Unlocking the Beauty Secret: 10 Best Makeup Dupes for Your Makeup bag

Finding the perfect makeup product that gives you the results it’s advertising promises to, without costing a fortune, is like stumbling upon a beauty goldmine to level up your makeup game. So when you find a makeup dupe that’s as good as a higher-end, luxury product – well then, you are truly winning at life!

Here at YNLS we have put together a list of your favourite high end makeup products and found the best drugstore makeup dupes in the beauty industry that give you a similar finish as the luxury brands equivalents, for in some products, half the price.

What is a makeup dupe?

If you love that luxurious, creamy lipstick or that high-end, glowing highlighter, but your wallet reminds you otherwise whenever you consider buying it… let’s introduce the dupe makeup — the ultimate beauty hack to keep your beauty game strong!

Makeup dupes are the budget-friendly versions of your favourite fancy brands, delivering the same glam but without the price tag, allowing you to experiment with new beauty finds guilt-free!

Trying out dupes not only saves your hard-earned cash, but also unlocks a whole world of awesome products that perform just as amazingly. Let’s explore our Top 10 makeup dupe finds that deserve a prime spot in your makeup bag, saving you money to splurge on other things…

The best drugstore makeup dupes

These drugstore dupes have gained popularity among You Tube and TikTok influencers for their impressive performance and similarity in results to their luxury alternatives.

1. Glow Booster

Luxury Pick: Esteemed for its flawless finish, Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter is a cult favourite and delivers a stunning, luminous glow: and a smooth, airbrushed finish.e.

Dupe Pick: e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter offers a similar glow and beauty influencers claim there is zero difference to the luxury brand giving you the same natural finish.

2. Foundation

Luxury Pick: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is loved by all of it’s fans for its flawless finish and lightweight, silky texture and that colour matches all skin tones with 40 different shades to choose from.

Dupe Pick: L’Oreal True Match Foundation is the perfect dupe as it offers 48 different shades for a true colour match, with the added benefit of Hyaluronic Acid it also works to improve your skin leaving your skin radiant due to its creamy formula without the hefty price tag.

3. Mascara

Luxury Pick: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara -is award winning and known for providing that false lash effect we are all after by providing dramatic volume and longer lashes.

Dupe Pick: Voluminous lashes don’t always require a splurge! L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is famed for lengthening and volumising lashes, making it the perfect rival to its pricier counterpart.

3. Lipstick

Luxury Pick: MAC Cosmetics Lipstick Velvet Teddy shade is loved for it’s no shine matt finish and is one of MAC’s most popular shade.

Dupe Pick: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink 65 Seductress is an almost perfect colour match for Velvet Teddy and allows you to indulge in the luscious lip shade without draining your wallet, ensuring a long-lasting, glamorous pout.

4. Eyeshadow Palette

Luxury Pick: Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette Unleash your creativity with eyeshadow palettes that mirror high-end collections.

Dupe Pick: NYX Ultimate Eyeshadow PalettePalette not only almost matches the colour payoff but also offers versatile shades for day-to-night looks with more palette shades, so more for your money too!.

5. Highlighter

Luxury Pick: Smashbox Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter is a best selling highlighter due to its creamy formula that your skin will love and will leave it with a stunning luminous glow.

Dupe Pick: You can still glow like a star with a Smashbox Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter dupe that captures the luminosity of the priciest highlighter without burning a hole in your pocket, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder ensures a dazzling glow that accentuates your features perfectly with six shades to choose from.

6. Concealer

Luxury Pick: NARS Radiant Creamy concealer is the No.1 selling concealer in the UK as it brightens, corrects and perfects all while leaving you with a luminous finish.

Dupe Pick: Revlon PhotoReady Candid Concealer that’s just as effective as the premium brand at concealing dark circles blends flawlessly, offering coverage that lasts all day – available to suit x different skin tones.

7. Setting Spray

Luxury Pick: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray locks your makeup in place for up to sixteen hours.

Dupe Pick: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray works hard to keeps your makeup fresh and vibrant without the luxe price tag.

8. Blush

Luxury Pick: The ILIA Multi-Stick Cream Blush works both as a blush, a Highlighter and a Lip Tint gives you that natural flush with a blush that’s both pigmented and blendable.

Dupe Pick: e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick a radiant finish, resembling the high-end favourite.

9. Eyeliner

Luxury Pick: Precision is key, and Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is an award-winning bestseller for a reason its high-pigment formula stays put all-day long and smudge-resistant, so there’s a reason it’s a high end budget favourite.

Dupe Pick: NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eye Liner a dupe for the coveted brand, offers intense pigmentation and long-lasting wear, perfect for achieving those sharp winged looks.

10. Bronzer

Luxury Pick: Benefit Hoola Bronzer is an award winning, cult favourite that likely appears in most beauty lover’s make-up bags.

Dupe Pick: Achieve sun-kissed warmth with a bronzer dupe that contours like a dream, Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer seamlessly mimics the high-end product’s tone and texture.

Embrace the Beauty Savvy Lifestyle

Makeup dupes not only empower us to explore new products but also allow for experimentation without the guilt of overspending. Remember, while these drugstore makeup dupes stand as budget-friendly alternatives, they excel in quality, often surprising us with their performance.

Stocking your makeup bag with these incredible dupes ensures a flawless finish without burning through your budget. Elevate your beauty game while keeping your wallet happy—it’s the best of both worlds!

Since you are a make-up lover, check out our list of favourite beauty subscription boxes.

Questions and Answers

Are makeup dupes as good as high-end products?

Makeup dupes can be surprisingly good! While not every dupe matches the high-end product in every aspect, many dupes offer similar quality, texture, and pigmentation. Some people even prefer certain dupes over their expensive counterparts.

How do I find good makeup dupes?

Research is key! Look for reviews, comparisons, and swatches online. Many beauty bloggers and YouTubers specialize in finding and reviewing makeup dupes. Also, pay attention to ingredient lists and product descriptions for similarities between high-end and dupe products.

Do makeup dupes compromise on quality?

Not necessarily. While some dupes may not entirely replicate the high-end product, many offer impressive quality, pigmentation, and longevity. Some beauty enthusiasts find dupes to be just as good, if not better, than the expensive options.

Are makeup dupes always cheaper?

Generally, yes. Makeup dupes are known for being more affordable than high-end products. However, prices can vary, and some dupes might still fall within a mid-range price bracket. Nevertheless, they are usually significantly cheaper than their luxury counterparts.