Are you seeing more and more drugstores launching products that look very similar to high-end, luxury makeup products? They can be called “dupes” because they are very similar to high-end luxury makeup products. These dupes are not as good as their high-end counterparts but they perform very similar, regardless of whether it is a foundation or concealer or a color cosmetic like blush or mascara.
One thing that distinguishes drugstore makeup dupes and luxury makeup products from one another is the price. These drugstore dupes are half the price or more than luxury makeup products. They are half the price (or more!) of equivalent luxury makeup products
If you can get a great primer for $8 why would you spend $52 on the brand name? Luxury makeup products can come with luxurious packaging. However, I prefer simple packaging. These are the current prices for makeup as of the date of publication. Let’s now move on to the drugstore makeup alternatives…
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Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer ($52) vs. e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer ($8)
Tatcha Silk Canvas Protective Primer – This is luxury high-end make up. For a silky smooth application, this primer contains three types of silk. It protects skin from environmental aggressors and supports skin’s barrier function. The product sinks into skin creating a blurred effect. This makes it the ideal canvas for applying makeup. It is expensive at $52 per 0.7 oz.
Look no further if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to The Silk Canvas. Poreless Putty Primer. Poreless Putty Primer is formulated with Squalane to moisturize the skin and hold makeup in place. It reduces imperfections and creates a flawless complexion. This primer has a balm texture similar to The Silk Canvas. It performs very similarly to The Silk Canvas. If price is the deciding factor then e.l.f. Poreless Putty is your best bet. It is currently available at $8 per 0.74 oz. This is a savings of $44 over Tatcha.
NOTE: e.l.f. Two new formulas were recently added to the Poreless Putty family: Matte Putty Primer and Radiant Putty Primer . These primers are designed for more radiant skin.
Giorgio Armani Luminous silk Foundation ($64). vs L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Health Luminous Makeup ($12.95).
ARMANI BEAUTY – LUMINOUS SILK PERFECT GLOW FLAWLESS OIL-FREE FOUNDATION
L’OREAL PARRIS TRUE MATCH, LUMI HEALTHY-LUMINOUS MAKEUP NUDE BEIGE
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation consistently ranks high on beauty lists for a reason. This foundation is lightweight and resembles charmeuse silk. Micro-fil technology by Armani sculpts and lightens skin, improves texture and blurs imperfections. There are 30 colors available to match different skin tones.
L’Oreal Paris True match Lumi Healthy Luminous make-up has been formulated with Vitamins C and E to enhance clarity and improve skin tone. For all-day moisture, it contains 40% water and L’Oreal’s Liquid Light Technology for a radiant glow. It has a buildable coverage that lasts for up to 8 hours and an SPF of 20. You can choose from 15 different colors: neutral, warm and cool.
Although Armani Luminous Silk Foundation has its place, True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous makeup is a cheaper alternative. The lightweight coverage is easy to build and gives it a beautiful glow. With True Match Lumi Healthy and Luminous Makeup, you also get SPF20 sunscreen protection This post contains more information about the two products by Armani and L’Oreal.
Tarte Contour Concealer ($27). vs Maybelline Instant age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer ($9.99).
Tarte shape tape contour concealer (America’s #1 concealer brand per Tarte) truly lives up to its name. It can provide full-coverage for up 16 hours. It brightens the skin, especially around the eyes. The formula is crease-proof so it won’t stick to your skin.
Shape Tape contains shea butter to improve elasticity and mango butter to moisturize the skin. It also has licorice root which brightens dark circles and corrects the skin’s color. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It is easy to apply with the large doe applicator. There are 30 colors to choose from to match any skin tone.
Maybelline Instant Age Recovery Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer is packaged differently. This is my only complaint. The concealer comes with a micro-corrector sponge. I apply it to my fingers first, then to my eyes. To increase blood circulation and reduce dark circles, the formula includes gojiberry and Haloxyl. This concealer provides full coverage and helps to reduce puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and smoothen them. This concealer is available in 12 colors.
Many concealers sold at drugstores are claimed to be Shape Tape-like, such as this or this one. However, I believe Instant Age Rewinder Dark Circle Treatment Concealer is better than any other dupes. Although the packaging is slightly different from Shape Tape’s, it has the same coverage with a high pigmentation, minimally creases and remains put all day.
Becca Sunlit Bronzer ($38) vs Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($15.99)
Becca Sunlit Bronzer gives a beautiful, sunkissed glow to all skin types thanks to its neutral undertones. Shade Capri Coast, a warm brown shade that blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural bronze glow. This bronzer contains Color True Pigments which provide a smooth, creamy application that won’t dry or cake your skin.
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer has been a bestseller and is more expensive than the $15.99 price tag. To combine the best of cream and powder bronzers, the bronzer in Light Bronze is made with murumuru butter and cupuacu butter. It moisturizes the skin with essential fatty acids, pro-vitamins.
Murumuru Butter Bronzer is easy to apply and has soft-focus pigments that blur the skin. The tropical fragrance is the perfect finishing touch. This bronzer is similar in color and shape to Becca Sunlit Bronzer. Its formula is rich and creamy, while its texture is smooth and soft, melting easily into skin. The product’s performance is more impressive than the packaging, though it may not be as elegant.
NARS Blush ($30) vs Milani Baked Blush ($7.99)
NARS blush was the first high-end product I bought. It performed well and provided a great experience. The brand’s most popular shade Orgasm, a peachy pink with shimmer, has been loved by customers and beauty editors over the years. It has also become one of their most-loved products.
This blush is a cult favorite. It contains superfine micronized pigments that give it a natural glow. Although I don’t like peach blushes on my cheeks much, the peachy pink shade is perfect for me. It has just enough shimmer to give it a soft, blendable look. NARS blush is available in 32 colors.
Milani-Baked Blush is in the shade Rose D’Oro. It has been sunbaked using Italian Terracotta Tiles to give it a natural glow. This blush is gold-flecked for a gorgeous golden sheen. This blush is very pigmented so you only need a small amount. What’s not to like about this blush at $7.99?
Urban Deay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette (54$) vs CoverGirl roses TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette (12.99)
Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow pallets are so famous when it comes eyeshadow palettes. They are priced at $54, which is a luxury experience. The Urban Decay Naked3 Palette Eyeshadow Palette contains 12 rose-hued neutral shades that range from matte, pearl, and metallic. The palette’s richly pigmented colors can be used for both day and night looks. The matte shades can be used for contouring and all over your eyelids. Metallics and shimmers will add dimension and boldness to your eyes. This eyeshadow palette is beautiful and expensive.
CoverGirl Roses TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette does not appear to hide the fact it looks very similar to the Naked3 palette. The palette is neutral and contains rose colors throughout, with shimmer, matte, and smoky shades.
Although there are only 8 shades available in the CoverGirl palette of shades, quite a few shades look very similar to the Naked3 palette. These eyeshadows have a baked texture and are very pigmented, with a little dusty powder kickback. These eyeshadows are not as vibrant as the Naked3 palette but they are gorgeous neutral shades that can be mixed and matched for $12.99.
Similar Post: CoverGirl’s Best CoverGirl Drugstore Makeup Products
It Cosmetics Brow Micro Universal Defining eyebrow Pencil ($24). vs Maybelline Brow Ultra Thin Defining Ebrow Pencil (7.99).
MAYBELLINE
It Cosmetics Brow Power micro Universal Defining eyebrow Pencil has a micro-fine oval tip and is It Cosmetics’ best-selling Brow Power Pencil. With a micro-bladed effect, the microfine oval pencil tip gives real hair an authentic look. The pencil gives natural-looking eyebrows and doesn’t move. The pencil comes in one shade, Uniform Taupe. This will transform to any hair color, even gray, depending upon how much pressure is applied. To complete your brow look, there is a built in spooliebrush at one end.
Maybelline Eyebrow Pencil has a microtip that creates hair-like strokes to to imitate your natural brows. The pencil features a ultra 1.5mm precision tip, and a break-resistant formula to ensure smooth application. This pencil is not available in any other colors, ranging from light blonde to dark brown. The pencil comes with a spoolie, which can be used to define your brows.
It Cosmetics pencils are not universal shades. This is because brows can look different depending on how you apply pressure. Although they provide the same look, Maybelline offers more color options and creates natural looking brows for a fraction of the cost of It Cosmetics.
Too Faced better than Sex Mascara ($25). vs L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara ($10.99).
Too Faded Better Than Sex Mascara’s hourglass-shaped comb separates, curls and coats every lash to give it volume and definition. This #1-seller prestige mascara in America contains film-forming Polymers to hold curls in place, Acacia Senegal Tree extract for volume and Peptides to condition the lash. One coat is enough to give you fuller, longer, more volumized lashes. For dramatic effects, lashes are thicker, longer, and more lifted. This mascara is available in one color: Carbon Black.
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara has a striking resemblance with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, starting with its pale pink tube. The mascara features a wavy brush with 200+ bristles for a full fringe effect. Lash Paradise gives you volumized, longer lashes thanks to its black pigments. This mascara is available in and HTML4 shades.
Lash Paradise Mascara has been a favorite drugstore product. The formula leaves your lashes soft and buildable. You can achieve a natural look or dramatic look with multiple coats. It is very similar to Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara and costs less than half of the cost.
Fenty Gloss bomb Universal Lip Luminizer (19) vs Revlon Ultra Lustrous Lip Gloss (8.09)
Fenty Gloss Bomb universal lip Luminizer has been adored for its stunning shine and nonsticky finish. Shade Fenty Glow, a shimmering rose shade, provides a natural high-shine color. To condition lips, it contains shea butter and has a delicious peach-vanilla fragrance that is addictive and mouthwatering. It is easy to apply the gloss with the large application wand. Available in seven shades
Are you a fan of Rihanna’s Fenty Gloss Bomb, but not the price? Try Revlon Ultra Lustrous Lip Gloss in Glossy future. Super Lustrous Lip Gloss also shines and is non-sticky. It has agave and moringa oils for moisture and hydration. This gloss looks natural and shiny, and is very similar to Fenty Glow. The line also includes 23 other shades.
BECCA Cosmetics Shining Skin Perfector Pressed Healer in Opal ($38). vs Precious Petals Highlighting Powder in Wet N Wild MegaGlo ($5.99).
The highlighters by BECCA are a winner. BECCA Cosmetics’ Shimmering Skin Perfector pressed Highlighter in Opal has a neutral white-gold finish with soft pink pearls for medium to dark skin tones. BECCA highlighters have Ultrafine Multidimensional Pearls that reflect light from all angles. This highlighter is creamy and gives off a radiant glow, without being too overdone.
Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighting powder has micro-fine pearls and shea butter. It gives off a soft, luminous glow.
The Shade Precious Petals is very similar to BECCA’s Pressed Highlighter In Opal. It feels much more expensive than it is. I’m a fan of Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighter because it is affordable and has a smooth, buttery formula.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39) vs e.l.f. High Definition Powder ($6)
LAURA MARCIER
E.L.F. COSMETICS
Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting powder has been a top-selling product. It creates a flawless look with its finely ground matte finish. It enhances makeup wear and blurs imperfections to create a soft-focus effect.
This high-end loose powder absorbs oil and prolongs makeup wear up to 16 hours. It does not have any extra texture or heaviness. There are three colors available: Translucent, Honey, and Translucent Medium Deep.
E.l.f. High Definition Powder is an affordable option that creates soft-focus effects for your skin. It’s made from finely ground ingredients. This loose powder feels extremely light on the skin. It does not leave a sticky residue on your skin. However, it can smoothen the skin and hide any imperfections. There are three colors available: Corrective Yellow, Soft Luminance and Sheer.
Related Post: The Best E.l.f. Cosmetics Makeup Products
ARRS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30) NYX HD Photogenic Make-up Concealer ($3.99)
NARS
NYX
NARS Radiant creamy concealer is an award winning concealer. It is one of the most popular prestige concealers. Its lovely creamy, hydrating texture is what fans love. It corrects under-eye darkness by brightening the skin.
NYXHD Photogenic Concealer also covers imperfections, discolorations, while concealing redness and dark circle. NYX HD Photogenic concealer offers color-correcting shades in Yellow, Lavender and Green, unlike NARS.
NYX HD Photogenic concealer is just like NARS. It comes with a precise application wand. Although the vegan concealer is slightly thicker that NARS’ lightweight concealer, it has an extremely pigmented coverage and satiny finish. It costs less than $20!
NARS Radiant Creamy concealer comes in 30 shades. NYX concealer comes in 23 shades.
For more NARS concealer dupes, check out my NARS Concealer Dupes post.
Final thoughts on the Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes for 2021
You have it! Here are some of the most popular makeup duplicates. You don’t have to pay high prices for expensive makeup when you can get a similar product at a fraction of the price.
You can find amazing drugstore makeup products that are as good, if not better, than luxury brands. What are your top drugstore alternatives to luxury makeup brands? Comment below!
