I Found 9 Perfect Makeup Dupes That Saved Me Thousands
Photo Credit: MBG Creative
As a makeup artist returning to the industry, I faced the expensive challenge of rebuilding my entire professional kit. With thousands of dollars of expired products collecting dust during my pandemic-era career shift, I needed affordable alternatives fast. Though I'd found success in juggling other projects, my heart pulled me back to beauty, where my journey began.
The response to my announced return was overwhelming, but my excitement quickly turned to concern when I opened my long-neglected makeup kit. Every single product—from foundations to finishing powders—needed replacement. The potential cost was overwhelming!
Through extensive testing and research, I discovered high-quality dupes that not only met my professional standards but changed my approach to luxury makeup. While I invested in select high-end products where substitutes wouldn't cut it, these budget-friendly alternatives delivered such impressive results that they've earned permanent spots in both my professional kit and personal collection.
Ready to discover my tried-and-true finds? Here are nine splurge-worth beauty products and their affordable alternatives.
Splurge:
Drunk Elephant
D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops with Peptides, $40
Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops give your skin a bronzed glow while boosting elasticity and protecting your skin with antioxidants and peptides. I recently added it to my collection, but at $40, it felt more like a "nice-to-have"—until I found the perfect dupe!
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Pacifica
Sunny Glow Bronzing Drops, $16
Pacifica Beauty's Sunny Glow Bronzing Drops are a game-changer for your complexion. Packed with the brightening power of Vitamin C and Kakadu Plum, they instantly give your skin a gorgeous, radiant glow while nourishing and reviving dull skin. And at just $16, it's not only a perfect addition to my professional kit, but it’s also quickly become a staple in my personal collection.
Splurge:
Benefit Cosmetics
Benetint Liquid Lip & Cheek Stain, $26
Benefit’s Liquid Lip & Cheek Stain delivers a burst of vibrant color to both lips and cheeks, creating a fresh, radiant glow. It’s the ideal base for layering powder blush on top, ensuring a long-lasting finish—especially for my bridal clients.
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Essence
What A Tint! Lip & Cheek Tint, $5
Essence What A Tint! Lip & Cheek Tint is a non-sticky, natural 2-in-1 product for both lips and cheeks. With its long-lasting color, it’s a great dupe for higher-end tints. However, it blends best when applied quickly, otherwise it leaves plenty of room for error.
Splurge:
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, $25
This weightless, long-lasting liquid blush blends so effortlessly and builds beautifully, giving you that perfect, soft, healthy flush. I love how it feels on the skin! Plus, you can choose between a matte or dewy finish, depending on your mood or look.
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e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush, $7
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Camo Liquid Blush is a total game-changer! This pigment-packed blush gives your cheeks a gorgeous, long-lasting dewy flush that’s flattering no matter what. It’s super lightweight, blends out like a dream, and the rounded, grooved applicator makes it so easy to get the perfect amount every single time. You'll be hooked! I bought 7 for my kit and 3 for my personal stash.
Splurge:
Charlotte Tilbury HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER, $49
This product truly revolutionized my kit, removing the need for my airbrush machine while still delivering a flawless, airbrushed effect for clients, bridal and editorial models alike. At $49, replacing it would have been a tough pill to swallow—if I hadn't already been using the dupe myself.
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L'Oréal
True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer, $16.99
L'Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Bronzing Enhancer is one of my absolute favorites! It instantly hydrates and gives my skin a beautiful, bronzy glow—perfectly adding warmth without feeling too heavy. I love how fresh and natural it makes my complexion look, like I’ve just stepped out of a magazine.
Splurge:
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Cheat, $25
One of the most used lipliners in my bridal makeup kit (yes, I have a dedicated kit just for brides!)—I've been using it down to the very last sharpen since 2017, when I briefly freelanced for the brand. Honestly, I'll probably keep buying it, but while testing dupes, I did fall pretty hard for another lipliner as well.
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NYX Peekaboo Neutral, $5
This brand of lipliners came highly recommended by several artists, including agency-signed editorial pros who swear by the consistency, finish, and wear. Naturally, I had to see if I could find a dupe for my favorite color—and sure enough, I found Peekaboo Neutral, which is nearly an exact match. I can’t even tell the difference!
Splurge:
Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara, $29
Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara definitely lives up to the hype! It lengthens, volumizes, and gives that false lash look without the effort—no wonder it made the Best of Beauty List in 2024. But when my colleague mentioned the dupe, I totally believed her. I’ve been loyal to L’Oréal mascara since 2008, and it’s still my go-to for stunning lashes every time!
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L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, $12.99
L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara gives me instant volume and length with a super soft, flower-oil-infused formula that leaves my lashes feeling conditioned. It’s clump- and smudge-resistant, and the wavy brush catches every lash for a full, fluttery look. Plus, it’s perfect for sensitive eyes!
Splurge:
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $32
This one was tough because I’m a die-hard fan of Radiant Creamy, but $32 per shade for the multiple colors I need in my kit is a bit much. While I did find a great dupe, I’ve decided to go for the mini version of this product at $15, especially since I carry other brands in my kit too.
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Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer, $8.99
For many of us, replacing even one of these $30 concealers can be hard especially with so many other expenses. I love how this natural coverage liquid concealer perfects my skin without feeling heavy. It’s oil-free and does a great job covering redness, blemishes, and any imperfections. Plus, the shade range makes it easy to find the perfect match for every skin tone!
Splurge:
Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer, $36
Benefit’s Hoola bronzer is definitely one of the most iconic and universally flattering bronzers, which is why it’s always been a staple in my kit. It’s compact, easy to carry, and delivers that perfect sun-kissed look. The downside? At $36 for just 8 grams, I found myself repurchasing it often. But the big question is—does the dupe measure up?
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Milani Silky Matte Bronzer, $10
Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder gives me the perfect summer glow, no matter the season. The finely milled powder blends and builds effortlessly, and the color is almost an exact match to my beloved Hoola Bronzer. Plus, with hydrating Argan Oil that offers anti-aging benefits, it’s a major win in my personal collection!
Splurge:
Tower 28 Beauty Clean ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss, $16
This bestselling lip gloss and lip oil hybrid gives that perfect high-shine finish without any stickiness, and it’s specially formulated for sensitive skin. It didn’t quite make it into my kit, but I loved the look and feel so much that I started calculating how much it would cost to add—around $160 just for these glosses alone!
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Essence
Extreme Shine Volume Lipgloss, $3.99
Essence Extreme Shine Volume Lip Gloss is my go-to for that perfect glossy finish! It has a non-sticky, super smooth texture that nourishes while giving lips an ultra-shiny, wet gloss look. While it may not be as clean as Tower 28, it’s still vegan, cruelty-free, and falls under the Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty umbrella—so we can still feel good about using it!
What are some of your go-to alternatives for luxe beauty products? Share with us below!
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