Best Makeup Dupes: Top 7 Products, According To Beauty Experts

Let’s face it, all of us love to look and feel our best. We would all probably prioritize our looks a little more if it didn’t take so much time or cost so much money. No matter what your gender is, you’ve definitely spent more than you’d like in time and money on products to enhance your appearance. The best expensive makeup dupes can be your best friend in achieving the same show-stopping looks without spending extra money. 

No matter how long your makeup routine takes, finding the right products at a reasonable price shouldn’t be so hard. If you’re searching for your favorite trending products and wondering if they have a dupe, check out our list of the best expensive makeup dupes based on the consensus of 13 beauty experts. You might some products you already know, or discover your next new essential. Let us know which ones you’re planning to snag in the comments below!

The List: Best Makeup Dupes, According to Experts

1. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Dupe for: NARS Orgasm Blush

If you’re a fan of shimmery blush that also doubles as a highlighter, the NARS Orgasm blush is famous for its natural finish and creamy texture that’s easy to blend. Grand Central Magazine says that Milani is similarly great for highlighting cheekbones just like the NARS blush. For so much cheaper, you can achieve the same look. 

If you can’t justify spending top dollar on a single blush, the Milani dupe is a steal, and at almost two thirds cheaper, you can’t really complain. “Both of these powder blushes have that sunset-inspired pink-meets-peach shade with a dash of gold running through them that flatters a range of skin tones,” explains Daily Mail. “The texture of both of these is creamy, yet long-wearing.”

The Milani dupe will produce almost the same effect, but some reviewers say it has an even more noticeable sparkle. “Milani is more of a baked, creamy consistency while Nars is a true powder,” says The Krazy Koupon Lady. “Even though the Milani is 0.04 ounces smaller, it’s still an insanely good deal for the same look.”

2. L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

Dupe for: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

If you like a foundation that goes on smoothly and leaves you looking dewy and glowy without spreading specks of glitter all over your face, Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk is a famous foundation used among makeup artists, but costs a fortune for a single bottle. According to The Cut, L’Oréal’s dupe is less than half the cost with the same radiant finish that easily glides onto the skin. 

The L’Oreal dupe offers a little less coverage than the Armani version but is buildable and looks similar in pictures. Who What Wear likes that it also comes in 30 shades and delivers “velvety” coverage and illumination to the skin just like the Armani foundation. 

3. E.l.f Poreless Putty Primer 

Dupe for: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer went viral for providing the perfect, poreless base for your skin. However the Tatcha primer costs $54, so it’s not surprising the internet hopped on e.l.f.’s dupe when it came out. According to Betches, this dupe is one-sixth of the price, yet still boasts great reviews. They call it a “dream dupe.”

For a fraction of the price the Poreless Putty Primer uses hydrating squalane to fill in pores and smooths the skin while providing grip for makeup. Glam explains that it works in the same way with directions to wait 30 seconds after applying before putting on more makeup. The similar putty formula melts into your skin and successfully creates a blank, smooth canvas for your foundation.

The brand also came out with matte and luminous versions of the putty primer after the first version became so popular. Makeup artist Lindsey Thorne confirms this product holds makeup in place all day long. They describe it as having a “velvety, silky, texture and smoothes the surface of the skin.”

4. E.l.f Hydrating Camo Concealer

Dupe for: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Tarte used to own the market for the best full coverage concealer until e.l.f., the leader in dupes, came out with their own version. “Lastly, let’s talk about concealers. The e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer, priced at $7, holds its own against Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer, which costs a whopping $31,” According to Avenue B, the Camp Concealer holds up against the famous Shape Tape, because it offers “full coverage, blends beautifully, and won’t dry out your skin, making it an excellent choice for those seeking quality on a budget.”

The e.l.f. version costs less than half the price of the Tarte concealer and provides just as much coverage, with a wide range of shades available. The Krazy Koupon Lady claims that e.l.f.’s Camo Concealer offers the same creamy and blendable formula as Tarte’s Shape Tape, which costs a whopping $27 more. While the e.l.f. bottle is slightly smaller, you’re still getting a great deal and the added convenience of being able to find and test shades in person at most drugstores and grocery stores, unlike Tarte which may require relying on online purchases. Glam also appreciates the skincare benefits in the formula due to the use of kaolin clay and avocado oil.

5. Revlon PhotoReady Candid Concealer

Dupe for: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is a staple in the beauty world forn its wide shade range and ability to provide natural looking coverage that blends seamlessly into the skin. Your Next Level Self ensures that Revlon’s PhotoReady Candid Concealer is just as effective as NARS at disguising dark circles, blending easily, and providing long-lasting coverage. 

Besides being amazingly lightweight on the skin, the Revlon concealer also protects your under eye area from blue light and environmental pollutants. This is a better option than the e.l.f. concealer for those who don’t need heavy coverage and like a natural, non-matte finish.

6. E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter

Dupe for: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter works as both a primer and highlighter, providing a flawless base and a luminous glue. It also costs a whopping $49. Huda Beauty writes that e.l.f.’s Halo Glow has a radiant formula that makes your skin “oh-so-dewy.” The combination of fine powder mixed with squalane and hyaluronic acid smoothes the appearance of pores and hydrates all at once.  

The e.l.f. Version only costs so much less, and will give your skin the same soft-focus filter-like glow. It can be worn alone, under or over makeup, mixed with foundation, or as a highlighter. Glam raves that this dupe lives up to the promises Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter with a range of eight shades and that classic glow it produces. You could even double this product as a tinted serum foundation since it provides more coverage than the Charlotte Tilbury version. 

7. L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara

Dupe for: Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara

If you’re a mascara lover you’ve definitely heard about Too Faced’s Better than Sex mascara that promises voluminous lashes. But since it launched in 2013, it still costs quite a lot for a mascara. Mama Mia says the quality of this mascara doesn’t have top be so expensive. “In fact, L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara is a very close match. It has similar volumizing, lengthening benefits, and at a fraction of the price – you really can’t go wrong,” they add.

The L’Oreal version still provides the same amount of volume at almost half the price. Some reviewers say the Better than Sex goes on smoother, but the difference is negligible. Avenue B raves about the impressive volume it produces that creates a “full, fluttery look.” The brushes are almost the same shape, and both products come in a waterproof version for streak-free, long lasting makeup. 

Sources:

• Grand Central Magazine
• Daily Mail
• The Krazy Koupon Lady
• The Cut
• Who What Wear
• Betches
• Glam
• Lindsey Thorne
• Avenue B
• Your Next Level Self
• Self
• Huda Beauty
• Mama Mia

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.