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Friday, September 24, 2010

NARS: Old Zulu versus New Zulu

You know... I don't know if I've ever reviewed Zulu all by itself! I suppose that will have to wait until I'm done with this post!

As you all may know by now, NARS has listened to all of us begging them to bring back the beloved green polish and has re-released Zulu along with a few others that were discontinued around the same time (like Mash and Midnight Express).

My first thought when I heard that was "WOOHOO!", but my second thought was "Oh no, I hope it's still the same."

So, I grabbed my original bottle of Zulu and compared:

With flash
Left: Original Zulu, three coats
Right: New Zulu, three coats


Different angle. You can see a bit of a difference in the bottle color.



Left: New Zulu
Right: Old Zulu



Flash shows a slight shade difference.
Left: New Zulu
Right: Old Zulu

The question is, "are they different?" Yes and no. For one, the new version has received a formula update and is more opaque and less streaky than the original. But, color-wise, I detect a small deviation from the original color. It's most apparent on the first coat, but the original is a more saturated color and has a touch more blue. You can see in the bottles that the original looks slightly richer and more jelly-like. The new one isn't quite as jelly-like or as rich of a green.

Is it totally different? No. They're nearly spot on with only minor differences. And, unless you're like me and can see the difference between nail polishes that seem identical to 'normal' people, you probably won't even notice a difference. Especially not at three coats.

And just for fun, here's a really old picture of me wearing the original Zulu, two coats I believe:

You can really see the rich green base color here. At three coats it's near-black, which I love, but at two it's quite green. And yes, a bit streaky, but if you're careful and don't rush (like me, I rush, patience? What's that?) you can get a smooth even coat each time.


Very happy to see one of my favorite colors of all time return. I know everyone's been looking forward to this, myself included. And it still amazes me how almost no company has been able to duplicate this color. I've seen two that are close, but one is already discontinued and very hard to find. I supposed that's irrelevant now that it's actually back!

(The new Zulu was sent to me for review.)
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2010 at 11:36 AM

    Thanks for comparing the two versions of NARS Zulu, Scrangie! I'm going to try to get my hands on the new one when it drops since I missed out the first time around. Even though they're not identical, they're both beautiful. :)

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  2. TaffySeptember 24, 2010 at 11:50 AM

    I do want Zulu! Any chance that you'll be reviewing the other Nars re-realeases?

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  3. Hook Prism PowerSeptember 24, 2010 at 11:53 AM

    Its such a beautiful color either ways! The diffrence is very slight but you can absolutely tell. I like the finish too.

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  4. UnknownSeptember 24, 2010 at 12:13 PM

    They look pretty much the same, if you ask me...
    XOXO
    Catanya

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  5. JQSeptember 24, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    That's a gorgeous deep green. I don't think I could tell the difference like you. I'd be thrilled to own a bottle of the new release! :) Thanks for the comparison. <3

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  6. switchSeptember 24, 2010 at 1:03 PM

    Hi Scrangie! Thanks for the helpful comparison :) I think I actually like the newer version because it has less blue (and that works for my skintone.) Either way they look really close so it's not much of a difference!

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  7. Aurora's NailsSeptember 24, 2010 at 2:19 PM

    I was wondering if they would be the same or not...thanks for clearing it up! :)

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  8. UnknownSeptember 24, 2010 at 5:11 PM

    I want ZULU old or new, I dont care, I just want it!

    Thanks for posting this differences :)

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  9. AmandaSeptember 24, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    Any chance you're going to review the rest of the collection? I'm hunting for a comparable shade for King Kong that's a little cheaper - any suggestions? Thanks for your reviews :)

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  10. ashuraSeptember 25, 2010 at 5:33 AM

    I remember you old Zulu pics! I remember I really wanted to try the color because of the jelly like texture. Must test it out when I go overseas this winter. We don't have Nars in Singapore here!

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  11. UnknownSeptember 25, 2010 at 8:30 AM

    Is their a maroon equivalent to nars zulu? not even necessarily by nars, but a dark maroon jelly?

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  12. tasha~September 25, 2010 at 10:33 AM

    They are pretty much identical! Go NARS for listening to us!

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  13. paintedladyfingersSeptember 25, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    Thanks so much for doing the comparison. I feel it's close enough to warrant a purchase. Looks like the forest in moonlight. Love it! <3

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  14. Libby's Pink VanitySeptember 26, 2010 at 3:45 AM

    The vamp-est of vamps. For me, one would do it.

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    Zulu will be mine! I have to admit that I am a bit more excited for Mash :).

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  16. LucySeptember 28, 2010 at 11:03 PM

    I'm definitely going to be buying this one. I guess in person I could tell the difference. It is one beautiful polish.

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  17. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Whoaaaa so pretty
    i had a similar polish on today, it was sinful color's Last Chance. A very dark green jelly :)
    Possible dupe? Not sure :O

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