Shhh… did you hear that? I think it’s the sound of a new MAC obsession being born (aww!). 🙂
MAC’s Cream Colour Base in Hush ($16.50) isn’t a new product (it’s part of the permanent line), but it was new to me when our paths crossed a couple weeks ago.
Like the rest of the Cream Colour Bases, shimmery Hush feels like a creamy blush to the touch. I’ve been using it all sorts of different ways, but my favorite way? — using it as a highlighter.
It adds a really pretty subtle glow to peach and pink blushes, in particular, like when it’s layered with a Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Blusher Brush on the tops of my cheeks bones, at my temples or down the bridge of my nose after foundation, powder and blush.
I’m not always up for doing a full face of makeup, and that’s where Hush REALLY shines.
For a fresh and dewy look, sometimes I’ll start with a little tinted moisturizer, then add some Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush on the apples of my cheeks and finish with Hush applied to my upper cheek bones.
But even though it’s a great highlighter, it’s a lot more than just that. Like MAC Pearl (been my go-to Cream Colour Base for years), it also makes the colors of powder eyeshadows, blushes and beauty powders richer when they’re layered on top.
TIP: If you decide to use Hush as an eyeshadow base, keep the color on your lids and not in the crease or on your brow bone (and don’t use too much). It tends to makes things migrate around the eyelids if you aren’t too careful.
Hush! Try these colors on for size
- Vex Eyeshadow ($15): A shimmery beige with hints of peachy pink pearl
- Expensive Pink ($15): A shimmery golden peachy pink
- Shell Pearl Beauty Powder: A shimmery peach highlighting powder
- Margin Blush ($19): A peach with golden shimmer
- Melba ($19: A matte peachy coral
I’ve heard some gals say they have trubs blending Hush, and they feel it has a chunky texture, but I don’t see that at all. As a matter of fact, I think Hush’s gorgeous color and flexibility both qualify it for early Unsung Hero status. 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How was the rest of your day? Anything good to report? Mine turned out okay… I’m sure glad we’re over the hump! Have a great night.
Rica says
This combo looks so lovely on you. Hush is on my wishlist for so long, now you gave me a reason to break down and get it =D.
Oh, and which MUFE HD Blush did you use? It looks gorgeous =). I love MUFE HD Blush, I used the sample of Starstruck today, I wanna get a full size (can’t wait till IMATS Toronto!)
.-= Rica’s last blog post… WLC week 4 wrap up =-.
Karen says
Hi Rica,
I usually wear it with Quickie. In the pic above I’m wearing a powder blush — MAC Ombre Blush in Ripe Peach.
Marisol says
You look great as always. I have probably hit pan on Hush twice now. I really like the multiple uses of CCB’s. I think this would make a great blush base under Coralista, don’t ya think?
My day was pretty hectic but I survived it. Only two more days til the weekend. Hope we get some nice weather. I really want to make it out the the Farmer’s Market this weekend.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Europe here I come! =-.
Karen says
Dude… I was actually contemplating the Coralista/Hush combo for today!
I looove the Farmer’s Market. Are you going to Ferry Building one?
Marisol says
Did you try that combo?
Yeah, I like going to the one at the ferry building. I usually get a capuccino at Blue Bottle Coffee and walk around and get some produce and maybe flowers. Then I’ll get a sandwich from the bakery inside. So yummy!
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Europe here I come! =-.
Polish Earthgirl says
My week is totally stress-worthy at the moment, but nothing like some mac goodies to boost my mood a bit, thanks K!
.-= Polish Earthgirl’s last blog post… Zoya Sparkle Collection =-.
Karen says
Hi Polish Earthgirl,
Oh no! What’s going on? I hope you’re okay.
Lindsay says
Thanks for the Hush recommendation! So glad wednesday is over fo sho!
.-= Lindsay’s last blog post… Purse Lust =-.
Karen says
No kidding! Is it the weekend yet?!?
Liz Lo says
I bought this not too long ago but didnt make use out of it. Thanks for the tip!
Karen says
Sure thing, Liz Lo!
Fabienne says
Because of its thick texture (or maybe it’s just how I apply it?) I like to put it on my cheekbones, my nose bridge, and my brow bones/inner canthus before i apply my foundation (and long after the primer). I find it gives me a more ethereal glow 🙂
Karen says
Love it! I’ll have to try it on the brow bone.
mela says
looks gorgeous on you karen! i love the muted gold/peach tone of this ccb! my mom bought it for me as a present when i was in 8th grade (can you believe it!)
looks phenom as an eye base underneath nars’ night star!
.-= mela’s last blog post… shu shu…i love you =-.
Karen says
That’s the cutest thing, Mela!! Aww… I think the last beauty-related thing my mom bought me was some MAC Naked Honey perfume. 🙂
And thanks for the Nars eyeshadow rec. Will have to try that out!
SoVeryFabulous says
I always hear so many raves for Hush, I’m really going to have to try it one of these days.
.-= SoVeryFabulous’s last blog post… MAC Art Supplies Greasepaint Sticks Review =-.
Karen says
You’ve gotta! It’s a great product.
gio says
Hush looks great on you, it gives your skin a really nice glow!
.-= gio’s last blog post… Sunday Beauty Reads, 11/04/10 =-.
Karen says
Happy Thursday, Gio!
Sylvie says
Actually, I own Hush and Fawntastic CCBs and I can really tell the difference between the two in terms of texture. Fawntastic is a lot “softer” and is picked up a lot more easily with my 188 brush so I prefer using that and I have hit pan, whereas Hush, which I had purchased before Fawntastic is quite difficult to pick up and so it’s still about half full. It is a good highlighter though, but I think one needs the right tools. I didn’t mind it that much when I had the 192 brush which was almost like a concealer brush. Hmm, maybe I should use my concealer brush to apply Hush.
Karen says
Hi Sylvie,
Fawtastic is next on my list! What do you usually wear it with?
Sylvie says
I wear it as a bronzer/highlighter on the cheekbones and use Prism blush as a contour. Learnt this while I had a workshop at mac and wanted to learn to do a neutral look and the MA did this contouring on me and I loved it.
SilhouetteScreams says
I think I originally saw TiffanyD using this on youtube, and immediately thought it would look good on your skintone 🙂
.-= SilhouetteScreams’s last blog post… Disco Ball =-.
Karen says
Hi Silhouette Screams,
Are you a fan of the CCBs?
NINA says
It looks perfect on you!!! Blends perfectly with your skintone!
Oh my … that goes on my want list!
Karen says
Hi Nina,
Thanks hon!
Your Le Creuset dutch ovens are on my want list, LOL!
NINA says
If they have it at the CCO, Hush will be mine by Monday, wooohoo!!!
mkdallas says
Really pretty, Karen! Looks dewy and gives a beautiful glow. I get nervous with highlighters unless I’m doing a special evening makeup; I feel like they can be too much on my “lady of a certain age” skin. But it is indeed the bomb diggity (love that comment) on you!
Karen says
Hi Mkdallas,
Totally get what you mean (I feel the same way about certain glitter products). I think to avoid that look with highlighters the trick is to use the product sparingly. That way it doesn’t settle into lines and pores, ya know?
dallasbrowneyes says
Looks so pretty on you!! Wonder if it would work for someone with oily skin?
Love the go-with color suggestions also!
Karen says
If you wear it on bare skin you might want to pop a primer beneath it first, but if you’re putting it on top of foundation and/or powder then you should be fine. 🙂
dallasbrowneyes says
Oh, and what lipstick are you wearing with it in the photo above?
Karen says
That’s Lychee Luxe Lipglass by MAC. 🙂
Pinch says
Karen, I don’t know how you do it. You always look so gorgeous and fresh!
.-= Pinch’s last blog post… Trax with Satellite Dreams =-.
Karen says
Hi Pinch,
Honestly, it’s concealer! It makes a huge difference!!
Jasmine says
Hiya Karen,
What concealer do you use/recommend? I’m in the market for a new one and I have a deeper skintone than you but similar undertones.
Hush is on my wishlist, I’m in a highlight phase. Currently loving Vanilla Pigment and Benefit High Beam 🙂
Amanda says
wow, I *just* saw this at the cosmetics outlet store yesterday….and I didn’t get it. maybe i’ll run back by there today at lunch.
Karen says
Wait… have you always had a CCO? Or is this a new thing??
I remember a few years back when you were all excited about Sephora coming to your town. 🙂
Amanda says
good memory! the CCO is newer–maybe 4 years old? it came about a year before our mac counter, and 2 years before sephora! 🙂 we are moving on up in the makeup world. All we need now is a nordies!
Karen says
Yup… and a Bergdorf’s! 🙂
lexi says
Lovely – why didn’t I know about this??
Karen says
Now you know… and knowing is half the battle!!
lexi says
ha ha – “if you don’t know – now you know..baby baby…” love anytime I can put in a BIGGIE reference!
jane h. says
Hi Karen: How do you use cream color bases in general? Does it usually go on the cheek/face area? I am curious to know if it can be used in some way to get a fresh-face, awake look without looking greasy or sweaty or glittery.
And by the way, I had baby #2 about 3 weeks ago – another girl. If you can do a blog or poll on 5-min or less makeup ideas, that’d be incredibly helpful. Sometimes, I don’t even get to wash my face till after breakfast or lunch!
Karen says
Hi Jane,
Congrats on your new bundle of joy! What is her name? And is it too early to get her started on the path to makeup addiction? LOL!
I recently asked readers about their five minute makeup routines in the Monday Poll:
MBB Monday Poll, Mar. 29
You might find this helpful too:
What’s Your Bad Day Beauty Routine?
As for the CCBs, I use ’em mostly as a highlighter on bare skin or on top of foundation/powder/blush.
I also like to use them as an eyeshadow base to bump up the intensity of powder shadows.
em says
I’ve heard a LOT of good things about hush and really want to get it, it looks really lovely as a highlighter on you! oh and btw i’m in love with the goodies i got from the liberty of london collection! i was studying when i got them in the post but my younger sister was going out so i attacked her face with it all lol. and omg i LOVE shell beauty powder!! it’s just what i’ve been looking for! thanks for all your swatches and recs 🙂
i just learnt that one of our dept stores has got a smashbox counter now (finally!) and i’m really excited because i’ve been dying to experiment with their prods, just wondered if you had any good recs? thanks!
Karen says
YAY!!! I’m so happy to hear you are loving your goodies, especially the Shell Pearl Beauty Powder.
You MUST pick up a few Limitless Long Wear Glosses at the Smashbox counter. Here are a few swatches and thoughts:
Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss: Make Way for Sheer Shine
Stephanie says
I picked up Pearl because I felt Hush would be too dark for my fair skin. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m definitely going to reference the video you made recently about how to use cream colour bases!
.-= Stephanie’s last blog post… 2 Years Old! =-.
Karen says
Pearl rules! Try it underneath a teal shadow sometime. It’s beautiful!
Babybubblz says
Beautiful highlighter! I’m curious to try now =)
Karen says
If you do let me know if you like it. 🙂
Vonvon says
That’s a pretty pink shade. And I thought Cream Colour Base is mostly used for the eyes as eye base. Love the idea of multi-tasking product.
But somehow my Pearl creases on me. 🙁 Perhaps now I should try it a s a highlighter! 😀
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Review & EOTD: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil #04 Black Plum =-.
inaya says
hey karen! MACs color cream base in Fabulush may make you change your mind about keeping Hush as a favorite. you should definitly try that out
michelle says
wow, that looks really good on you! I have not tried cream blushes before, but may go to the mac counter to try this later. 🙂
Hayile says
Which one do you reach for more? Hush or Pearl? I can’t decide which one to get. I’m like NC25-30 for reference and asian yellow undertones.
Karen says
Hi Hayile,
I do Pearl as a base for eyes and Hush as a highlighter for cheeks. It really depends on the what you want to use it for, but if you want something to mostly highlight your cheekbones I’d go with Hush.
Hayile says
actually I mean Hush or Shell. Sorry!
Karen says
I don’t have shell and can’t remember the color off the top of my head… I really do love Hush, though, and find it quite useful.
vanessa says
Hi Karen!! I’ve been trying to get ccb in hush along with mac melba, but sometimes I think I own to much blushers and I tempt to hesitate on buying them lol I own gingerly,cubic, trace gold, honour and well dressed. Please help!!
Amber says
I just got hush today! I’m eager to try it… Tomorrow!! I’ve tried she’ll before and loved it! I’m worried I’m too fair for hush but I like the idea of trying it under blush. I guess if I’m too fair ill do that!
Joanna says
I was just wondering, what brush do you use to apply your cream colour base? When I use mine it moves all the other product (foundation, powder) off my skin 🙁
Help!