When it comes to makeup I am not picky – drugstore makeup or department store makeup as long as it works I am down.
These drugstore makeup dupes are worthy – they perform just as well as makeup products at the department stores.
In fact, some of my favorite makeup dupes are also in this mix.
Department Store Versions Vs Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes
The gag is some of these makeup dupes perform even better than the department store versions, especially considering the price.
Therefore, for the price you just can’t go wrong by opting for these dupes. Overall a better deal, considering the savings.
Plus these dupes are available at the majority of the major drugstore stores located in most neighborhoods, unlike the department stores.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Highlighter Dupes
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact – Nectar – Soft, Coral Glow: Price: $48
Bobbi Brown Highlighter Dupes
Bobbi Brown Highlighter Dupe → Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush and Eyeshadow – Vegas Light Bronzer: Savings: Over $39
Bobbi Brown Highlighters
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks highlighters are one of the top holy-grail products on this list because so many makeup addicts love this highlighter.
Personally, it just wasn’t for me. In fact, I tried it at Sephora and I knew it wasn’t a purchase I would have really enjoyed.
I mean for $48 bucks I better be deeply in love with a highlighter for me to make that purchase.
Plus, I already owned the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips and to me, it gives me the glow I like.
Therefore, before purchasing the Bobbi Brown highlighter I highly recommend you go to Sephora to try it out.
Who knows it might be perfect for you.
My opinion aside, it creates a pretty glow from within look. However, I prefer my highlighters to be seen and heard – (that’s not even possible but yes I want to be a disco ball!).
In fact, you need to see my highlighter from miles away! Yes, I know I might be ridiculous but the Bobbi Brown just wasn’t giving me that makeup vibe I like.
I am still considering, revisiting it – who knows I might have a change of heart.
Anywhoo, if you are looking for a dupe of the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks the Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips are great alternatives so check them out.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Makeup Sponge Dupes
Beautyblender: Price: $20
Beautyblender Dupes
Beautyblender Dupe → Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: Savings: Over $14
Beautyblender
The Beautyblender is soft and bouncy and I absolutely love it but the price … Oh my! I feel like it’s just robbery!
Like shut up take me money but … why? Like why is it so expensive?
Considering how long it’s been on the market plus with all these dupes available you would think the price would have been reduced already.
But it really does seem like Beautyblender is going to reduce the price anytime soon. Actually, from the looks of it, the line is expanding.
From just makeup sponges to now foundations and primers.
So if you were hoping for a reduction in price it’s probably not going to happen, at least not anytime soon.
Thus, your best bet is a Beautyblender dupe.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is a great dupe you won’t be disappointed.
It’s not as soft and bouncy as the Beautyblender but girl, for the price that’s a sacrifice, I am willing to make.
However, if you can’t make that sacrifice, it’s totally cool. Luckily, Sephora currently offering two Beautyblenders plus a cleanser for $45!
Related Posts
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Mascara Dupes
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Price: $25
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Dupes
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Dupe → L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara: Savings: Over $15
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Dupe → Rimmel ScandalEyes Retroglam Mascara: Savings: Over $19
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
When it comes to mascara I am not picky but the mascara just has to work! It really annoys me coating my eyelashes with an extra coat product for nothing.
So when I tried Lash Paradise by L’Oreal I fell in love because it works for me. It lengths and volumizes my eyelashes.
Now up to that point, I still hadn’t tried Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, but I really wanted to know what the hype was about so I finally caved in and purchased the travel size just to try it out.
Girl! Let’s just say the hype is all the way really. No BS. Overall, great mascara.
It lengths and volumizes just like Lash Paradise but the gag is Lash Paradise is way cheaper!
So if you don’t want to splurge on Too Face Better Than Sex Mascara, Lash Paradise or Rimmel ScandalEyes Retroglam Mascara will be your best bet!
Related Post: Better Than Sex Mascara Alternatives
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Primer Dupes
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Price: $36
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer Worthy Dupes
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer Worthy Dupe → Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer: Savings: Over $30
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer Worthy Dupe → Black Opal Invisible Oil Blocking Gel Primer: Savings: Over $26
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer Worthy Dupe → Monistat Complete Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel: Savings: Over $28
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Smash Photo Finish Foundation Primer is one of my top primers. I fully talk about this primer in detail here → Best Smashbox Primer Alternatives.
Overall, this primer is the bomb! When I first tried it I wasn’t a fan. Yes, I was not impressed at all.
However, I revisited it and fell in love. This primer is one of my two favorite primers ever.
When I am prepping for an important event I either reach for this primer or the other fav, the YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer.
Both primers minimize pores, blurs, and smooths skin texture like no other I have tried. However they are on the pricey side, but with these primers, you get what you pay for.
If your intention is to look like you used an Instagram filter then these primers are what you should be looking for.
Between the two primers, the YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer is top, but Smashbox does come really close which is okay especially considering it is cheaper than the YSL primer.
If you can’t afford these primers the dupes are great options, especially the ELF primer.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Foundation Dupes
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup: Price: $43
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation Dupe
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation Dupe → L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation: Savings: Over $11
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
If you are an oily girl and you still haven’t tried this foundation you should definitely consider getting a sample from a department store.
The Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation is one of the top foundations for oily skin. This foundation is a staple in my collection.
Other foundations come and go but this one has become the “it product” for me.
However, the price of this foundation seems to be increasing annually. My first purchase cost me around $35 and now this foundation is $43 dollars. Therefore, it’s not cheap by any means.
If you can’t manage the price tag, there are dupes available that performers just as well.
In the past, the top dupe for the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation was the Revlon ColorStay foundation.
However, after the changes Revlon made to the formula, I no longer think it’s the best dupe for Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.
The best dupe is currently, L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. Therefore, if you prefer a cheaper alternative try L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation.
Related Post: Estee Lauder Foundation Alternatives
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Eyebrow Makeup Dupes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade: Price: $18
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Dupe
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Dupe → Milani Stay Put Brow: Savings: Over $11
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Dupe → NYX Eyebrow Gel: Savings: Over $13
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Dupe
Anastasia Beverly Hill Dipbrow Pomade is only on this list because of its popularity. I tried it and it just didn’t work out for me.
In fact, after trying it, I honestly don’t know what the hype is about but it works for some people and they love it.
Here’s the thing, it didn’t keep my eyebrow in place well, the product transferred to the touch, it was too thick, plus the color I choose was unflattering so I returned it to the store.
If it works for you that’s great but I couldn’t get this product to work at all.
In regards to the color being unflattering, that was most likely my fault due to selecting the wrong shade.
However, overall for $18 it wasn’t ideal for me.
Anyhoo, definitely try it out if you are interested. Sephora loves giving samples. In fact, so far I have no issues getting samples from Sephora.
If Dipbrow is too expensive for you then consider Milani Stay Put Brow or NYX Eyebrow Gel.
These two work extremely well and they are very affordable.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Setting Spray Dupes
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray: Price: $33
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Dupes
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Dupe → Wet N Wild Photo Focus Matte Finish Setting Spray: Savings: Over $28
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Dupe → Milani Make It Last Makeup Setting Spray: Savings: Over $24
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Dupe → NYX Matte Setting Spray: Savings: Over $24
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
I don’t stan by many setting sprays, because a lot of them don’t keep makeup in place plus they don’t even make your makeup look better.
In fact, all they do is wet your face, but all-nighter is a different story.
It brings your makeup to life.
Your makeup looks so much better after spraying this on plus it helps control oil a little longer, keeps your makeup looking fresher longer and it’s also great for refreshing makeup.
I am happy I tried it after being unimpressed by Skindinavia Setting Spray.
While Urban Decay All Nighter is a gem in its own right it’s on the pricey side.
Thankfully, there are great alternatives including the setting sprays from Wet N Wild, Milani, and NYX.
Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes: Setting Powder Dupes
Sasha Buttercup Light Setting Powder: Price: $24.95
Sasha Buttercup Light Setting Powder Dupe
Sasha Buttercup Light Setting Powder Dupe → Black Radiance Banana Setting Powder: Savings: Over $18
Sasha Buttercup Light Setting Powder Dupe
The Sasha Buttercup setting powders are one of the most hyped-up setting powders on YouTube and let’s just say the hype is real.
I can’t believe it took me so long to try this setting powder. All the money I could have saved! All the disappointment I could have dodged!
However, in my defense, there was no way to get a sample so I didn’t bother until this year after my birthday.
Yes, girl thanks to a few Amazon gift cards I purchased the Sasha Buttercup Light setting powder then shortly after Sasha Buttercup was purchased since I was so impressed with the light formula.
Overall, this setting powder is really the next best thing to a slice of cheese – no exaggeration.
If you haven’t tried this yet give it a shot. The Sasha Buttercup Light is perfect for everyday wear while Sasha Buttercup is great for going all out beating your face.
It’s absolutely amazing for setting undereye concealer – the powder doesn’t settle in fine lines.
However, if you prefer something cheaper Black Radiance Banana Setting Powder is the perfect dupe for Sasha Buttercup Light.
Thus, definitely consider it if you want to save. It’s a dead-on dupe.
I am amazed more people are not talking about it.
