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Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation L20W dupes and alternatives Smashbox

Light medium · Warm 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: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC15

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

Your shade
Smashbox
L20WChange shade
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Warm
Finish and coverage: Natural · Full coverage
The match
MAC Cosmetics
NC15
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Warm · golden
Finish and coverage: Matte · Full coverage
Shade match
98out of 100
Colour
96
Depth
99
Undertone
100
Medium confidence· Digital matchWhy it matches
Best price
$39SephoraSephora
$6 less (13%)

Your shade $45 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative: L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation 455 Natural Buff

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

Your shade
Smashbox
L20WChange shade
Depth and undertone: Light medium · Warm
Finish and coverage: Natural · Full coverage
The match
L'Oréal Paris
455 Natural Buff
Depth and undertone: Light medium
Finish and coverage: Natural · Full coverage
Overall match
87out of 100
Shade (Shade match)
89
Finish (Finish & visual result)
100
Wear (Wear & performance)
55
Skin (Skin suitability)
100
Match price
$18.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$26.01 less (58%)

Your shade $45 at Ulta Beauty · product price; shade not separately priced · lowest price $14.97 at Amazon

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. Shade match 97
    $46Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $1 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSame warm undertoneSame full coverage

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finishDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    97
    Finish & visual result
    70
    Wear & performance
    76
    Skin suitability
    100

    Looks identical · Radiant · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 22% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finish · Does not claim colour stability

    Retailer shade note: light beige with golden undertone for light skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  2. Shade match 93
    $46Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $1 more

    Matches: Near-identical swatch colourSimilar undertone (neutral vs warm)Same full coverage

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finishDoes not claim colour stability

    Score details
    Shade match
    93
    Finish & visual result
    70
    Wear & performance
    76
    Skin suitability
    100

    Looks identical · Radiant · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 22% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finish · Does not claim colour stability

    Retailer shade note: light beige with neutral golden undertone for light skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  3. Shade match 96
    $81Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)Costs $36 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame warm undertoneSame full coverage

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finishNo long-wear claimDoes not claim transfer resistance

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    76
    Wear & performance
    40
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Radiant · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 13% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Radiant rather than natural finish · No long-wear claim · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability · Contains listed fragrance

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  4. Shade match 96
    $14.50Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)$30.50 less (68%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame warm undertoneSame full coverage

    Differences: Matte rather than natural finishDoes not claim transfer resistanceDoes not claim not settling into lines

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    70
    Wear & performance
    51
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 5% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Matte rather than natural finish · Does not claim transfer resistance · Does not claim not settling into lines · Does not claim colour stability

    Retailer shade note: fair shade with warm undertones

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  5. #7 · Polite Society

    More Than a Pretty Face Skin-Caring Foundation

    Light Warm
    Shade match 87
    $42Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty(product price)$3 less (7%)

    Matches: Very close colourSame full coverageBoth claim transfer resistance

    Differences: Olive rather than warm undertoneRadiant rather than natural finishDoes not claim not settling into lines

    Score details
    Shade match
    87
    Finish & visual result
    76
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    100

    Very close colour · Radiant · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 12% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Olive rather than warm undertone · Radiant rather than natural finish · Does not claim not settling into lines

    Retailer shade note: light beige with golden to olive undertone for light medium skin

    Medium confidence· Digital match

    View match
  6. Shade match 96
    $53SephoraSephoraCosts $8 more

    Matches: Very close colourSame warm undertoneSame full coverage

    Differences: Matte rather than natural finishDoes not claim colour stabilityNot marketed for combination/dry skin

    Score details
    Shade match
    96
    Finish & visual result
    64
    Wear & performance
    70
    Skin suitability
    60

    Very close colour · Matte · Full coverage

    Ingredients (not scored): 14% ingredient overlap

    Differences: Matte rather than natural finish · Does not claim colour stability · Not marketed for combination/dry skin · Contains drying alcohol

    Retailer shade note: Light with Peachy Undertones

    High confidence· Digital match

    View match

Looking for a concealer in your shade?

The closest shade to Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation L20W (Light medium · Warm undertone) in each concealer range, compared on measured colour, depth and undertone. Price never changes the order.

Closest concealers

  1. bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer

    Light/Medium 2.5W

    bareMinerals ORIGINAL Liquid Mineral Brightening Concealer, shade Light/Medium 2.5W

    • Looks identical
    • Light medium · Warm · yellow undertone

    $31

  2. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer

    4

    Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Face and Under-Eye Concealer, shade 4

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm · golden undertone

    $42

  3. Glossier Stretch Concealer for Dewy Buildable Coverage

    Medium 3

    Glossier Stretch Concealer for Dewy Buildable Coverage, shade Medium 3

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm · golden undertone

    $22

  4. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer

    2W Warm

    Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer, shade 2W Warm

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm undertone

    $42

  5. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer

    250W

    Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, shade 250W

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm · peach undertone

    $24

  6. Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer

    10 Light Golden

    Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer, shade 10 Light Golden

    • Very close colour
    • Light medium · Warm · golden 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

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC15, against Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation in L20W. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeL20WClosest shade matchNC15Score
Shade match55% of overall98
Colour96#e1b181#ddb084Looks identicalColour difference 1.1 (0 is identical)
Depth99Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 0.9
Retailer descriptionLightFairSome differenceRetailer descriptions one depth band apart
Undertone100WarmWarm · goldenClosefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared76
Finish56NaturalMatteSome differenceMatte finish rather than natural
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 overall79
Longevity6016-hour wear24-hour wearSome difference24-hour wear claimed against 16-hour wear
Transfer resistance100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim transfer resistance
Settling100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim not settling into pores or fine lines
Colour stability100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; your product does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall40
Skin type40Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveNormal, oilyBoth marketed for normal/​oily skin
Overall match 87/100Shade match 98/100Medium 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 MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation in NC15.

Same or better

  • $6 less
  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same warm undertone
  • Same full coverage
  • Both claim transfer resistance
  • Both claim not settling into lines
  • Both claim colour stability
  • Claims a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 15

Different

  • Matte finish instead of natural
  • Not marketed for combination/dry/sensitive skin

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

21 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 34%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest shade match
BaseWater-based, high siliconeWater-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedNot listed
Drying alcoholNot listedNot listed
SPFNot listedSPF 15
OverlapBoth water-based; silicone high vs high

Why the closest overall alternative works

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation in 455 Natural Buff, against Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation in L20W. Every attribute compared, with its share of the score.

ComparedYour shadeL20WClosest overall alternative455 Natural BuffScore
Shade match55% of overall89
Colour95#e1b181#e2af82Looks identicalColour difference 1.5 (0 is identical)
Depth99Light mediumLight mediumSameDepth difference: 0.6
Retailer descriptionLightNot statedNo depth word in one descriptionNot compared
Undertone70WarmUnknownSome differencefrom retailer shade descriptions
Finish & visual result25% of overall · 2 of 4 compared100
Finish100NaturalNaturalSameSame natural 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 overall55
Longevity2016-hour wear32-hour wearDifferent32-hour wear claimed against 16-hour wear
Transfer resistance100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim transfer resistance
Settling40ClaimedNot listedSome differenceOnly your product claims not settling into pores or fine lines; the match does not list it
Colour stability100ClaimedClaimedSameBoth products claim colour stability (no oxidation)
Comfort40Not listedClaimedSome differenceThe match claims a comfortable, lightweight feel; your product does not list it
Skin suitability5% of overall100
Skin type100Combination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveCombination, dry, normal, oily, sensitiveBoth marketed for combination/​dry/​normal/​oily/​sensitive skin
Overall match 87/100Shade match 89/100Medium 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 L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation in 455 Natural Buff.

Same or better

  • $26.01 less
  • Near-identical swatch colour
  • Same natural finish
  • Same full coverage
  • Both claim transfer resistance
  • Both claim colour stability
  • Claims a lightweight feel
  • Adds SPF 25

Different

  • Does not claim not settling into lines
  • Fragrance is listed in the formula
  • Contains alcohol denat.

Ingredients (information only, not scored)

8 shared ingredients; weighted similarity 12%. Ingredients only affect results through the filters.

AttributeYour shadeClosest overall alternative
BaseWater-based, high siliconeSilicone-based, high silicone
FragranceNot listedListed (fragrance)
Drying alcoholNot listedListed (alcohol denat.)
SPFNot listedSPF 25
OverlapWater-based vs silicone-based; silicone high vs high

Where to buy

Closest shade match

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation NC15

Best price
$39SephoraSephora
$6 less (13%)

Your shade $45 at Ulta Beauty

SephoraView at Sephora

Closest overall alternative

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 32H Fresh Wear Foundation 455 Natural Buff

Match price
$18.99Ulta BeautyUlta Beauty
$26.01 less (58%)

Your shade $45 at Ulta Beauty · product price; shade not separately priced · lowest price $14.97 at Amazon

Ulta BeautyView at Ulta Beauty

How these matches are scored

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.