Quo Cosmetics Spring/Summer Collection Review

A few weeks ago I attended Quo’s press event in Toronto for the launch of the spring/summer collection and the brand really went all-out with a large selection of new products! The line-up features fabulous makeup including large palettes, polish, lipstick, blush, foundation, liner and gloss but I narrowed it down to a few items for today’s post.

Along with a collection of single shadows, Quo has released 2 True Hue Refillable Eye Shadow Palettes designed to take your makeup from neutral to bold. The nude palette called - Romance Novel features warm undertones that are perfect for soft, daytime looks. It has a great balance of shimmery gold, silver and taupe matched with matte brown, cream and mauve-beige. These universal tones highlight the brow bones, accentuate the lids, and sculpt the crease to create beautiful neutral effects with luminous shimmer accents.

The cool palette called Simple Pleasures is designed for bold looks and features: lilac, deep purple, silver, cranberry shimmer, taupe and navy. The darker hues add depth, shape and dimension to create a nice contrast against the lighter shadows. I like pairing the purples together for spring and using the navy to define or create a smoky effect.

Both these palettes are great quality and although the packaging is quite basic, the large mirror is wonderful for travel and the brushes are good quality! I like the selection of sheer shimmer finishes and creamy mattes and they all have a soft, silky texture that is easy to blend. The matte hues do have stronger pigmentation for a vivid, full coverage finish but the shimmers can be layered to enhance color. Application and color pay-off is best over primer but they hold up all day without fading or creasing. The palettes retail for $24.00 each.

The Color Lust Lipsticks are available in 6 trendy hues etched with a pretty design and the texture is light and creamy for effortless glide and quick application. The lush formula drenches lips in layers of color and moisture with just a hint of glistening shine. For the most part the pigmentation is sheer to medium but the red offers fuller coverage and more vibrancy. There is a gorgeous shade for every complexion but my personal fave is Sinbad- a beautiful purple/pink berry hue. The lipsticks retail for $14.00 ea.

The Glow Blush Sticks are available in 3 soft shades but for the season this pretty petal pink is the way to go! You can simply apply the color directly from the tube and blend with a finger or brush. The smooth texture glides on creamy but transforms into a powder for a seamless flush and the color can be enhanced from sheer to bold with a matte finish to prevent transfer. The blush retails for $15.00.

The Color Overload Lip Gloss ($12.00) delivers bright juicy pigment with a plush, high shine finish. Although I wouldn’t classify them as “intense,” the coverage does offer a bit more color than the average sheer gloss and the formula is non-sticky and nourishing. I have the shade Fashion Perk which is a flattering berry hue (top color in the photo below). If you prefer intense, high-impact color then the Lip Velour Liquid Lipsticks may be more your style! These babies are highly pigmented and provide full coverage, amazing color in just one layer! They remind me of a cross between the popular NYX Lip creams and Stila’s coveted Liquid Lipsticks because they start off lush and smooth but dry completely matte. Although they don’t provide a ton of hydration they do retain a bit of moisture so lips don’t feel too parched. You can pick up the Velours for $12.00 each.

No collection is complete without a contour palette so Quo came out with 2 new color sets -Light and Medium. The kit comes with 3 pigments: highlight - (for below the brows, cheek bones, nose and Cupid’s bow), Bronze - (for the cheeks, nose and chin) and Contour - (to be placed under the cheeks, jawline and nose). I like the soft little brush but the shades didn’t quite work for my skin tone. The color pay-off is quite sheer (but buildable) and although it provides light definition I wish the pigments were a bit deeper. The kit retails for $23.00.

The new Brow Kit ($18.00) includes powders, applicator and gel. The brow color is a loose pigment which may seem like a messy concept but I think it’s a good idea. I usually find loose pigments more saturated than pressed powders and these have great color pay-off to get right in-between hairs and efficiently fill in all the sparse areas. I do think it odd that the two colors are so different, the top shade is quite light and the bottom is dark so you can only really use one or the other. I was hoping the deep brown worked for me but it was a bit too ashy.

The Lip Cocktails appear bold and vibrant but apply very sheer with just a hint of color. Although they resemble lipsticks they are actually tinted balms, formulated with butters and sunflower seed oil to nourish, moisturize and lightly illuminate. The translucent flush is very soft and the sweet scent smells like vanilla! They retail for $11.00 ea.

Last but not least is the Mini Lip Gloss Set which comes with an array of 6 neutral shades. There are 2 shimmery hues, 2 nudes and 2 deep berry/mauve colors which I tend to use most often. For a gloss junkie this collection makes a great gift and the formula provides soft, hydrating, subtle color that is simple yet plush. These minis slip into any purse, pocket or small clutch and the set retails for $18.00.

Quo Cosmetics is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart