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Temptalia Asks You - What is your foundation shade/color?

What is your foundation shade/color? (Make sure to include brand of foundation as a reference point!)

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I’m around NC25/NC30 in MAC foundations, and for Dior, I’m #021.
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159 Comments

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Vibeke216 Avatar

Bobbi Brown tinted moisturiser in Alabaster. This is the lightest colour I’ve found but it’s still not quite right so the search continues. Bobbi’s undereye corrector in porcelain bisque is perfect though.

Jen Avatar

i’m pretty pale.. in mac they dont even make a colour light enough for my skin.. NW15 is way too dark for me
so for my dior nude i am 010 (lightest one they have)
LOL

Kat Avatar

MAC NW15 in winter, though on some days it seems too yellow – In summer a NW20 or NC15, depending on how much colour i get. I turn yellow, but not very much darker than usual. I can’t quite find a fitting summer-tone.

Anitacska Avatar

I don’t know, never bought a Mac foundation. Just tend to match up whichever brand I buy, I vaguely recall I have Perfect Vanilla of Givenchy’s Photoperfection. I have pretty light skin, so tend to be around the second lightest or so.

Miss_M Avatar

I’m fair with pink undertones and often the lightest shade is still slightly to dark or yellow for me.

Shades I found that match my skintone are:

MAC – NW15
EDM – Cool Fair Medium
Fyrinnae – Pyrite
Maybelline Pure Mineral powder foundation – Rose Ivory

Beth Avatar

I’m NW15in MAC, or Blondie inLilyLolo mineral foundation – these are the only two I really wear as I don’t tan.

That said, I’m having a Fake Fake spray tan done for the first time ever on Tuesday and I have no idea what I’ll do for makeup – I guess skip the base altogether!

Courtney Avatar

I used to be an NW15, then I started working at a grocery store as a cart wench and bagging slave a year ago. That brought me to an NW20 even in winter. This summer, I may very well reach NW25 for the first time since childhood.

Phyrra Avatar

Unfortunately MAC is too dark for me (I used to wear NW15 in Moisturefix).
In Meow Cosmetics I wear Inquisitive Siamese or Inquisitive Sphynx in Pampered Puss formula.
In Fyrinnae’s Mica free foundation I wear Moonstone.
In Purely Cosmetics Skin Smoothing Formula I wear Fair Maiden.
In Aromaleigh’s Glissade formula I wear a mix of Alabaster, 1N and 1CL.
In Dreamworld I wear Devi.

Lo Avatar

Basically, I use the palest thing I can get, anything Mac is way too dark and yellow toned for me, so I either use bourjois concealer and transluscent fixing powder (chanel)or Loreal Matifiant Mineral in transluscent.

Lisa Avatar

nyc mineral foundation powder in natural medium lol…

nc 40 in mac sometimes 42

shell beige or caramel cafe in estee lauder double matte or individualist

crissyk Avatar

I love foundation. I’m always looking for something new here is what I’ve discovered matches me well:

Mac NC30, Dior Linen #21, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in Nude, Bobbi Brown in 2.5, Lancome tinte idole in buff #2, MUFE HD in 120, Korres ginger and vitamins foundation in LF2 and wild rose foundation in WRF 2, Smashbox halo in light, Perricone tinted moisturizer in light, Shisheido in 020, Tarte recreate I have to mix #6 and #2 because #6 oxidizes really dark on me :(, Lorac SMS 2, Nars in Fiji, Bare Minerals in light, Benefit flawless in Petal, Kevyn Aucoin in SX 6 and LQ5 , The Balm in light/medium, Cargo Foundation in F20, Face Atlier ultra foundation in wheat #3, Estee Lauder Nutritious Vitamineral foundation in Intensity #2.0 (worse ever!!!), Global Goddess Geisha Goddess tinted face duo in #1.0 and Armani Luminous Silk foundation in #4.5 and Face Fabric in #2.

Isn’t it sad that I own most of these? I’m a foundation whore. Right now I’m loving the Bobbi Brown Nude and Face Atlier Ultra Foundation super light and perfect for the summer. I hope the reference is helpful 🙂

Desigal Avatar

OMG..Thank you sooo much for naming all the brands. I am NC30 too and your post is very helpful. BTW, I also use Laura Mercier tinited moisturizer in Nude.

mahalia Avatar

I am an nc50 when the mac ladies match me bt I have found that the final outcome is way too ashy on my skin so I prefer to use nw45 and cut it with the nc50….

Tahnee Avatar

Hey, what would you be in the average MAC foundation. I’m a NC20 is studio sculpt.. I wnat to get face and body. They dont have it available at MAC counters in Brisbane, Australia though.. Trying to decide wether to get c2,N3, or C3… please help! 🙂

Dree Avatar

c2 in mac face and body … probably nw20 or 15 but not entirely sure.
if anyone knows its equivalents between mac shades, please tell me!

glamaryz Avatar

mac studio fix fluid ..nc20-nc25…nc30 summer
nars powder foundation..deauville
chanel teint innocence liquid ..shell 1.5
chanel double perfection compact..20 soft beige intensity 1.0

inuchan Avatar

Well I am just back from a Dior makeup, and I finally found a great foundation shade: Diorskin Natural Glow Nude in 22, I love it!

Ilaria Avatar

I’m a 10 or 20 in Dior Forever or Nude… but I still haven’t found the right shade of Mac, I’ve tried NW 20 but it’s too dark, NC 20 was nice but my forehead looked soooo yellow! then i’ve tried NC 15 but it’s way too yellow. I’ve also mixed NC 15 with a little bit of NW 20 but looked very dark.. any suggestion? at my mac counter they can’t really help you.. I have really neutral undertones.. maybe more pink then yellow but not so evident

tremorviolet Avatar

I’ve been matched to a NC15 but it looks horrible and orange on me. I usually wear either MUFE HD 117 or Prescriptives Real Vellum.

Nepenthe Avatar

Amazing Cosmetics Loose Velvet Mineral: Deep Golden for the summer

MAC: ..anywhere from NW35 to NC44 depending on the product and time of year. It’s madness.

MUFE HD: 153 ..but I’m going to have to get re-matched as the summer gets started.

Danielle of Urban Glamour Avatar

NW 47 in MAC (which they don’t make in all formulas, so I mix NW 45 and NW 50 when needed)

Trinidad in NARS Balanced and NARS Oil-Free Foundation

MUFE HD #178

Brenda in Monave Minerals

Caramel in MUFE Super Matte Loose Powder

Chocolate in YSL Perfect Touch

Andrea Avatar

I only use MAC foundations and I’m an NC30. I was first matched at C4 which made me orange… “/ NC30 is a lot more natural looking.

Jen Avatar

In general my skin is medium or light/medium depending on the brand. Mac I am usually NC30, but my Studio Sculpt foundation is a bit dark on me… so maybe between NC25 and 30.

And everyday minerals I mix Golden Medium and Fairly Light Neutral. 🙂

Nathalie Avatar

Sisley “0” (Porcelaine) which is the lightest shade (± NC15)
But I don’t like the effect of tinted foundation or powder on me, I prefer a super natural effect. I’m only wearing Dior Icône in “transparent” or Le Blanc de Chanel.

Carla Avatar

I’m MAC NW25 and Helena Rubinstein “biscuit”. Does anyone know Dior’s similiar color to NW25? I want to buy DiorSkin Nude online but I’m afraid to get the wrong color!

Evelyn Avatar

MAC NC40 w/o a tan, w/a tan i have not a clue, and i really need to find out my mufe hd shade, ive been wanting to try it out for a while but the $40 keeps me hesitating.

Diane Avatar

Hi, I have the same MAC NC44 and Bobbi Brown in Golden. I don’t suppose you have an Illamasqua foundation? Curious to know what shade I am without making a special trip into London to check.

Thanks,
Diane

mlou Avatar

I did wear a MAC foundation back in mid90’s – in NW100/NW10. It was a little darker than my natural skin.

I wear LM mmu in Soft Porcelain in the warmer months, and wear strong sunscreen all over everyday of the year.

Jenny Avatar

When I first started wearing MAC (around 3 years ago), I was a NC42. Then I started reading makeup blogs and started to become more aware of skin damage. I’m always using sun protection, whether it be a hat, long sleeves and sunblock! Now I’m an NC30. And my skin looks so much better!

Jennifer Avatar

I’m NW15 in MAC, although for some odd reason I’m NC15 in Studio Sculpt. NW15 is just too orange, and I have no idea why 🙁

I also use Alabaster in Bobbi Brown and Fair in Bare Minerals. Paleness FTW!

Nic Avatar

I’m very pale. It’s been a long time since I wore MAC foundation, but I’d be lighter than NW15. Most brands are too dark and too yellow or orange for me. Here are some that match me pretty closely:

Estee Lauder Equalizer (probably my best match ever): 1N1 Pearl
Estee Lauder Double Wear: 1C1 Shell
Everyday Minerals: a mix of Fair and Fair Neutral
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation: Alabaster

I recently got Calvin Klein Infinite Matte in 213 Porcelain. It’s just slightly yellower than I’d prefer, but it’s so sheer that it blends in well enough.

Nathalie Avatar

Same case here, most of the lightest shade are too dark for me.
Try to see Sisley’s foundation Phyto Teint Eclat in “0” (Porcelaine). That’s the only colored foundation I’m wearing when I’m alright to wear a colored foundation (I prefer to stick with Dior transparent foundation). Very pale and quite transparent, a bit on the yellow side but so few pigmented that it’s ok.

aradhana Avatar

mac = nw35
mufe = hd foundation 170
armani luminous silk = 9
mac mineral powder makeup = dark

too many foundations! i use the mac ones most…

Faheema Avatar

NC43 in Mac Studio Fix Fluid
But i neeeeed to get my butt down to debenhams to find out for other foundations coz I need to buy the one thats perfect tehe

Sarah Avatar

Never worn foundation – but my face makeup routine is: Clarins Eclat Minute in Rose Shimmer, Benefit Boi-ing concealor in Light (under eyes) and finished with a light dusting of MSF Natural in Medium.

Mikki Avatar

I don’t know actually.

I have a sample of Studio Sculpt NC20, but it’s too yellow for me. So I guess I’m a NW20. Although at the moment I’m very white… so maybe I’m a NW15.

Zoffe Avatar

I’m an NW15 in MAC – or lighter.
I can use some of the MAC foundations but others (like Studio Fix Fluid) just don’t work for me because they run too dark.

Diana Avatar

Hey all!

MAC NC30 in SF Fluid/Powder for winter

MAC NC37 in SF Fluid/Powder for summer

Haven’t figured out the right shade for revlon colorstay yet.. I bought the sand beige and it was way too light! Any recommendation give me a shout since I really want it from all the great reviews! 😉

andrea Avatar

I am currently using a bare minerals medium beige. I am not liking the way it lays on my face. I want to switch to lancome does anyone have an idea of whay color I would use? I am somewhat yellow toned.

Diana Avatar

You should really try the Everyday Minerals, it’s a lot better that Bare Minerals and cheaper too. You can get samples of your colour scheme so you can find your colour. And their flat top brush is fantastic, does not shed a hair and is great for minerals for only something like $10!!!! And does not scrape your face off like the Bare Minerals ones!!!!!!

For reference I am an NC30 in mac, used to be a 03 in Lancome, 030 in Dior, Medium kit was the one for me in Bare Minerals, and like you I am more yellow, olive toned, so from Everyday Minerals I tried their medium sample kit, which was alright but not perfect, thought it was a bit too light in colour too. So the from the olive tones, the golden medium is perfect for me, matches very close to the NC30 Studion Fix Fluid. They do different finishes too if you want a matte, semi-matte, intensive (this ones comes out a bit darker eg the golden medium in matte would be lighter than then the golden medium in intensive, it’s meant to be heavier coverage, but you can still layer two, three times with the others to get medium/full coverage).

Hope this helps, and enjoy!!!

Chai Avatar

I use NC 45 studio fix fluid
NC 44.5 Stick foundation
Iman Clay 2
Fashion Fair in Tan
Black Opal in Rich Caramel
Ruby & Millie liquid base 08
Bodyshop cream-powder 06
Revlon colorstay in Toast 

Roberta Avatar

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW20ish. I would be a NW17 if it existed.

Clinique Even Better Ivory (3).

DiorSkin Forever Light Beige (020).

Kristine Avatar

Hi there, I’m thinking of getting a Jane iredale’s LIQUID mineral foundation.I use Alabaster for Clinique’s.Can anyone advise which shade I should go for Jane iredale’s (:

Doris Avatar

I’ve tried several. I am MUFE face and body 20, mac mineralize foundation (liquid) NC25 (a tad too dark = =), Chanel teint innocence #20 cameo, and anna sui moisture powder B02…. these are the few that i have tried that i think are the more popular ones. Hope this helps. (my true shade in Mac is b/w NC 20 and 25: i wish they make a NC23 or something like that xD).
Good luck finding your HG foundation girls.

ABeautyAddict Avatar

Bobby Brown Skin in Bronze
MUFE Mat velvet 170
MUFE HD 173
Esteer Lauder Double Wear in Softan
Stila 170
Mac NC45
Nars Sheer Glow in Tahoe

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