Quo 2016 Holiday Collection: True Artist Lip & Cheek Palette Review

Quo has so many gift sets to choose from it can be difficult to pick favorites. Today I’m featuring another rather large palette from the holiday collection which includes eye shadow, lip color, bronzer, highlighter and blush.

If you like neutral tones, the True Artist Palette has a lot of them! There are 24 shades ranging from taupe, gold, brown, silver and cream plus a few greys, blue and black for contrast. I also like that the outside of the palette has sticker swatches displaying all the colors.

The texture of the shadow is smooth and slightly creamy but the pigmentation varies throughout. Some of the rich browns, nude tones and bright baby blue apply medium coverage and can be enhanced while a few others are sheer with very little color. There are some flattering shimmers, rich crease contours, mild transition hues and nice highlights but you may have to layer heavier to achieve maximum intensity and I highly recommend a good primer to prolong wear.

For everyday use, the shadows provide soft day looks and you can deepen things up with the smoky shades. The top row has too many white tones for my taste and there is also a lot of beige. I would have liked more color variation and pigmentation but I am still able to create some nice effects. I wouldn’t really classify this as an “artist palette” because the formula isn’t quite there but for beginners and those who prefer simple looks it gets the job done.  

The lip glosses are my favorite thing about the palette. There are 3 nude shades and 3 berry-red tints that are quite flattering. The deeper tones are light, sheer and moisturizing with a bright pop of color and you can amp-up the pigmentation a little for more saturation. The nude hues are also quite nice with gold, clear and pink undertones that add luminous shine. The only downside to having lip gloss in a large palette is that you can’t reapply on-the-go.  

The last row consists of blush, bronzer and a highlight but overall they didn’t have the color pay-off I hoped for. The last blush applies quite light even though it looks deeper and the browns are too sheer for contouring so I use them as eye shadow.

This palette retails for $45.00 exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart and although not every pigment is a winner, there are definitely some pretty hues. If you are looking for a multi-purpose palette from this collection I’d go with the Color Wonderland set which you can read about HERE.  

Quo 2016 Holiday Collection: Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe and Cosmetics Pull-Crackers!

It's November! Which means its time to get an early start on your Christmas shopping and this year Quo has a beautiful array of gifts to make gift giving easy. Since the holiday collection is very extensive, I will be showcasing a few sets over the next several weeks to help you choose the perfect items for friends and family.

There is something traditional and exciting about seeing a pull-cracker sticking out of your stocking on Christmas morning and the simple joy of popping it open to reveal the surprise brings out the kid in all of us. The Hidden treasures Cosmetics Crackers come three per box for $18.00 (just $6 per gift!). Each cute little package contains an eye shadow duo and mini lip gloss.

The eye shadow compacts include a light shade paired with a deeper hue and both have sheer, subtle finishes. With a good primer I was able to achieve coverage bordering on medium saturation but the effect can be soft and pretty when applied well. The pigments aren't rich or intense but they are usable for quick looks and the texture is light and smooth. 

The other crackers include deep brown and champagne + brown and cream duos. Without some sort of base or primer for adhesion, the colors are susceptible to transfer or fading and heavier layering may be required. 

The glosses are simple, sheer and neutral which anyone can wear. I would have liked a bit more color for the season but for shine and moisture they work. The great thing about these cute pull-crackers is that you can add a few more goodies to them before gifting and I think there is just enough space for a couple small makeup items and a candy treat!

For the lipstick lovers on your list, the Luxury Lipstick Wardrobe includes 4 matte shades ranging from nude, soft pink, plum and bright red. The packaging is very elegant and the color pay-off varies from sheer, medium and full coverage with the bright red and plum appearing most vivid.

The lightweight, creamy formula enriched with mango butter is smooth and conditioning for supple comfort and no feathering. Although I may not get much wear from the sheer nude, the shades are quite pretty and using a lipstick primer helps minimize transfer. This set retails for $30.00.

The Quo Holiday Collection is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart