How often do you scour the Internet looking for makeup dupes? If the answer is never, then you’re in luck! 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.
MASCARA
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.
MAKEUP SPONGE
Splurge: BeautyBlender ($20)
Save: Real Techniques Miracle Sponge ($6)
My pick: splurge. I’ve tried numerous sponges but I always keep coming back to the OG, BeautyBlender. It just works perfectly for blending foundation and CC creams.
ILLUMINATOR
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
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
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.
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EYESHADOW
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
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
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
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
Splurge: NARS Orgasm Blush ($30)
Save: NYX Powder Blush in Pinched ($7)