While I’ve worn it almost daily for decades, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with makeup. Especially when you are looking for high quality products, even the basics can be really expensive!
But luckily for me, there are many bargain-loving makeup enthusiasts who specialize in makeup knockoffs or “dupes” (short for “duplicates”). A good makeup dupe is an expensive product that is comparable enough in color, quality, and finish to be used in place of a more expensive makeup item, and it’s a great way to save money on makeup without significantly reducing the look or quality.
Today I’ll be sharing 9 makeup knockoffs of popular, high-quality products that are inexpensive and widely available. I’ve also provided links to both the original products and the makeup dupes so you can check them out for yourself (mainly Amazon links, with a few links to ULTA for items I couldn’t find on Amazon).
Here’s to saving money and feeling great doing it!
9 Best Money-Saving Makeup Dupes
1. Primer
Original: Take advantage of Cosmetics Porfessional Pore Minimizer ($31)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser ($7)
A good pore-minimizing primer helps prevent makeup from sinking into your pores and making them appear larger than they actually are. PorProfessional from Benefit Cosmetics is a fan-favorite primer that costs a lot more, but this Maybelline dupe does the job for a lot less.
2. Blush
Original: NARS Orgasm Blush ($34)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Milani Baked Blush in Luminous ($13)
A perfect peachy-pink blush can take your look to the next level! NARS Orgasm Blush is a cult favorite that many claim is universally flattering, but for a more budget-friendly option, Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso is a very close match in terms of both shade and shimmer!
3. Mascara
Original: Coping with sex better than waterproof mascara ($29)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara ($12)
If you really want to add volume to your lashes, opt for a 2-step mascara. It’s two products in one—a lash volumizer plus a normal mascara. Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara uses a special brush to achieve that two-step look. It is very versatile and popular, but expensive. L’Oreal Paris Double Extend Mascara is not only affordable, but also comes in a convenient double-sided tube.
4. Eyeshadow primer
Original: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($18)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: NYX Cosmetics HD Eyeshadow Base ($11)
Using an eyeshadow primer may seem like overkill, but it’s an easy way to make your eyeshadow last longer, and it actually reduces creasing too. Makeup fans swear by the Eyeshadow Primer Potion by Urban Decay, but a less expensive option is the HD Eyeshadow Primer from NYX Cosmetics.
5. Makeup sponge
Original: The original beauty blender ($32)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, Pack of 2 ($9)
Using a makeup sponge can help you blend your makeup to perfection. The original BeautyBlender was the makeup sponge that started it all, but it’s hard to justify spending $32 on two fancy sponges. Instead, check out the Miracle Complexion Sponge from Real Techniques, which comes in a set of 2 for less than a third of the price.
6. Concealer
Original: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($32)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer ($13)
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer (America’s #1 concealer brand, per Tarte’s website) is praised for providing long-lasting, full coverage and its crease-proof formula. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer also lasts all day with minimal creasing (and at about half the price to boot). As an added bonus, it also contains ingredients like haloxyl that can lighten, aid circulation, and improve the appearance of dark circles.
7. Eyeshadow
Original: Urban Decay Naked3 Palette ($59)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Maybelline The Nudes Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette ($16)
Makeup collectors rave about Urban Decay’s nude eyeshadow palettes. The Naked3 palette is filled with neutral shades with varying levels of shimmer. But if the $50+ price tag puts you off, take a look at The Nudes Palette by Maybelline, which offers similar shades at a fraction of the price.
8. Bronzer
Original: Glo Skin Beauty Bronze ($46)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer ($16)
Glow Skin Beauty Bronze is worth it for its creamy, silky texture and warm golden-brown color, but with a price tag of around $50, I’m not sure I have the stomach for it! But Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer is a great dupe that looks every bit as expensive with ingredients like Murumuru, Kapuaku, and Tukuma butters. It runs smoothly with soft-focus blur.
9. BB/CC Cream
Original: IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream ($39)
Budget-Friendly Dupe: Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream ($7)
If you want to keep your makeup routine as simple as possible, consider trying a BB or CC cream. This all-in-one cream promises to prime, protect and perfect your skin with just one product! Makeup fans love the CC+ Cream from IT Cosmetics, but the affordable Clean Matte BB Cream from COVERGIRL also has its own devotees.
What other makeup dupes would you add to this list?
