MAC NC25 is described by the brand as 'Light-medium with yellow undertones.' It is a shade in the Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 range, which is a liquid foundation with a matte finish and medium-full coverage that retails for $30.00 and contains 1 oz. Jump to a particular section if you know what information you're looking for! If I'm NC25 in MAC foundations, what color would I be in Revlon Colorstay? I really wanna try this foundation and I've tried to get a color that matches, but haven't been successful. Is anyone my shade or close to my shade and know which shade I should get in the revlon foundation?
Mac Nc15 Color
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!
light beige with golden peach undertone for light skinTry these foundation shades if you are matched to NC25.
| A'Pieu Air Fit Cushion SPF 50+/PA+++ | No. 21 |
| bareminerals complexion rescue | Ginger |
| Becca perfect skin mineral foundation | Nude |
| Bobbi brown skin foundation | 3 |
| Bourjois healthy mix serum | 53 |
| Chanel vitalumiere aqua | B20 |
| Covergirl 3 in 1 | 242 Medium Beige |
| Estee Lauder Double Wear | 2W2 Rattan |
| Estee Lauder Double Wear | Wheat |
| Hard candy glamoflauge concealer | medium/tan |
| Hourglass Immaculate | Golden |
| IOPE Air Cushion XP | C23 |
| Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturiser with SPF | Blush |
| Loreal Infallible | 104 |
| Loreal true match concealer | W4-5 |
| Mac Face and Body | C2 |
| Marc Jacobs genius gel | #34 beige medium |
| March Jacobs marvellous mousse | #34 beige medium |
| Maybelline dream wonder foundation | 60 |
| Maybelline Fit Me | 220 Natural Beige |
| Maybelline fit me concealer | light (10) |
| Maybelline fit me concealer | 25 |
| Maybelline master conceal | light/medium |
| Maybelline stick foundation shine-free | Buff Beige |
| Missha BB creams | #23 |
| MUFE HD | 140 |
| MUFE Ultra HD | Y305 |
| MUFE Ultra HD | Y245 |
| MUFE Ultra HD | 118 = Y325 Flesh |
| Naked Skin | 4.0 |
| Nars All Day Luminous | Santa Fe |
| NARS All Day Luminous Foundation | Fiji |
| Nars Sheer Glow | Punjab |
| Nars Sheer Glow | Fiji |
| NARS Sheer Matte | Fiji |
| Nars Tinted Moisturizer | Alaska |
| NARS Tinted Moisturizer | Groenland |
| Neutrogena Healthy Skin | Natural Beige |
| Revlon colorstay | sand beige |
| Rimmel 25 hr | Soft beige |
| Sephora color iq | 3Y04 |
| Stila Stay All Day Foundation | Tone |
| Tarte Amazonian Clay | Light-Medium Honey |
| Too Faced Born This Way | Warm Nude |
| YSL Touche Éclat | B30 |
Before I started using liquid foundation, it was compact powders all the way. They are easy to apply, great for travel, and most brands carry them. Mid-way, I switched to mineral foundation having heard all the good stuff about it. I tried the Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation but my skin didn't react well too it. So I went back to compacts and one of my favorites was the MAC Studio Fix.
I liked it so much I went out to get a backup, way before the first one panned out. When something's that good, you just wanna use it forever, right? =DDD
Evens Out Skin Tone
I have under eye circles, redness around the nose, uneven skin tone aplenty. The MAC Studio Fix Foundation does quite a good job in drastically reducing all these imperfections. It does not hide hideous acne well on its own though.
When the need for more concealment arises, I use a cream concealer like the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette after a face primer, then finish with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation.
Full Coverage
You can build to your desired coverage with this foundation – full, medium, or sheer (like as a setting powder).
Full Coverage:
Use the sponge provided, dab it on (do not rub), and build it on for more coverage.
Make sure to wash the sponge frequently with the Daiso Brush Cleanser.
If you prefer not to use sponges, like me, then load a kabuki brush with powder by swirling it in the pan. Facetime camera not working on mac. Do it in layers for increasing coverage instead of getting a thick first layer.
Medium Coverage:
Use a stippling brush or a kabuki brush like the Sigma F80 Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.
Sheer Coverage:
Use a large fluffy brush like the EcoTools Blush Brush to set liquid foundation. I prefer using the MAC Studio Fix Foundation this way. If your liquid foundation provides medium coverage, the MAC Foundation can bring it to full coverage.
If you have oily skin, it is recommended that you use a powder to set liquid foundation. I use the MAC Studio Fix Foundation or MAC Blot Powder, depending on my mood and need for coverage.
Matte, Almost Mask-like
The MAC Studio Fix Foundation gives a matte finish. You can create a natural look or porcelain-doll kind of finish with the different types of application as stated above.
Be careful, though, if you have bumps and pits on your skin, like I do – aplenty. This foundation, while does well to even out skin tone, does not glide over skin blemishes as well as do liquid foundation. It is perfect for people with relatively good skin. This brings out the worst of my skin during PMS when pimples celebrate in blooms on my face.
Due to its matte finish, it does little to brighten the skin. So using this when you're sick may make your skin look dull and flat. X(
I would think that people with mature skin should avoid this foundation as well as it tends to make fine lines more visible. I used to be able to use this without having obvious cracks under the eyes after a while, but I seem to be slowly losing that luxury! BOO!
Not Long Lasting Enough
Personally I find that the MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not stay on my skin as long as a liquid foundation does. It tends to slide off within a few hours, maybe 4-5? Good thing that it is easy to reapply.
Mac Nc25 Foundation Dupes
Therefore I use this in conjunction with liquid foundation now, and not on its own, like I used to. Our skin go through changes, and so must our face products!
I love using this to set the Lancôme Maqui Blanc Miracle Liquid Foundation (review).
Great for Travel
This is a great face powder to have in your travel makeup bag or to bring around every day in your purse for touch-up. It is light, compact, and convenient!
I would still bring along a liquid foundation though, because I fear that the unpredictable weather might make my skin too dry or too oily, and I want to have options. Lol.
Mac Nc25 Foundation Dupes
Therefore I use this in conjunction with liquid foundation now, and not on its own, like I used to. Our skin go through changes, and so must our face products!
I love using this to set the Lancôme Maqui Blanc Miracle Liquid Foundation (review).
Great for Travel
This is a great face powder to have in your travel makeup bag or to bring around every day in your purse for touch-up. It is light, compact, and convenient!
I would still bring along a liquid foundation though, because I fear that the unpredictable weather might make my skin too dry or too oily, and I want to have options. Lol.
No Breakout
It seems that many people have problems with the MAC Studio Fix Foundation, what with clogged pores, huge cystic pimples, and creating havoc on the skin! Terrible! Best format for mac and windows.
I didn't get those from using this foundation. I naturally have pores that are prone to clogging and I never have a face free of pimples (sad life). When I used the MAC Foundation, my skin condition did not get better or worse – it remained the same.
I would think that using the sponge applicator might have caused some reactions on the skin due to accumulated dirt and grime and oil on the sponge. EW. That's why I never use the sponge applicator, even though it is stored in a separate compartment which makes it slightly more hygenic than those that sit on top of the powder all the time.
Instead of throwing out the MAC Studio Fix Foundation the moment mayhem occurs, try switching to a makeup face brush. That could make a difference!
Shades for Everyone
MAC's strong value proposition is that it has such a great color range for skin undertones and skin tones. You are bound to find a good color match, provided you get a right match in the first place. MUAs are reputed to give wrong color matches, so doing some homework beforehand is ideal.
For example, if you use ZA 21, try searching around for people who use the same shade and their respective MAC shade. It is best to go to a store to play with the colors yourself and also ask a MUA for help.
Mac Nc25 Foundation
I did my research beforehand and went down to a MAC store to confirm my shade – NC25. It is good to know your MAC shade as people tend to use MAC as a guideline.
I am on the lighter side of NC25 though, if I could, I'd like an NC23.5 match, please.
Left: Old NC25 pan; Right: New NC25 pan. No difference!
'I'm NC 20-25, which shade should I use for MUFE Mat Velvet +?', 'What kind of blush is suitable for NC35 skin?', are typical types of questions people will ask.
I also like that MAC Studio Fix Foundation does not turn orange (oxidize) on me. Very important!
Bun Bun gives the MAC Studio Fix Foundation a rating of:
Do you know of any good dupes for the (expensive) MAC Studio Fix Foundation? I've read reviews comparing the Maybelling Dream Matte Powder and have even tried it out myself. Not too bad for that price, a little less coverage and not as finely milled though.
Don't forget to leave your name for a chance to win Daiso Brush Cleansers! It's closing at the end of this week! =D
