
I am a drugstore queen and a firm believer in finding affordable options. Don’t get me wrong I love a good splurge, but it’s tough for me to justify spending $$$ on high-end products when I know there are ones just as good if not better at the drugstore. I’ve been on a hunt lately for the best drugstore products, and I’ve found 13 drugstore makeup dupes.
If you aren’t familiar with the term “dupe” it just means a duplicate version of a high-end product, but for cheap. As you can see these are all products I own and have tested. 12 out of the 13 products I love and wear on a regular basis, but there is just one that was a dud for me, but everyone else raves about it. So as a reminder, everyone’s skin is different and some formulas work for some people and just don’t for others.
13 Drugstore Makeup Dupes
1. Rimmel Magnif’eyes Eye Palette – Nude ($7.57)
Dupe for Urban Decay Naked Palette ($54)
This palette is an exact dupe for the original Urban Decay Naked palette which is actually discontinued now. For 10% of the price, you really can’t go wrong. I will say the quality is slightly lower than Urban Decay, but for $5 you still get great color pay off and eyeshadow that lasts all day. I also find the colors are very easy to blend and it comes with a brush, not those cheap sponge applicators.
2. Loreal Lash Paradise Mascara ($9.89)
Dupe for Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($25)
I swear by this mascara, it leaves my lashes voluminous but not spidery or clumpy. I have tried the waterproof version of this as well and do not like it at all. So I recommend getting the regular formula.
3. Wet N’ Wild To Reflect Shimmer Palette – Boozy Brunch ($5.99)
Dupe for Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal ($38)
I’m not much of a highlighter girl, so I could never justify spending $38 on one, but this $6 highlighter is perfect when you want to glam up your look. Don’t be fooled by the marble of pink and bronze it’s a gorgeous golden shimmer on the cheek.
4. Wet N’ Wild Megalast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($3.99)
Dupe for Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($22)
I searched high and low for a good drugstore eyeliner. They either had terrible brushes or dried up too quickly or just weren’t pigmented enough. This Wet N’ Wild gem is a holy grail product for me. I don’t wear eyeliner every day, so it’s hard for me to justify the price, but I still want one that performs when I need it to.
5. Milani Eyeshadow Primer ($6.99)
Dupe for Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24)
Let me just tell you I have been using the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion since high school and I’ve been looking for a cheaper alternative since then. It’s something I swear by but every time I shelled out $24 I cringed. After much research, I tried the Milani primer and I am never going back. It’s almost the exact formula and works just as well.
6. ColourPop Lippie Stick – Brink ($7)
Dupe for Kylie Velvet Lip Kit – Rosie ($27)
$27 on lipstick is ridiculous to me, but $7 is much more manageable. If you are like a pinky nude lipstick with a hint of red this is your lipstick. I also really like the applicator and packaging on this lipstick.
7. Elf Poreless Putty Primer ($8)
Dupe for Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer ($52)
Alright, this is it. This is the product that didn’t work for me. Everyone was raving about it, so I decided to give it a try, but it just didn’t work for me. It actually broke me out, and I couldn’t tell a difference in how my makeup applied. You might give it a go for yourself but it just didn’t work out for me.
8. L’Oréal Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Concealer ($13.49)
Duper for Tarte Shape Tape ($27)
OK, this one…this one! If you only buy one product from this post, it should be this one. I used Tarte Shape Tape for a little over a year. It’s VERY high coverage thick concealer great for covering up dark circles under the eye, but my biggest complaint was it was SO drying. I felt like if you got close after I had it on for a few hours it did not look good, but then I tried the L’Oréal concealer and my life was changed. This product is not only cheaper but BETTER than the high-end version. I can’t say enough good things about this concealer.
9. Covergirl Lipstick – 250 Sultry Sienna ($5.94)
Dupe for Mac Velvet Teddy ($19)
Mac Velvet Teddy is one of the most popular lip colors, but this Covergirl dupe is just as good. The color is very similar but the texture is creamy and easy to wear.
10. NYX Matte Bronzer – Medium ($10)
Dupe for Benefit Hoola Bronzer ($30)
I also used the Hoola bronzer for years while looking for an alternative and then after scouring the internet, someone suggested the NYX bronzer, for $10 I thought I’d give it a try. I will say it’s a little harder to blend but the color is almost identical. I’ve been using this one for months and really like it.
11. Milani Rose Powder Blush – Romantic Rose ($7.12)
Dupe for Benefit Rockateur Rose ($30)
Blush is one of my favorite things to apply, probably from packing it on during my dance days. I am very picky about blush, I don’t like it shimmery the color has to be just right. I purchased a Benefit blush palette and the first one to hit pan was the Rockateur Rose color. I noticed one day after spending far too long on the makeup aisle at Walgreens that this Milani blush looked very similar. I took it home and bam! DUPE! One note it does have a slightly strange smell, but it doesn’t bother me unless I stick my nose in it and smell it.
12. NYX HD Finishing Powder – Banana ($10)
Make Up Forever Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder – Banana ($37)
I love setting my concealer under my eyes with banana powder because it really brightens it up. I love this NYX version because it’s affordable and gets the job done. It also lasts a fair amount of time given I just use it for my under eyes and set the rest of my face with a different powder.
13. Pixi Glow Mist ($15)
Dupe for Mac Fix+ ($28)
I’m not big on setting sprays, because I have little faith that they actually do anything. But I mainly use this Pixi Glow Mist when I get too heavy-handed on my powder or I need a list refresh mid-day. It brings life back into my face and helps me feel refreshed.
I hope this is helpful, I know for me cutting costs even if it’s just shaving off a few bucks here and there can really help. Plus like I said there are so many hidden gems at the drugstore it just takes a little bit longer to comb through, and it can be a challenge when you can’t swatch things.
As a reminder, you can return makeup even if it’s been used to Walgreens and CVS. I’ve done it many times when I get the wrong shade or the product is awful, just make sure to keep your receipt!
This is so helpful!! I am willing to pay for a good quality product, but most of the time drugstore products are just as good! I appreciate your recommendations, especially the eye shadow palette. I’m going to pick that up next.
This blog came at the perfect time! I was going through my makeup bag and got rid of a lot of old things and need to replenish! I’ll be giving these a try for sure!!
Definitely buying the shape tape and fix+ dupe! I was just on the MAC website and had fix+ in my cart!
Yay! Let me know what you think!
For shade reference, what color do you wear in the L’Oréal concealer?
I use the color 340 FAWN!