The Best Makeup Dupes to Save Money

Makeup dupes have saved the adult me so much money.

If you’re like me and used to live at home. Didn’t have to pay rent and was able to spend my paycheck on whatever I wanted.

It often included the latest MAC, Urban Decay and video games.

Which now, I live with my boyfriend, I have rent, bills, I’m on a tight budget and I need to basically, be an adult.

I can’t buy those shiny new expensive and impulsive purchases anymore. But I don’t want to lose my look, you know?

I even use a Makeup Tracker that allows me to budget better and remind myself when one of my products expire. If you want the exact same tracker I use, get it here!

Or if you’ve just never had the funds to buy expensive makeup, no worries, honestly it’s overrated.

Especially that I did my homework on finding you the best makeup dupes out there for all the basics!

Like a close friend once told me, fake it til you make it. So even though I still have my look going on, no one can tell the difference, even me, there’s no dramatic change. As I work through my debt and income issues, I still look and feel like little old me.

Below are Makeup Dupe Lists, I went through each list and found the ones that I would definitely recommend. Also, I made sure to give you the basics that way you don’t have to go out and go on another search after this. Lastly, I gave you the link to the source I found them at since they also had other great dupes. These dupes saved me a ton of money!

Please keep in mind prices are subject to change.

1. Foundation – 10 Foundation Dupes

Style Tips 101 has a handful of foundation duplicates. They’re all priced for the money saver in mind!

But with Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation ($6 as opposed to $42 MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation), I can’t feel or see the difference between the two! I’ve been using it for a good two years which a bottle usually lasts me about a year. This foundation seriously keeps the shine away, even on those hot summer days.

Check out the rest of the Style Tips 101 Foundation Dupes here.

2. Concealer – The Best High-End Concealer Dupes

Kelsie has a pretty extensive series on drugstore dupes, she got me at concealers. I have these dark spots underneath my eyes that need that little extra attention that concealer provides.

I am now using Maybelline Superstay Concealer ($5 as opposed to $33 Urban Decay Weightless Concealer). This concealer is my little secret weapon, well not really, you know what I mean. 🙂

Don’t forget to go see Kelsie’s Drugstore Dupe Series here.

3. Blush – 10 Blush Dupes

Carrie has a great list of blush dupes. But being a former Mac girl, I had to try the NYX Blush Dupe!

This was an amazing find, NYX Blush ($7 as opposed to $36 MAC Blush). If you ask me, blush is blush, just find the color that you like and there you go. So paying top High-End money for blush to me seems unnecessary.

Make sure to check out the rest of her blush dupes here.

4. Liquid Highlighter – Splurge/Steal Beauty – More Awesome Makeup Dupes

Meg O. has found the perfect Liquid Highlighter Dupe for me!

With this e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip ($7 as opposed to $45 Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter) I can still add that subtle shimmer!

Don’t forget to check out Meg O. full list of Splurge/Steal Beauty Dupes here.

5. Bronzer – Makeup Dupes: Drugstore vs High-End

I’m very pale and I don’t like to tan, so naturally, this product helps SO MUCH! Bree knows her makeup! She does these cool YouTube videos where she puts half her face into high-end makeup and the other half with the duped version.

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Bronzer ($5 as opposed to $20 Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer).

Check out Bree’s video on Makeup Dupes to see the comparison here!

6. Eyeliner – Splurge vs. Steal: 20 Amazing Drugstore Makeup Dupes

On very busy days I’ll just put eyeliner, go out and do my errands. Eyeliner to me is very essential, so having it cheap and great quality it perfect for my current lifestyle.

Society19 knows the struggle of being an adult. And found some great dupes! I highly recommend the eyeliner that they picked out.

L’Oreal Liquid Eyeliner ($9 as opposed to $22 Stila Liquid Eyeliner).

Check out Society19’s other amazing dupes here.

7. Mascara – Splurge or Save? 10 Makeup Dupes

Kara’s Splurge or Save list got me at Mascara. Why pay more if the brush and effect will be the exact same, just the name on the container is different.

L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara ($7 as opposed to $28 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara).

Check out the rest of Kara’s list here.

8. Eyeshadow – Budget-Friendly Beauty: Best Drugstore Beauty Dupes

I loved my Urban Decay Naked, but I must budget now, and I’m ok with that.

Physicians Formula Nude ($6 as opposed to $42 Urban Decay Naked).

Make sure to check out the rest of The Blonde Shell’s finds here.

9. Brow Pencil -The Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes For High-End Makeup

Lauren found a great alternative to the expensive high-end version for the brow pencil. The auburn color matches my brows quite nicely!

NYX Micro Brow Pencil ($10 as opposed to $21 Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz).

Check out Lauren’s rest of her extensive dupes here.

10. Blender – Beauty Blender Dupes That Are Just As Good As The Original

Last but not least, the blender. She Finds found 6 that compares to the original blender.

I’ve gone with and highly recommend the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (as opposed to the beautyblender Original Blender).

And you’ll also notice in the photo above, there are two blenders on the right… yep! That’s a two pack for $10!

Check out She Finds other blenders here.

Budgeting and Tracking Your Makeup – Free Printable

While these savings are great, the data that you track into your budget is gold. I use this FREE Makeup Tracking printable, that you can grab below, to know how much to budget for my makeup. As well as, make sure I keep track and throw out my expired makeup.

Is it OK to use expired Makeup?

I know we’re trying to save money here but your health is more important than your looks. Using expired makeup depends on you. I personally am very sensitive to makeup and just to avoid getting the worst irritation than normal, I just throw it out. But if you’re not experiencing breakouts, redness, irritation or infections, then use caution and just keep in mind if you start seeing these symptoms, it’s time to just go buy new products.

Also, if you start seeing changes in the product itself, texture change, separation of ingredients. Just toss it, it’s time.

There you have it, the makeup dupes that I now use.

There’s nothing to be ashamed here, I think it’s great that you’ll be able to save so much money but still have that look that you want.

Let me know, in the comments below, the makeup dupes that you’ve found that you know you won’t go back to the original anymore.