N - Stands for Neutral. (only available in Studio Fix Foundation) W - Stands for warm. So best for pinkish skin. NW - Stands for Neutral warm. Pink beige skin. If you have irish in your blood you could be W or NW. Ive found MAC foundations to be so easy to apply. Offering more than 100 shades of professional quality cosmetics for All Ages, All Races, and All Genders. Enjoy free shipping and returns on all orders.
Buying foundation is such a hit or miss thing for me. Somehow I always end up with a shade that’s completely wrong for me. And then I discovered this fantastic megathread at r/MakeupAddiction where the makeup aficionados there listed all the popular foundation shades that matched their skin tones.
I wanted to make that super useful resource easier to use, so I’ve extracted the shade info from the thread and sorted it by MAC shade.
The full list contains all the MAC shades.
Enjoy!
warm neutral beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skinTry these foundation shades if you are matched to NW20.
Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 | Fair | |
Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Powder Foundation | Fairly Light | |
BECCA Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme Foundation | Cashmere | review |
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow | Ivory (I’m so pure) | |
Bourjois Healthy Mix | #52 | |
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua | beige rose | |
Clinique BB cream | 2 | |
Clinique Superbalanced | Fair | |
Collection Naturally Matt Foundation | Ivory 2 | review |
CoverFX Natural Finish Foundation | G20 | |
Dior Nude Air | 20 | |
Dior Nude BB Creme | Fair 002 (in spring) | |
DiorSkin Star | 20 | |
Estee Lauder Double Wear | 2C1 Pure Beige | review |
IT Cosmetics Anti-Aging CC Cream | Light | review |
KVD Lock-It Powder | Light 45 | |
Lancôme Teint Idole | 230 Buff (w) | |
MAC Face and Body | N2 | |
MAC Face and Body | C1 | |
MAC Studio Fix Fluid | NW 20 | |
MAC Studio Sculpt | NW 20 | |
Make up Forever HD Foundation (old formula) | N120 | |
Mally Beauty Complexion Perfection Soft Focus Foundation | Light | review |
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation | 120 Classic Ivory | review |
Missha — M Signature Real Complete BB Cream | No.21/Light Pink Beige | |
NARS | Gobi | |
Nars Radiant Cream Foundation | Deauville (in winter) | |
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer | Vanilla | |
NARS Sheer Glow | Punjab | |
NARS Sheer Glow | Deauville | |
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation | Deauville (in winter) | |
NYX — Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation | 04 Creamy Natural | |
Osmosis+ Colour Performance Wear Satin Foundation | Natural Light | review |
Pur Minerals Air Perfection CC Cushion Compact Foundation | Medium | review |
Pur Minerals HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation | Medium | review |
Revlon 2-in-1 Colorstay Compact | Nude | review |
Revlon Colorstay | 220 Natural Beige | |
Revlon Colorstay | Nude | |
Revlon Colorstay | Porcelain | |
Senna Lasting Illusion Satin Finish Foundation | Sand | review |
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Foundation | #11 | review |
Tarte Amazonian Clay | Light Sand | |
Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour full coverage | Light Beige | |
The Ordinary Serum Foundation | 1.2P | review |
Too Faced Born This Way | Nude | review |
UD Naked Skin | 3.5 | |
UD Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder | Fair Neutral | |
Urban Decay Naked Skin | 0.5 | |
Urban Decay Naked Skin | 1.5 | |
Youngblood Liquid Mineral Foundation | Pebble | review |
YSL Fusion Ink Foundation | B(r) 30 Cool Almond (in summer) | |
YSL Touche Éclat Le Teint | B30 | review |
Za Perfect Fit Two-Way Foundation | 0C00 | review |
Wayne from GossMakeupArtist on Youtube has two videos that I really love (yeah I’ve seen them a lot) and find them extremely helpful. One is on his favourite liquid foundations and the other, on his favourite cream foundations. From what I understood, one of his favourite, if not his favourite foundation is the MAC Full Coverage which can only be purchased through the MAC pro store or ordered by telephone. So you know I had to cop that. I went to Soho and they didn’t have my shade there, so they sent me to Covent Garden where one was saved for me. Great customer service, which to be honest unusual for MAC but I guess you just have to shop at the Pro stores to get that kind of service. When something from MAC has “full coverage”on it, you might expect a bucket of cement, a shovel and note that has a list of side effects- death, rare (but possible).
So what powder to buy to go with this foundation? An amazing MAC artist at the Covent Garden’s Pro Store suggested the Studio Fix Foundation. He asked “Do you want a flawless finish?” Who doesn’t? I think it was Wayne who said that this foundation was great for photoshoots, and I’m always ready for the camera darrrhling! *Vogue*
I know what you’re thinking but please calm down. Using two foundations may seem too much, but it really makes sense. You don’t want to take away anything from the foundation, the wrong powder could ruin the work of a good foundation. So what powder do you know of that actually enhances the colour and finish of a liquid/cream foundation, none but a powder foundation can do such a thing.
![Powder Powder](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iZcvbqf0qY/WBxTVPr0r8I/AAAAAAAAIB0/o-Dg3lUez_MzJr-GEgMUl--Yz3VMsf6PQCLcB/s1600/MAC%2BStudio%2BFix%2BFluid%2BNC10%2BVS%2BNW10%2BFace%2BSwatch%2B1.png)
![Mac studio fix powder nw20 Mac studio fix powder nw20](https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/media/product/2df/m-a-c-cosmetics-studio-fix-powder-plus-foundation-by-m-a-c-cosmetics-113.png)
MAC Full Coverage Foundation (NW45)
Colour: The colour of this foundation reminds me of my MAC pro long wear concealer, I guess due to the fact that the foundation is full coverage its going to be more orange in colour. Which is great for me, as orange will counter against darker areas of the face.
Consistency: Its a cream foundation so its extremely thick and might be a little difficult to apply. I use a q-tip to exact the amount I need and you may want to mix a little with your moisturiser to apply evenly, though this too is difficult as it doesn’t mix well at first, but keep mixing!
Coverage: Full and I don’t believe any other coverage can be achieved, as I have tried and failed. Well it is called full coverage.
Coverage: Full and I don’t believe any other coverage can be achieved, as I have tried and failed. Well it is called full coverage.
Feel: You might find it cakey if you apply to much and if you have never used cream foundations, you might not know how much is enough. You only need a tiny bit on your cheeks, forehead and chin (or anywhere you usually apply your foundation). I would recommend using a dense brush that has tight bristles. The real techniques face brush is a good and affordable option. How a foundation feels on your skin really depends on the tools you use to apply it. Using your hands to apply it is a good idea, then use a buffing brush to set it, this will help you evenly apply it
Make zip file mac. Finish: Matte. Its definitely not the foundation to use to achieve a dewy look. I tried making a tinted moisturiser out of it (by mixing the foundation with my moisturiser) but I instead achieved the same matte look. You could however finish off with the MAC Fix+ to achieve a dewy yet full coverage look.
MAC Studio Fix Foundation Powder (NW45)
Colour: The colour is unlike the regular press powders we’re told to buy, its a skin toned foundation colour. For me, if I wear it on its own, I look dusty and ashy and its just not that cute. But apparently you are able to wear it on its own, I just find the colour too light for me on its own on my face.
Consistency: As its a foundation, it doesn’t sit on your skin like most other powders but it blends with the foundation. Its an extremely light and smooth powder, unlike the MAC press powder or Mineralize skin finish powder.
Coverage: If used on its own you can achieve a natural coverage (if you think the colour completely suits you on its own, of course), but your skin would need to be close to perfection, in texture and colour. Also, the best part of this fabulous duo is that the powder can be used on the neck as it is a foundation and will give you some coverage. It doesn’t look too light on my neck for some reason.
Mac Studio Fix Powder Nw15
Feel: It feels light, not cakey. But this depends on the amount of cream foundation you apply. Less cream foundation and more powder foundation will create a full coverage light feel.
Finish: FLAWLESS honey- and I believe that its the studio fix foundation powder which really achieves this look.
Ending notes?
Mac Studio Fix Powder Nc40
The cream foundation is definitely a good product to have, but you need a lot of time on your hands to apply it. Its great for special occasions but I’ve been wearing it everyday since I bought it, because every day is an occasion daaarhling!
The powder foundation is a definite repurchase, I won’t be needing any press powders or translucent powders anymore, it should have always been powder foundation for me. It all makes sense now.
Links to Wayne’s foundation videos:
That is all from me…
*Vogue*