Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC42 dupes and alternatives MAC Cosmetics
4.0 (4,686)·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: Same warm undertone· Same matte finish· Both claim 12-hour wear
Differences: Medium rather than full coverage· No blurring effect claimed· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
87
Finish & visual result
74
Wear & performance
74
Skin suitability
67
Close colour · Matte · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 2% ingredient overlap
Differences: Medium rather than full coverage · No blurring effect claimed · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for combination skin · Contains drying alcohol
$15.99Ulta Beauty(product price)$23.01 less (59%)4.1 (9,493)
Matches: Same warm undertone· Same matte finish· Same full coverage
Differences: Slightly lighter· No blurring effect claimed· Does not claim not settling into lines
Score details
Shade match
86
Finish & visual result
89
Wear & performance
43
Skin suitability
84
Close colour · Matte · Full coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 7% ingredient overlap
Differences: Slightly lighter · No blurring effect claimed · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Contains drying alcohol
$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· No blurring effect claimed
Score details
Shade match
92
Finish & visual result
58
Wear & performance
63
Skin suitability
90
Very close colour · Natural · Medium coverage
Ingredients (not scored): 4% ingredient overlap
Differences: Natural rather than matte finish · Medium rather than full coverage · No blurring effect claimed · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability
Retailer shade note: medium with warm yellow undertones
The closest shade to MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC42 (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
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Medium 1, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC42. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC42Closest shade matchMedium 1How they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall94
Colour60%89#f0bd7c#f8bb75Very close colourColour difference 2.4 (0 is identical)
Depth15%100LightLightSameDepth difference: 0.3
Retailer descriptionMediumMediumBoth described as mediumThe retailers describe the same depth
Overall match 76/100Shade 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.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation in 4W1 Honey Bronze, against MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC42. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.
ComparedYour shadeNC42Closest overall alternative4W1 Honey BronzeHow they compareScore
Shade match55% of overall93
Colour60%89#f0bd7c#edba83Very close colourColour difference 2.5 (0 is identical)
Depth15%98LightLightSameDepth difference: 1.3
Retailer descriptionMediumMedium tanSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Transfer resistance20%—not comparableNot listedNot listedNot claimed by eitherNeither product lists transfer resistance
Settling20%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stability15%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort15%100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim a comfortable, lightweight feel
Skin suitability5% of overall100
Skin type100%100Normal, combination, oilyCombination, normal, oilyBoth marketed for normal/combination/oily skin
Overall match 93/100Shade match 93/100Medium 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.
Ulta Beauty(product price)$1 less (3%)
Sephora
