Finding a PPG Equivalent for First Light

If you love Benjamin Moore First Light but need a PPG alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers PPG, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

First Light (2102-70) is a light pink with soft blush undertones. BM's 2020 Color of the Year. A soft, rosy off-white that brings gentle warmth without being obviously pink. The color of first light at dawn. Subtle, feminine, and surprisingly versatile. To find a good PPG match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 73.88) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between First Light and every PPG color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.

Honestly, PPG does not have a perfect equivalent for First Light. The closest option is Mushroom Cap (PPG1024-2) with a Delta E of 5.3, but at that distance the difference will be visible. Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing. If getting this exact color is critical, you may want to explore custom color matching at a PPG store.

PPG Matches for First Light

Mushroom Cap PPG1024-2
Approximate · ΔE 5.3

Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing.

First LightMushroom Cap
LRV73.8862
Hex#E7DDD7#D4CDC2
UndertoneSoft BlushWarm Mushroom Beige
FamilyPinkBeige

Undertone Comparison

First Light has soft blush undertones. BM's 2020 Color of the Year. A soft, rosy off-white that brings gentle warmth without being obviously pink. The color of first light at dawn. Subtle, feminine, and surprisingly versatile.

Mushroom Cap has warm mushroom beige undertones. A warm, light beige with the organic quality of a wild mushroom cap. Earthy and natural at a light depth.

The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. First Light's soft blush quality may read differently than Mushroom Cap's warm mushroom beige character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.

How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting

First Light in Your Room

The pink is very subtle. In warm light, it reads as a warm off-white. In cool light, the blush becomes slightly more apparent. A sophisticated, grown-up pink.

Mushroom Cap in Your Room

Warm and organic. Reads as a warm, light beige in most rooms.

LRV and Brightness

First Light has an LRV of 73.88, while Mushroom Cap has an LRV of 62. That means First Light reflects noticeably more light. In the same room, First Light will make the space feel brighter and more open than Mushroom Cap. If you are switching to the PPG option, expect the room to feel slightly more intimate and cozy.

Best Rooms for First Light

Benjamin Moore recommends First Light for: bedroom, bathroom, nursery, living room, hallway. With an LRV of 73.88, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.

Mushroom Cap is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, hallway, dining room. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.

First Light in Other Brands

Looking for First Light equivalents in other brands besides PPG? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest PPG match for First Light (2102-70) is Mushroom Cap (PPG1024-2) with a Delta E of 5.3, which rates as a "approximate" match. Mushroom Cap is the closest PPG option at LRV 62. In the same family but noticeably different. Test a sample before committing. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.

No, they are not identical. First Light is a Benjamin Moore color with soft blush undertones and an LRV of 73.88. Mushroom Cap is a PPG color with warm mushroom beige undertones and an LRV of 62. With a Delta E of 5.3, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.

With a Delta E of 5.3, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.

There are several practical reasons to look for a PPG equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in PPG. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing PPG work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.