Spending a lot on our beauty regime isn’t something many of us can afford when living costs are soaring, but if you’re a fan of luxury products, the good news is there are plenty of cheap dupes available.
You’ll find masses of beauty influencers talking about the latest beauty dupes on the market on social media. Major brands that offer budget versions of the most popular beauty products include, for example, Superdrug, Aldi, Boots, Primark and Wilko. Many dupes are widely considered just as good, or sometimes even better, as the real deal. You can read more about how to cut the cost of skincare and make up products in our article 21 ways to cut the cost of your beauty routine.
Here’s our round up of the top 10 dupes to cut the cost of your beauty routine.
1. Superdrug Naturally Radiant hot cloth face cleanser: £8.99 for 150ml at Superdrug - possible dupe for Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish 100ml (£18.50 at Boots)
Liz Earle’s creamy cleanser that comes with a cloth to gently exfoliate while also removing make up has a cult following. But many believe Superdrug’s Natural Radiant hot cloth face cleanser does the job just as well, and it contains many of the same ingredients. The Superdrug version is also 50ml larger than the Liz Earle tube, and comes with a slightly thicker muslin cloth. The cream itself is similarly thick, gentle and a little goes a long way, leaving minimal residue and your skin glowing.
2. Vitamin enriched moisturising primer from Primark: £4.50 for 45ml at Primark - possible dupe for Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched face base 50ml (£42 at Allbeauty)
Primark’s Vitamin Enriched Moisturising Primer in its creamy-white tub looks very similar to Bobbi Brown’s Enriched Face Base. There’s no denying that Bobbi Brown’s primer is super luxurious (and so it should be for that price), but the Primark dupe is similarly satisfyingly rich and thick. It’s also fragrance-free if you’re not a fan of Bobbi Brown’s slightly lemony scent. The finish is extremely similar for such a budget dupe, and receives plenty of rave reviews from beauty influencers.
3. Revolution Conceal & Define concealer: £4 at Amazon - possible dupe for Tarte Shape Tape 10ml (£27 at Tarte).
Both the Revolution and Tarte concealers provide full coverage, and are long-lasting. You might find that Tarte’s Shape Tape gives you a bit more coverage, according to reviewers, but it’s tricky to tell the difference between these two. They give you a matte finish and are fast drying, so may not be entirely suitable as an under eye concealer, but for a general concealer, you can’t go wrong with Revolution’s version. This brand has been climbing the ranks when it comes to budget beauty dupes that really work.
4. Essence Soft Touch Mousse foundation £3.79 at Wilko - possible dupe for Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse foundation 17ml (£8.99 at Look Fantastic)
Essence’s soft touch mousse make-up is effectively the budget version of Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. Like Maybelline, the Soft Touch Mousse comes in a round jar, and contains a mousse formula that’s easy to apply. According to beauty reviewers, Essence’s foundation feels nice to wear and provides a similar light to medium coverage as the Maybelline mousse. Provided you can find your shade, it may be a great option to try if you’re a fan of the feel and finish of mousse foundations.
5. Barry M’s Gelly H-Shine Nail Paint: £3.99 at Boots - possible dupe for Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour (£29 at Chanel).
If you’re looking for a long-lasting, protective nail polish, the Barry M Gelly H-Shine Nail Paint is a great, cheap option. Like Chanel’s Le Vernis, it glides on easily and offers a shiny gel-look finish that won’t chip easily. You can pick from a wide range of colours, but the nude featured here is one of the most popular classic options.
6. Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder: £3.99 at Amazon - possible dupe for MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (£32 at MAC).
Rimmel is renowned for its brilliant budget make-up, and this powder is no exception. It may not provide quite as much coverage as MAC’s Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation but you can keep layering and it won’t cake. By contrast, the MAC powder needs a light touch as it can be easy to apply too much, and some reviewers claim they prefer the Rimmel powder over its pricier counterpart.
7. Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water: £5.99 at Amazon - possible dupe for Bioderma Sensibio M20 Micellar water (£12.66 from Amazon).
Micellar water can be used to gently but effectively remove dirt, make up and oil to keep your skin clear while also toning your skin. There are masses of options to choose from, with Bioderma’s being one of the best on the expensive end of the scale. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly dupe, the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water has many fans who say it works just as well. One reviewer said: “I was skeptical at first, but it even takes off mascara. The price alone made it easy to give this product a try, and it’s a rare discovery.”
8. Rimmel Magnif’eyes Eyeshadow Palette Spice: £9.99 at Boots - possible dupe for Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette £49 at Urban Decay).
If you’re an eyeshadow fan, Rimmel palettes are a great option, and this particular one has similar shades to the cult Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette, for a fraction of the price. The mixture of shimmery and matte shades are densely-pigmented, and should last all day too, which makes them a great buy if you’re on a tight budget but want a glam look.
9. The Ordinary’s AHA 30% Peeling Solution: £8.90 for 30ml at Boots - possible dupe for Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial (£70 for 50ml at Boots).
The Ordinary, as its name suggests, is known for being a no-nonsense beauty brand with products that contain ingredients that really work. The Ordinary AHA 30% Peeling Solution contains a mixture of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, and it’s around eight times cheaper than Drunk Elephant’s version. Simply leave on your skin for a few minutes to feel the product working to deeply exfoliate the skin and clear your pores, leaving you with baby soft skin.
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