I was at the MAC , Gurgaon store the other day and i saw this girl who was obviously buying her first foundation from MAC, struggle with finding her skin tone. The poor thing was swatching everything from an NC 15 to an NW 45! She was actually the same skin tone as me so i told her which one i wear, and she seemed happy- and then she had a ton of questions about NW and NC which i am listing down below. I’m no MAC expert from any angle, infact im a MAC beginner myself but i’m a makeup research addict so i did a fair amount of research on MAC skin shades before going in for my first MAC purchase, so thought it might be useful for MAC beginners who are confronted with unfriendly MAC MUA’s.
MAC NW(Neutral Warm) the rest of the world knows it as Cool Foundation MAC NC(Neutral Cool) the rest of the world knows it as Warm Foundation MAC N (Neutral) available in Studio Fix Powder Foundation. Im very pale and i bought mac studio fix powder, NC15. I want to buy the face and body foundation because it was used for a photoshoot and it was perfect for my skin but im not sure what shade was used. So which shade is nearest to NC15 in the face and body!
Mac studio fix powder c4. What is MAC NW and NC:
NW and NC is the shading system of MAC for all their foundation/concealers etc
NW: Neutral Warm
NC: Neutral Cool
NW and NC is the shading system of MAC for all their foundation/concealers etc
NW: Neutral Warm
NC: Neutral Cool
Does that mean that if i have warm undertones (Yellow, Golden beige skin) i should use NW and if I have cool undertones (Pinkish beige skin) i should use NC?
NO. Its the other way round. MAC makes their products according to the colour wheel, so NW (Neutral Warm) is meant for cooler skin tones to neutralize them. NC (Neutral Cool) is meant for Warmer skin tones to neutralize them. So yellow and golden skins need an NC and pinkish skin needs an NW.
NO. Its the other way round. MAC makes their products according to the colour wheel, so NW (Neutral Warm) is meant for cooler skin tones to neutralize them. NC (Neutral Cool) is meant for Warmer skin tones to neutralize them. So yellow and golden skins need an NC and pinkish skin needs an NW.
If im an NC in a foundation-I will definitely be an NC in a concealer right?
NO You need to look at the type of dark circles you have. For eg: If you have reddish dark circles like i do then even if you are an NC in foundation, you will need an NW in a concealer to neutralize them.In fact , a lot of people get confused because they blindly purchase the same shade concealer as their foundation and then feel like it doesnt do anything for them. I am an NC in foundation and an NW in concealer.
NO You need to look at the type of dark circles you have. For eg: If you have reddish dark circles like i do then even if you are an NC in foundation, you will need an NW in a concealer to neutralize them.In fact , a lot of people get confused because they blindly purchase the same shade concealer as their foundation and then feel like it doesnt do anything for them. I am an NC in foundation and an NW in concealer.
How do i know if I am a MAC NC or NW?
One quick way is to check the veins on your forearm If they appear greenish- you are likely to have warm skin and likely to need an NC shade. If they appear blue-ish you are likely to have cool skin and need an NW shade. This would be an approximate way. Otherwise go to the MAC MUA and ask them their opinion.
One quick way is to check the veins on your forearm If they appear greenish- you are likely to have warm skin and likely to need an NC shade. If they appear blue-ish you are likely to have cool skin and need an NW shade. This would be an approximate way. Otherwise go to the MAC MUA and ask them their opinion.
What is the equivalent of an NC 30 in an NW?
There is no equivalent! Fl studio 11 free mac. An NC 30 is very different from an NW30 or any other NW for that matter. The colours that form the base of each foundation differ and cannot strictly be compared though you may find approximate matches.
There is no equivalent! Fl studio 11 free mac. An NC 30 is very different from an NW30 or any other NW for that matter. The colours that form the base of each foundation differ and cannot strictly be compared though you may find approximate matches.
Are Indian Skin tones MAC NC or NW?
No hard and fast rule as such- but Indians are mostly likely to be an NC in foundation since we have golden/yellow undertones to our skin, unless you are one of those very fair one’s with pink undertones- then you are an NW in foundations. If it helps then think Deepika Padukone – she would probably be an NC. Kareena Kapoor would probably be an NW.
No hard and fast rule as such- but Indians are mostly likely to be an NC in foundation since we have golden/yellow undertones to our skin, unless you are one of those very fair one’s with pink undertones- then you are an NW in foundations. If it helps then think Deepika Padukone – she would probably be an NC. Kareena Kapoor would probably be an NW.
Also Read: Atmel studio for mac.
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Overview
Let me just start by saying that I love both foundations equally. There is a lots of misconception that Revlon ColorStay is a dupe for Mac Studio Fix Fluid. The main difference between this two foundations is the fact that Mac Studio Fix is very blendable but Revlon ColorStay sets as soon as it touches the skin. The whole Studio range was created in mind with make up artists that need a foundation that is very blendable and gives them a lot of time to work with it.
![Fix Fix](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126031257/600973184.jpg)
Packaging
Both Mac Studio Fix and Revlon ColorStay come in a standard 30ml glass bottle. Also both of them doesn't come with a pump when you buy them, but you can purchase a pump for Mac Studio Fix from Mac Store or online, but theres no pump for Revlon ColorStay.
Colour Range
Mac and Revlon has really wide selection of shades and I think that pretty much everyone will find a good mach for them in both Mac and Revlon. If you are familiar with Mac then you know that their foundation shades are divided into two groups, NC (Neutral Cool) and NW (Neutral Warm). NC is more yellow/blue and NW is more pink/peachy which makes it really easy when it comes to selecting your foundation shade. However both Mac and Revlon lack really pale, almost white shades or a white foundation that could be mixed with darker shaded. If you have a Mac Pro card then you can get Mac Face and Body in white, however Face and Body dosen't have a good coverage. My shade in Mac is NC15 and 150 Buff in Revlon. Below is a colour chart for Revlon ColorStay vs Mac Studio Fix:
Ivory: NW15/ NC15 lightest of the bunch
Buff: NC20 best match for fair NCs
Sand Beige: NC20-25 with somewhat neutral undertones
Nude: NC25 with peachy undertones, definitely not for pinks or true golden
Natural Beige: NW20 tends to run pink
![Brown Brown](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126031257/977344143.jpg)
Fresh Beige: NW25 with pinky undertones
Golden Beige: NC30 with truest yellow/olive undertones
Warm Golden: NW30/NC30 with somewhat neutral undertones
True Beige: NW30 with pinky undertones (for Fresh Beige in summer)
Natural Tan: NC40/NC42 more neutral than golden caramel
Early Tan: NW35 with somewhat peach undertones
Rich Tan: NW35 with pinkish undertones
Golden Caramel: NC40/NC42 more golden than natural tan
Mac Colors For Studio Fix Nw20
Toast: NW43/NC45 with neutral undertones
Rich Ginger: NW45 very peachy-pink
Caramel: NC45 seems to run true to color
Brown Colors For Studio
Cappucino: NC50 slightly more peach than Caramel
Mahogany: NW50/NC55 the darkest of NWs but not extremely peachy
Mocha: NW55 seems to be very cool toned, almost grey undertone
Coverage
Mac Studio Fix allows you to bild up the coverage which means get a very light coverage or a full coverage depending on what you need. Revlon ColorStay gives you a very full coverage without much ability to sheer it out unless you mix it with some moisturiser or primer (I recommend the second). Also when applying Revlon ColorStay with a brush it can look patchy because it sets very quickly and becomes very thick.
Staying Power
Both Mac Studio Fix and Revlon ColorStay are long lasting foundations. Mac Studio Fix stays flawless for up to 15-16 hours, also it doesn't oxidise on me. Revlon ColorStay starts to wear off after about 10-12 hours which I think is still pretty good but it oxidises after about 7-8 hours which is a no no for me. I set all of my foundations with a setting powder.
Application/Finish
As I mentioned Mac Studio Fix is very easy to apply with either fingers, brush or damp sponge and doesn't need a lots of blending. It gives a really nice finish, its somewhere in between natural and matte. Revlon ColorStay is more runny consitancy, but as soon as it touches skin it becomes really thick and hard to blend. I usually apply it with a damp sponge. The finish it gives is at first dewy(thats because I apply it with a damp sponge) but after few seconds it sets matte.