Shade Guide

MAC to Bobbi Brown Foundation Shade Guide

Find your Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear shade if you know your MAC Studio Fix shade.

29MAC shades
18Bobbi Brown shades
15Exact matches

Complete Shade Conversion Table

MAC ShadeDepthUndertoneBobbi Brown MatchConfidence
NC101/12warmPorcelainapproximate
NC152/12warmWarm Ivoryexact
NC203/12warmWarm Sandexact
NC254/12warmWarm Naturalexact
NC305/12warmWarm Beigeexact
NC356/12warmGoldenexact
NC377/12warmHoneyexact
NC408/12warmWalnutexact
NC429/12warmWarm Almondexact
NC4410/12warmChestnutexact
NC4511/12warmEspressoexact
NC5012/12warmEspressoclose
NW101/12coolPorcelainexact
NW152/12coolIvoryexact
NW203/12coolSandapproximate
NW254/12coolNaturalapproximate
NW305/12coolBeigeapproximate
NW356/12coolGoldenapproximate
NW408/12coolWalnutapproximate
NW439/12coolAlmondapproximate
NW4510/12coolChestnutapproximate
NW5012/12coolEspressoapproximate
N43/12neutralSandexact
N54/12neutralNaturalexact
N65/12neutralBeigeexact
N6.56/12neutralGoldenapproximate
N77/12neutralHoneyapproximate
N88/12neutralWalnutapproximate
N910/12neutralChestnutapproximate

How We Match Shades

Our shade matching system works by comparing two key properties of each foundation shade:

📊

Shade Depth

Each shade is mapped to a universal depth scale from 1 (very fair) to 12 (very deep). Shades with the same depth number are the closest match.

🎨

Undertone

We match warm, cool, neutral, and olive undertones. An exact undertone match plus same depth gives the highest confidence rating.

Confidence Ratings

exactSame depth and undertone — closest possible match
closeWithin 1 shade depth, same undertone
approximateSimilar range, different undertone or 2+ depth difference

Want more precise matching?

Use our full Foundation Shade Matcher to compare across all 13+ brands, or take the Skin Tone Finder quiz first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bobbi Brown a good alternative to MAC?

Bobbi Brown (Skin Long-Wear Foundation) offers comparable shade coverage to MAC (Studio Fix Fluid). Both brands provide shades across a wide range of depths and undertones. The best match depends on your specific shade — check the table above for your conversion.

Why doesn't my MAC shade have an exact match in Bobbi Brown?

Not all brands use the same depth/undertone combinations. If your shade shows "close" or "approximate", it means Bobbi Brown doesn't have a shade with the exact same depth + undertone, but the suggested match is the nearest available option.

Should I go lighter or darker if the match is approximate?

If the match is approximate, we recommend testing the suggested shade in natural daylight. If it looks slightly off, try one shade lighter for a more natural look or one shade darker for more coverage. Many stores in India (like Nykaa, Sephora) offer testers.

How accurate is this shade matching?

Our matching system uses a universal depth (1-12) and undertone (warm/cool/neutral) scale to map shades across brands. "Exact" matches are typically very accurate. "Close" matches are good starting points. Always test on your jawline in natural light for the best result.