MAC NC42 (Studio Fix Fluid): the closest match in every other brand
NC42 is one of MAC's most-worn shades for a reason. Here's the closest shade in every other brand, ranked by measured colour.
The short version
- These are the shades in other brands closest in measured colour to MAC Cosmetics NC42, ranked closest first, across every brand in our catalogue.
- Matched by measured colour, not by name, number, or a guess from a photo.
- Studio Fix Fluid sits in the middle of the price range, so this list has real matches both above and below it.
NC42 gets recommended constantly in shade-matching threads, to the point where people who’ve never tried MAC still know the number. The “NC” (neutral-cool, MAC’s own naming quirk despite the letter) tells you the undertone family; the number tells you the depth. Below is what actually measures the same in the real world, not just what gets repeated online.
What NC42 measures as
In our catalogue, MAC Cosmetics NC42 in Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 24HR Matte Foundation + Oil Control measures medium in depth, with a warm undertone (estimated from its colour). Depth is read from the colour of the shade’s swatch, so treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee.
The closest matches to MAC Cosmetics NC42
Ranked by how close the measured colour is. “Identical” and “near-identical” are as close as our measurements can tell apart; “very close” and “close” have a little more difference. A colour match doesn’t promise the same finish or coverage.
How to use this list
If you already wear MAC Cosmetics NC42 and it works for you, the identical and near-identical rows above are the closest switches, whether you’re after a lower price, a different formula, or a shade that’s in stock. Check formula and finish separately (see what a dupe does and doesn’t guarantee), and swatch along your jaw before you commit.
If MAC Cosmetics NC42 isn’t quite your shade to begin with, don’t start here. Scan your skin or name the shade you actually wear to get your own starting point.
This list updates as our catalogue does
New shades get added and existing ones get recalibrated over time, so the exact ranking here can shift slightly. The method behind it doesn’t: measured colour, not a name or a guess.
Questions about MAC Cosmetics NC42
Is NC42 light, medium or deep?
It measures medium in our catalogue, with a warm undertone (estimated from its colour).
What’s the closest match to MAC Cosmetics NC42 in another brand?
Dose of Colors 122 (Meet Your Hue Foundation), an identical match by measured colour.
Is there a cheaper match to MAC Cosmetics NC42?
Maybelline 330 is identical by measured colour and costs $21 less.
Closest to MAC Cosmetics NC42, by measured colour, not by name.
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