Splurge vs Steal: 8 of The Most Popular Beauty Dupes

I admit I used to be a bit of a beauty snob. It wasn’t until I lost my makeup bag on a flight a little over 7 years ago I even considered buying drugstore makeup and beauty products because I was desperate. When I walked into the drugstore I had no idea what to do or where to begin. Since that time I have made it a goal to keep up on both ends of the beauty spectrum.

One thing I have noticed at the drugstore or mass market retailers (and obviously others have as well) are almost identical products to high-end luxury items for a mere fraction of the price. Here are eight beauty dupes for wildly popular items.

8 Beauty Dupes: Copycat Beauty

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  1. Moroccanoil® Treatment is fabulous, but when that glass bottle starts to leak all over your makeup bag you might realize it’s not worth the price. I have tried a variety of others and found OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Extra Penetrating Oil, Dry & Coarse Hair is almost identical.
    SPLURGE:
    Moroccanoil® Treatment, $44
    STEAL:
    OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Extra Penetrating Oil, $8.99

  2. Who doesn’t love MAC’s Russian Red? The blue-red matte lipstick has been a cult classic since the 80’s and at $19 it’s not that expensive as far as lipsticks go. However, if you peruse the drugstore you might want to check out Wet -n- Wild Stoplight Red 911D lipstick which is less than $3! I’ve also heard NYX in Alabama for $6 is a dead ringer as well.
    SPLURGE:
     MAC Russian Red Lipstick, $19
    STEAL:
    Wet N’ Wild Mega Last Lip Color Stoplight Red, $2.99

  3. I remember hearing about NARS Orgasm blush in the early 2000’s and wondered what all the fuss was about. The “peachy pink with shimmer” shade doesn’t have much hanger appeal, but on, it’s fabulous on pretty much everyone, so I was sold. Yet when I heard Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso was virtually the same I just had to check it out for myself.
    SPLURGE:
     NARS Orgasm Blush, $30
    STEAL:
    Milani Baked Powder Blush, Luminoso, $8.94

  4.  Now this one I discovered for myself back in the 90’s. I had lost my MAC Spice lip liner and in a pinch found Wet-N-Wild Brandywine 666 lip liner at my drugstore for .99. I not only used it exclusively for years, I turned a lot of friends on to it.
    SPLURGE:
    MAC Spice Lip Liner, $18
    STEAL:
    Wet N’ Wild Coloricon Lip Liner Brandy Wine #666, $7.92

  5. If I had a dollar for every beauty expert and makeup artist who waxed poetic about YSL Touche Éclat I’d be rich! This cult classic is an anti-aging must-have highlighter for a radiant, flawless face. It literally makes fine lines, dark circles & signs of fatigue disappear. Is there a dupe that costs less? Yes! Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer does the same for a lot less.
    SPLURGE:
    YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Concealer, $38
    STEAL:
     Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, $16.86

  6. Anyone who knows me, knows I am addicted to Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and have had a hard time finding anything that comes close. At $64 per bottle (and the price keeps going up) I find myself scraping the bottom to make sure I get every cent of product out. L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup SPF 20 is nearly identical and costs a lot less.
    SPLURGE:
     Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, $64
    STEAL:
     L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup, $7.30

  7. It’s amazing how many women go nuts for Dior Show Mascara. It’s a triple threat. It thickens, lengthens and separates lashes for a nearly fake, unparalleled lash. That is until you try L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara which also has a ton of fans. They are frankly the same. Just ask my mother.
    SPLURGE:
    Dior Show Mascara, $29.50
    STEAL:
     L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara, $6.89

  8.  As I get older I don’t use as much powder as I used to, but I find I feel more comfortable with a compact in my makeup bag in case I get that shine I loathe late in the day. Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder is a fan favorite, but Rimmel’s Stay Matte Pressed Powder is essentially the same.
    SPLURGE:
    Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Setting Powder, $44
    STEAL:
    Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $3.17

    Splurge total:
    $286.50  Steal total: $63.06.  Now you do the math!

Lauren Dimet Waters Signature

 You may also like to read more of my anti-aging beauty posts like The 11 Best Anti-Aging Hair Products and Anti-Aging: The Importance Of Removing Makeup Every Night.

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4 thoughts on “Splurge vs Steal: 8 of The Most Popular Beauty Dupes”

  1. The problem with the “steals” is that those companies test their products on animals in a horrific and cruel way. I buy less makeup but am happy to pay more for products from companies whose practices are ethical.

    Reply
    • I totally hear where you are coming from and I get it. Sadly most of the luxury brander mentioned here animal test too. They have to if they want to sell in Asia (that is the real problem). So I am actually finding a like for like. If you don’t want to use brands that do animal testing I wouldn’t use any of these. I am moving more that way myself. Any brand that sells in China does animal testing. I can’t wait until it is abolished everywhere.

      Reply

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