Archived Post

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad ($33.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes four shades of warmer, neutral tones. All four are new and limited edition to this quad. Overall, the palette was pretty easy to use to create a cohesive look out of, with the darkest shade being the weakest as it had a duster, sheerer texture. Only one shade was really good, though, and they are more dupable shades (except the darkest one), so there are better-performing options out there.

Call of the Canyon is a light, peachy beige with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had good pigmentation with a soft, smooth, and blendable texture that was easily applied and fuss-free. This was the best-performing shade in the palette. The color lasted for eight hours before fading slightly. Dior Jardin #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). LORAC Vanilla (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Buxom Satin Seduction (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Lights Out #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). ColourPop Jet Set (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Shiver Me (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). ColourPop Bluebell (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Les Nuees #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Wet 'n' Wild Hasta La Costa Baby #2 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Pearl (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Too Faced Whipped Cream (LE, $16.00) is cooler (95% similar). Pat McGrath Skintense Glow (PiP, $25.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Sterling (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Pink Glow #1 (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Make Up For Ever I528 Pearl (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I414 Yellow Ivory (DC, $21.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Glitter Glue (LE, ) is more shimmery, more muted (90% similar). Pretty Vulgar Pillow Fight (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever I414 Yellow Ivory (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). bareMinerals Mixologist (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Fool’s Gold is a bright, medium gold with warm, yellow undertones and a sparkling, frosted sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a slightly looser texture, but it applied fairly well to the skin when patted on. This shade wore for eight hours on me. Cle de Peau Golden Lace #4 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). Milani Drenched in Gold (DC, $6.99) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Baby It's Gold Outside (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Until Dawn #2 (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Cushy Life (LE, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Interstellar (DC, $20.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar). Anastasia Amber (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Anastasia Yacht (LE, $12.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Chic (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Naked Bronze (Eye Color) (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar). Too Faced Bananas (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Too Faced Dearest (PiP, ) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Retrospeck (P, $17.00) is less shimmery (85% similar). BH Cosmetics Club Tropicana #7 (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Thunderbolt is a dark, taupe-gray with subtle, cool undertones and warmer, gold shimmer. The shimmer seemed to pull away from the base color, which resulted in an uneven result. The base color was also on the dusty side, so everything appeared sheerer than intended once applied to the skin. It would be better with a lightly tacky or emollient base to give it something more to adhere to. On me, it lasted for six and a half hours before fading noticeably. Chanel Tisse Rhapsodie #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Natasha Denona Deep Slate Gray (32P) (PiP, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Guerlain Crazy Paris #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Burberry Storm Grey (No. 27) (DC, $29.00) is lighter (90% similar). Cle de Peau Satin Moon #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Dark Chocolate (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Disney by Sephora Midnight Hour #4 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Summer Sun is a slightly muted, medium coral-orange with warm undertones and a frosted finish. It was on the dusty side, so it sheered out somewhat when applied without a primer in place to help it adhere. It had good color payoff, though, and it wore well for eight hours. Gucci Beauty Autumn Fire #2 (DC, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Dreamer #6 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Night Bird #3 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). LORAC Starfish (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, cooler, better quality (95% similar). NYX Golden Peach (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). MAC Expensive Pink (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). MAC Suspiciously Sweet (P, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop High Society (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Morphe Little Lady (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Viseart Coy #3 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Natasha Denona Peach Bronze (144CP) (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Coral Canvas #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Hippie Girl (223) (P, $9.00) is lighter (90% similar). Viseart Sangria (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Mrs. Baily (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Deluxe Edition #5 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever D750 Frosted Peach (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Viseart Siren #2 (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Trademark This (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Buxom Glitz Factor (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Editor’s Note: MAC’s newest collection–Vibe Tribe–has generated some controversy over the last couple weeks for cultural appropriation and/or cultural insensitivity. Both Refinery29 and The Huffington Post posted earlier this week with an official statement from the brand, which stated that: “The collection, including the visuals, product lineup, and naming, is inspired by art, outdoor music festivals, and the colors of the desert. The collection has absolutely no connection to nor was it inspired by the Native American cultures.”

Outdoor festivals are rife with instances of cultural appropriation in the form and manner many dress and accessorize (one of the more egregious examples is the wearing of headdresses–something some festivals have actually banned to avoid future instances of cultural appropriation). I don’t think it’s a surprise that between the pattern on the packaging, some of the shade names, promotional imagery, and a collection name with “tribe” in it that it is making some consumers at least question the inspiration/connection. I wish MAC would consider partnering with a Native designer or artist to create a collection that could truly pay homage to that person’s culture, roots, and inspiration of their craft. They have done this in the past where we have seen the collaborator’s inspiration in the forms of shade names and packaging, so it is a disappointment that they didn’t go that route here. I hope the brand will consider doing more research into their themes going forward.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow
MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow

MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow
MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow

MAC Fool's Gold Eyeshadow
MAC Fool’s Gold Eyeshadow

MAC Fool's Gold Eyeshadow
MAC Fool’s Gold Eyeshadow

MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow
MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow

MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow
MAC Thunderbolt Eyeshadow

MAC Summer Sun Eyeshadow
MAC Summer Sun Eyeshadow

MAC Summer Sun Eyeshadow
MAC Summer Sun Eyeshadow

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Call of the Canyon Eyeshadow Quad

24 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Mariella Avatar

I was interested in this palette mostly because of the shade Thunderbolt and because none of the shadows in this are from the regular line/that I already own. But with Thunderbolt getting such a poor rating (I have enough LE MAC grey shadows with glitter that doesn’t show up! Gazette Grey, Hocus Pocus and Champale all come to mind!) so I’ll look for a dupe and ditto for the golden shade – not worth lashing out on this quad for one shadow.

Nancy T Avatar

This actually looks too pretty in your eye look to only earn a C+! Very, very pretty, but….nope, not getting it. Although this along with Painted Canyon blush and Hot Chocolate lipstick are all incredibly tempting, so it won’t be easy. The taupe shade looks far better on the lid than the arm swatch. Very different looking taupe for sure, as it has noticble warmth and depth.

Kirsten Avatar

Thanks so much for the quick review on this, Christine. It’s disappointing that Thunderbolt performed so poorly, since it seems like the most unique color in the quad. I won’t feel as bad about passing on it now though. The look you did turned out really nice though.

Kylie5 Avatar

This Palette is a good example concerning the question of the day.
This is how I like an eyeshadow palette.
No mirror, no mattes, beige/Gold/Brown colours
Perfect

Claire L Avatar

This is pretty but it’d have to be better performing for me to want to buy it. I wanted to ask you, did you do a review of Shiseido’s Camellia holiday 2015 eye palette? I’d like to look at your review before buying it, I’m pretty sure you did review it but I can’t find it even using the search function on here or by Googling. If you could find it, I’d be so grateful!

Claire L Avatar

Ah, my memory was wrong then! No worries, I’ll go ahead and buy the Camellia palette, it looks lovely. Thanks for getting back to me on this ?.

Genevieve Avatar

I actually like this quad better than the other one. The colour selection seems to be more cohesive and the finishes are more to my liking. Fool’s Gold is a lovely colour. And whilst the tangerine shade would not be something I would wear, it is subtle enough on a warm toned complexion, such as yours Christine, to make your eye look quite interesting.

Arpita Avatar

Not much impressed. Very dupable shades; and they dont seem to have good pigmentation( though i think the shimmery shades rank better than the matte ones.

Meghan Avatar

I really appreciate your editor’s note as an indigenous aboriginal Canadian! It’s such a shame that MAC went this route… I’m inclined to take my money elsewhere. And it’s particularly insulting/disappointing to say that the collection was only “inspired by festivals” etc.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!