Im very pale and i bought mac studio fix powder, NC15. I want to buy the face and body foundation because it was used for a photoshoot and it was perfect for my skin but im not sure what shade was used. So which shade is nearest to NC15 in the face and body!
I was at the MAC , Gurgaon store the other day and i saw this girl who was obviously buying her first foundation from MAC, struggle with finding her skin tone. The poor thing was swatching everything from an NC 15 to an NW 45! She was actually the same skin tone as me so i told her which one i wear, and she seemed happy- and then she had a ton of questions about NW and NC which i am listing down below. I’m no MAC expert from any angle, infact im a MAC beginner myself but i’m a makeup research addict so i did a fair amount of research on MAC skin shades before going in for my first MAC purchase, so thought it might be useful for MAC beginners who are confronted with unfriendly MAC MUA’s.
What is MAC NW and NC:
NW and NC is the shading system of MAC for all their foundation/concealers etc
NW: Neutral Warm
NC: Neutral Cool
Does that mean that if i have warm undertones (Yellow, Golden beige skin) i should use NW and if I have cool undertones (Pinkish beige skin) i should use NC?
NO. Its the other way round. MAC makes their products according to the colour wheel, so NW (Neutral Warm) is meant for cooler skin tones to neutralize them. NC (Neutral Cool) is meant for Warmer skin tones to neutralize them. So yellow and golden skins need an NC and pinkish skin needs an NW.
If im an NC in a foundation-I will definitely be an NC in a concealer right?
NO You need to look at the type of dark circles you have. For eg: If you have reddish dark circles like i do then even if you are an NC in foundation, you will need an NW in a concealer to neutralize them.In fact , a lot of people get confused because they blindly purchase the same shade concealer as their foundation and then feel like it doesnt do anything for them. I am an NC in foundation and an NW in concealer.
Mac Colors For Studio Fix Nw20
How do i know if I am a MAC NC or NW?
One quick way is to check the veins on your forearm If they appear greenish- you are likely to have warm skin and likely to need an NC shade. If they appear blue-ish you are likely to have cool skin and need an NW shade. This would be an approximate way. Otherwise go to the MAC MUA and ask them their opinion.
What is the equivalent of an NC 30 in an NW?
There is no equivalent! An NC 30 is very different from an NW30 or any other NW for that matter. The colours that form the base of each foundation differ and cannot strictly be compared though you may find approximate matches.
Are Indian Skin tones MAC NC or NW?
No hard and fast rule as such- but Indians are mostly likely to be an NC in foundation since we have golden/yellow undertones to our skin, unless you are one of those very fair one’s with pink undertones- then you are an NW in foundations. If it helps then think Deepika Padukone – she would probably be an NC. Kareena Kapoor would probably be an NW.
Also Read:
Follow peachesandblush on Instagram.
Brown Colors For Studio
So many of you are confused as to what the difference is between MAC's foundation shades (C, NC, N, W, NW). Its pretty simple unless your really rubbish at remembering! Okay so....C - Stands for Cool. Best for yellow, golden olive skin.
NC - Stands for Neutral Cool. So is best for skins with a slight golden glow. Common color.
N - Stands for Neutral. Beige skin. Common color. (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. Unlike most foundations it doesnt dry as quickly so its very much easy to blend and smooth out. It also doesnt have that powdery look afterwards so its great for all skin types including dry. Most of all there isnt that awful shine you get with some foundations, even if your skin is oily MAC foundations seem to work with every skin type. You can layer the foundation up or keep it to simply not there bare. They are a great way to get your perfect match with their personal colour chart that Highstreet Brands just simply dont have. I myself go between NC30 and NC40 - a great way to mix.