At times, drugstore makeup didn’t stand a chance next to luxury brands. But now, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a flawless, high-end look. Some of the best beauty products sit right in your local drugstore.
Table Of Content
- Best Drugstore Dupes for Luxury Makeup Products
- Hydrating Serum
- Primer
- Foundation & Concealer
- Skin Tint Stick
- Powder
- Liquid Blush
- Eyeshadow Palette
- Lipstick
- Lip Gloss
- Glimmer Eyeshadow
- Cream Blush
- Lip Balm
- Liquid Highlighter
- Bronzer
- Mascara
- Tips for Finding the Perfect Dupe
- 1. Compare Ingredients and Formulas
- 2. Check Online Swatches and Reviews
- 3. Look for Similar Packaging and Application
- Conclusion
I used to believe that only expensive makeup could give me that perfect glow. But after testing dozens of budget-friendly options, I realized I was wrong. These drugstore gems also work, sometimes even better than their pricey counterparts. And the best part? You can stock up on amazing products without emptying your wallet.
You’re in the right place if you love a luxurious finish but don’t want the hefty price tag. I’ve rounded up the best drugstore dupes for high-end makeup so you can look and feel fabulous without spending a fortune.
Best Drugstore Dupes for Luxury Makeup Products
Many drugstore brands offer amazing dupes that look and perform just like luxury makeup. The best drugstore dupes brands:
Hydrating Serum
- High-End Product: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops ($35)
- Dupe: e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Hydrating Serum ($12)
While not an exact dupe due to formulation differences, the e.l.f. serum shares similar texture, finish, and hydrating/brightening properties with the Glow Recipe serum.
Primer
- High-End Product: Huda Beauty Easy Blur Primer
- Dupe: Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Smoothing Primer
Both primers offer similar smoothing and blurring effects on the skin, creating a smooth base for foundation.
Foundation & Concealer
- High-End Product: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)
- Dupe: L’Oréal True Match Foundation ($14)
If you love the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for its lightweight, radiant finish, the L’Oréal True Match Foundation is an excellent dupe. It provides a natural, skin-like glow with buildable coverage at a fraction of the price.
- High-End Product: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($76)
- Dupe: e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer ($7)
For concealer, the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is famous for its full coverage and long-lasting formula. But if you want a similar effect without the splurge, try the e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer. It delivers high coverage, a matte finish, and impressive wear time, just like its luxury counterpart.
Skin Tint Stick
- High-End Product: Fenty Skin Tint Stick ($36)
- Dupe: Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Skin Tint Stick ($16.99)
The Milani skin tint stick provides comparable application, finish, and wear to the Fenty Skin Tint Stick, making it a budget-friendly option.
Powder
- High-End Product: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($43)
- Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder ($10.99)
Both powders offer a smooth, lightweight feel, setting makeup beautifully without caking. Laura Mercier has a finer texture, but Maybelline provides a similar blurring effect at a fraction of the cost.
Liquid Blush
- High-End Product: Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush ($36)
- Dupe: Revlon Glimmer Blush Drops ($10.49)
While Revlon’s Glimmer Blush Drops share packaging similar to the Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush, the formulas differ. Hourglass offers a sheer, buildable, watercolor-like effect, while Revlon is more pigmented from the start. Revlon requires a lighter hand or blotting for a similar sheer finish. Revlon sets faster, requiring quicker blending. Though not a dupe, Revlon is a good affordable alternative.
- High-End Product: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in Pinkgasm ($42)
- Dupe: Milani Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush and Glow ($12.99)
Milani’s Cheek Kiss Liquid Blush and Glow in Pink Cava is a close shade dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm. The Milani product is more sheer to start but buildable. The texture is very near, and the result is very close, making it a very close dupe.
Eyeshadow Palette
- High-End Product: Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Palette (Discontinued)
- Dupe: e.l.f. Keep It Ethereal Palette ($10)
The e.l.f. Keep It Ethereal Palette offers similar shades to the discontinued Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Palette. While the Mario palette may have had slightly higher quality, the e.l.f. palette is a fantastic, affordable, neutral option—the e.l.f. TopperTopper shades require more pressure than the Mario ones.
Lipstick
- High-End Product: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick ($35)
- Dupe: L’Oreal Colour Riche Intense Lipstick ($11.49)
L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Intense Lipstick in 173 New Impertinent is a shade dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk. However, the formulas differ. Charlotte Tilbury’s formula adheres better to the lips and is longer-lasting, while L’Oreal’s is creamier and more comfortable but less long-lasting. L’Oreal also has a strong rose scent. L’Oreal is a good shade alternative but not a formula dupe.
- High-End Product: Chanel Rouge Coco Flash ($50)
- Dupe: Clarins Lip Oil Balm ($30)
Clarins Lip Oil Balm in 04 Almond is a closer alternative to Chanel Boy than the L’Oreal option. Both have a thin, comfortable, pigmented formula with a high-shine effect. Clarins is less expensive than Chanel. L’Oreal Silverstone is not a dupe for Chanel Boy.
Lip Gloss
- High-End Product: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb
- Dupe: NYX Butter Gloss in Praline
Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb is known for its high-shine, non-sticky formula. NYX Butter Gloss in Praline delivers a similar glossy finish with a warm, nude-brown tint. Both offer a smooth, hydrating feel, making them perfect for everyday wear.
Glimmer Eyeshadow
- High-End Product: Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow ($30)
- Dupe: Moira Starshow Shadow Pot ($8.50)
Moira’s Starshow Shadow Pot offers a multi-dimensional, micro-fine, light-reflecting pearl finish similar to Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow. Both can be applied sheer or built up. The Moira product is a great, affordable alternative.
Cream Blush
- High-End Product: Merit Flush Balm ($30)
- Dupe: Moira Soft Blush Balm ($8.50)
Moira’s Soft Blush Balms shares packaging similar to Merit Flush Balms. While both are lightweight and buildable, Merit initially applies sheerer, while Moira has more pigmentation. Merit has a more glowy and natural finish, while Moira is more semi-matte. Moira is a good, affordable option, though the product differs.
Lip Balm
- High-End Product: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($24)
- Dupe: ColourPop Lip Balm ($10)
ColourPop’s lip balms offer similar soft-touch matte packaging, a comfortable cushiony applicator, and a smooth texture, closely mimicking the Summer Fridays experience. Scents are strikingly similar, with ColourPop’s Vanilla Cake mirroring Summer Fridays’ Vanilla.
Liquid Highlighter
- High-End Product: Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer ($27)
- Dupe: ColourPop Dewy Liquid Highlighter ($12)
The ColourPop Dewy Liquid Highlighters provide an almost identical look and feel to the Rare Beauty Liquid Luminizer. While the shade range may be more limited, the significant price difference makes it an attractive alternative.
Bronzer
- High-End Product: Benefit Hoola Bronzer ($36)
- Dupe: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer ($9.81)
Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer is known for its natural, sun-kissed warmth. The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is a fantastic dupe if you want a similar matte, easy-to-blend bronzer. It has a soft, silky texture with a subtle tropical scent and blends effortlessly for a natural contour.
Mascara
- High-End Product: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($59)
- Dupe: L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara ($11.99)
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is loved for its dramatic volume and curl. However, L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara delivers a similar full-lash effect with a lightweight formula that doesn’t flake.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Dupe
Finding a great dupe saves you money while still getting the look or performance you want. Here’s how to spot the best alternative:
1. Compare Ingredients and Formulas
The secret to a good dupe lies in its formula. Check the ingredient list to see if the main active components match. Similar formulas often deliver the same texture, longevity, and finish. If you’re looking for a skincare or makeup dupe, consider key ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration or dimethicone for a smooth application.
2. Check Online Swatches and Reviews
Before buying, look at swatches online. Side-by-side comparisons can help you see how close the colors and finishes are. Reviews from actual users also reveal whether the dupe performs like the original—whether it’s pigmentation, wear time, or texture.
3. Look for Similar Packaging and Application
The best drugstore dupes mimic the formula and the experience. Check if the applicator, bottle, or compact is similar to the original. A close match in packaging and application ensures the same ease of use and feel without the hefty price tag.
Conclusion
You no longer need to break the bank for beautiful, high-quality makeup. These best drugstore dupes, like NYX, Maybelline, and L’Oréal, can help you achieve the luxe, flawless look at an affordable price. I’ve tested these, and trust me, they deliver the same stunning results without the guilt of overspending. Next time you shop, don’t feel pressured to splurge. With these budget-friendly dupes, you can enjoy the luxury look you love.