If you want to look like a bad bitch but you have the budget of a sad bitch then trust me baby you aren’t alone. I spend most of my non-working (and some of my working) waking hours thinking about affordable ways to look my best. No I can’t afford botox, a rhinoplasty, lip filler, and liposuction but I can afford makeup and the latest Walmart/Target/TJ Maxx fashion.
So for all of my ladies and gents that identify with my above sentiments here are a few of my favorite dupes for high end makeup. For the most part I think these products are just as good as their counterpart, and for a lot of them, I find the dupes better.
However, before we get completely into this list, I also want to mention that I love high end beauty brands. I definitely think that if you love makeup you should have a diverse collection of all kinds of brands and products. I also know that the more affordable brands really couldn’t function without inspiration from the bigger brands. The goal of this post is not to discourage anyone from shopping these high end brands, it is simply my hot takes for gals on a budget.
1. It Cosmetics CC Cream vs. E.l.f Camo CC Cream
Priced at a whopping $39.50 the It Cosmetics cc cream is a fan favorite for sure. People love the light coverage and convenience of a slap-and-go face product to make their face look somewhat presentable, minimize pores, reduce redness blahblahblahblah. Baby I get it, I teach dance five days a week so the full coverage foundation that I know and love is sometimes just not a good choice for sweaty, masky, teaching nights.
I feel it is important to mention that I have never tried this It Cosmetics cc cream because the price has always turned me off. I’m sure I would love it because so many people do, I just can’t bring myself to buy it. Seriously, my full coverage foundation costs less than that.
The e.l.f Camo cc cream hits you with that $14.00 price tag and it really just can’t be stopped. It does everything you want your cc cream to do and you can literally buy almost three for the price of one It Cosmetics tube. I personally say if you love It Cosmetics you should try the E.l.f Camo cc cream to compare. Even if not as a replacement for the It Cosmetics, maybe just for everyday wear or to keep in your car/purse/desk for touch ups.
For more info on the e.l.f cc cream check out my YouTube video featuring it.
2. Estée Lauder Double Wear vs. Morphe Filter Effect Soft-Focus Foundation
Go into Ulta or Sephora and ask any employee what their favorite full coverage foundation is, you’re bound to hear about this one. Estée Lauder Double Wear is one of the most popular full coverage foundations. For what? I’ve said it before I’ll say it again just because it is popular doesn’t mean it’s the best.
The Double Wear is $43.00, compared to Morphe’s Filter Effect Soft-Focus Foundation. The only bad thing about the Morphe is that god damn long ass name. Who can remember all of that? MORPHE---- FILTER---EFFECT----SOFT----FOCUS-----FOUNDATION. Jesus, imagine trying to tell a girl in the bathroom of a club what foundation you’re wearing when she compliments it. Awe man sad, remember going to clubs?
Anyway, with the Morphe priced at $20.00, you could have two for the price of one bottle of the Estée Lauder. To me there’s no question as to which you should buy. Maybe Morphe isn’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for full coverage… for $20.00 you should try it.
3. Tatcha The Silk Canvas vs. E.l.f Putty Primer
Tatcha, a brand known primarily for its skin care products was widely popularized in the last few years across the beauty scene. Creators like Jeffree Star and James Charles were going crazy for the mists, moisturizers, and primers. While the brand is extremely pricey and high end I have absolutely no choice but to stan because the founder, Victoria Tsai, was born in Missouri.
I have tried both the Tatcha Silk Canvas and the Tatcha Water Cream, the most popular products of the brand in my opinion, and both were underwhelming. The Silk Canvas checks out to $52.00 and the water cream is nearly $70.00. You might be thinking that is pricey, but you get a lot of product, right? No. The Silk Canvas offers 0.7 oz. and the Water Cream is 1.7 oz. WTF.
Meanwhile e.l.f. is just over here stuntin’ with their $8.00 .74 oz. primer. This is one of those circumstances where I have tried both and see absolutely no difference between the Tatcha and the e.l.f., so go save your coin girlies and get the e.l.f.
4. Benefit Bad Gal Bang vs. Maybelline Sky High
I don’t have a negative word to say about Benefit, all of their shit is good. However, any makeup lover can tell you that you’re going to pay $$ for that Benefit quality. The Bad Gal Bang mascara is what I swore by before I found Maybelline Sky High. It gave me so much length and volume, it had adorable packaging, and it lasts a relatively long time. The downfall? It’s $25.00/tube.
**Maybelline Sky High has enters the chat**
Maybelline Sky High is also known as “The TikTok mascara.” Someone posted a video on TikTok of them putting it on, and then layering several coats and it flew off the shelves. For good reason, this mascara is the shit. I can’t say enough good things about it and if you watch my YouTube channel, you know that. The Sky High mascara is $9.00. The only bad thing about it is the fact that it’s so hard to find these days. Everyone I show it to becomes immediately hooked. I will admit it doesn’t do much for me in terms of volume, but the length that I get from this mascara is crazy!
I love both of these mascaras with all of my lash-loving heart. I would say that they probably make a great combo except for the fact that I haven’t tried it yet. Bad Gal Bang’s volume combined with Sky High’s lengthening properties seems like an unmatched duo.
5. NYX Bare With Me Primer Vs. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
I know you’re probably getting sick of me and my opinions… bare with me.
...Speaking of…
Ew, okay sorry dad joke.
Anway, the Milk Hydro Grip primer is one of my favorite primers. I love Milk Makeup because it all feels so good on my skin. I also love that they have products geared toward men and have done marketing and photos of men for men. WE LOVE INCLUSIVITY.
That being said, like all of the other high end products in this list, Milk Makeup is bougie af. The Hydro Grip Primer is $32.00. Yes it feels damn good on your face but not when you swipe that card in Sephora. Meanwhile NYX Bare With Me primer is only $17.00.
The primers have a similar gel consistency and strive for the same goal of hydrating the skin before makeup application. Not only does hydrated skin make makeup look better, but it also helps the makeup go on better. NYX has a whole Bare With Me line of products that I have not tried (I am dying to), but for now I say that the primer does a nice job and is a great dupe for the Milk primer.
To conclude this broke bitch’s guide to luxury dupes, I want to reiterate that I love all of the brands in this list. If I could afford to, I would have all of these products ready in my collection every day. And maybe one day I will have the luxury of not worrying about the cost of makeup, but for now I am nickel and diming every beauty product I use. And since I know so many of you are in the same boat as I, I just decided to write it down and document this shit for all of us.
Thanks again for coming on another blog journey with me. Please let me know if this was helpful to you in the comments and also let me know if you try any of these products and find new favorites.
Comments