How To Find The Best Drug-Store Dupes To Your High-End Makeup Favs
As much as we would love to buy every product we see in our favorite celeberties’s Vogue “Beauty Secrets” or influencer’s “Get Ready With Me” videos, most of us cannot afford their elaborate routines. Their seemingly flawless skin and makeup is not exclusive to expensive products- there are cheap products that can be just as good - or better.
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Step One: Skin Tint
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter or Glossier Skin Tint seem to be mentioned in every other “glowy makeup routine” tutorial. This same look can be achieved on a budget thanks to the Elf Halo Glow Foundation. It is lightweight and a perfect way to achieve this effortlessly glowy look, especially if foundation isn’t your thing. Another alternative is the Loreal “Glotion”, it makes your skin shine without looking greasy, and is lightweight enough to wear without any other makeup. If you are like me and have dry skin, these do not create dry patches at all and literally glide on when layered with moisturizer. If your skin is on the oily side, they are light and breathable with enough coverage to avoid looking greasy.
Step Two: Concealer
We have heard just about every influencer rave about the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, Kosas Concealer, or the Tarte Shape Tape. Unfortunately, not all of us can spend $30 to get rid of our dark undereyes. Fortunately, the Elf Creaseless Concealer is here to save us! Most similar to the Tarte Shape Tape, it is full coverage yet still blends out very nicely. It covers up almost all redness and blemishes, without being cakey. An alternative similar to the Nars concealer is the Maybelline Fit Me, which is perfect if you prefer a more lightweight concealer. This one blends out like a dream and pairs perfectly on top of a good skin tint. One last alternative is the NYX Bare With Me Serum Concealer, which is perfect if you want to achieve the “no makeup makeup” look; it is super lightweight and blends out beautifully.
Step Three: Bronzer or contour
The Benefit Hoola Bronzer has been permanently imprinted in my memory after hearing it mentioned in every single makeup tutorial since 2015. Still, it is hard to justify paying full price for just one product. Good thing the Physicians formula Butter Bronzer is a perfect alternative. This bronzer blends out nicely and gives you the perfect bronzed look you are searching for. It is just very light, so you do need to layer it on. If powdered bronzer isn’t your thing and you prefer a cream base, the Pixi On-the-Go bronze stick is your new best friend. It blends out so smooth and makes you look tan, yet still super moisturized. Both of these alternatives are light and breathable.
Step Four: Contour
The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand seems to be everyone’s holy grail product - but not all of us can break the bank to try it, but the Elf Halo Glow contour wand is as close as a dupe can get! The formula is heavy, so a little goes a very long way. Two dots on each cheekbone gives me an identical look to the Charlotte Tilbury Wand, without costing a fortune! If you prefer a stick contour, the Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick every influencer recommends is not your only option. Instead, try the Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick. It blends well and makes your face look tan and snatched. This product is better if you prefer a bit of a lighter contour for your look.
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Step Five: Blush
No matter what those celebrity makeup tutorials say, the Rare Beauty blush or the Milk Makeup Cream Blush are not the only good options. The PIXI On-The-Go Blush Stick not only gives you the perfect amount of color, it blends like a dream. This is perfect if you prefer a light, breathable blush that doesn’t overpower the rest of your makeup. Another similar product is the Elf Monochromatic multi-Stick, which is shimmery and much more pigmented, which is perfect if you prefer a heavier blush look.
Step Six: Highlighter
The Fenty Kilowatt Highlighter is stunning, but unfortunately a little over a lot of our budgets. The Sephora Collection Golden Hour Highlighter Duo is a life changer - it is super glittery and one of the brightest highlighters I have seen. Following the super pigmented trend is the Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder, which is stunning and is the perfect finishing touch to your glowy makeup routine.
Step Seven: Mascara
“If you want long lashes, you need the Two Faced Better Than Sex Mascara” has been said about a million times. You don’t need to spend that much on a mascara when there is an even better option at your local drugstore. The Maybelline Sky High Mascara is a godsend; it doesn’t clump and it gives you the length you are searching for. An alternative is the Essence Lash Princess Mascara; it is only $5 and gives you a long, full set of lashes.
Step Eight: Lip products
As incredible as Rhianna’s Fenty glosses are, Essence beauty has got us covered once again. The Extreme Shine Lip Gloss is pigmented and will survive through the night. While you’re at it, you can buy it in another shade - and don’t worry, it’s only $4. I have also heard influencers rave about Benefit’s Benetint - but I got a cheaper option. The Colourpop Glossy Lip Stain is honestly better and will last you all day. My holy grail lip combo is the stain with a gloss layered on top. It’s all you need for a long lasting lip look!
Image Courtesy: Instagram
You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to have a celebrity-level makeup routine; all it takes is a trip to Target!
Strike Out,
Emily Braunstein
Saint Augustine
