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compare mac studio fix to skin base, Illamasqua Skin base shade comparison with MAC, Illamasqua vs MAC foundations, swatches of Illamasqua skin base on dark skin, Swatches of Illamasqua Skin Base on light skin
A personal recommendation for Illamasqua’s new Skin Base foundations to Shahada Karim of Adventures in Makeup turned into a swatch bonanza. Her excitement prompted a few other people to ask for my recommendations based on MAC foundations. I wanted to be accurate so I went on a mission. Guys, I went swatch crazy on Saturday. I hope the two hours I spent at the Illamasqua and MAC counters will be beneficial to those out there who are looking for swatch comparisons of both Illamasqua’s Skin Base foundation and MAC foundations. I know that MAC foundations do differ slightly across its range. However, I focused my energy on Studio Fix Fluid as it is probably the most ubiquitous foundation range that MAC has, as well as having the most shades.
I’m dividing this into two parts, with a special post spotlighting the most common Skin Base shades for (South) Asian skin tones. I will also feature notes on the undertones of the Skin Base shades. For reference, the chart can be found in my review.
Illamasqua Skin Base Undertones explained and compared to MAC foundation shades: Chart available here
SB 1 (not shown): straight up white. Can be used to correct or for editorial/dramatic purposes
SB 2- very light, very pink
SB 3- still fair, very yellow undertone (close to NC 15)
SB 4- mostly yellow with some pink. Lighter than NW 15
SB 5- mix of yellow/pink. Great for NW 15/18 shades. Possibly NW 20, but that might be stretching it
SB 6- neutral for fair to fair-ish skin tones. Great to mix with any MAC foundation near that shade which lean too pink or too yellow
SB 7- pink. Close to NW 20
SB 8- pink with some yellow. Close to NW 22/25
SB 9- yellow. Can adjust to NC 30/35
SB 10- yellow. Can adjust to NC 35/37
SB 11- yellow with some pink. Close to NW 30, possibly 33
SB 12 (shown in upcoming (South) Asian skin tone post) – olive neutral. Great correcting shade, very golden without being too yellow. Close to NC 40, possibly 41
These are just my personal recommendations based on what I could see when swatching. Keep in mind that not all MAC SFF shades will have an equivalent in Skin Base. MAC’s line is huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge. Skin Base only has 18 shades, but is really flexible. It adjust to your own skin tone (give it a few minutes) and does not oxidize to turn too pink or orangey. Once Skin Base adjusts on your face and sets, that’s the colour you’ll get for the entire time you are wearing it.
See Swatch Bonanza Part II: Medium to Dark Skin tones here
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Thanks a million for this post! Now I can place my skin base order
Happy to help
).
Hi there,
I really wish I had seen your blog earlier!! I have purchased SB2 but find it a bit too light (verging on goth!). I have used Mac NC15 before, reasonably successfully after being color matched. My question is this, Can I blend SB2 with a darker shade eg; SB6?
I have noticed that someone is selling one on ebay as they have purchased the wrong shade too. Is it very blendable and might this prove a solution for me?
Regards,
Amanda x
Hi, there!
Yes, SB is very blend-able. Depending on my tan, I blend SB 15 with SB12 to get that highlighted effect in the centre of my face. You may also want to check out ILLAMASQUA.com for their new in-between shades. There is now a 2.5-5.5 , so you might find one of those useful. Or, if it’s easier, just get SB6 off eBay and blend. At least it’s the same formula.