2 matches have no skin type listed and are not shown.

Closest shade match: Tarte Timeless Hydrating Foundation 35N Medium Neutral

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

Your shade
MAC Cosmetics
NC18Change shade
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
The match
Tarte
35N Medium Neutral
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Natural · Buildable coverage
Shade match
97out of 100
Colour
95
Depth
97
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Match price
$42Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $3 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora · product price; shade not separately priced

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

Closest overall alternative: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Cushion Foundation 250 Neutral

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

Your shade
MAC Cosmetics
NC18Change shade
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
The match
L'Oréal Paris
250 Neutral
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Buildable coverage
Overall match
86out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
95
Finish (Finish & visual result)
73
Wear (Wear & performance)
79
Skin (Skin suitability)
76
High confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Match price
$19.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$19.01 less (49%)

Your shade $39 at Sephora · product price; shade not separately priced

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. #3 · Laura Mercier

    Real Flawless Feather Matte Powder Foundation

    2C Madeleine
    Shade match 79
    $54Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $15 more

    Matches: Same matte finishClaims a blurring effectBoth claim transfer resistance

    Differences: Slightly lighterSlightly cooler undertoneBuildable rather than full coverage

    Score details
    Shade match
    79
    Finish & visual result
    81
    Wear & performance
    79
    Skin suitability
    76

    Colour not compared · Matte · Buildable coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 9% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly lighter · Slightly cooler undertone · Buildable rather than full coverage · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: light with cool undertones

    Low confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. #4 · Tarte

    Timeless Hydrating Foundation

    29N Light-Medium Neutral
    Shade match 95
    $42Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $3 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneClaims a blurring effect

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

    Score details
    Shade match
    95
    Finish & visual result
    62
    Wear & performance
    48
    Skin suitability
    76

    Very close colour · Natural · Buildable coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 14% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Buildable rather than full coverage · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. #5 · Clinique

    Daily Calm Makeup Balm Foundation

    Light
    Shade match 91
    $49Ulta BeautyUlta BeautyCosts $10 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneClaims a blurring effect

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finishBuildable rather than full coverageNo long-wear claim

    Score details
    Shade match
    91
    Finish & visual result
    62
    Wear & performance
    58
    Skin suitability
    76

    Very close colour · Natural · Buildable coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 31% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Buildable rather than full coverage · No long-wear claim · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · No SPF

    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 NC18 (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

    NC17

    MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix 36HR Smooth Angles Hydrating Concealer, shade NC17

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $30

    SephoraView at Sephora

Closest concealers

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

    5

    Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer, shade 5

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $42

    SephoraView at Sephora
  2. bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer

    Light/Medium 2.5N

    bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer, shade Light/Medium 2.5N

    • Close colour
    • Light medium · Neutral undertone

    $31

    Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty
  3. NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Face & Body Concealer Serum

    Tan

    NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Face & Body Concealer Serum, shade Tan

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium

    $12

    Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty
  4. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    3.5 Neutral

    Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer, shade 3.5 Neutral

    • Close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $42

    SephoraView at Sephora
  5. Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer

    2N1

    Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Serum Concealer, shade 2N1

    • Close colour
    • Medium light · Neutral undertone

    $34

    SephoraView at Sephora
  6. Maybelline Fit Me Natural Finish Concealer

    030 Honey

    Maybelline Fit Me Natural Finish Concealer, shade 030 Honey

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm undertone

    $10.99

    Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

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

Tarte Timeless Hydrating Foundation in 35N Medium Neutral, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC18. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC18Closest shade match35N Medium NeutralScore
Shade match55% of overall97
Colour95#eaac80#edb081Looks identicalColour difference 1.4 (0 is identical)
Depth97Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 1.9
Retailer descriptionLightNot statedNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared62
Finish56MatteNaturalSome differenceNatural finish rather than matte
Coverage80FullBuildableCloseBuildable coverage rather than full (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 overall48
Longevity3524-hour wear12-hour wearDifferent12-hour wear claimed against 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 stability40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims colour stability (no oxidation); the match does not list it
Comfort100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall76
Skin type76Normal, oilyCombination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 80/100Shade 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 Tarte Timeless Hydrating Foundation in 35N Medium Neutral.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Buildable rather than full coverage
  • Claims a blurring effect
  • Both claim a lightweight feel

Different

  • Natural finish instead of matte
  • Does not claim transfer resistance
  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Does not claim colour stability
  • No SPF

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

10 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 14%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
BaseWater-based, high siliconeWater-based, no silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15Not listed
OverlapBoth water-based; silicone high vs none
View full match

Why the closest overall alternative works

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Cushion Foundation in 250 Neutral, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC18. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC18Closest overall alternative250 NeutralScore
Shade match55% of overall95
Colour93#eaac80#e8b187Very close colourColour difference 1.9 (0 is identical)
Depth97Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 1.6
Retailer descriptionLightNot statedNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall73
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage80FullBuildableCloseBuildable coverage rather than full (buildable: one step of tolerance)
Skin-like finish40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a skin-like finish; your product does not list it
Blurring40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a blurring or smoothing effect; your product does not list it
Wear & performance15% of overall79
Longevity10024-hour wear24-hour wearSameBoth claim 24-hour wear
Transfer resistance100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim transfer resistance
Settling40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims not settling into pores or fine lines; the match does not list it
Colour stability40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims colour stability (no oxidation); the match does not list it
Comfort100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall76
Skin type76Normal, oilyCombination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 86/100Shade match 95/100High 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 L'Oréal Paris Infallible Cushion Foundation in 250 Neutral.

Same or better

  • $19.01 less
  • Very close colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Same matte finish
  • Buildable rather than full coverage
  • Claims a skin-like finish
  • Claims a blurring effect
  • Both claim 24-hour wear
  • Both claim transfer resistance
  • Both claim a lightweight feel

Different

  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Does not claim colour stability
  • No SPF

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

11 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 24%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
BaseWater-based, high siliconeWater-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15Not listed
OverlapBoth water-based; silicone high vs high
View full match

Where to buy

Closest shade match

Tarte Timeless Hydrating Foundation 35N Medium Neutral

Match price
$42Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $3 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora · product price; shade not separately priced

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

Closest overall alternative

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Cushion Foundation 250 Neutral

Match price
$19.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$19.01 less (49%)

Your shade $39 at Sephora · product price; shade not separately priced

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

How these matches are scored

31 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.