Alternatives to Cult Favorites
Why pay luxury prices when drugstore finds can deliver nearly the same effect? Here are 10 popular high- end makeup products and wallet-friendly dupes that give you the look for less: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (~$27) vs. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (~$8). Tarte’s cult concealer is known for full coverage and long wear. Maybelline’s Fit Me provides medium-to-full coverage with a natural finish and hydration (especially the Dewy+Smooth formula). Many users find that blending
Maybelline’s concealer (especially in fair to light shades) matches Shape Tape’s coverage for a fraction of the cost.
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette (~$54) vs. Wet n Wild Color Icon “Nude Awakening” Palette (~$5). The Naked palette’s range of wearable neutrals is iconic. Wet n Wild offers a similar warm neutral palette in a compact form, with buttery shimmer and matte shades. While not identical in texture, the result is very close for basic day or smoky looks.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (~$45) vs. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder (~$6).
The Hourglass powders create a subtle, flattering glow. The Wet n Wild highlighters (especially “Precious Petals” or “Crown of My Canopy”) give a nearly identical rosy-gold glow on cheeks or brow bone. Beauty editors note these budget highlighters can mimic pricier formulas quite well. 1.
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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (~$27) vs. L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara (~$12). Better Than Sex is famous for voluminous lashes, and L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise has become a mass-market dupe, offering ultra-volume and length with a similar creamy formula. Testers often find Lash
Paradise gives bolder lashes than some high-end mascaras, all at about half the price.
MAC Matte Lipstick (~$19) vs. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (~$7). MAC’s silky mattes (like “Velvet Teddy”) set the gold standard for lip shades. NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Cream line, with shades like “Stockholm” (rosy nude) and “Cannes” (bright pink), delivers rich color and comfortable matte finish that rivals MAC at a drugstore price.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (~$23) vs. NYX Micro Brow Pencil (~$10). Anastasia’s ultra-slim pencil is beloved for natural-looking brows. NYX’s Micro Brow Pencil mimics this effect with a fine tip and good pigment payoff. Reviewers note it shapes and fills brows comparably well, saving you half the price.
YSL Touche Éclat Radiant Touch (~$42) vs. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (~$10). Both are radiant liquid highlighters/concealers. YSL’s silky wand pen highlights under the eyes; Maybelline’s formula is slightly thicker but brightens and covers fine lines effectively. When dabbed lightly, the Maybelline pen (in shade “Brightener”) gives a similar subtle glow at one-quarter the cost.
NARS Blush in “Orgasm” (~$34) vs. Milani Baked Blush in “Luminoso” (~$8). NARS’ peachy-pink shimmer blush is legendary. Milani’s Luminoso is an almost spot-on dupe: the same coral-pink tone with golden shimmer that flatters all skin tones. In comparison tests, “Luminoso” is praised for matching Orgasm’s universal glow at a fraction of the price.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick (e.g., “Pillow Talk”) (~$38) vs. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick (~$5). CT lipsticks are richly pigmented and creamy. For a similar MLBB (my lips but better) shade, try Maybelline’s “Touch of Spice” or “Stone Rose” (satin finish). They provide long- lasting color and moisture reminiscent of the luxury brand for one-eighth the cost.
Naked Palette by Urban Decay (or Tartelette Clay, etc.) (~$54) vs. e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette (~$3). Many high-end neutral palettes (like UD’s Naked or Tarte’s Tartelette) have drugstore look-alikes. e.l.f. makes tiny palettes (e.g. “Rosa” or “Chocolate”) with complementary warm shades.
Though smaller, these dupe palettes blend smoothly and create similar eye looks on a shoestring budget.
For each of these, note that while luxury brands often tout exclusive formulas, makeup experts agree many drugstore alternatives perform just as well. Always compare ingredients and swatches if possible – you’ll often find almost-identical shades. By choosing these high-quality dupes, you get the glamorous, tried-and-true look without the splurge.
Did we miss your favorite drugstore dupe? Tell us in the comments! If you loved this list, share it and subscribe to AffordableBeauty.org for more wallet-friendly beauty discoveries.4.
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