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Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC40 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics

Medium · Warm · golden 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

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Fragrance-free8No drying alcohol8Vegan1Cruelty-free0Oil-free0With SPF2Mineral1

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Only showing matches with full coverage, without fragrance or alcohol denat.

  • 1 match has no ingredient list listed and is not shown.

Closest shade match: J.Cat Beauty Aquasurance Compact Foundation Soft Taupe

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

Your shade
MAC Cosmetics
NC40Change shade
Depth and undertone: Medium · Warm · golden
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
The match
J.Cat Beauty
Soft Taupe
Depth and undertone: Medium · Neutral · neutral golden
Finish and coverage: Natural · Full coverage
Shade match
96out of 100
Colour
99
Depth
99
Undertone
85
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$10.39Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$28.61 less (73%)

Your shade $39 at Sephora

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

Closest overall alternative: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation 4W2 Toasty Toffee

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

Your shade
MAC Cosmetics
NC40Change shade
Depth and undertone: Medium · Warm · golden
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
The match
Estée Lauder
4W2 Toasty Toffee
Depth and undertone: Medium · Olive · warm olive
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
Overall match
88out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
87
Finish (Finish & visual result)
100
Wear (Wear & performance)
69
Skin (Skin suitability)
87
High confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Match price
$52Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $13 more

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 · Maybelline

    Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation

    340
    Shade match 82
    $15.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)$23.01 less (59%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame matte finishSame full coverage

    Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertoneDoes not claim not settling into linesDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    82
    Finish & visual result
    100
    Wear & performance
    79
    Skin suitability
    76

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 6% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. #4 · Sephora Collection

    Best Skin Ever Matte Powder Foundation

    28.8Y Medium
    Shade match 92
    $24SephoraSephora$15 less (38%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame warm undertoneSame matte finish

    Differences: Does not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim not settling into linesDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    92
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    58
    Skin suitability
    50

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 6% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for oily skin · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: medium, yellow undertone

    High confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. #5 · IT Cosmetics

    CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation

    Tan Warm
    Shade match 93
    $39SephoraSephoraSame price

    Matches: Very close colourSame warm undertoneSame matte finish

    Differences: No long-wear claimDoes not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim not settling into lines

    Score details
    Shade match
    93
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    43

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 25% ingredient overlap

    Differences: No long-wear claim · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Does not claim a lightweight feel · Not marketed for normal skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. #6 · Make Up For Ever

    HD Skin Matte Velvet Blurring Powder Foundation

    3R50 Cool Cinnamon
    Shade match 76
    $45SephoraSephoraCosts $6 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame matte finishSame full coverage

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneDoes not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    76
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    79
    Skin suitability
    87

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 4% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: tan skin tones with red undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. #7 · MAC Cosmetics

    Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

    NW43
    Shade match 76
    $39SephoraSephoraSame price

    Matches: Very close colourSame matte finishSame full coverage

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertoneDoes not claim transfer resistanceNo SPF

    Score details
    Shade match
    76
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    69
    Skin suitability
    87

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 4% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Does not claim transfer resistance · No SPF

    Retailer shade note: brick beige with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin

    High confidence· Digital match

    View match
  6. #8 · BLK/OPL

    TRUE COLOR Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation SPF 15

    Medium Tones
    Shade match 80
    $14.59TargetTarget$24.41 less (63%)

    Matches: Same matte finishSame full coverageClaims a blurring effect

    Differences: Does not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim not settling into linesDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    80
    Finish & visual result
    89
    Wear & performance
    49
    Skin suitability
    76

    Colour not compared · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 2% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Does not claim a lightweight feel

    Low confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC40 (Medium · Warm · golden 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

    NC42

    MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix 36HR Smooth Angles Hydrating Concealer, shade NC42

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Warm · golden undertone

    $30

    SephoraView at Sephora

Closest concealers

  1. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer

    11.5 Tan

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer, shade 11.5 Tan

    • Looks identical
    • Medium light · Warm undertone

    $36

    SephoraView at Sephora
  2. NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Face & Body Concealer Serum

    Medium Golden

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

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Warm · golden undertone

    $12

    Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty
  3. Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer

    Tone 08 W

    Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer, shade Tone 08 W

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Warm · golden undertone

    $32

    SephoraView at Sephora
  4. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Full Coverage Longwear Concealer

    Topaz 7

    Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Full Coverage Longwear Concealer, shade Topaz 7

    • Very close colour
    • Medium light · Warm · peach undertone

    $39

    SephoraView at Sephora
  5. Make Up For Ever HD Skin Full Cover Multi-Use Waterproof Concealer

    3N42

    Make Up For Ever HD Skin Full Cover Multi-Use Waterproof Concealer, shade 3N42

    • Very close colour
    • Medium · Neutral · neutral golden undertone

    $35

    SephoraView at Sephora
  6. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer

    5.5

    Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer, shade 5.5

    • Close colour
    • Medium light · Warm · peach undertone

    $42

    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

J.Cat Beauty Aquasurance Compact Foundation in Soft Taupe, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC40. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC40Closest shade matchSoft TaupeScore
Shade match55% of overall96
Colour99#e09564#df9463Looks identicalColour difference 0.3 (0 is identical)
Depth99MediumMediumSameDepth difference: 0.5
Retailer descriptionMedium tanNot statedNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone85Warm · goldenNeutral · neutral goldenClosecandidate undertone inferred
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared70
Finish56MatteNaturalSome differenceNatural finish rather than matte
Coverage100FullFullSameSame full 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 overall52
Longevity4024-hour wearNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims long wear; the match does not list it
Transfer resistance40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims transfer resistance; the match does not list it
Settling100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stability40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims colour stability (no oxidation); the match does not list it
Comfort40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; the match does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall50
Skin type50Normal, oilyNot publishedSkin-type suitability not published for one product
Overall match 80/100Shade 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 J.Cat Beauty Aquasurance Compact Foundation in Soft Taupe.

Same or better

  • $28.61 less
  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Similar undertone (neutral vs warm)
  • Same full coverage
  • Claims a blurring effect
  • Both claim not settling into lines

Different

  • Natural finish instead of matte
  • No long-wear claim
  • Does not claim transfer resistance
  • Does not claim colour stability
  • Does not claim a lightweight feel
  • No SPF

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

4 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 6%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
BaseWater-based, high siliconePowder-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15Not listed
OverlapWater-based vs powder-based; silicone high vs high
View full match

Why the closest overall alternative works

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation in 4W2 Toasty Toffee, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC40. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC40Closest overall alternative4W2 Toasty ToffeeScore
Shade match55% of overall87
Colour87#e09564#d69665Very close colourColour difference 2.7 (0 is identical)
Depth98MediumMediumSameDepth difference: 1.3
Retailer descriptionMedium tanMedium tanBoth described as medium tanThe retailers describe the same depth
Undertone80Warm · goldenOlive · warm oliveSome 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 overall69
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
Settling100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stability100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall87
Skin type87Normal, oilyCombination, normal, oilyBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 88/100Shade match 87/100High 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 Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation in 4W2 Toasty Toffee.

Same or better

  • Very close colour
  • Same matte finish
  • Same full coverage
  • Both claim not settling into lines
  • Both claim colour stability
  • Both claim a lightweight feel

Different

  • Olive rather than warm undertone
  • Does not claim transfer resistance
  • No SPF

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
BaseWater-based, high siliconePowder-based, no silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFSPF 15Not listed
OverlapWater-based vs powder-based; silicone high vs none
View full match

Where to buy

Closest shade match

J.Cat Beauty Aquasurance Compact Foundation Soft Taupe

Best price
$10.39Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$28.61 less (73%)

Your shade $39 at Sephora

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

Closest overall alternative

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation 4W2 Toasty Toffee

Match price
$52Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
Costs $13 more

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

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

How these matches are scored

33 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.