NARS Cordura Duo Eyeshadow (2018) Review & Swatches
Cordura
NARS Cordura Duo Eyeshadow (2018) ($35.00 for 0.08 oz.) contains two warm-toned browns–a mid-tone and a deep brown–that can definitely be used together for a neutral look or used to complement various other shades one already owns. Cordura I was half of a shade lighter and a touch warmer than the previous formulaw; both reformulated shades were softer, less dry, and more blendable.
Look Using this Product
Cordura
PPermanent. $35.00.
Cordura I
Cordura I is a medium brown with warm undertones and faint gold pearl over a matte finish. It had more of a semi-matte to satin effect when applied and blended out on my lid. It had good pigmentation, though it did appear a little faded compared to the pan color, though a second layer intensified it noticeably. The texture was soft, slightly dusty, but blendable and easy to work with. This shade stayed on well for eight hours on me before fading noticeably.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Make Up For Ever S632 Hazelnut (P, $17.00) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Road Movie #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Foxy (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Mystere et Intensite #1 (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Fez (P, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Hot & Cold (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Doctor Love (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #9 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Éclat Énigmatique #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Drip (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.04 oz. - $475.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, high-impact color" that is "lightweight" and has "increased blendability." Like most larger ranges, there are winners and losers, and some of how they perform can be related to the type of finish. The mattes are soft, slightly dusty in the pans (or not at all) with medium to opaque, often buildable, color coverage. The satin and metallics tend to be smoother, more blendable, and more pigmented with less effort; NARS does the these lower shimmer finishes particularly well, which just looks "melted" on the skin as they lay down so smoothly and have a great shine.
Most shades applied better on my lid than swatched on my arm, which has been something seen across NARS' eyeshadows for years and didn't change with the recent update to their powder eyeshadow formula. On average, they lasted between seven and nine hours on me without primer. They did apply well over primer and stayed on well for 14 hours with minimal fading.
Worth noting: the updated formula and packaging resulted in a product decrease from 0.07 oz. per pan to 0.04 oz. The single eyeshadows received a more noticeable price drop (from $24 to $19) but the duo eyeshadows could be priced better (from $36 to $35).
Browse all of our NARS Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
Look Using this Product
Cordura I
PiPPermanent in Palette. $19.00.
Cordura II
Cordura II is a dark, sooty brown with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There was faint, golden pearl strewn throughout, but this looked mostly matte on the lid. It had opaque coverage, but the color looked washed out with one layer, whereas a second layer made it look true-to-pan. The texture was slightly dusty in the pan, but I didn’t have any trouble with application as the eyeshadow applied evenly and blended out easily without fallout. It wore well for eight hours before I saw signs of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics Rott (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Espresso Yourself (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Avant-Premiere #4 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Knock Out (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Milani Brunettes Have Fun (PiP, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- MAC Bewitchin' (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- LORAC Cedar (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Juvia's Place Nubian #12 (P, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- NARS Mojave #2 (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Yule Be Surprised (LE, ) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.04 oz. - $475.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, high-impact color" that is "lightweight" and has "increased blendability." Like most larger ranges, there are winners and losers, and some of how they perform can be related to the type of finish. The mattes are soft, slightly dusty in the pans (or not at all) with medium to opaque, often buildable, color coverage. The satin and metallics tend to be smoother, more blendable, and more pigmented with less effort; NARS does the these lower shimmer finishes particularly well, which just looks "melted" on the skin as they lay down so smoothly and have a great shine.
Most shades applied better on my lid than swatched on my arm, which has been something seen across NARS' eyeshadows for years and didn't change with the recent update to their powder eyeshadow formula. On average, they lasted between seven and nine hours on me without primer. They did apply well over primer and stayed on well for 14 hours with minimal fading.
Worth noting: the updated formula and packaging resulted in a product decrease from 0.07 oz. per pan to 0.04 oz. The single eyeshadows received a more noticeable price drop (from $24 to $19) but the duo eyeshadows could be priced better (from $36 to $35).
Browse all of our NARS Eyeshadow (2018) swatches.
I have the “old” Cordura and I bought it mostly because it was such a popular duo but it’s one I struggle with a bit though I’ve got more and more accustomed to it. I do find the darker side has fallout if I try to swipe/pack on too much at one go but it’s a gorgeous dark brown. I am really glad to see that these new shadows (with their smaller size but also lower price tag) are scoring so well. I just wish Sephora (at least here in Canada) was getting more than the 5 or 6 they’re currently showing on their site.
I’m so glad these are reviewing well so far. This duo is up my warm neutrals alley, but so much so that I’m overstocked in the category and so likely to pass on this set. But I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series now that I’m seeing how they’re doing.
Another delightful duo – although I think this one is a tad redundant as these shades are abound in lots of neutral palettes. But still very pretty and I love your eye look Christine.
I got excited thinking this said “Cordelia.” These are beautiful, but I always feel like the NARS duos don’t ever *quite* work well enough together on my skin tone (NW10).
I know, I know — who will think of the white people. But there’s something about the shade selection where it seems like the light color isn’t quite light enough and/or the dark color isn’t dark enough to truly have a lid/contrast crease effect.