MAC Cosmetics
Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation — NC38
$46Side by side, NC38 sits at the same depth and carries the same peach cast. Expect a more dewy finish.
MAC Cosmetics NC38, a shade of Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 24HR Buildable Soft-Matte Foundation + Oil Control, suits light-medium skin with a warm, peach-leaning undertone. The peach cast is what people usually try to keep when they look for alternatives. Below are the alternatives that wear closest to it — each one noted with how it differs, so you know what you're trading before you buy.
Side by side, NC38 sits at the same depth and carries the same peach cast. Expect a more dewy finish.
NC38 lands right at the same depth and carries the same peach cast. Expect a more matte finish.
Side by side, 30.5Y Tan matches the depth closely and holds the warm undertone.
36Y Tan lands right at the same depth and holds the warm undertone.
On skin, Tan lands right at the same depth and keeps the same warm undertone. Expect a more dewy finish.
Side by side, 280 sits at the same depth and pulls a little cooler. Expect a more matte finish.
290 lands right at the same depth and pulls a little cooler. Expect a more matte finish.
4W1 Tawny runs a touch deeper and stays warm but pulls more olive than peach. Expect a more dewy finish.
MAC Cosmetics NC38 has a warm undertone with a peach cast. When comparing alternatives, keeping that peach quality matters as much as getting the depth right.
A shade never wears alone — it sits next to your concealer, blush and the rest of your routine. Toni at Shade & Seek reads the whole face, not just one swatch, so you can see any of these alternatives in context before buying.