Drugstore Dupes: Splurge or Save

The age old question… is prestige/ high end makeup really that much better than drugstore makeup? I decided to compare some of my favorite makeup products to see if the drugstore dupes truly measure up. The results might surprise  you!

Half of my face above features ‘splurge’ high end makeup and the other half features drugstore dupes… can you spot the difference? Give up?! The drugstore dupes are on the left-facing side!

Keep reading to find out which products I’m splurging on and which drugstore dupe counterparts I’ll be saving on>>

CC Cream

Splurge: it Cosmetics CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ ($39)

Save: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo CC Cream ($14)

My pick? This was tough, but my heart belongs to my it Cosmetics CC+ Cream! I love that the it CC has an SPF of 50, looks super natural, covers redness and gives my skin a healthy, dewy finish. Overall, my skin looks more radiant. The it CC is available in 12 shades and two types– the og and an illuminating version.

However, the e.l.f. Camo CC Cream is a fantastic drugstore dupe option and may be better suited for your skin if a dewy finish isn’t your thing. There are more shade options (16 total) and the CC offers an SPF of 30. I found that the undertone was a bit too warm for my liking, I tend to stick to neutral undertones. This CC offers good coverage and evens out skin tone, but seemed more drying on my skin– this would be excellent for those with oilier skin!

 

Bronzer

Splurge: BECCA Cosmetics Sunlit Bronzer($38)

Save: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer($15)

My pick? Butter Bronzer, hands down! This drugstore bronzer is less than half the price of the BECCA bronzer. Both bronzers are pigmented and give skin a pretty sun-kissed glow. However, the Butter Bronzer’s ultra-creamy powder texture applies beautifully and naturally onto skin. Butter Bronzer is offered in eight shades whereas BECCA offers five.

The OG Butter Bronzer gives a pretty, satin finish however the newer Matte Monoi Butter Bronzer offers a matte finish.

 

Lipstick

Splurge: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Pillow Talk’ ($34)

Save: NYX Matte Lipstick in ‘Euro Trash’ ($6)

My pick? It’s easy to see why the Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in ‘Pillow Talk’ has a cult following. The rosy nude shade is stunning and looks fabulous on pretty much every skin tone. CT die-hards don’t come for me, but for this one,  I  choose save. I can purchase almost 6 of the NYX Matte Lipsticks for the price of one CT lippie– the color and payoff are almost a perfect match!

Physicians Formula Rosé Kiss All Day Lip Color in ‘Pillow Talk’ is another drugstore dupes shade match! These lip colors apply so creamy and the pencil design makes it easy to line lips and fill in.

 

Blush & Highlighter

Splurge: MAC Powder Blush ($25)

Save: Wet n Wild ColorIcon Blush ($4)

My pick? Save! The Wet n Wild blushes are pigmented and blend into skin so nicely. While MAC does offer more blush shade options, if you can find a similar Wet n Wild blush shade, save your coin & go with the drugstore option!

 

Splurge: Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil ($39)

Save: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Dust ($14)

My pick? Save… unless you want additional shade options. Both highlighters have super soft powder textures and show-stopping glittery shimmer. However, the Physicians Formula is packed with good-for-skin ingredients creating a powder-serum hybrid. Plus, it’s infused with actual diamond powder. Aside from a platinum shade, Fenty Beauty also offers gorgeous copper and rose gold shades that provide some major shimmer.

 

Mascara

Splurge: Wander Beauty Mile High Club Mascara ($26)

Save: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara ($11)

My pick? Save! Trying the Sky High Mascara was one of those Tik-Tok-Made-Me-Do-It moments. It really does lengthen and lift lashes! I’m impressed with the results as you can see in the face photo above.

Whether you are going for lengthened lashes, or full voluminous lashes, save your money and go with drugstore mascaras. I say the same for eyeliner as well– always save!

 

Brow Gel

Splurge: Glossier Boy Brow ($16)

Save: e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow Gel ($4)

My pick? This one is tough because it really depends on the brow look you are going for. Both grow gels offer all-day hold, are available in several shades and overall volumize brows. I love the look of soft, feathery brows which Boy Brow provides so I lean towards this. However, Wow Brow holds it’s own– it contains fibers that really work to create fuller-looking brows. If you’re like me and purchase both, I won’t hold it against you!

 

Lipgloss

Splurge: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer ($19)

Save: Maybelline Lifter Gloss  ($9)

My pick? Both glosses offer super shiny lips and a sheer hint of color. Save your $10 and go with the Lifter Gloss. I love that the Lifter Gloss contains hyaluronic acid to smooth and hydrate lips. Plus, you have a choice of 10 shades (Fenty offers 6), some with sparkle and some without.

 

Have you tried any of these drugstore dupes? Which would you pick?

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