Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC42 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics
4.3 (3,477)·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%).
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· Same warm undertone· Same matte finish
Differences: Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim not settling into lines· Does not claim colour stability
Score details
Shade match
93
Finish & visual result
91
Wear & performance
60
Skin suitability
40
Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 32% ingredient overlap
Differences: Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for normal skin · No SPF
Retailer shade note: medium tan with warm red undertones
Matches: Near-identical swatch colour· Same matte finish· Both claim transfer resistance
Differences: Olive rather than warm undertone· Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
92
Finish & visual result
91
Wear & performance
60
Skin suitability
40
Looks identical · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 32% ingredient overlap
Differences: Olive rather than warm undertone · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for normal skin · No SPF
Retailer shade note: medium tan with warm golden-olive undertones
Matches: Very close colour· Same matte finish· Both claim transfer resistance
Differences: Olive rather than warm undertone· Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
90
Finish & visual result
91
Wear & performance
60
Skin suitability
40
Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 32% ingredient overlap
Differences: Olive rather than warm undertone · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for normal skin · No SPF
Retailer shade note: medium tan with warm olive undertones
Matches: Very close colour· Same matte finish· Claims a skin-like finish
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone· Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
82
Finish & visual result
73
Wear & performance
88
Skin suitability
76
Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 15% ingredient overlap
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim not settling into lines · Contains drying alcohol · No SPF
Matches: Very close colour· Same matte finish· Both claim transfer resistance
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone· Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
85
Finish & visual result
91
Wear & performance
60
Skin suitability
40
Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 32% ingredient overlap
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for normal skin · No SPF
Retailer shade note: medium tan with neutral subtle golden undertones
$25Ulta Beauty(product price)$14 less (36%)4.2 (812)
Matches: Very close colour· Same warm undertone· Claims a skin-like finish
Differences: Natural rather than matte finish· Medium rather than full coverage· Does not claim transfer resistance
Score details
Shade match
92
Finish & visual result
61
Wear & performance
58
Skin suitability
80
Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 11% ingredient overlap
Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · No SPF
The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC42 (Medium · Warm · golden 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
Hourglass Illusion Luminous Glow Foundation SPF 30 in 16, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC42. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC42Closest shade match16How they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall97
Colour60%95#da8e5c#d99264Looks identicalColour difference 1.5 (0 is identical)
Depth15%98MediumMediumSameDepth difference: 1.3
Retailer descriptionMedium tanMediumSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared34
Finish35%12MatteRadiantDifferentRadiant finish rather than matte
Coverage30%60FullMediumSome differenceMedium coverage rather than full
Skin-like finish20%—not comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a skin-like finish
Blurring15%—not comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a blurring or smoothing effect
Wear & performance15% of overall63
Longevity30%3524-hour wear12-hour wearDifferent12-hour wear claimed against 24-hour wear
Transfer resistance20%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim transfer resistance
Settling20%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stability15%40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims colour stability (no oxidation); the match does not list it
Comfort15%40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; the match does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall40
Skin type100%40Normal, oilyNormal, dry, combinationBoth marketed for normal skin
Overall match 73/100Shade match 97/100High 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.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation in 10 Warm, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC42. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC42Closest overall alternative10 WarmHow they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall95
Colour60%93#da8e5c#d68a53Very close colourColour difference 1.8 (0 is identical)
Depth15%96MediumMediumSameDepth difference: 2.2
Retailer descriptionMedium tanTanSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Overall match 88/100Shade 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.
35 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.
SephoraCosts $13 more
