MAC foundation shades explained: tips to find the right MAC foundation shade - Redmond Mom (2025)

Are you looking for your MAC foundation shade? In this MAC foundation shade finder, we’ll show you which MAC foundation and shade is right for you depending on your skin type and skin tone, as well as reviews of the top MAC foundations.

Alternatively, you can jump directly to ourFoundation Matcherpage to find your foundation/concealer matches.

Table of contents

• Which MAC foundation is right for you?
  • MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 review
  • MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation review
  • MAC Studio Face and Body foundation review
• MAC foundation shade system explained
  • Figuring out undertones
  • MAC undertone abbreviations
  • MAC skin tone depth
  • Undertone + skin tone depth = MAC shade
• LIGHT MAC SHADES
• LIGHT TO MEDIUM MAC SHADES
• MEDIUM MAC SHADES
• MEDIUM DARK MAC SHADES
• DARK SHADES
• More on Redmond Mom

MAC Cosmetics currently sells 8 different types of foundations that come in liquid, cream or powder forms. In this post, we’ll review their top 3 most popular foundations and show you how to pick the right MAC foundation shade.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 review

Studio Fix Fluid is undoubtedly MAC’s most popular foundation and comes in a mind-boggling 63-shade range. Here’s what you need to know about this bestselling foundation:

• has light to full coverage, depending on how you apply it — for light coverage, use your fingertips; for fuller coverage, use a brush or damp makeup sponge
• oil-free, lightweight coverage that lasts all day
• natural-looking finish that looks like real skin
• works for all skin types, including oily skin and dry, mature skin
• has SPF 15
• comes in 63 shades

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation review

Studio Fix Powder Plus foundation is one of MAC’s oldest products and here’s what you need to know about this classic foundation:

• it’s a medium to full coverage powder foundation that’s extremely easy to apply
• has a very matte finish that controls shine really well, especially in hot and humid conditions
• has a non-cakey finish that makes pores disappear
• feels lightweight on the skin and is comfortable to wear all day
• best for oily and combination skin types
• no SPF
• comes in 50 different shades

MAC Studio Face and Body foundation review

MAC Studio Face and Body foundation is MAC’s answer to tinted moisturizers. Here’s what to know about this cult-favorite foundation:

• provides sheer to light coverage that is undetectable on the skin
• longwearing formula that lasts all day
• has a glowy, second-skin finish
• feels extremely lightweight on the skin and is suitable for body use as well
• won’t settle in pores or wrinkles
• best for dry, mature, normal and combination skin types
• pair this foundation with concealer for more coverage
• comes in 30 different shades

Once you’ve decided on the foundation, it’s time to pick the shade.

The MAC foundation shade system is classified by undertones and skin tone depth.

Figuring out undertones

This part is crucial because the worst foundation mismatches tend to be shades that make one appearunusually orangeorpinkorgrey.

Broadly speaking, skin undertones fall into4 categories:

Warmskin tones look moreyellow.

Coolskin tones look morepink.

Neutralskin tones are somewhere betweenyellowandpink.

Oliveskin tones havegreenandgreyhues.

MAC undertone abbreviations

MAC uses the following abbreviations to classify undertones:

NC:has yellow, neutral and olive undertones

NW:has pink and neutral undertones

C:has yellow and olive undertones

MAC skin tone depth

The smaller the number, the lighter the shade. This means that NC5 is lighter than NC10, and NC40 is lighter than NC42.

Undertone + skin tone depth = MAC shade

This means that someone who is NC15 has light skin with yellow, neutral or olive undertones.

And someone who is NW45 has deep skin with pink undertones.

Light skin tones range fromvery lighttolightskin color. It’s usually described as “porcelain”, “fair” and “ivory” and “cream”.

Examples of light MAC shades are:

MACNC5 is a is a very fair beige shade with golden undertone for very fair skin.

MAC NC10 is a very fair beige shade with neutral undertone for very fair skin.

MAC NC15 is a light beige shade with golden undertone for light skin.

MAC NC20 is a light beige shade with neutral golden undertone for light skin.

MAC NW13 is a fair beige with neutral undertone for light skin.

MAC NW15 is a light beige with neutral undertone for light skin.

MAC NW20 is a warm neutral beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin.

Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.

Light to medium skin tones fall somewhere betweenlightandmediumshades. Light-skinned people may also find themselves in this shade range as they get more sun in summer. It’s usually described as “beige skin color”, “light beige”, “rose beige”, “buff” and “nude”.

Examples of light to medium MAC shades are:

MACNC25is a is a light beige shade with golden peach undertone for light skin.

MAC NC30 is a light to medium beige with golden undertone for light to medium skin.

MAC NC35 is a light to medium beige with peachy golden undertone for medium skin.

MAC NW25 is a rosy beige with rosy undertone for light to medium skin.

Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.

Medium skin tones are some of the most common skin tones and are usually described as “tanned” or “caramel”.

Some examples of medium MAC shades are:

MAC NC37 is a medium beige with neutral undertone for medium skin.

MAC NC40 is a medium beige with golden peach undertone for medium skin.

MAC NC42 is a true medium beige with golden undertone for medium skin.

MACNW30 is a medium beige with rosy undertone for medium skin (neutral-warm).

Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.

Medium dark skin tones fall somewhere betweenmediumanddarkshades. It’s usually described as “toffee” and “bronze”.

Some examples of medium dark MAC shades are:

MACNC44 is atanned caramel shade with golden undertone for medium to dark skin.

MAC NC45 is a bronze shade with golden undertone for dark skin.

MAC NW45 is a medium mahogany shade with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin.

Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.

Dark skin tones are the deepest shades and are usually described as “coffee”, “cocoa” and “deep bronze”.

Some examples of dark MAC shades are:

MAC NC50 is a rich brown shade with golden undertone for deep dark skin.

MAC NW45 is a medium mahogany shade with rosy undertones for medium to dark skin.

MACNW47 is a deep auburn shade with neutral undertones for dark skin.

MAC NW50 is a rich coffee shade with neutral undertone for dark skin.

Click to see the full list of MAC foundation shades and foundation matches to other brands.

Thanks for reading our post on MAC foundation shades. Don’t forget to check out our shade finders for our foundation and concealer brands.

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