How often do you scour the Internet looking for makeup dupes? If the answer is never, then you’re in luck! Scroll down for all my favorite dupes!
I’ve compiled 10 tried and true products and their drugstore makeup dupes. Don’t get me wrong though—sometimes the splurge is worth it. In addition to sharing ways you can save, I’m also sharing my personal picks on whether it’s worth it to splurge or save.
SHOP MY FAVORITE MAKEUP DUPES:
Mascara Dupe
Splurge: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23)
Save: L’Oreal Lash Paradise ($8)
My pick: save. Up until I started using Lash Paradise, Too Faced was my go-to, but it’s the exact same brush and it works just as great, if not better than the high-end tube. Too Faced has also been clumpy after a couple months of using. I don’t have that problem with Lash Paradise (but I always replace every 3 months).
Makeup Sponge Dupe
Splurge: BeautyBlender ($20)
Save: Real Techniques Miracle Sponge ($6)
My pick: save. For a long time, I was convinced the BeautyBlender was always the better option but I’ve found the RT sponge works just as well and as long as you take care of it, will last for the full three months. Keep an eye out for Target beauty sales. You can usually get a value pack of sponges so you don’t have to restock as frequently.
Illuminator Dupe
Splurge: NARS Copacabana ($30)
Save: L’Oreal True Match Lumi ($11)
Personally, I would splurge because it’s easier to blend the NARS highlighter. The L’Oreal one is runny and doesn’t last as long. That said, it’s all about preference and what ranks in priority. If you’re not obsessed with highlights like I am, you might find that the drugstore dupe works just fine.
Lipstick Dupe
Splurge: Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Koko K ($19)
Save: ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Midi ($6)
My take: It’s a toss-up. I’ve read numerous articles that ColourPop lipsticks are identical in formula to Kylie lip kits, but on the other hand, Kylie lipsticks come with a matching lip pencil.
Concealer Dupe
Splurge: Tarte Double Duty Shape Tape ($27)
Save: Wet n’ Wild Photo Focus Concealer ($4)
My pick: Splurge. I get long-lasting coverage from Tarte Shape Tape.
Eyeshadow Dupe
Splurge: Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($54)
Save: Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette ($7)
My pick: splurge. The Maybelline palette is clever (the shadows are organized by a combination of duos, trios and quads) but there’s a lot of fallout. The Naked3 Palette price point is steep, but totally worth every penny.
Primer Dupe
Splurge: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($16)
Save: e.l.f. Mineral Face Primer ($5)
My pick: save. I really don’t notice a difference between the Smashbox version and e.l.f.
Foundation Dupe
Splurge: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick ($46)
Save: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Stick ($7)
My pick: save, unless you can’t find a shade that matches your skin tone.
Bronzer Dupe
Splurge: Benefit Hoola ($29)
Save: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer ($15)
My pick: save. I’m obsessed with the drugstore one (smells like paradise) and it works great for contouring.
Blush Dupe
Splurge: NARS Orgasm Blush ($30)
Save: NYX Powder Blush in Pinched ($7)
My pick: splurge. But I’ve been obsessed with this NARS blush for years so I’m a little biased but Orgasm just looks amazing on my skin tone.
You can shop my high-end and drugstore makeup dupes below!
What about you? Do you have a favorite drugstore makeup dupe? Let me know in the comments!
You just saved my life! I had all of my high end makeup stolen from me and needed to replace my makeup somehow! Thank you!!! Thank you!!
OMG! I’m so glad I was able to help!! Thanks for reading.
Hello Beautiful I’m a Chocolate Diva can’t wear those mauve pinks or creamy tans suggestions? lippies and I’m oily too… Thank you ?
Check out Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème, they have a pretty extensive line of deep berry and burgundy lips colors that I think would look beautiful. Also, try Black Opal Finishing Powder. It’s great for oily skin. Thank you for reading & I hope these recs help!
Maybelline blushed nudes is a bad dupe. Its not pigmented at all..
That’s why I said I prefer the UD Naked3 Palette in the post.
I have quite a few drugstore finds (due in large part to my friend, an esthetician who manages the local drug store cosmetics section) but 3 of the best are: 1) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Concealer. After trying so many concealers that were heavy and cakey and dropped into the fine lines around my eyes, this was a real find. It conceals but stays moist and gives great coverage without making me look old. 2) No7 Instant Illusion Wrinkle Filler. Erases many of the tiny lines in the eye area better than Strivectin at a fraction of the cost. Better yet you can dab it on later over makeup without it showing. 3) NYX Color Correcting Concealer. Haven’t used anything else to compare with, but this palette has 6 shades, 5, to correct problems plus 1 shade in a med-deep brown that can work for contour. I do have several eye-shadow palettes that aren’t exactly dupes for high end products but are really great in both performance and price. Sometimes I like to splurge but my budget usually requires me to watch the price, so I’m always on the lookout for quality at a good price
These are some great finds! Thanks so much for sharing, Lauren.
That dupe mascara is one of my current favorites. I remember when it first came out, the tube had sparkles all over it that would get all over my makeup bag. Thankfully they changed that quickly. haha fun fact