Ever found yourself staring at a price tag on high-end makeup products and feeling an all-too-familiar mix of yearning and resignation? You’re not alone. As a man, if you’re just getting into makeup or already deep in the beauty labyrinth, the cost of products can be staggering. Fear not—there’s a way to look fabulous without emptying your wallet. Let’s talk about the best makeup dupes that can help you achieve that red-carpet look for a fraction of the cost.
Foundation Fundamentals
A solid foundation is, well, foundational. Get it wrong, and no amount of contouring or highlighting will save you. High-end brands like Fenty and Giorgio Armani may offer ethereal canvases, but their dupes from drugstores can be equally game-changing.
High-End vs. Affordable Foundations
| High-End Foundation | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation | L’Oréal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup |
| Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation | Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation |
| NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation | NYX Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation |
The affordable options give you the pigmentation and staying power minus the hefty price. For example, L’Oréal’s True Match Lumi rivals Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk in terms of finish, without making your wallet cry for help.
Conceal Your Way to Perfection
Who among us doesn’t want to cover blemishes or under-eye shadows after a sleepless night of Netflix binges? Concealers are your best friends here. And those big names? Not entirely necessary.
High-End vs. Affordable Concealers
| High-End Concealer | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Tarte Shape Tape | E.L.F. 16HR Camo Concealer |
| NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer | Maybelline Fit Me Concealer |
| IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye | NYX HD Photogenic Concealer |
Some say Tarte Shape Tape is like magic in a tube, but E.L.F.’s 16HR Camo Concealer is its much cheaper and almost equally enchanting sibling. Why pay more when the alternatives work?
Powders and Setting Sprays
Once the base is laid, setting it to last through a busy day is your next mission. High-end powders and setting sprays might assure you of flawless finishes and longevity, but they’re not the only contenders.
High-End vs. Affordable Powders and Setting Sprays
| High-End Powder | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder | Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder |
| MAC Mineralize Skinfinish | Milani Make It Last Setting Powder |
| High-End Setting Spray | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray | NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray |
| MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Spray | E.L.F. Makeup Mist & Set |
Coty Airspun’s Loose Face Powder, for instance, has been a beauty staple for decades and rivals the quality you get from Laura Mercier’s much pricier option. Similarly, NYX’s setting spray offers staying power akin to Urban Decay’s All Nighter.
Brows That Wow
Who knew that brow grooming could become an art form? If you’re looking to define or enhance those brows without splurging, there are some solid dupes out there.
High-End vs. Affordable Brow Products
| High-End Brow Product | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz | NYX Micro Brow Pencil |
| Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ | Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara |
For instance, the NYX Micro Brow Pencil is almost indistinguishable from ABH’s Brow Wiz but comes at a more appealing price. And let’s not forget the dupe for Benefit’s Gimme Brow+: Essence’s Make Me Brow, which performs spectacularly without the steep cost.
Eye-Opening Eyeshadows
When it comes to eyeshadows, the realm is diverse and bursting with creativity. While Urban Decay’s Naked Palette might seem unattainable, there are dupes that’ll let you play with shades without the buyer’s remorse.
High-End vs. Affordable Eyeshadow Palettes
| High-End Eyeshadow Palette | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Urban Decay Naked Palette | L.A. Girl Nudes Eyeshadow Palette |
| Huda Beauty New Nude Eyeshadow Palette | Revolution Pro New Neutral Shadow Palette |
Revolution Pro offers a palette so close to Huda Beauty’s, it’s almost eerie. L.A. Girl shades mimic those of Urban Decay, making bold eye looks more accessible.
Gorgeous Glows with Highlighters and Blush
A good highlighter and blush can make you look radiantly healthy. The market is teeming with pricey options but guess what? You can score amazing glow-inducing products that won’t lead you down the path of financial ruin.
High-End vs. Affordable Highlighters and Blush
| High-End Highlighter | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector | E.L.F. Baked Highlighter |
| Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter | Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder |
| High-End Blush | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| NARS Blush | Milani Baked Blush |
| Benefit Cosmetics Dandelion Blush | E.L.F. Blush |
E.L.F.’s Baked Highlighter can give Becca’s cult-favorite Shimmering Skin Perfector a run for its money. Similarly, Wet n Wild’s MegaGlo operates as a solid alternative to Fenty’s iconic highlighter.
Lips that Speak Volumes
Ah, the final touch: lips. Whether you want a matte or glossy finish, you don’t need to invest heavily for standout results.
High-End vs. Affordable Lip Products
| High-End Lipstick | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| MAC Matte Lipstick | Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick |
| Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution | ColourPop Lippie Stix |
| High-End Lip Gloss | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb | Maybelline Lifter Gloss |
Maybelline’s Color Sensational Creamy Mattes will give you a similar payoff to MAC’s lipsticks at a fraction of the price. And for a glossy finish, why not try Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss instead of the more expensive Fenty option?
Tools of the Trade
A man is only as good as his tools, and makeup brushes or sponges are no exception. While brands like Sigma and BeautyBlender are well-regarded, there are affordable alternatives that can work just as well.
High-End vs. Affordable Makeup Tools
| High-End Tool | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| BeautyBlender | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge |
| Sigma Beauty Brushes | E.L.F. Brushes |
The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge can beautifully replace the iconic BeautyBlender, offering similar functionality without causing financial distress. E.L.F. brushes, too, can handle any makeup task with finesse, standing up to pricer sets like those from Sigma.
Skincare Pre-Makeup
Before the makeup even touches your face, skincare is crucial. Moisturizers, primers, and serums can be costly, but affordable options are available that won’t force you to compromise on quality.
High-End vs. Affordable Skincare Products
| High-End Skincare Product | Affordable Dupe |
|---|---|
| Tatcha The Water Cream | Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel |
| Smashbox Photo Finish Primer | E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer |
| Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment | The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA |
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel works wonders in hydrating your skin, much like Tatcha’s water cream, without the luxurious price tag. E.L.F.’s Poreless Putty Primer is an amazing dupe for the renowned Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.