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12 Drugstore Dupes for Expensive Makeup
Have you ever wanted to buy a certain makeup product but chose not to because of its price? Fret no more because drugstores offer a variety of affordable alternatives to the luxury makeup products we desire.
Although expensive cosmetics and makeup dupes are not entirely the same, they both share the same qualities, features, and functions.
However, there is one thing that truly sets them apart from each other – the price. High-end makeup has a hefty price tag, unlike drugstore makeup, which comes at half the price. Such a steal, isn’t it?
Now that there might be an affordable alternative for every cosmetic product you want, why spend a huge amount when you can buy a product with the same quality at a lower price? With no further ado, here are the 12 best drugstore dupes for expensive cosmetic brands.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes to Try
If you could buy drugstore brands that are high-quality, budget-friendly, and guilt-free, would you believe it? Try these best makeup dupes for expensive brands and find out for yourself:
Primer
Luxury: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
After doing your skin care, start your makeup routine by applying a quality makeup primer. One of the brands known for its pure, kind-to-skin, and cruelty-free makeup is Tatcha.
One of the best-selling items from Tatcha is their protective primer that contains silk powder, so it is no surprise that the primer is luxurious.
Dupe: e.l.f.’s Poreless Putty Primer
This primer is an exact dupe of Tatcha the Silk Canvas, as it can also blur imperfections and create a flawless look according to skin tone. The Poreless Primer from e.l.f. also supports the skin’s barrier function, helps to prevent clogged pores and breakouts, and protects the skin from environmental aggressors.
If you want to try a putty primer, you can definitely save money by trying out e.l.f.’s primer.
Foundation
Luxury: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk
The first silicon and oil hybrid foundation, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk serves as a primer and foundation in one. It can provide medium to full coverage, so it can perfectly hide imperfections.
The Luminous Silk has an extensive 40-shade spectrum that makes it ideal for people with dry skin, giving a beautiful complexion and a radiant shine.
Dupe: L’Oreal True Match Lumi
The L’Oreal True Match Lumi is one of the best drugstore foundation dupes for Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, as it also provides a luminous glow that is perfect for every skin tone.
Despite its dewy finish, people with oily skin can still benefit from this foundation as it controls oil buildup.
Concealer
Luxury: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Enriched with hydrating, multi-action skincare benefits and light diffusing technology, the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is one of the best-selling concealers around the globe because of its creamy formula.
Coveted by makeup artists and non-artists alike, this concealer is often used for highlighting and contouring.
Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer
The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is known as a dupe for NARS Radiant Concealer.
To conceal your blemishes and dark circles brought on by sleepless nights, Maybelline’s concealer offers a cheaper option and the same full coverage resembling a luxurious makeup brand.
Eyeshadow Palette
Luxury: Pat McGrath Labs Mothership II Eyeshadow Palette
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership II is one of the cult-favorite eyeshadow palettes. The superfine micronized powder pigments of Pat McGrath Labs are designed to rock smokey eyeshadow for every skin tone.
It balances smokey matte neutrals and brilliant bronze with fiery coppers, pinks, and emerald sparkles in one eyeshadow palette.
Dupe: Wet n Wild Color Icon 32-Pan Eyeshadow Palette
Unleash your inner makeup artist with the Wet n Wild Palette. This drugstore eyeshadow is a perfect dupe of Pat McGrath Labs Mothership II.
You can create sultry, glimmering, or subtle looks that can last for a day with the 32 coveted shades from this palette.
Enjoy cruelty-free, versatile, and fine pigments that can take your look from natural to full-on glam. Furthermore, this is one of the best drugstore makeup dupes you can buy at a reasonable price.
Dupe: Cathy Doll Nude Me Eyeshadow Palette in Nude
The 12 warm neutral shades of this eyeshadow palette closely resemble the Urban Decay Naked Palette. Although Cathy Doll’s version is more powdery, it is worth the buy with its price and shade range.
Blush
Luxury: NARS Orgasm Blush
NARS Orgasm delivers a weightless, natural-looking rush of cheek color in matte, satin, and shimmering finishes. This NARS blush is cruelty-free and has a buildable shade from sheer to bold that delivers a natural wash of color to every skin tone.
Dupe: Milani Baked Blush
One of the best makeup dupes that are similar to NARS blushes is the Milani Baked Blush. Sunbaked on Italian terracotta tiles, this makeup blush gives off a luminous golden peach shade and satin finish that can flatter different skin tones.
With NARS being recognized as one of the holy grail brands, this dupe serves as a saving grace for makeup enthusiasts on a budget.
Eyelash Mascara
Luxury: Too Faced Better Than Sex
Created to give full and defined eyelashes, the Too Faced Better Than Sex is definitely a cult fave among other brands of eyelash mascara.
It features a film-forming polymer that locks curl in place and Acacia Senegal tree extract that sets its volume.
Dupe: L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
If you can’t get your hands on the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara, then the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is for you.
Just like the Too Faced mascara, it adds instant volume and length that lasts up to 24 hours. Its appearance also looks strikingly similar to the luxury brand, with its tube, wavy wand, and soft bristle brush.
Eyebrow Pencil
Luxury: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
One of the best eyebrow brands in the market is Anastasia Beverly Hills. Made to create professional-quality precision, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is an excellent eyebrow pencil for outlining and detailing brows.
Dupe: NYX Professional Makeup Brow Pencil
Since the Anastasia Beverly Hills is too expensive, the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil is its cheaper alternative. This brow pencil is perfect for those with sparse brows as it is easy to apply, long-lasting, and gives off a natural look with its super fine nib.
Bronzer
Luxury: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronze
An award-winning powder bronzer, the Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronze is the perfect natural-looking matte finish bronzer available in the market.
Dupe: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
A bronzer dupe for Benefit Cosmetics, the Murumuru Bronzer by Physicians Formula has established itself as a staple product in many makeup kits. This bronzer has a soft and creamy texture that blends easily onto the skin.
Dupe: L’Oreal Bronze Please Bronzer
Did you know that Bronzed Bondi and Capricoast of Becca Sunlit Bronzer can be recreated using L’Oreal Bronze Please Bronzer in the shade 03 Amalfi?
The L’Oreal Bronze Please Bronzer is perfect for the summer and will surely give you a sunkissed glow.
Lip Gloss
Luxury: Glossier Lip Gloss
The Glossier Gloss is a long-wearing lip product with a glassy finish in every sweep of the wand. It comes in a variety of shades that all give an equally high-shine finish that lasts for a day.
Dupe: NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss
If you’re a fan of Glossier, you can also try the NYX Professional Butter Gloss. This dupe delivers a silky and sheer coverage that leaves your lips supple. It is also recognized by PETA as a cruelty-free brand, so your purchase will surely be guilt-free and worth the price.
NYX truly does live up to the standard, as its lip products are infused with shea butter and other healthy and safe ingredients.
Setting Spray
Luxury: Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray
After the makeup application, you need a quality setting spray to ensure that your makeup will last longer. The All Nighter Spray truly sets the standard for a top-quality setting spray.
Dupe: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray
A much more affordable yet similar drugstore product to the Urban Decay Spray is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray. This spray is a cruelty-free and non-comedogenic facial mist with a formula containing hyaluronic acid and peptides to protect the skin from further damage.
In addition, people with skin concerns can use this product efficiently as it is infused with skin-loving ingredients.
Final Note
The beauty industry is not just for the rich, so don’t limit yourself to thinking that only high-end brands can provide quality products. If you’re still not convinced that there are quality makeup dupes, visit your local drugstore and see for yourself.
If you’re an aspiring makeup artist or simply a beauty enthusiast like me, do not be afraid to explore and shake up your makeup routine with dupes that suit your budget and preference.
