MAC to Estee Lauder Foundation Shade Guide
Find your Estee Lauder Double Wear shade if you know your MAC Studio Fix shade. Both owned by Estee Lauder Companies.
Complete Shade Conversion Table
| MAC Shade | Depth | Undertone | Estee Lauder Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC10 | 1/12 | warm | 0N1 Alabaster | approximate |
| NC15 | 2/12 | warm | 1W1 Bone | exact |
| NC20 | 3/12 | warm | 2W1 Dawn | exact |
| NC25 | 4/12 | warm | 3W1 Tawny | exact |
| NC30 | 5/12 | warm | 3W2 Cashew | exact |
| NC35 | 6/12 | warm | 4W1 Honey Bronze | exact |
| NC37 | 7/12 | warm | 4W2 Toasty Toffee | exact |
| NC40 | 8/12 | warm | 5W1 Bronze | exact |
| NC42 | 9/12 | warm | 5W2 Rich Caramel | exact |
| NC44 | 10/12 | warm | 6W1 Sandalwood | exact |
| NC45 | 11/12 | warm | 7W1 Deep Spice | exact |
| NC50 | 12/12 | warm | 8N1 Espresso | approximate |
| NW10 | 1/12 | cool | 0N1 Alabaster | approximate |
| NW15 | 2/12 | cool | 1C1 Cool Bone | exact |
| NW20 | 3/12 | cool | 2C1 Pure Beige | exact |
| NW25 | 4/12 | cool | 3C2 Pebble | exact |
| NW30 | 5/12 | cool | 3W2 Cashew | approximate |
| NW35 | 6/12 | cool | 4W1 Honey Bronze | approximate |
| NW40 | 8/12 | cool | 5W1 Bronze | approximate |
| NW43 | 9/12 | cool | 5W2 Rich Caramel | approximate |
| NW45 | 10/12 | cool | 6W1 Sandalwood | approximate |
| NW50 | 12/12 | cool | 8N1 Espresso | approximate |
| N4 | 3/12 | neutral | 2N1 Desert Beige | exact |
| N5 | 4/12 | neutral | 3N1 Ivory Beige | exact |
| N6 | 5/12 | neutral | 3N2 Wheat | exact |
| N6.5 | 6/12 | neutral | 4N1 Shell Beige | exact |
| N7 | 7/12 | neutral | 4N2 Spiced Sand | exact |
| N8 | 8/12 | neutral | 5N1 Rich Ginger | exact |
| N9 | 10/12 | neutral | 6N1 Mocha | exact |
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
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 Estee Lauder a good alternative to MAC?
Estee Lauder (Double Wear Stay-in-Place) 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 Estee Lauder?
Not all brands use the same depth/undertone combinations. If your shade shows "close" or "approximate", it means Estee Lauder 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.