Nars Cairo Swatches & Comparison to Ashes to Ashes

As you've probably noticed from reading my blog, I am a HUGE fan of Nars Cosmetics (especially their eyeshadows and blushes). I recently acquired a Nars Palette that includes the popular taupe, Nars Ashes to Ashes and realized it is very similar to a Nars shadow I already own, Cairo. As much as I love to collect makeup to use, one thing I really dislike is having duplicates of colors in my stash---it's just a personal preference and helps me limit the amount of makeup I own since I avoid buying the same colors.

And now, Nars Cairo...
Nars Describes it as a "champagne rose with shimmer"

Here's some swatches of the lovely Nars Cairo with some other taupe shadows to compare!


As you can see from the swatches, in comparison to Cairo, thebalm is a much cooler taupe while Mac Satin Taupe is darker and has more plummy undertones.

On my skin, Cairo is a shimmery sand color with a hint of rose. As you can see, Ashes to Ashes is very, very similar. Ashes to Ashes is only slightly darker with a hint more of brown. On my lid you can hardly tell the difference between them, but I do find Ashes to Ashes to be a bit more pigmented.

If you're in the market for a light taupe, Cairo is a very pretty color and I can see it working on lots of skin tones, especially fair tones. However, I will say that I definitely prefer Ashes to Ashes just because I find that it's slightly more pigmented and I do have to layer Cairo a lot to get it to show up on my eyes. I'm planning to sell my Nars Cairo simply because I find it much too similar to Ashes to Ashes to own both. I'd definitely recommend swatching the colors in person to see which one you prefer. The Nars formula is just wonderful--the eyeshadow applies smoothly and blends nicely, so they are certainly worth  checking out in my opinion!

Hope this was helpful for anyone curious about Nars Cairo. Also, does anyone hate the idea of buying dupes of colors you already own or am I just crazy!? :)

Comments

  1. MyrtedOctober 5, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Ooh that's a bummer. The Nars Cairo and ashes to ashes looks really a like! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. JennOctober 5, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    they look so much a like. Great post
    xo Jenn

    imperfection-isbeauty.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sarah S.October 5, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    I am such a weirdo because I have the opposite tendency; I love having dupes! If I find a color I love, I enjoy hunting down the same color in other brands. It's like an illness!
    Awesome post! I can't believe how similar these are.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownOctober 5, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    I'm always amazed by swatch comparison posts and how similar different products can be when you compare them side to side. Great post, very informative and helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. mynewestaddictionOctober 5, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Good to know. What palette did u get? I have been waiting Ashes to Ashes for a long time. Maybe when I
    Done with my no buy!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. AmandaOctober 6, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    @LJ, i got an amazing deal at the saks 5th ave outlet on the nars wild at heart palette a few months ago! it has ashes to ashes, absyinnia, all about eve, and mattle black pandora...and 3 red lippies as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. SharminOctober 8, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Lol you must love that Colour! But it does Look Good so I dont blame yah Lol x
    Sharmin x

    ReplyDelete
  8. KellyOctober 10, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    I hate getting dupes! But I guess it's a great way to realize what types of colors you like!

    ReplyDelete
  9. KatherineOctober 11, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    I've been looking for a very similar taupe color - thank you so much for the review! All the colors look gorgeous honestly...

    ReplyDelete

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