Have you ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram, deeply mesmerized by beauty influencers showcasing the latest high-end makeup products, and thought, “Could I ever afford those?” I know I have. It seems like every time I consider splurging on that glittering palette or a luxurious lipstick, my wallet lets out a faint, desperate cry for mercy. So, what’s a makeup enthusiast to do? Well, that’s where makeup dupes come to the rescue. These affordable alternatives can give you a similar look without making your bank account shudder in fear.
What Exactly Are Makeup Dupes?
Before we break it down, let’s clear up what makeup dupes actually are. A “dupe” is short for duplicate. In the makeup world, this means finding a cheaper alternative to a high-end product that offers similar results. Makeup dupes are often praised for their ability to mimic expensive brands in everything from pigmentation to finish. And trust me, stumbling upon a good dupe feels like you’ve found a hidden treasure.
Why Listen to Influencers?
You might be wondering, why should I listen to influencers for dupe recommendations? Why not rely on friends or randomly pick items in the drugstore? Influencers spend countless hours testing, reviewing, and comparing products as part of their content creation. Many of them are also sent products by brands for the sole purpose of reviewing them. Hence, their opinions tend to be well-informed and based on extensive trial and error.
Foundation Dupes
Foundation is the base of any makeup look, and finding the right one can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. High-end foundations often promise long-lasting wear, flawless finish, and superb coverage—qualities that drugstore products are now matching more and more. Here are some dupes that influencers are swearing by:
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation vs. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation has long been hailed as a holy grail product. It provides full coverage and is very long-wearing, making it a favorite for those looking for a perfect complexion that lasts all day. However, it comes with a hefty price tag.
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is often recommended as an excellent dupe. Available at a fraction of the cost, this drugstore option offers similar coverage and longevity, making it a favorite among budget-conscious beauty lovers.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Estee Lauder Double Wear | $45-$50 | Full coverage, long-lasting, semi-matte finish |
| L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte | $12-$15 | Medium to full coverage, long-lasting, matte finish |
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation vs. L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
Another fan-favorite high-end foundation is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It offers a natural, dewy finish that gives the skin a healthy glow.
Enter L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup, an equally radiant dupe that offers comparable luminosity and buildable coverage. It’s a wonderful way to get that red carpet-worthy glow without the designer price tag.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk | $65-$70 | Lightweight, dewy finish, buildable coverage |
| L’Oreal True Match Lumi | $10-$12 | Dewy finish, buildable coverage, less expensive |
Concealer Dupes
No makeup look is complete without a good concealer to hide those dark circles and blemishes. High-end concealers often come with the promise of flawless coverage and a non-cakey finish, but some drugstore alternatives are surprisingly similar.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer vs. Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer has almost a cult following at this point. It offers thick, full coverage and lasts through the day. However, its price can stop some people in their tracks.
For a much less traumatic impact on your budget, try the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer. Many influencers have pointed out that it delivers similar thick and full coverage that doesn’t cake up or settle into fine lines, for a fraction of the cost.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Tarte Shape Tape | $25-$27 | Full coverage, long-lasting, thick formula |
| Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define | $7-$9 | Full coverage, long-lasting, thick formula |
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer vs. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
Another beloved concealer is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, praised for its creamy texture and radiant finish. Unfortunately, it’s not exactly cheap.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is a fantastic dupe that many swear by. It provides a similarly creamy texture and a radiant finish, making it an excellent budget-friendly alternative.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| NARS Radiant Creamy | $30-$32 | Creamy texture, radiant finish |
| Maybelline Fit Me | $7-$9 | Creamy texture, radiant finish |
Eyeshadow Palette Dupes
Eyeshadow palettes are often the focal point of a makeup collection, and high-end brands offer stunning arrays of shades that are hard to resist. Luckily, many drugstore brands have upped their game and now produce equally stunning palettes.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette vs. Wet n Wild Rosé in the Air Palette
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette is famed for its beautiful, warm-toned shades and highly pigmented formulas. It’s a go-to for creating rich, romantic eye looks but can be quite pricey.
Wet n Wild Rosé in the Air Palette is a well-loved dupe. The shade range and pigmentation are remarkably similar, making it an affordable choice for those who dream of creating Modern Renaissance-inspired looks without breaking the bank.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| ABH Modern Renaissance | $42-$45 | Warm tones, high pigmentation |
| Wet n Wild Rosé in the Air | $5-$7 | Similar shades, high pigmentation |
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette vs. ColourPop Double Entendre Palette
The Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette has captivated many with its exotic and vibrant colors. It offers a mix of jewel tones and everyday shades, making it versatile but not light on the wallet.
The ColourPop Double Entendre Palette is often recommended as a dupe for the everyday shades in Desert Dusk. While it might not capture every unique color, it offers an excellent range of versatile shades at a fraction of the cost.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Huda Beauty Desert Dusk | $65-$70 | Exotic, vibrant colors |
| ColourPop Double Entendre | $12-$14 | Versatile everyday shades |
Lipstick Dupes
Lipsticks are the small indulgences that can make or break a look. High-end brands often offer luxurious formulas, but there are several drugstore alternatives that influencers highly recommend.
MAC Velvet Teddy vs. Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Daringly Nude
MAC Velvet Teddy is an iconic shade that’s loved for its universally flattering nude tone and creamy matte formula. However, it’s not the most wallet-friendly option.
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Daringly Nude is a known dupe. It provides a similar nude shade with a creamy matte finish, making it a budget-friendly alternative to the beloved MAC product.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| MAC Velvet Teddy | $19-$21 | Universally flattering nude, creamy matte |
| Maybelline Creamy Matte in Daringly Nude | $7-$9 | Similar shade, creamy matte finish |
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk vs. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte in Pick Me Up
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk is perhaps one of the most lusted-after lipsticks, known for its flattering, natural pink hue and luxurious feel.
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte in Pick Me Up offers a comparable natural pink shade and a comfortable matte finish, at a fraction of the price. This dupe has gained many fans for its color and formula similarity.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk | $34-$36 | Natural pink, luxurious formula |
| Revlon Super Lustrous in Pick Me Up | $6-$8 | Comparable pink shade, comfortable matte finish |
Mascara Dupes
Mascara is the magic wand of the makeup world, capable of transforming your look with just a few swipes. Luckily, not all magic needs to come with a high price.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara vs. L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is widely praised for its ability to volumize, lengthen, and curl lashes to dramatic effect. But at over $20 a tube, it can be a bit of a splurge.
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is frequently touted as a dupe. It delivers similar volumizing and lengthening power, creating lush lashes that mirror the effect of the high-end counterpart.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Too Faced Better Than Sex | $24-$26 | Extreme volume, lengthening |
| L’Oreal Lash Paradise | $11-$13 | Similar volume and lengthening |
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Benefit They’re Real! Mascara is another favorite for its lengthening and volumizing properties, yielding a false-lash effect without the hassle of applying actual false lashes.
Meanwhile, Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara competes well as a dupes. It offers impressive length and volume, providing a similar false-lash look at a significantly lower cost.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit They’re Real! | $26-$28 | Lengthening, volumizing |
| Maybelline Lash Sensational | $8-$10 | Similar lengthening and volumizing |
Highlighter Dupes
Who doesn’t love a good glow? Highlighters are all about adding that beautiful luminosity, and often the high-end ones deliver stunning results. Fortunately, there are budget-friendly options that can match up.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop vs. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop is a favorite among many for its stunning, universally flattering glow. It’s a high-end highlighter that has been raved about for years.
Its dupe, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals, offers a similar champagne glow that’s lightweight and buildable. Plus, it won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Becca Champagne Pop | $38-$40 | Stunning champagne glow |
| Wet n Wild Precious Petals | $5-$7 | Similar glow, buildable |
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife vs. Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Dayglow
Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife is all about that striking, golden glow. It’s bold, beautiful, and incredibly luxurious.
Milani Strobelight Instant Glow Powder in Dayglow offers a comparable luminous effect. While it may not capture the exact gold intensity of Trophy Wife, it provides a high-impact glow that is still gorgeous.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fenty Killawatt Trophy Wife | $36-$40 | Bold gold highlight |
| Milani Strobelight Dayglow | $8-$10 | Luminous alternative |
Setting Spray Dupes
Setting sprays can be the finishing touch that locks in your masterpiece, making sure it lasts through the day or night. While some high-end formulas are tried and true, there are good drugstore alternatives too.
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray vs. NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray
Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray is famed for its long-lasting hold and ability to keep makeup looking fresh for hours. It’s become a staple for many who want their makeup to last through any adversity.
NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray often comes up as a dupe, especially their “Matte Finish” and “Dewy Finish” versions. These give a similar staying power without the high price tag.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Decay All Nighter | $33-$35 | Long-lasting hold |
| NYX Setting Spray | $7-$9 | Similar staying power |
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ vs. e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ is more than just a setting spray; it also hydrates and refreshes your skin, making it a multi-use product that many love.
e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set is a great dupe. It hydrates, refreshes, and primes, much like the MAC version, giving you multiple benefits at a much lower cost.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| MAC Fix+ | $27-$30 | Hydrates, refreshes, primes |
| e.l.f. Mist & Set | $4-$6 | Similar benefits |
Blush Dupes
Don’t overlook the power of a good blush to breathe life into your complexion. High-end blushes can offer stunning colors and beautiful finishes, but their affordable dupes are just as impressive.
NARS Orgasm Blush vs. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
NARS Orgasm Blush is legendary for its peachy-pink shade with a subtle golden shimmer that flatters a wide range of skin tones.
Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso is a frequently cited dupe. It offers a gorgeous peachy-pink shade with a beautiful shimmer, delivering a similar radiance.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| NARS Orgasm | $30-$32 | Peachy-pink with golden shimmer |
| Milani Luminoso | $9-$11 | Similar shade and finish |
Benefit GALifornia Blush vs. Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Apri-Cot in the Middle
Benefit GALifornia Blush is known for its sun-kissed coral shade and smooth application. It’s like a touch of California sunshine in a compact.
Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Apri-Cot in the Middle offers a similar warm, coral hue with a hint of shimmer, making it a cheerful and budget-friendly dupe.
| Product | Price Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit GALifornia | $30-$32 | Sun-kissed coral shade |
| Wet n Wild Apri-Cot | $2-$4 | Similar warm hue |