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Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC18 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics

Light · 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%).

Closest shade match: ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Bom Bom ST5

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

The match
ILIA
Bom Bom ST5
Depth and undertone: Light · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Radiant · Light coverage
Shade match
98out of 100
Colour
97
Depth
99
Undertone
100
Best price
$48SephoraSephora
Costs $9 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation N5

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

The match
MAC Cosmetics
N5
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Neutral
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
Overall match
89out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
96
Finish (Finish & visual result)
89
Wear (Wear & performance)
69
Skin (Skin suitability)
67
Best price
$39SephoraSephora
Same price

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 · Bobbi Brown

    Weightless Skin Oil-Controlling Foundation SPF 15

    Natural (N-052)
    Shade match 96
    $58SephoraSephoraCosts $19 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneSame matte finish

    Differences: Medium rather than full coverageNo blurring effect claimedDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    74
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Matte · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Medium rather than full coverage · No blurring effect claimed · Does not claim colour stability · Contains listed fragrance

    Retailer shade note: Medium, neutral undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. Shade match 98
    $39.50SephoraSephoraCosts $0.50 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame neutral undertoneBoth claim a blurring effect

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

    Score details
    Shade match
    98
    Finish & visual result
    73
    Wear & performance
    66
    Skin suitability
    56

    Looks identical · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 1% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · No long-wear claim · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for oily skin

    Retailer shade note: medium-tan neutral skin with peach undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. #5 · bareMinerals

    ORIGINAL Loose Talc-Free Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15

    Neutral Medium 15
    Shade match 96
    $39.50SephoraSephoraCosts $0.50 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame neutral undertoneBoth claim a blurring effect

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

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    73
    Wear & performance
    66
    Skin suitability
    56

    Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 1% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · No long-wear claim · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for oily skin

    Retailer shade note: medium neutral skin with peach undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC18 (Light · 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

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $30

Closest concealers

  1. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer

    270N

    Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, shade 270N

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $24

  2. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    3.5 Neutral

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

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $42

  3. e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer

    Medium Beige

    e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer, shade Medium Beige

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $8

  4. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer

    6.5 Medium

    Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Long-Wear Blur Concealer, shade 6.5 Medium

    • Looks identical
    • Light · Neutral · neutral golden undertone

    $36

  5. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage Waterproof Concealer

    Sugar Biscuit 3.5 Neutral

    Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage Waterproof Concealer, shade Sugar Biscuit 3.5 Neutral

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $31

  6. Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer

    Tone 5.8 N

    Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer, shade Tone 5.8 N

    • Very close colour
    • Light · Neutral undertone

    $32

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

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 in Bom Bom ST5, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC18. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC18Closest shade matchBom Bom ST5Score
Shade match55% of overall98
Colour97#ecb78e#edb88cLooks identicalColour difference 0.9 (0 is identical)
Depth99LightLightSameDepth difference: 0.5
Retailer descriptionNot statedLightNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared32
Finish12MatteRadiantDifferentRadiant finish rather than matte
Coverage20FullLightDifferentLight coverage rather than full
Skin-like finishnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a skin-like finish
Blurring100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a blurring or smoothing effect
Wear & performance15% of overall · 4 of 5 compared40
Longevity4012-hour wearNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims long wear; the match does not list it
Transfer resistancenot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists 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
Comfort40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; the match does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall28
Skin type28Normal, combination, oilyNormal, dry, sensitiveBoth marketed for normal skin
Overall match 69/100Shade match 98/100High 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 ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 in Bom Bom ST5.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Both claim a blurring effect
  • Adds SPF 40

Different

  • Radiant finish instead of matte
  • Light rather than full coverage
  • No long-wear claim
  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Does not claim colour stability
  • Does not claim a lightweight feel
  • Not marketed for combination/oily skin

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
BasePowder-based, moderate siliconeOil-based, no silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedSPF 40
OverlapPowder-based vs oil-based; silicone moderate vs none

Why the closest overall alternative works

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in N5, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC18. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeNC18Closest overall alternativeN5Score
Shade match55% of overall96
Colour95#ecb78e#e8b28bLooks identicalColour difference 1.4 (0 is identical)
Depth96LightLight mediumCloseDepth difference: 2.3
Retailer descriptionNot statedLightNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone100NeutralNeutralSamefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 3 of 4 compared89
Finish100MatteMatteSameSame matte finish
Coverage100FullFullSameSame full coverage
Skin-like finishnot comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists a skin-like finish
Blurring40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims a blurring or smoothing effect; the match does not list it
Wear & performance15% of overall69
Longevity3512-hour wear24-hour wearDifferent24-hour wear claimed against 12-hour wear
Transfer resistance40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims transfer resistance; your product 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 overall67
Skin type67Normal, combination, oilyNormal, oilyBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 89/100Shade match 96/100High 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 MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in N5.

Same or better

  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same neutral undertone
  • Same matte finish
  • Same full coverage
  • Claims transfer resistance
  • Both claim not settling into lines
  • Both claim colour stability
  • Both claim a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 15

Different

  • No blurring effect claimed
  • Not marketed for combination skin

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

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

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
BasePowder-based, moderate siliconeWater-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedSPF 15
OverlapPowder-based vs water-based; silicone moderate vs high

Where to buy

Closest shade match

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Bom Bom ST5

Best price
$48SephoraSephora
Costs $9 more

Your shade $39 at Sephora

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation N5

Best price
$39SephoraSephora
Same price

Your shade $39 at Sephora

SephoraView at Sephora

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.