Foundation Equivalencies

macmistress

Well-known member
hey can anyone recommend me a mac or nars foundation?

im a medium beige in bare essentials
a number 9 in giorgio armani designer shaping f but it gives me a tanned look. ive gone pale since summer.
and a number 7 in giorgio armani designer modelling compact foundation.

i have combination skin, i dont like really dry finishes. and i do suffer from a very shiny nose lol. any tips? im open to a ldewy finish, and sheer matte maybe? anything..oh and im trying to stay away from spf but still recommendations are most welcome!
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Indigowaters

Well-known member
I tried Macao before I saw this post and it's a match!
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I put it on with my own (skunk) brush at home and it looks awesome. I think the girl was in too much of a rush that day and concentrated too much on putting down Sephora instead of truely matching me. Quote:
Originally Posted by elektra513
What are your undertones? There is a big shade jump from Macao to Trinidad
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Looking at your avatar, I'd say to go with New Orleans...

Here's a pic from KarlaSugar.net
NARS-Sheer-Glow-Foundation-2-Medium.jpg


I finally tried my sample of Macao and it's perfect. I took pictures with it in all types of lighting just to make sure, lol. I am C7 in Mac. I'm not really NC45 in the other formulas like I assumed--the undertones don't match. And NW43 is what I look like when I break out into hives, lol (or burn in the sun).

Gonna give Macao a few days of testing to see before I drop that cash...I do love the finish, though.

 
I think I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I'll NEVER find a perfect color match in regards to foundation.

My skin is yellow-y around the perimeter, but rosy in the center (especially my chin). My chin is the hardest to match because it can get so red, yet my jawline will be yellow.

I've tried numerous foundations, etc. and non are perfect.

MAC NC45 in SFF is about the closest I can get, but it just does my chin no good. It only looks decent when paired with MUFE #4 Caramel Primer to balance out my undertones.

I even called myself switching to NW43, which was perfect in the center of my face (nose, apple of cheeks, chin) but looked muddy on my jawline and neck.

MUFE HD, no shade matches me. #173 is wayyyyyyyy too yellow. MUFE F&B #18 is too yellow greenish. I ordered #26 Dark Beige, and it's perfect for the center of my face and chin, but it doesn't match my perimeter and my neck at all. I'll be sending that back to Sephora. I also have #12, which is the only MUFE color in any of it's foundation lines that comes close to being somewhat decent, and that's only because the formulation is so sheer that I can get away with it being darker. I have like 5 F&B foundations that I bought to try and mix & match, smh. Mixing is too expensive, and I'm not about to continue to even try.

NARS...I wanted to love it so bad. I did, but the color wasn't the greatest. I have the same issues with Cadiz. I want to try Macao, but I'm not NC50, so I don't think i would work.

I swear, I can't ever catch a break.

This is me without make-up (before I got off BC, so this is why my skin looks so clear, lol)

(PIC REMOVED)

Nose, chin, cheeks are pinkish, but the perimeter is more yellow toned. It's more prominent in the winter.
 

elektra513

Well-known member
Based on your pic, I think you should stick with a foundation shade that has yellow undertones, not pink. That flushing in the center of your face is not your undertone. Also do you wear bronzer? That might give you a more balanced look if you feel your foundation is slightly off (BB Illuminating bronzer is really good for this). You have great skin, though. I think the BB Skin Foundation might look great on you, applied lightly.

Good luck. As we see in this thread it's frustrating to find the right foundation. I know for me, I can't get colormatched at the store. They always match me to my dark circles/blemishes, if that makes sense lol. My skin is more olive, but my undereye is NW and I have flushing too with weather changes, so it confuses them. Once I have on underye concealer, its easier to match my face. I'm kinda weird lol.
 

Nepenthe

Well-known member
I've heard it said by many MUA that it's not unusual for WOC (or even people in general) to use more than one foundation. It can be inconvenient, but if you're having that much trouble maybe that's your solution? It's nowhere near as tedious as mixing, but one for the inner portion and one for the perimeter.. blend and you're good. :]

Did you not like using the caramel primer? Have you tried neutralizing the flushed area with a green corrector?
 

BionicWoman

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by iBreatheBeauty
I think I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I'll NEVER find a perfect color match in regards to foundation.

My skin is yellow-y around the perimeter, but rosy in the center (especially my chin). My chin is the hardest to match because it can get so red, yet my jawline will be yellow.

I've tried numerous foundations, etc. and non are perfect.

MAC NC45 in SFF is about the closest I can get, but it just does my chin no good. It only looks decent when paired with MUFE #4 Caramel Primer to balance out my undertones.

I even called myself switching to NW43, which was perfect in the center of my face (nose, apple of cheeks, chin) but looked muddy on my jawline and neck.

MUFE HD, no shade matches me. #173 is wayyyyyyyy too yellow. MUFE F&B #18 is too yellow greenish. I ordered #26 Dark Beige, and it's perfect for the center of my face and chin, but it doesn't match my perimeter and my neck at all. I'll be sending that back to Sephora. I also have #12, which is the only MUFE color in any of it's foundation lines that comes close to being somewhat decent, and that's only because the formulation is so sheer that I can get away with it being darker. I have like 5 F&B foundations that I bought to try and mix & match, smh. Mixing is too expensive, and I'm not about to continue to even try.

NARS...I wanted to love it so bad. I did, but the color wasn't the greatest. I have the same issues with Cadiz. I want to try Macao, but I'm not NC50, so I don't think i would work.

I swear, I can't ever catch a break.

This is me without make-up (before I got off BC, so this is why my skin looks so clear, lol)
n64500435_30941995_9316.jpg


Nose, chin, cheeks are pinkish, but the perimeter is more yellow toned. It's more prominent in the winter.


Have you tried using NC44? I'd bet anything that it would match you. Your coloring looks very similar to myself and you could add a touch of Bronzer if you felt you had to balance it out. I don't meet many NC44's and I'm difficult to match as well. I have yellow undertones, but with a touch of red, so I could NEVER get away with a C6..makes me look ashy and dead. For example, I can't wear ANY of Iman's foundation because they are waaaay to yellow. I have to have a little bit of red in my foundation or it won't work. Go for the NC44, I think I may be right
 

michieme

Well-known member
Hi I'm new this site and was wondering what some reccomendations would be for the NARS Sheer glow and MUFE Mat Velvet + foundations?
I am:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC35
MAC Studio Fix Powder C40
MAC Studio Tech NC35
MAC Studio Sculpt NC35
Thank

M
 

elektra513

Well-known member
Thanks so much to MAHALO!! Becca Syrup works great. Off to update my post with all my shades in it
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Edit: Forgot to mention I also ordered the Luminous tinted moisturizer in Tobacco, so will update when I get it in.
 

elektra513

Well-known member
Hey does anyone do MUFE F&B in 26 (Dark Beige)? Any C7s try this and compare with #18? Its right between 18 and 12 on the Sephora site. Thx!
 

mufey

Well-known member
Hi guys, does anyone know what one shade darker than MUFE F&B in #34 is? I have #34 and it looks okay but just the tiniest bit too light without bronzer. Which would be one darker than that? I have yellow/golden undertones (zero pink) and i'm a MAC NC40/42...
 

Fiberluver

Well-known member
Hi All,

I'm still trying to find the "perfect" foundation.

Right now my winter shades are:

MAC MSF Natural in Medium Deep
Studio Fix Stick NC45
Studio Fix C7

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence Suede 0 (N) paired w/Maquicomplet concealer (Dark) around edges of face

Summer:

MAC NC50 Select Liquid
Dark MSF Loose and compact

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mahogany

I can also wear Revlon Colorstay Caramel

I have been trying to figure out which Loreal True Match I can wear and which Iman.

I looked at Clay 3 @ Target and thought it was too dark.

I also purchased Revlon's Custom Creations in deep but none of the shades fit me at all!

Please help!

Nat
 

elektra513

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiberluver
Hi All,

I'm still trying to find the "perfect" foundation.

Right now my winter shades are:

MAC MSF Natural in Medium Deep
Studio Fix Stick NC45
Studio Fix C7

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence Suede 0 (N) paired w/Maquicomplet concealer (Dark) around edges of face

Summer:

MAC NC50 Select Liquid
Dark MSF Loose and compact

Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Mahogany

I can also wear Revlon Colorstay Caramel

I have been trying to figure out which Loreal True Match I can wear and which Iman.

I looked at Clay 3 @ Target and thought it was too dark.

I also purchased Revlon's Custom Creations in deep but none of the shades fit me at all!

Please help!

Nat


I'm C7 and I have the Iman stick in Clay 4. The paper swatches are not accurate at Target, and you can't test them there. I went to Ulta and tried them out before buying.

I also have MAC NC45 stick and think its a better match though if you need medium coverage--I would not apply the Iman all over my face. It reminded me of Bobbi Brown's stick in 6.5 (matches ok in the summer, wrong in the winter). If you can afford to try it, Becca Syrup it is perfect if you're a true C7 (meaning golden olive skin).

Also, thanks for mentioning Lancome Photogenic. I got color-matched by a counter manager and she gave me Suede 2 (I think that's the next one up from 0). While she was applying it on me, she said "It's a little red, but it works." Well if you can clearly see that it's red, then it really doesn't work, does it?
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Anyway, when I went outside to check in daylight, my left cheek looked like someone had slapped me, so I didn't purchase.
 

jazmatazz

Well-known member
Studio Tech MAC NC43
Studio Fix powder C40
Studio Fix Fluid NC42
Nars Sheer Glow Syracuse
MUFE HD 153
 

lovely333

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by lenchen
I'm a new guinea in NARS Sheer glow and i'm looking at it right now it definately has yellow undertones. I'm an NC 50 in MAC, and 177 in MUFE that foundation has yellow undertones if you go with NARS Trinidad, it is waay to dark for you and Benares would definately be too red as benares is red based.

I am also a nc 50 and I tried new guinea in the sheer glow it was ok a little flat looking. I looked on the Nars site and they have it listed as red undertones. I was thinking of trying New orleans but I'm not sure. Anyone else have this problem? I really want to try this foundation but the color matching for this is a little difficult.
 

socalledemo

Well-known member
I'm pretty much inbetween NC40/42.
Studio Fix Powder: NC40
Select Sheer: NC40
MSFN: Medium Dark
MUFE Mat Velvet+: 55
MUFE HD: 153
Select Coverup: NC42
Select Moisturecover: NW30 (undereyes)
 

macgirl3121

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by elektra513
While she was applying it on me, she said "It's a little red, but it works." Well if you can clearly see that it's red, then it really doesn't work, does it?
nope.gif
Anyway, when I went outside to check in daylight, my left cheek looked like someone had slapped me, so I didn't purchase.


I swear, Im'ma slap the next MA that says this to me.
nonono.gif
Seriously. Ahem, carry on.
 

Fiberluver

Well-known member
Speaking of NC45 Studio Stick-if u luv better stock up now. It's being discontinued along w/NC40 and NC50.

Nat
 

shy_makeup_girl

Well-known member
hello lovely ladies!
i was wondering if there were some equivalents for a NW35/NW40 Studio Sculpt gal?
i have super red undertones! which is pretty tricky and im reallllllllllllllllllllly scared of trying out foundations in other brand names
ssad.gif

i have oily skin, for reference


any help would be appreciated!
 
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