Dupe me, please!

When you can't afford the big budget brands, some of the smaller ones can really come to the rescue

By Jaime Morton-Hawley, digital content creator, professional photographer and makeup artist

Published: Fri 17 May 2019, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Fri 17 May 2019, 2:00 AM

For the uninitiated, a "dupe" is a product that is comparable to a luxury product in colour, tone, formula - and sometimes even packaging - but has a discounted price, and is from a different brand. In short: a duplicate.
When it comes to finding dupes, there are a few things to know. First, though some companies have been known to share formulas, it is far less common to find an exact duplicate formula. Second, some dupe shades may be similar but not exact. Third, dupe product performance can often be nearly exact and, sometimes, even better than the luxury product. Lastly, though some pricy products may be trendy, there is often a dupe that is more rational for the pocket book, especially products that are seasonal, for a special occasion or collaboration.
Let's delve into some of the most popular products in the market and find the dupes to save you your well-earned cash!
TOOLS
On-Trend: The Beauty Blender (Dh85)
Dupe: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (Dh44)
This trendy and oh-so popular liquid blending tool is a dream to use but pricy for some pocketbooks. What to do? Grab a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for half the price. It's not only a comparable product, many makeup artists opt to use these sponges on their clients.
PRIMER
On-Trend: Benefit Porefessional Face Primer (Dh167)
Dupe: NYX Pore Filler Primer (Dh78)
If you are looking for a pore-filling primer, one of the most popular products is Benefit's Porefessional. At that price range, however, you might be looking to squeeze a bit more in for your budget. Try NYX Pore Filler Primer for less than half the price. It's a definite dupe and is quite affordable too.
FOUNDATION
On Trend: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation (Dh175)
Dupe: Maybelline New York's Fit Me! Matte Poreless Foundation (Dh58)
Known for its soft matte finish and longwear formula, Fenty's Pro Filt'r foundation was, and still is, a consumer favourite ever since its launch. It's hard to think there could be a comparable dupe for this marvel of a product, but don't you worry. Maybelline's foundation is a long wear Formula with a soft matte Finish and only one third of the price. Eureka!
CONCEALER
On-Trend: Tarte Cosmetics Shape Tape Concealer (Dh115)
Dupe: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind (Dh59)
Social media's favourite matte concealer is undeniably Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer. What could possibly dupe this full coverage fan favourite? The #1 concealer in the United States: Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind can do the trick. Many YouTubers rave about this product and frequently highlight it in their "drugstore favourites" lists. For half the price, it's easy to see why.
BROWS
On Trend: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Eyebrow Pencil (Dh103)
Dupe: NYX Micro Brow Pencil (Dh48)
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Eyebrow Pencil is one of the most popular brow products worldwide. This brand is known for brows and the Brow Wiz is that precise product that has both colour payoff and long wear formula. So how do we dupe this? The NYX Micro Brow Pencil not only has precise application, it has similar colour payoff and packaging design - all for less than half the price.
BRONZER
On-Trend: Benefit Hoola Bronzer (Dh156)
Dupe: NYX Matte Bronzer in Medium (Dh45)
The Hoola Bronzer has been a fan-favourite for over 15 years now, and rightly so, but when you're getting 8 grams of product, some may be looking for more bang for their buck. NYX makes a matte bronzer that holds up in both formula, finish and shade, and is only Dh45 for 9.5 grams. Looks like we found a dupe of a deal!
SETTING POWDER
On-Trend: Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder (Dh159.40)
Dupe: COTY Airspun Translucent Face Powder (Dh45)
Undeniably both a consumer and a pro favourite, Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder is perfection for normal to oily complexion - though many argue it works on dry and mature skin as well. How do we dupe this perfect powder? With COTY Airspun at a third of the price, of course.
LIQUID HIGHLIGHTER
On-Trend: Cover FX Liquid Custom Enhancer Drops (Dh210)
Dupe: Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter (Dh31.88)
When it comes to liquid highlighter, Cover FX arguably made it hugely popular, but it comes with a sizeable price tag. For a product that isn't necessarily used daily, you might want to opt for the dupe option. Though the Makeup Revolution Liquid Highlighter is slightly oilier, some of the shades are practically exact matches.
SETTING SPRAY
On-Trend: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (Dh134)
Dupe: Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray (Dh55)
If you're looking for the top trending setting spray, look no further than Urban Decay's All Nighter. Many YouTubers swear by it for the finish and long-lasting stay power, but what if that price point is out of your budget? Try Milani's Make It Last Matte finish setting spray. It's known for its oil control and all-day setting power, with a fabulous dupe price.
EYE PALETTE
On-Trend: Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Palette (Dh220)
Dupe: Makeup Revolution Hypnotic (Dh21.25)
Urban Decay's new Naked Reloaded palette is the ultimate "everyday" palette and we are all loving it. Not everyone has the budget for such a palette though. Thankfully, the Makeup Revolution Hypnotic palette is a steal at almost a tenth of the price with very comparable shades. What's not to love?
MASCARA
On-Trend: Benefit Better Than Love Mascara (Dh126)
Dupe: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (Dh74)
Benefit's Better Than Love Mascara is the favourite amongst influencers and the average consumer alike. With a big, fluffy brush and a fabulous formula, it's hard to beat this bestseller. Luckily, if you're looking for full lashes, Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara can do the job and at a discounted price too.
LASHES
On-Trend: Huda Beauty Mink Lashes (Dh195)
Dupe: House of Lashes Mink Lashes (Dh89)
Homegrown brand Huda Beauty began their empire with lashes and have been a top trending brand for them ever since. Though Huda Beauty's cruelty-free mink lashes are fabulous, the price for a set can truly set you back. House of Lashes have cruelty-free faux-mink lashes that are just as fabulous but at less than half the price.
One last tip: remember, when stores have sales or coupon codes, you can save even more on your beauty dupes!
wknd@khaleejtimes.com