MAC to Kay Beauty Foundation Shade Guide
Find your Kay Beauty Hydrating Foundation shade if you know your MAC Studio Fix shade.
Complete Shade Conversion Table
| MAC Shade | Depth | Undertone | Kay Beauty Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC10 | 1/12 | warm | 100Y Fair Ivory | close |
| NC15 | 2/12 | warm | 100Y Fair Ivory | exact |
| NC20 | 3/12 | warm | 120Y Light | exact |
| NC25 | 4/12 | warm | 130P Light Medium | approximate |
| NC30 | 5/12 | warm | 140Y Medium | exact |
| NC35 | 6/12 | warm | 160W Warm Medium | exact |
| NC37 | 7/12 | warm | 180Y Tan | exact |
| NC40 | 8/12 | warm | 200W Warm Deep | exact |
| NC42 | 9/12 | warm | 220Y Rich | exact |
| NC44 | 10/12 | warm | 240W Deep Rich | exact |
| NC45 | 11/12 | warm | 240W Deep Rich | close |
| NC50 | 12/12 | warm | 240W Deep Rich | approximate |
| NW10 | 1/12 | cool | 100P Fair Rose | close |
| NW15 | 2/12 | cool | 100P Fair Rose | exact |
| NW20 | 3/12 | cool | 120Y Light | approximate |
| NW25 | 4/12 | cool | 130P Light Medium | exact |
| NW30 | 5/12 | cool | 140Y Medium | approximate |
| NW35 | 6/12 | cool | 160W Warm Medium | approximate |
| NW40 | 8/12 | cool | 200W Warm Deep | approximate |
| NW43 | 9/12 | cool | 220Y Rich | approximate |
| NW45 | 10/12 | cool | 240W Deep Rich | approximate |
| NW50 | 12/12 | cool | 240W Deep Rich | approximate |
| N4 | 3/12 | neutral | 120Y Light | approximate |
| N5 | 4/12 | neutral | 130N Light Medium | exact |
| N6 | 5/12 | neutral | 140N Medium | exact |
| N6.5 | 6/12 | neutral | 160N Medium | exact |
| N7 | 7/12 | neutral | 180N Tan | exact |
| N8 | 8/12 | neutral | 200N Deep | exact |
| N9 | 10/12 | neutral | 240W Deep Rich | approximate |
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 Kay Beauty a good alternative to MAC?
Kay Beauty (Hydrating 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 Kay Beauty?
Not all brands use the same depth/undertone combinations. If your shade shows "close" or "approximate", it means Kay Beauty 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.