MAC to Lakme Foundation Shade Guide
Find your Lakme 9to5 foundation shade if you know your MAC Studio Fix shade. Complete conversion table with confidence ratings.
Complete Shade Conversion Table
| MAC Shade | Depth | Undertone | Lakme Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC10 | 1/12 | warm | Ivory Cream | approximate |
| NC15 | 2/12 | warm | Ivory Cream | approximate |
| NC20 | 3/12 | warm | Ivory Fair | exact |
| NC25 | 4/12 | warm | Honey Dew | exact |
| NC30 | 5/12 | warm | Natural Light | approximate |
| NC35 | 6/12 | warm | Warm Sand | exact |
| NC37 | 7/12 | warm | Natural Almond | exact |
| NC40 | 8/12 | warm | Honey | exact |
| NC42 | 9/12 | warm | Bronze | exact |
| NC44 | 10/12 | warm | Walnut | exact |
| NC45 | 11/12 | warm | Cocoa | exact |
| NC50 | 12/12 | warm | Cocoa | close |
| NW10 | 1/12 | cool | Rose Ivory | close |
| NW15 | 2/12 | cool | Rose Ivory | exact |
| NW20 | 3/12 | cool | Beige Vanilla | approximate |
| NW25 | 4/12 | cool | Honey Dew | approximate |
| NW30 | 5/12 | cool | Rose Silk | exact |
| NW35 | 6/12 | cool | Rose Honey | exact |
| NW40 | 8/12 | cool | Honey | approximate |
| NW43 | 9/12 | cool | Bronze | approximate |
| NW45 | 10/12 | cool | Walnut | approximate |
| NW50 | 12/12 | cool | Cocoa | approximate |
| N4 | 3/12 | neutral | Beige Vanilla | exact |
| N5 | 4/12 | neutral | Honey Dew | approximate |
| N6 | 5/12 | neutral | Natural Light | exact |
| N6.5 | 6/12 | neutral | Sand | exact |
| N7 | 7/12 | neutral | Almond Matte | exact |
| N8 | 8/12 | neutral | Caramel | exact |
| N9 | 10/12 | neutral | Walnut | 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 Lakme a good alternative to MAC?
Lakme (9to5 Primer + Matte 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 Lakme?
Not all brands use the same depth/undertone combinations. If your shade shows "close" or "approximate", it means Lakme 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.