10 Best Beauty Dupes That Will Save You A Pretty Penny
When it comes to luxury beauty products, we could navigate our way around Selfridge’s beauty hall pretty quick. In reality, a makeup bag and a bathroom cabinet full of Charlotte Tilbury, Giorgio Armani and La Prairie doesn’t come cheap, so we’ve tried and tested some of the beauty industry’s best-kept secrets: the high street beauty dupes.
From the illuminator that gives the illuminator of all illuminators a run for its money to the high street day cream that’s a whole £435(!) cheaper than the original, we’ve handpicked 10 of our favourites. There’s always a place in our beauty arsenals for the luxury version, but these affordable alternatives will save you a pretty penny.
Glossier Cloud Paint Vs MUA Blushed Liquid Cream
Price difference: £17
Glossier, the American beauty brand developed by ex-The Hills star-turned-makeup boss Emily Weiss, has earned itself a global cult following in just a few years.
With an inclusive, no-fuss approach to beauty – it’s all about that no-makeup makeup look – we can’t get enough of their products and while they’re not in the Chanel and Tom Ford price bracket, they are a little spennier than your average Boots haul.
Save on the gorgeously light but highly pigmented Cloud Paint blushers with MUA’s almost-as-good Blushed tubes.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Vs L’Oreal Paris True Match Eye Cream Concealer
Price difference: £26
Few beauty products reach such cult status as YSL’s Touche Eclat. Loved by makeup artists and in the makeup bags of millions (apparently six are sold every minute!), the iconic clicky pen is a must for adding luminosity to the skin, covering blemishes and disguising under eye bags.
We will always love the original but L’Oreal’s True Match Concealer is a close runner-up – it just needs a little more blending – and you can’t deny it’s always a win when you save 20 quid.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette Vs Revolution Eyeshadow Palette
La Prairie Skin Caviar Vs Aldi’s Lacura Caviar
Price difference: £436
When Aldi (yes, Aldi) launched a rival to La Prairie’s iconic but eye-wateringly expensive Caviar face cream it totally sold out, and was raved about by many a beauty editor and blogger. Even Trinny Woodall, who’s famously candid about what she puts on her face, and tells all on what she does/doesn’t like, came out as a fan.
Granted, we’re not saying the ingredients list on a £450 day cream and a £13 day cream are going to be exactly the same but really, should anyone be spending £450 on a day cream? It’s not Botox.
Beautyblender Vs Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Price difference: £10.51
When the Beautyblender launched back in 2003 it was a game changer for guaranteeing the smoothest foundation finish. In fact, almost 20 years have gone by and still few things live up to this little wonder sponge.
If you don’t fancy dropping £15 on foam, Real Techniques (who also do the most amazing, affordable brushes) do a great rival for just £5.24.
Both can create a range of basis, from light and dewy to full-coverage matte – just remember to wash it after every use.
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Jo Malone Candles Vs Aldi Pomegranate Glass Candle
Price difference: £143
Once you start buying posh candles you’ve set yourself up for a life quite literally burning away cash. We blame Jo Malone and her insanely talented nose and skill at creating the most gorgeous of combinations that will transport you anywhere from the Amalfi coast to a Scandi pine-lined forest.
If dropping £150 on some wax isn’t your style, head to Aldi, where you’ll find a dupe for a fraction of the price.
Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum Vs Beauty Pie Superdose™ C C- Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener
Price difference: £43
Drunk Elephant stormed into the beauty world in 2018 and it has quickly become a go-to for beauty editors thanks to its no-BS formulations and hard-working ingredient list. While it’s not the most expensive brand out there, the products definitely still feel like an investment which is where Beauty Pie comes in.
Beauty Pie’s Superdose™ C C- Suite Rapid Action Power Brightener is a tough rival to Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Day Serum thanks to its potent dose of pure vitamin C. This helps to correct the appearance of ageing, leaving skin feeling softer, more hydrated, and glowing. We love to use both in the morning to help protect and keep the skin looking fresh all day.
Beauty PieSuperdose™ C C- Suite Rapid Action Power BrightenerSAVE
Price: £16.50
beautypie.com
ICONIC London Illuminating Drops Vs Revolution Liquid Highlighter
Price difference: £17
ICONIC London has built its brand on glow-giving power, from their Illuminating Drops to the brilliant Pre-Set-Glow.
The products are worth the money for the brilliant finishes, easy application and the fact they last ages, but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, Revolution’s Liquid Highlighter is a fine rival to the original Illuminating Drops.
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation Vs L’Oréal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation
Price difference: £36.21
Making best foundation lists year-on-year, Giorgio Armani’s cult Luminous Silk Foundation has become a makeup artist favourite. The lightweight but seamless finish leaves skin looking near-perfect but without that horrible cakiness. Downside? It comes in at just under 50 quid a pot.
L’Oréal’s True Match Liquid Foundation is the best we’ve found for far less, almost £36 less. Both products are available in 40 shades, meaning it’s very likely you’ll find one to match.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Vs NYX’s Euro Trash Lipsticks
Price difference: £21.60
If MAC’s Ruby Woo red was the cult lipstick of the 2000s, Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk is the modern-day equivalent.
The soft pink, super wearable shade is the perfect colour to have in your everyday makeup arsenal, but for a more affordable option look to NYX’s Minimalism shade for a mere £5.40. The packaging might not be as pretty but it’s the closest colour match you’ll find on the high street.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
