Makeup Dupes That Won’t Break the Bank 

Perfecting your makeup look does not have to cost hundreds of dollars. By using drugstore products, you’re saving yourself money and in turn get more makeup products than if you only include higher-end goods in your makeup routine. Whether you’re going for a soft glam look or a bold look for a night on the town with the girls, these drugstore products will save you cash and give you that coveted luxury look. Here are our drugstore dupes that work just as well as the bigger name brands: 

2538867.jpeg

E.l.f Putty Primer ($8)

The hype around this product is real! Best applied with a moist beauty blender, this primer minimizes the appearance of pores and creates a strong base for your foundation to be put on smoothly. This product is infused with squalane, which hydrates the skin and has a weightless feel once applied. Many are skeptical about the purpose of primers, but with this product, you will notice the disappearance of pores and how well it helps to keep your foundation looking fresh all day long.

GUEST_95e9cacc-ffc1-45a7-b8f1-4d0bc91dc091.jpeg

Maybelline New York Fit Me! Foundation ($8) 

This product is the holy grail of drugstore foundations. This foundation offers forty different shades to match your skintone exactly. This inclusive foundation goes beyond just skin tone as Maybelline also offers either a matte or dewy finish, depending on your skin type. This allows for people with drier skin to have an all-day wear that will not dry out their face, and those with oily skin to have a matte wear that will keep them from looking shiny all day. Lightweight and easy to use, Fit Me!  mattifies and reduces pores to leave your skin looking flawless all day long. Whether you apply with a beauty blender or foundation brush, your pores will be minimized. For just $8, she’s worth it. 

0071748995001.jpeg

Milani Rose Powder Blush ($7)

This blush has high pigmentation that will leave your cheeks nice and rosy. Rose powder comes in six different pigments of pink that can complement a variety of skin tones. This powder blush glides on the skin and only requires a small dip in the pan with your brush to see stunning results. This product is a staple because of its long-lasting quality for those who like to get a ton of wear out of the products they buy.

6676_n2.jpg

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer ($6) 

This ultra-rich bronzer melts into your skin to effectively and effortlessly highlight your features. The best way to apply bronzer is to start from your forehead to your cheek, and then under your chin as if you are drawing a three on your face (a process that Physicians Formula makes a breeze). This bronzer is silky and infused with Murumuru butter to give your skin a radiant glow and define your features. A bonus? Butter bronzer smells like a tropical dream and has the softest texture to glide smoothly on your face.

321b_1.png

Wet ‘n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder ($5) 

This highlighter accentuates your cheekbones, leaving you with a subtle or bold glow based on how much you apply. This highlighter comes in an assortment of colors, depending on if you are looking for a highlighter that shines loudly or one that will simply glimmer in the sun. This highlighter is infused with micro-fine pearl pigments that leave your skin glowing for any occasion. Simple to apply and blend, the price cannot be beat.

L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara ($8) 

If you’re going to purchase any of the products mentioned, let it be this one! Finding a good mascara can be difficult because we rely on one that will give us both volume and length—this mascara does it all. L’Oreal’s Telescopic mascara lengthens your lashes like no other and does not clump up on you. This product has the ability to transform your lashes in an instant.

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner ($9) 

2501971.jpeg

Doing winged eyeliner is a difficult task already and takes practice to perfect. This felt tip liner makes it simple to draw on a winged look with a stroke that gives you a defined, satin finish. Whether you are doing a bold or subtle wing, this eyeliner makes it simple to alter the depth and intensity of your wing. Our best tip for how to master a winged look is to start from the base of your lashes and create an angled upstroke. From this upstroke, create an angled downstroke that goes from the corners of your eyelids to directly on top of your lashes. Fill this in and always make sure to follow the shape of your eye.

2506905.jpeg

E.l.f Cosmetics Lip Lacquer ($3) 

The last makeup product that will complete your drugstore makeup look is E.l.f’s clear lip gloss. This gloss is infused with vitamin E to leave your lips shiny and most importantly, moisturized. Finding a lip gloss that is not sticky and still affordable can be a difficult task, but not with this lip gloss. You can wear this product as is or on top of a matte lipstick for a glossy effect that will leave a bold statement. This gloss comes in a multitude of colors to best fit your desired makeup look.


Finding staples in your routine does not have to be expensive. High-end products for the most part are going to give you the result you are looking for, but that doesn’t eliminate drugstore products from being high-quality as well.

Written by Lindsey Golden, Photography by Mackenzie Miller, Graphic Design by Julia Vasilyev