MAC to Maybelline Foundation Shade Guide
Find your Maybelline Fit Me shade if you know your MAC Studio Fix shade. Complete conversion table with confidence ratings.
Complete Shade Conversion Table
| MAC Shade | Depth | Undertone | Maybelline Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC10 | 1/12 | warm | 110 Porcelain | approximate |
| NC15 | 2/12 | warm | 115 Ivory | exact |
| NC20 | 3/12 | warm | 128 Warm Nude | exact |
| NC25 | 4/12 | warm | 130 Buff Beige | approximate |
| NC30 | 5/12 | warm | 220 Natural Beige | exact |
| NC35 | 6/12 | warm | 228 Soft Tan | exact |
| NC37 | 7/12 | warm | 232 Light Honey | exact |
| NC40 | 8/12 | warm | 310 Sun Beige | exact |
| NC42 | 9/12 | warm | 330 Toffee | exact |
| NC44 | 10/12 | warm | 332 Golden Caramel | exact |
| NC45 | 11/12 | warm | 338 Spicy Brown | exact |
| NC50 | 12/12 | warm | 340 Cappuccino | exact |
| NW10 | 1/12 | cool | 110 Porcelain | exact |
| NW15 | 2/12 | cool | 120 Classic Ivory | exact |
| NW20 | 3/12 | cool | 125 Nude Beige | approximate |
| NW25 | 4/12 | cool | 130 Buff Beige | approximate |
| NW30 | 5/12 | cool | 220 Natural Beige | approximate |
| NW35 | 6/12 | cool | 228 Soft Tan | approximate |
| NW40 | 8/12 | cool | 310 Sun Beige | approximate |
| NW43 | 9/12 | cool | 330 Toffee | approximate |
| NW45 | 10/12 | cool | 332 Golden Caramel | approximate |
| NW50 | 12/12 | cool | 340 Cappuccino | approximate |
| N4 | 3/12 | neutral | 125 Nude Beige | exact |
| N5 | 4/12 | neutral | 130 Buff Beige | exact |
| N6 | 5/12 | neutral | 222 True Beige | exact |
| N6.5 | 6/12 | neutral | 230 Natural Buff | exact |
| N7 | 7/12 | neutral | 232 Light Honey | approximate |
| N8 | 8/12 | neutral | 320 Natural Tan | exact |
| N9 | 10/12 | neutral | 335 Classic Tan | 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 Maybelline a good alternative to MAC?
Maybelline (Fit Me Matte + Poreless) 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 Maybelline?
Not all brands use the same depth/undertone combinations. If your shade shows "close" or "approximate", it means Maybelline 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.