MAC Artificially Wild features two new, limited edition shades of MAC Cream Colour Base ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.). Shell is also being repromoted (but it is part of the permanent range). For those unfamiliar with Cream Colour Bases (also known as CCBs), they’re described as a “versatile and multi-purpose” product that can be “applied directly to bare skin, or layered over foundation, moisturizer, or powder.” You can “apply with a brush, sponge, or fingers.” The color payoff ranges “from a light veil to highly dramatic, depending on method of application.”

I struggled a lot with these, because both shades felt even more emollient–almost greasy–than most CCBs. When I wore then on the eyes, I kept having to pat the CCBs back into place, but they would just pull right into the creases within a few minutes and remained very emollient. I tried applying eyeshadows on top to set, but it creased within a few hours. Then, I tried to wear each shade as a contour color, which worked better but they had to be dabbed on as they were very emollient and would sheer out very easily. Normally, I don’t have so much trouble working with CCBs, and though they don’t wear long on their own, setting usually keeps them in place for a more reasonable length of time–but it didn’t seem to be the case with these two. The best results I had were from dabbing the more shimmery shade on the brow bone or along the tops of cheek bones, as it seemed to last a bit longer and didn’t slide as noticeably.

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “dirty mustard olive.” It’s a dirty, yellowed green with warm, olive brown undertones and a satiny sheen. This shade had semi-opaque color coverage that was more buildable. It lasted six hours on cheeks. Divergent Intrepid Moss (LE) is a powder, more shimmery, browner. MAC A Harvest of Greens #3 (P, $21.00) is darker, more shimmery, powder. MAC Sumptuous Olive (P, $15.00) is a powder, greener, less yellow. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “light iridescent mauve.” It’s a cool-toned, medium-dark taupe with a purple/gray leaning. It had a more frosted finish, which applied semi-opaque at most but naturally wanted to apply sheer. This one was even more prone to sliding around, and I couldn’t get the color to build much more than semi-opaque. It lasted for five hours on the face. MAC Ebony Blend #3 (LE) is darker, powder. Dior Golden Snow #4 (LE) is powder. MAC Phresh Out #4 (LE) is darker, powder, warmer. MAC Parlor Smoke (LE, $15.00) is darker, powder, less shimmery. MAC Dangerous Cuvee (P, $18.50) is more shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base

MAC Breaking Ground (lid) / Au Nature (outer lid/crease) Cream Colour Base
Giorgio Armani #3 Eyes to Kill Liquid Liner

MAC Breaking Ground (lid) / Au Nature (outer lid/crease) Cream Colour Base
Giorgio Armani #3 Eyes to Kill Liquid Liner

MAC Breaking Ground (left) / Au Nature (right) Cream Colour Base as a contour

MAC Au Nature Cream Colour Base as a contour

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base

MAC Breaking Ground Cream Colour Base as a contour