UPDATE: The palette is back as part of the 2013 Holiday collection from Quo. Go now!
UPDATE #2: This palette is back in the 2014 Holiday collection too, plus a new Back to Basics Matte. Excited?
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Not too long after I posted about Quo Back to Basics palette, I went out and bought it, couldn't resist. Thought you guys want to know how close it is to Urban Decay Naked palette, so let's get to it.
Here they are, Naked on the top and Back to Basics on the bottom. First glance, they are very close except for Toasted (fourth shade in from the right) looking a little lighter than the shade from Quo. Pics were taken at night, so some shades might look a little different under flash. Read on for swatches.
First row, from L-R: Urban Decay Virgin, Sin, Naked and Sidecar.
Second row are the shades at the exact same position in the palette, in the exact same order.
I don't know about you but I can't tell them apart. Even though I know that Quo makes good eyeshadows but I am still shocked to see how smooth these applied and how similar they are to their Naked counterparts.
I wish Quo named the eyeshadows like UD did, to make it easier for me to identify a particular shade, but that's not that important.
First row: Urban Decay Buck, Half Baked, Smog and Darkhorse.
Second row: ones from Back to Basics.
As you can tell, Buck is a little darker than its Quo friend when swatched (not very different in the pans), its pigmentation is also a tiny bit better. The Quo colour did take an extra swipe of the brush to get the same colour payoff as Buck.
The rest? Again, can't tell the difference with naked eyes (pun intended). OMG! I got so giddy while swatching, I couldn't stop smiling. I love Quo!
First row: Urban Decay Toasted, Hustle, Creep and Gunmetal.
Second row: Quo.
As suspected, Toasted swatched as a darker bronze while the Quo shade showed up as a lighter bronze. The other three follow most of the pairs compared above: dupes head on! In fact, I think the Quo shade that is paired with Gunmetal might actually more pigmented.
Logistic:
- Urban Decay Naked palette is CAD60 on Sephora (12 x 0.05oz/ 1.3g), comes to $3.85 per gram. It comes with a mirrored case, a 24/7 liner or a brush) and a mini size of Primer Potion (which does add to the value of the palette). All house in a clear plastic case.
- Quo Back to Basics is CAD25 at Shoppers (12 x 1g), works out to be $2.08 per gram. also comes with a mirror inside and an eyeshadow brush. No primer, and no plastic case but it has a clear plastic film placed on top of the eyeshadows, taped down on three sides. This will help avoid testing/ contamination, which is always a plus.
So, unless you are smitten with Toasted or the Primer Potion, or already own Naked, I would say Back to Basics is the way to go. Note that the palette is Limited Edition, as part of the holiday collection which is scheduled to be out in November. If you see an empty display already at Shoppers, it just means that the collection (or certain products) have not arrived yet, not sold out, so don't panic :)
I saw this on Friday while I was in Shoppers refilling a prescription, and did a double take. It's the exact Naked palette! There was only one Back to Basics left, so I snatched it up. As far as I can tell, they're selling like hotcakes because that display was brand new and had already been picked over thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteI've used them every single day since then - did a really nice neutral smokey eye on Saturday and have been experimenting with more "natural" looks to wear to work this week. I'm so impressed with how rich the colours are! I actually like the way the Toasted equivalent lightened up a bit, I've used it in ways I probably wouldn't have used UD's Toasted.
I also was surprised at how pigmented the Gunmetal equivalent is - I actually botched a look yesterday and had to start over, because I hadn't used it yet, and it turned out to offer *too* much colour for what I was intending - that doesn't happen very often!
I'm on the same boat, only started wearing more neutrals since I bought it. I'm glad you enjoy it :)
DeleteThis is crazy! I had no idea that Quo came out with their own 'Naked' palette. I'm definitely gonna tell my friends about this budget friendly alternative :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kelly. We definitely save some $ here
DeleteEeee, I need it! Thanks for the comparison!
ReplyDeleteNo problem at all :)
Delete:O WOW!!! and virgin even looks nicer too!! This is absolutely amazing, and what a price difference too. Going to have to look out for this!
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing the Virgin equivalent a lot as inner colour. It's awesome!
DeleteTotally identical by the looks of the swatches. Whoa.. I'd definitely buy this if I didn't have the Naked palette already.
ReplyDeleteFor the purpose of blogging lol
DeleteGreat dupe. I'll be looking for this for a giveaway or something (I already have the Naked) but this is so awesome I don't think I can pass on it.
ReplyDeleteI did think about a giveaway possibility too :)
DeleteThanks for the review! Your comparison is much appreciated! I love that it's CANADIAN!! 8D
ReplyDeleteYay for Canadians :) And thanks for reading
DeleteI am so happy that you did the swatches. They are practically a perfect match! Yay Quo!
ReplyDeleteI had you in mind, my friend :)
Deletehow can i get this in the US!??! help! thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteRachel, Quo is only available in store in Canada, so you'll have to resorce to a friend who lives here. I can help you, but shipping from here won't be as cheap, just a heads up
DeleteWow, what a great find, it looks like an absolutely amazing dupe! I don't really care for these Naked palettes because I personally there are many many great similar palettes out there at a fraction of the price, and this seems to be a great alternative!
ReplyDeleteI hope you check it out next time you're in store. It is a good one :)
DeleteI was at Shoppers and grabbed one. I already have the Naked palette LOL but YAH like you said 'for blogging purposes'I decided to get one! It was to good to pass up. Thanks for the Heads up!
ReplyDeleteYay you got one :) And no problem at all
DeleteThanks for reviewing Quo! Since it's only available in Canada it's so hard to find reviews of their products. I do own a couple of Quo palettes and I find there's a lot of fallout with the more glittery shades, but I will definitely have to swatch this Back to Basics one in the store.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Quo's quality varies, so there's a bit of risk involving :)
DeleteSuch a great dupe for UD's naked palette. Now you got me want to run out to my Shoppers and see if they have any in stock.
ReplyDeleteJust found your awesome blog and I'm your newest follower :)
http://mui28.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for the support. Keep checking back if the store doesn't have it yet
DeleteFollowing your post, I had to pick it up when I saw it at Pharmaprix (Quebec's Shopper's Drug Mart). Crazy how much of a dupe this is... Like a really real dupe lol
ReplyDeleteLol I'm glad you picked one up
DeleteLove your blog and love that it is a Canadian product. I own the naked already but feel I must pick up the Quo one too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support. Maybe getting one as gift? :)
DeleteDid you swatch these on primer? I bought the palette and the pigmentation is not anything close to what your swatches are showing up to be..in fact I bought the exact same QUO back to basics palette as you and I'd say the pigmentation is actually quite poor...I'm confused. help!
ReplyDeleteLike I mentioned in the post, I did not use primer but did swatch with a damp brush. I did not swatch them dry as I don't wear my eyeshadows dry anyway. But to be fair, I swatch both palettes the exact same way, and any Quo shades that did not have the same pigmentation as Naked were noted as well. Hope this helps
DeleteI kind of want to get it as a back up for naked...ahh. I don't know if I should....$25!! such a good deal
ReplyDeleteHard to resist :)
DeleteWOW! This Palette Is Beautiful! The colors are SOOO AMAZING! I wish I could get my hands on it! I dont know Anyone In Canada! I used to have Family there, but they Moved. I Live in MI, Not far... I Dont own the NAKED Palette & have been looking for A DUPE Alternative! I bought the Profusion one! But its NO WHERE AS Beautiful As this Palette! Great Review! Thnx XOXO <3 Barbie <3
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I don't know if they are even still around as most displays I saw didn't have it anymore. If you want, I can try and hunt one down, but I'm away until near the end of the year :(
DeleteBarbara - I love to do a RAOK at Christmas and found one at my local Shoppers last night. If you feel comfortable sending me your address I will mail you one as a gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for thinking of me, but considering I already own one, I'd be too selfish to get another from you (and I did manage to find another one for my sis). Many girls out there will kill for it though, so maybe you can gift it to someone who loves makeup. Very sweet of you to offer
DeleteAWWWWWWWWWWW Love the beauty community!!! <3
DeleteWow, great review thanks. I actually had no idea because I own nothing UD. I picked it up at Shoppers after hearing people talk about dupe. Then I saw your post and am blown away!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got a chance to grab it, and thanks for the sweet compliment :)
DeleteI bought the back to basic palette a few weeks ago! I kept looking at it and wanted it and your swatches helped me to convince myself to just get it =P
ReplyDeleteAwesome that you can still find it, I'm glad :)
DeleteDoes anyone happen to know if the quo palette is still being sold?
ReplyDeleteNo, unfortunately. It was a LE item
DeleteIt is back for holiday season ! :D they only changed the packaging a little, it is still made of heavy cardboard but the design has been changed a bit.
DeleteI was so sad that i missed this palette last year, since i heard so much great things about it.. I work in shoppers drug mart in the cosmetic section (loooooove my job :D) but the palette sold out really fast before i could afford to buy it.. i'm so happy to announce that the Back to basics palette is back for this 2013 holiday season :D We received it yesterday and i can't wait to buy it !
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Joanie for letting us know. Many readers will be hunting for it now
Deletei work at shoppers and they have it out again ! i bought mine yesterday !its not too late to get one.
DeleteI picked up a backup too. It's a shame that there are only a few palettes on the display
DeleteI hadn't heard of this palette before today. I'll have to check the Shoppers around here & see if I can pick one up. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteAnd... I bought it this morning, lol! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you and your speed lol. It is a good score but not many people talked about Quo, which was why you never heard of it :)
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