Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC5 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics
4.3 (3,477)·Light · 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· Similar undertone (neutral vs warm)· Same matte finish
Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines· Does not claim colour stability
Score details
Shade match
92
Finish & visual result
100
Wear & performance
49
Skin suitability
50
Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 15% 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 · No SPF
Matches: Near-identical swatch colour· Same matte finish· Same full coverage
Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines· Does not claim colour stability
Score details
Shade match
89
Finish & visual result
100
Wear & performance
49
Skin suitability
76
Looks identical · Matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 4% 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 · No SPF
Matches: Very close colour· Same matte finish· Same full coverage
Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines· Does not claim colour stability
Score details
Shade match
89
Finish & visual result
100
Wear & performance
49
Skin suitability
76
Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 4% 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 · No SPF
Matches: Very close colour· Same matte finish· Same full coverage
Differences: Slightly cooler undertone· Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
78
Finish & visual result
100
Wear & performance
67
Skin suitability
87
Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 27% ingredient overlap
Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim a lightweight feel
Retailer shade note: very fair, cool-neutal undertones
$17.99Ulta Beauty(product price)$21.01 less (54%)4.2 (5,328)
Matches: Near-identical swatch colour· Similar undertone (neutral vs warm)· Same full coverage
Differences: Radiant rather than matte finish· Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
95
Finish & visual result
50
Wear & performance
67
Skin suitability
76
Looks identical · Radiant · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 29% ingredient overlap
Differences: Radiant rather than matte finish · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Contains drying alcohol · No SPF
$18.99Ulta Beauty(product price)$20.01 less (51%)4.4 (40,035)
Matches: Near-identical swatch colour· Same full coverage· Both claim transfer resistance
Differences: Slightly cooler undertone· Natural rather than matte finish· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
79
Finish & visual result
76
Wear & performance
76
Skin suitability
76
Looks identical · Natural · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 20% ingredient overlap
Differences: Slightly cooler undertone · Natural rather than matte finish · Does not claim not settling into lines · Contains listed fragrance · Contains drying alcohol
Matches: Same matte finish· Same full coverage· Claims a blurring effect
Differences: Does not claim transfer resistance· Does not claim not settling into lines· Does 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
Matches: Very close colour· Same full coverage· Claims a skin-like finish
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone· Natural rather than matte finish· No long-wear claim
Score details
Shade match
87
Finish & visual result
68
Wear & performance
49
Skin suitability
76
Very close colour · Natural · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 7% ingredient overlap
Differences: Neutral rather than warm undertone · Natural rather than matte finish · No long-wear claim · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability
Retailer shade note: very fair with neutral undertones
The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC5 (Light · 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 Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick in 3.5 Bisque, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC5. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC5Closest shade match3.5 BisqueHow they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall97
Colour60%95#e6bda0#e8ba9cLooks identicalColour difference 1.5 (0 is identical)
Depth15%99LightLightSameDepth difference: 0.9
Retailer descriptionVery fairFairSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared76
Finish35%56MatteNaturalSome differenceNatural finish rather than matte
Coverage30%100FullFullSameSame full coverage
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 overall48
Longevity30%3524-hour wear12-hour wearDifferent12-hour wear claimed against 24-hour wear
Transfer resistance20%40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims transfer resistance; the match does not list it
Settling20%40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims not settling into pores or fine lines; the match does not list it
Colour stability15%40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims colour stability (no oxidation); the match does not list it
Comfort15%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall40
Skin type100%40Normal, oilyNormal, dry, combinationBoth marketed for normal skin
Overall match 81/100Shade 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.
CoverGirl Olay Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle-Defying Foundation with SPF 28 in Buff Beige, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC5. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC5Closest overall alternativeBuff BeigeHow they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall94
Colour60%97#e6bda0#eabd9eLooks identicalColour difference 1.1 (0 is identical)
Depth15%99LightLightSameDepth difference: 0.5
Retailer descriptionVery fairNot statedNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Overall match 87/100Shade match 94/100Medium 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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