10 Popular Drugstore Dupes For High End Products
My dearest, fellow beauty aficionados, I know that justifying the damage done at Sephora to a parent or significant other can be quite the stress-inducer. And listen, I too rather splurge on a product I know lasts all day and looks great on my skin, than opt for its drugstore equivalent at half the price, but also half the quality. However, it’s 2018 after all. So after extensive research (I.E. me looking maniacal at Ulta) I’ve come across some amazing drugstore dupes that either live-up or surpass their high-end versions. Could it be? Check out the list below for 10 of the best drugstore dupes for high end products!
1. Try NYX’s Gotcha Covered Concealer instead of Tarte’s Maracuja Creaseless Concealer
Tarte’s Maracuja Creaseless Concealer is known for its creamy texture and dewy finish. It’s especially loved by dry-skinned beauties because the product is thick and full-coverage, yet it doesn’t accentuate any dry patches and actually makes the skin look healthier and hydrated. Unfortunately, ain’t nobody got $26 to drop on a concealer no matter how alluring the name Maracuja is. Enter NYX’s Gotcha Covered Concealer which has the same texture and finish as Tarte’s. The only difference is that instead of Maracuja Oil, NYX infuses this product with coconut oil, which has amazing skin benefits on its own. Both concealers leave the skin looking dewy, fresh and covers even the peskiest of dark circles.
Tarte: $26
NYX: $6
2. Try Wet N Wild’s Ultimate Brow Retractable Pencil instead of Anastasia’s Brow Definer Pencil
They say nothing is as important as the brows, but up until the past year or so, not a lot of affordable makeup products have come out with eyebrow products that live up to the hype. However, Wet N Wild is one of the few companies that haven’t let us down in the brow department with one of it’s newer products being the Ultimate Brow Retractable Pencil that looks exactly like the Anastasia Brow Definer, but also works just as well to give you those bold, sexy brows you’ve been craving.
Anastasia Beverly Hills: $23
Wet N Wild: $3.99
3. Try L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise Mascara instead of the Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced
Everyone, hold on to your lash glues. This dupe is extra special because Queen Bey wore it during her epic, two-hour Coachella performance this past weekend and there was no smudge in SIGHT! Her makeup artist, Sir John, used L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise Mascara to create the silky, full lash look. This mascara is a well-known dupe for the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced at less than half the price.
Too Faced: $23
L’Oreal: $9.99
4. Try Wet N Wild’s MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals instead of Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed Highlighter in Opal
This dupe had me #shooketh. Wet N Wild, whatever it is you’re doing in your secret labs, I approve. The popular Becca highlighters are a favorite among beauty gurus and celebrities, but we no longer have to save up to shell out the whopping $38 because Wet N Wild has come out with the exact same, beautiful, shimmery (but not glittery), highlighter for just $4.99. Seriously, the shade is identical, the finish is identical, the price is…definitely not identical. Like I said, shooketh.
Becca: $38
Wet N Wild: $4.99
5. Try Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink Un-Nude Liquid Lipstick in Amazonian instead of Anastasia’s Liquid Lipstick in Ashton
Recently, Maybelline has come out with a second line of its Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks. They’re calling it the “Un-Nude” line, which boasts a beautiful range of subtle (and not so subtle) muted, nude tones. One shade in particular in this line caught my attention and that’s because it’s an amazing dupe for Anastasia’s Liquid Lipstick in Ashton. Seriously, the similarity is mind-boggling. Overall, this Maybelline line not only parallels high-end brands, but the formula actually feels better and silkier on the lips without sacrificing that sought-after matte look.
Anastasia: $20
Maybelline $9.49
6. Try e.l.f Cosmetics’ Blending Sponge Instead of The Original Beauty Blender
How else are we going to achieve that dewy look without a damp beauty blending sponge? Turns out, though, the original beauty blender is $20. But because we’re in 2018, the dupes for this revolutionary product have been rolling out consistently. Try the blending sponge by e.l.f. Cosmetics to achieve the same finish you would with its predecessor.
Original Beauty Blender: $20
ELF: $5 – $6
7. Try Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer Instead of NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer
If you are no stranger to the dupe game, then this one will come as no surprise, but I had to mention it in the case you were on the prowl for a new concealer and hadn’t tried this one yet. Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer has the same light-weight and silky texture that the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is famous for, but at a fraction of the cost.
Fun Fact: Maybelline has just added 6 new shades to this line! And although this is definitely not enough (considering the copious amounts of beautiful skin tones out there), it’s definitely progress. Kudos.
NARS: $30
Maybelline: $6.49
8. Try Soap & Glory’s WonderBronze in Sundaze instead of Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess
You may think this is a stretch, but hear me out here. Soap and Glory’s Wonderbronze comes with a few different glistening colors in the form of a neat wheel that you’re supposed to swirl together to get this golden-hued bronzey look. HOWEVER, there’s one shade in particular in the wheel “palette” that is an EXACT dupe for Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess. It’s the darkest shade of the bunch and it blew my mind when I tried it (Am I easily impressed?). What’s also cool is that Park Ave Princess is a limited edition bronzer by Tarte, but Wonderbronze by Soap and Glory isn’t which means we can kiss the former goodbye without hesitation. *Cue Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith*
Tarte: $30
Soap & Glory: $15
9. Try Milani’s Make It Last Setting Spray Instead of Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Setting Spray
Both of these guys offer your makeup 16-hour protection and claim to prevent creasing and smudging even through unruly weather. The only difference is that Milani’s version is infused with watermelon fruit extract and is $10 instead of $32. Checkmate, Urban Decay.
10. Try Acure’s The Essentials Argan Oil Instead of Josie Maran’s Pure Argan Oil
Argan oil is known for its amazing skin, hair, and nail benefits. It’s an excellent moisturizer as its packed with vitamin E and fatty acids which are essential for plump, youthful-looking skin. Don’t fall prey to high-end brand prices though. You can buy organic, 100% pure argan oil from many places for a fraction of what the big name brands are selling it for. We recommend Acure’s Essential Argan Oil which you can find at Target or order from the Target website for $10.
Josie Maran: $48
Acure: $10
Do you know of any more popular drugstore dupes for high end products? Let us know in the comments down below!
Alexandra Vargas is a Miami-Based journalism student and writer who strong believes in the restorative power of memes and Oprah’s voice. When she’s not listening to true crime podcasts, you can catch her enjoying dinner with friends, unsuccessfully learning French and telling awful jokes. Picture