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MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad ($33.00 for 0.19 oz.) includes four shades–two of which are part of the permanent range. The blue is an interesting addition, as it is a very neutral set of shades otherwise. It had good quality overall with nice color payoff and eight-hour wear.

Brule is a light, yellowed beige with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff with a soft, blendable texture that wasn’t too soft or too firm. This shade is part of the permanent range as well. The color lasted for eight hours before fading slightly. Wet 'n' Wild Naked Truth #2 (DC, $2.29) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar). bareMinerals Pacific Sands (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Fenty Beauty Nookie Rookie (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Cream Colored Ponies (LE, $16.00) is lighter (95% similar). Jouer Crème (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Sundeck #1 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). theBalm #24 (P, $6.50) is less shimmery (95% similar). Sephora Lazy Afternoon (207) (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar). Too Faced Queen Bee (LE, $16.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Tarte Sand Out from the Crowd (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar). KVD Beauty Melanie (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour #1 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Smashbox Vanilla (PiP, ) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Winterlude (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop In the Buff (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Suede (PiP, ) is less shimmery (95% similar). Urban Decay Anonymous (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). bareMinerals Natural #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar). Guerlain Electric Look #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). theBalm B1 (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Charcoal Brown is a muted, medium-dark brown with subtle, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had great pigmentation with a smooth, blendable texture that was a smidgen powdery, but it was very easy to use on the lid as it diffused easily. This shade is part of the permanent range. It wore well for eight hours on me. Becca Ombre Nudes #4 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar). MAC Princess of Soul (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Dare (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M630 Sweet Chestnut (DC, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). LORAC Vintage (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Sephora + Pantone Universe Carob Brown (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Viseart Dark Matte #2 (PiP, ) is cooler (90% similar). bareMinerals Namaste (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). LORAC Dark Brown (PiP, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Vanguard (P, $5.25) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Buxom Star Treatment (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). Stila Being (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar). Hourglass Infinity #4 (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Stila Warm Taupe (LE, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar). LORAC Brown (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Clove (LE, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Fix (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Kevyn Aucoin Coco (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty The Lover #7 (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). Laura Mercier Dune (LE, $23.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Wild Horses is a deep, taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff was opaque with a slightly firmer texture that could have been easier to work with and to blend out on the skin. It showed signs of fading after eight hours of wear. Ciate Mecha (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Night Vision (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Black Factor (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Licorice Lane (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Quai des Brumes (Right) (DC, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar). Hourglass Infinity #5 (PiP, )(90% similar). Fenty Beauty Gettin' Toasty (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). MAC Drama in the Snow (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Grunge (DC, $6.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Sad Girl (PiP, $4.50) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Jouer Ash Brown (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Sydney Grace Pecan Pie (LE, $5.25) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Bear Necessities (LE, ) is darker (90% similar). Dior Romantic Voyage #4 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Dior Matte Charcoal (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Flow (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Too Faced Smoked Sea Salt (LE, $16.00) is darker (90% similar). Anastasia Smoke (P, $12.00)(90% similar). MAC First Class (LE, $17.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Lethal Cosmetics Nocturnal (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Blue Mesa is a bright, medium blue with subtle bluish sparkle over a satin finish. It is a “warmer” blue (still officially cool-toned!). The texture was soft, lightly dusty, and thinner, and it was prone to sheering out on the lid as well as applied unevenly. I would use a drier base with this shade, so it can adhere more evenly. This shade started to fade after seven and a half hours of wear. Wet 'n' Wild A Regular at the Factory #2 (DC, $2.29) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Inglot #371 (P, $6.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Blindsided (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Gonzo (DC, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). Viseart Periwinkle (Bright Editorial #8) (P, ) is lighter (85% similar). Chanel Tisse Beverly Hills #3 (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar). ColourPop Zoomship (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Denim Genes (PiP, ) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar). MAC Liquid Sky (LE, $17.00) is cooler (80% similar). MAC Blue Candy (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). MAC Electric Eel (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar). NARS Mad Mad World #1 (DC, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar). 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 Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Brule Eyeshadow
MAC Brule Eyeshadow

MAC Brule Eyeshadow
MAC Brule Eyeshadow

MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow
MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow

MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow
MAC Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow

MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow
MAC Wild Horses Eyeshadow

MAC Blue Mesa Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Mesa Eyeshadow

MAC Blue Mesa Eyeshadow
MAC Blue Mesa Eyeshadow

24 Comments

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Katherine T. Avatar

It’s a pretty color combo, reminds me of deserts and blue skies, but I can dupe, as I already have a similar teal from the MAC Night Sky palette, along with neutrals. But glad this got a good score for those who are interested

Nancy T Avatar

Seems to be a fairly “decent” quad, performance and shade wise, that is. I have Charcoal Brown, shades like Brulé and Wild Horses, so really I only need Electric Eel or Freshwater in a Pro Pan single.
Relieved to see that this is an easy skip! And if I’ve neglected to thank you for your commentary on the controversy around this collection, which in my state of mind initially, I probably just got to caught up in it. Thank you, Christine, for addressing this egregious error on MAC’s part.

Christine Avatar

I think they reduced the cost of their regular pre-made quads slightly, but the price on this one is higher because of the packaging, I think. It’s also possible that the press release (and therefore the pricing listed) was written six months or longer ago.

Claire L Avatar

Did you lose the photo of the eye look? It would’ve been nice to see it but never mind. I love Mesa but the rest of the quad is rather too warm for me, it’d end up looking muddy on me so I’ll give it a miss.

Arpita Avatar

Liked this quad. Quite a different one from the usual.. Mainly bcoz of the blue shade. Wish, the blue wore better on the lid.

BonnieBBon Avatar

It must be freaky week of Friday’s. First the Guerlain now I’m seriously tempted by a pre-made M.A.C. quad that contains a blue shade. I have all kinds of looks I want to try. DOH! I just realized I have a quad from be a bombshell that is almost an exact dupe. No wonder I thought of looks right away lol Time to go deep stash diving :::brandishing squirt bottle of beauty so clean:::

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