How to Find the Right Shade of MAC Makeup

It is hard to find the right shade of foundation and powder, no matter what your skin tone is. MAC makes a huge selection of colors to make sure that everyone can find the perfect makeup foundation or powder. Unfortunately, that can make it difficult for you to figure out exactly which MAC shade of makeup is right for you. Here is a little bit of information to help you choose.

MAC Shade Numbering System for Powder, Foundation, and StudioFix

MAC foundations, powders, and Studio Fix (foundation/powder combo) are all assigned a number. The MAC foundation shades used to start with 1 and work their way up, but they were renumbered a few years ago. Most MAC shades now begin with 15, the palest shade of foundation, and go up in steps of five to the darkest shade. I recently saw that there is a new pale shade listed at their website NW5, in liquid foundation and powder. If you are fortunate enough to live by a store that carries MAC, try out a few shades before you purchase one. Since there are so many colors of foundation, it is best to try a few. I have had MC makeup consultants match me as four different shades. Keep in mind that yellow undertone shades of foundation are a little more forgiving than pink undertones, and that foundation and powder can oxidize as you wear it. That means that the minerals in your makeup can darken as they are exposed to air. That can cause your powder or foundation to look a little bit darker later in the day. Most people won't notice their powder or foundation oxidizing, but if you are pale, it is something to consider. If you are between foundation colors, you might want to purchase the lighter shade.

MAC Foundation, Powder, and Studio Fix Lettering System

In addition to the number, each shade of MAC foundation, powder, concealer, and StudioFix has letters assigned to it. The letters correspond with the undertones of your skin. The following letters are used:

C Cool - makeup foundation for yellow or olive complexions
NC Neutral Cool - makeup foundation or golden and beige skin
N Neutral - makeup foundation for beige skin
NW Neutral Warm - makeup foundation for pink beige skin
W Warm - makeup foundation for pinkish skin

So, how do you look at your skin and figure out where it fits in MAC's universe of foundation and powders?

In general, people golden and yellow skin tones will choose C shades of makeup. People with pink skin tones will choose W shades. If you are not sure what skin tone you have, look at the veins under your skin in your forearm. People with pink skintones have very blue veins, and people with yellow skin tones tend towards greener veins.

Now, that does not mean that you need to choose the MAC shade that corresponds with your skin tone. If your skin tone leans too far in one direction, you may want to balance it by choosing a makeup shade in the opposite family. For example, if your skin has a lot of red tones, you may opt for a cool or neutral cool shade to downplay that. Yet another reason to visit the makeup counter and experiment.

No matter what shade and tone of skin you have, you should be able to find a great concealer, foundation, of powder at MAC. MAC cosmetics are so good that you will never need to try anything else.