MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell Review

MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell Review

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

This review is for one of my readers – Mini – who asked me for suggestion on a highlighting product, earlier this month. The review got delayed, but this gave me an opportunity to further test the product, which is a fairly recent buy. Off late, I have not been buying MAC products because I felt there are better products/brands in the market – though I have developed a huge crush on their strobe liquid – which I love mixing with my long-wear matte foundations to give them a little life! I had gone to the store to pick up the Strobe cream and #188 blush and checked with the SA on what highlighting product MAC had to offer and was guided to the MAC Cream base – it’s a different line of product from the cream blush as the cream base products are multi-functional, you can use them not just for face but for other body parts as well.

Product Description:

Versatile and multi-purpose, Cream Colour Base can be applied directly to bare skin, or layered over foundation, moisturizer, or powder. Apply with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Colour effects range from a light veil to highly dramatic, depending on method of application. Fragrance-free. (The following shades are not recommended for use in lip area: Fawntastic and Black. The following shades are not recommended for use in the eye area: Fabulush and Improper Copper.)

Price:

USD $20/about Rs. 1450 for 3.2 gm.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Packaging:

The product comes in a typical MAC blush-like round packaging – no mirror or applicator. However, the box is smaller than a regular blush since the content is less. It’s simple, straightforward and convenient but not breaking any design barriers. Easy to use, easy to carry with you.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

My Experience with MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell:

Off late, I’m obsessed with the brightening and radiance bug and looking for solace in makeup (instead of skin care). Because I have an oily face, I had not really invested in highlighting products till now – except for my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks and the MAC Strobe Lotion, thinking why add to the shine on the face. But it took me a while to realize how “shine” and “oiliness” are visibly different. I really wanted to try the Benefit range of highlighters but accessibility being an issue, I thought let’s try MAC and check what they have to offer. The SA suggested the cream colour base, which comes in a variety of shades and colours to suit different needs and different skin colour.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

She showed me two options, one was shade “Shell” and the other a more bronze-y one, and I preferred Shell because it was subtle but still visible. The other shade kind of blended into my skin and I couldn’t see the highlighting.

Color:

The color itself is a beige pink with shimmer, looks sad in the pan, but I have started to realize that most face products (except the lipsticks of course) – the sadder or scarier they look in pan – the more beautiful they look on skin! Funny? Yes! But true!

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

The colour is perfect for my NC 30 skin tone. Like I mentioned earlier, what I liked about the shade is that it is bright enough to do the highlighting but does not stand out like a “jhatak” whitening effect – it’s subtle, pretty and looks very natural on my skin tone.

Texture:

The product itself is a hard cream but when you move your finger on the cream, it has lots of slip, so the product comes off on your finger/brush easily without forming any lumps.  On skin, it sets a little, so I do not see it transferring or moving around.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Pigmentation:

The pigmentation is good, you have the option to build it up or sheer it out as per your choice and area of usage. Meaning, on the cheekbones, it can be used as is but in the decolletage area, it can be sheered out for a “Malaika Arora Khan effect!” 😛 Honestly, I haven’t tried the latter, but it is possible!

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Lasting Power:

I get about 6.5 – 7 hours of wear time on my oily skin, which is great for me; I know I don’t have to do touchups with this.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Visibility on Skin Tone:

It’s perfect for my skin tone. The hand swatch is with one swipe of the product. You can choose to sheer it out as well. I think, the shade would suit most skin tones except maybe shade over NC 50. The great part is that, you have a choice of shades to select from.  So, there is always bound to be one which would suit your skin tone.

Application:

The product can be easily applied with fingers, though I feel that I get better finish with a brush. If you intend to use a brush, I suggest a brush which can help pat on the colour on to the cheek, like a MAC 239 and not a MAC 217.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Pros of MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell:

  • Creamy, smooth, easily blendable.
  • A great colour for Indian skin tones.
  • Comes in a sturdy, easy to carry packaging.
  • Fairly long lasting, even with my oily skin.
  • The color works well even for office wear.
  • The shimmer is extremely fine, does not accentuate pores, looks more like a sheen.
  • Did not break me out.
  • Not scented.

MAC Cream Colour Base Stone

Cons of MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell:

  • I can’t think of a single thing!

IMBB Rating:

5/5

I am truly loving this one and recommend it to anyone who wants to try their hand at highlighting for the first time because I feel the colour and ease of application make it a fantastic product and the product will last a long time too – on the skin and in the pan! 🙂

MAC Strobe Cream
MAC Cream Colour Base Improper Copper Review, Swatch, FOTD
MAC Cream Colour Base HUSH
MAC Studio Moisture Cream
MAC Creamblend Blush Photos, Swatches
MAC Matte Creme
MAC Virgin Isle Cream Colour Base
MAC Stylishly yours Cream Colour Base Photos, Swatches
MAC Seaside Cream Color Base Review, Swatch, FOTD
MAC Cream Colour Base Madly Magenta Review, FOTD, Swatch
Scholl Foot Beauty Stone
Hot Stone Massage Benefits
NYX Powder Blush Stone

IMBB RECOMMENDS

13 thoughts on “MAC Cream Colour Base – Shell Review

  1. It looks awesome KK….i like creamy stuff……not into highlighting yet, but whenever I start, I will get this one *happydance*

    1. I too am new to the concept – liked this product coz it suited the skin tone and turned out to be an effortless product – i use it for highlighting the cheekbones, below my brows, bridge of the nose…works well!

  2. Thanq very much kk…last weekend i went to mac store n tried strobe cream which seemed to be oily on my skin…will try this out for sure..i thought that u have included malaika arora khan effect wala pic in de end.i think this will suit my nw35 skin too

      1. rofl rofl rofl NO, Malaika Arora KHan effect pics!! rofl rofl

        Yes, it should work well for your NW35 skin tone too!

        Thanks for letting me know the error….team IMBB corrected that for me! It is Shell – don’t know why i kept thinking Stone!

  3. I love highlighters and the strobe liquid is one of my favourites. Havent tried this, shall have to pick it up soon. If you liked this check out the Illamasqua gleam in the shade Aurora. In one word its Ahmaaaazzzinnnggg….

Leave a Reply to KK Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *