The Best High-End Makeup Dupes

By Molly Lowell 

It is no secret that makeup has a big price tag attached to it. We have all walked into Sephora after buying only a few products wondering how we just spent so much money. As a college student on a budget, I have found the best dupes for high-end makeup products so you don’t have to!

Starting off with a foundation - a fan favorite is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. Georgio Armani is a luxury makeup brand priced at $64. It is hard to justify spending all that money for only one ounce of product. Nonetheless, this foundation leaves a beautiful skin-like finish and has consistently good ratings. If you want to get the same type of look for less, try the Loreal True Match Luminous Foundation for $13. Not only does it look great, but your wallet will thank you!

Next is concealer. The Tarte Shape Tape was my ride or die until I discovered the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser. It provides the same type of coverage for less than half the price! The Tarte concealer sells for $30, while the Maybelline concealer goes for $10. The only downside is that Maybelline has only 16 shades to choose from while Tarte has 35 and is much more inclusive.

Let’s move on to bronzer - my personal favorite product in my makeup bag! I have had difficulty finding a good bronzer that doesn’t make you look orange and doesn’t have glitter built into it. After experimentation with different brands, I’ve concluded that the best high-end bronzer is the Benefit Hoola Bronzer. It is the perfect shade of deep bronze and does not leave your face looking muddy or sparkly. This bronzer sells for $30. The best dupe is the Rimmel Natural Bronzer. It has almost twice as much product and sells for only $4. This is a price you simply cannot beat! The formula is almost the same and is definitely worth trying! It has become my all-time favorite and the bronzer that I tend to reach for over my Hoola bronzer.

Now we will talk about blush! I was never a big fan of blush, as I didn’t know how to apply it and worried that I looked like a clown! However, I finally found a blush that creates a natural sun-kissed look. Personally, I love a cream blush. Specifically, the Glossier Cloud Paint which costs $18. It is beautiful and makes you look like you just spent a sunny day at the beach. An alternative product that adds a similar rosy pigment is the Maybelline Cheek Heat, which costs only $6.

Let’s finish up our makeup look with some mascara. Mascara elevates your look and makes tired eyes look awake. For that reason, it is a must-have in my makeup kit! I’m sure everyone has heard of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Not only has the scandalous name made it popular, but it also does wonders for your lashes. It is dark and adds length without making your eyelashes clumpy. The best dupe for this mascara is L'oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara. This is only $10 compared to the Too Faced $27 mascara.

       There you go! Your makeup bag is complete. The total for the high-end makeup came to $169, while the drugstore total was $43. You just saved $126 on makeup, and still look fabulous with these dupes!