Quo Cosmetics 2017 Holiday Collection & Gift Guide

Shoppers Drug Mart is a one-stop-shop for the holiday season because they have a fantastic selection. My Husband (a chronic last minute shopper) used to scramble through the store frantically on Christmas Eve with no clue what he was doing. Luckily for him the expertly crafted makeup gifts were always a big hit and now I do all the shopping.

Quo has released a variety of gift sets to satisfy the beauty junkies on your list and I’ve picked a few favorites that you may want to include.

The Ultimate Color Vault ($65.00) would be my first pick from Santa’s bag this year. This set has everything you need to create a full-face of makeup with flattering colors for all complexions.

It includes: 48 eye shadows, 4 face powders, 4 color correctors, 4 blushes, 4 highlighters, 3 eyebrow powders, 3 eyebrow creams, 6 eyeliners and 12 lip glosses - quite impressive! 

Whether you’re a makeup expert or just starting out, this vault is very functional and makes an awesome gift for those looking to expand their collection. When you first open the shiny black case there are rows and rows of flattering eye shadows (it’s pretty exciting). I always recommend priming the lids to enhance vibrancy and intensity but the pigments have good color payoff and most can go from sheer to full-coverage with a few layers.

The first panel has a lot of neutrals - warm earthy tones and cool greys. You get everything you need to work your magic including shimmery gold, deep crease contours, blending shades and brow highlighters to create beautiful looks that last all day. The shadows apply smooth and vibrant without creasing and there is very little fall-out.

Underneath there are 2 lines of lip gloss with sheer, luminous finishes and a hint of juicy color. I love the berry tones, orchid and bright red but there are also a few soft nudes.

For a night out the second panel is a little more colorful. It contains deep blues, purples and greens. Each row is color coordinated to help you mix and match like a pro and there is a great range of mattes and mild shimmers for textural contrast.

Under this section you will find cream liners in all your basic shades – deep blue, black and grey plus some brow pigments in light, medium and deep.

Shadow swatches

When you slide the panels to the side – BAM! Even more awesomeness! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better your eyes feast upon rows of blush and highlighters in coral, gold and pretty pinks with lilac undertones. These radiant shades brighten and enhance the skin for a healthy flush.

The correctors and face powders are a nice touch but the options are a bit limited. I would have liked an orange pigment for medium to deep skin tones and dark circles or a rich bronzer but for redness and other color discrepancies these may help.

When you open the palette you will notice that there are plastic dividers. Make sure to keep these because they separate the colors and prevent the shadows from getting into the gloss and cream formulas. The only thing missing from the vault is applicators, there are no brushes or sponge tips but it is still a spectacular gift and Quo has some amazing brush sets available.

Another one of my top picks is the Liquid Lipstick Bar ($20.00) not to be confused with the Lip Gloss Bar because these shades are creamy and matte. The formula is excellent - it glides on evenly and coats lips in intense full-coverage color in just one swipe. The mini tubes are perfect for travel and small bags but I would have liked a bit more color variation since there are a lot of neutrals.

Who doesn’t love a good advent calendar?! With the Quo by Orly 12 Days of Colorful Healthy Nails ($40.00) you get a cute surprise each day and a beautiful one-step manicure.

These mini bottles are perfect for travel and no base or top coat is required. Simply apply the polish and get a bonus nail treatment with a nourishing blend of Argan Oil, Vitamin B5 and C. There are a variety of trendy colors and the formulas have a glossy finish.

Skin looking a little drab this winter? The Lip & Cheek Tints ($14.00) will perk-up the complexion with a pop of sheer color and they make great stocking stuffers.

Quo is available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart

Quo Cosmetics Artisan Makeup Brush Set Review

I know it’s kind of my job to keep up with new beauty trends but admittedly I haven’t had much time to check out the circle brushes that have become so popular. Makeup junkies are always finding new ways to buff, stipple and blend but these round brushes (that remind me of classic Victorian hair brushes) are designed to provide a flawless finish and seamless coverage.

Quo’s Holiday Collection at Shoppers Drug Mart this year will include a beautiful 10 piece set of Artisan round brushes for the face, eyes and lips – everything you need to create a complete look. The brushes come in various shapes and sizes and I love how plush, soft and densely packed the bristles are. The quality is fantastic and the flexible handles allow you to manoeuvre around the contours of the face with ease.

The big face brushes for foundation, blush, highlighter and powder are my favorites! The large application surface is ideal for body makeup and they buff in liquid formulas efficiently. I usually apply a few dabs of foundation and blend in a circular motion to diminish streaks and lines. The soft, broad surface evenly distributes creams and gels and fits into the hollows of the face to sculpt your profile.

The box outlines what each brush is designed for but it would have been helpful if that information was printed on the handles. I still find myself opting for my Beauty Blender out of habit but it’s always a good idea to have a few tools on-hand for different tasks and these feel gentle and soft against the skin. You can use them to achieve light, barely-there coverage for a natural effect or heavier camouflaging with a smooth, even finish. The smaller oval brushes are great for layering concealer under the eyes and accessing hard to reach areas.

The smaller brushes are ideal for lipstick application, lining the eyelids, defining the crease to create beautiful eye looks and shaping the nose.

This set is great for professional artists or everyday use and makes a fabulous gift for the makeup lovers on your holiday list. It retails for $79.00 exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.