Let’s be real—beauty is expensive! Between $50 foundations, $200 perfumes, and lipsticks that cost more than dinner, it’s easy to feel like looking good requires a second job. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to spend a fortune to look flawless.
Welcome to the world of dupes—where you can get high-end quality without the high-end price. Whether you’re a makeup lover, fragrance fanatic, or just someone who refuses to pay $300 for a bottle of scented liquid, this guide will help you save money while still serving luxury.
💰 How Much Are We Spending on Beauty? (How Much Can We Save?)
According to 2024 statistics, the average woman spends $1,064 per year on beauty and personal care products. That includes skincare, hair products, makeup, and fragrance—and let’s be honest, a good chunk of that is impulse buys we don’t even remember purchasing.
💡 Now, imagine cutting that cost in half by swapping out high-end products for budget-friendly dupes. Instead of dropping $50 on a foundation, you could get the same flawless finish for $12. Instead of spending $200 on a perfume, you could find an identical scent for $40.
By switching to dupes, you could save over $500 per year—which is basically a free vacation, a new wardrobe, or a serious boost to your savings account. Materialistic ways of thinking have no place in the 2025 economy, let’s be real. Shopping dupes could be the key to get your finances back on track!
💄 The 10 Best Makeup Dupes
Let’s talk makeup—because honestly, why are luxury brands charging rent-level prices for a product that fits in your purse? Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by a $50 foundation or a $38 highlighter, you’re not alone. The good news? We live in an AMAZING time where dupes exist! 2015 me wouldn’t believe that I could get a luxury brand finish on a foundation for under 20 bucks. As a makeup artist/Esthetician of almost 10 years, I can confidently say that dupes are the new future in beauty!
These 10 makeup swaps will help you cut costs while still serving flawless, runway-ready looks—because your wallet deserves better.
1️⃣ Foundation Dupe: L’Oreal True Match vs. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk
💰 L’Oreal True Match – $12 💰 Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk – $69 ✨ Savings: $57
Why pay $69 for a foundation when L’Oreal’s True Match gives you the same lightweight, radiant finish for a fraction of the price?
2️⃣ Concealer Dupe: NYX Bare With Me vs. Tarte Shape Tape
💰 NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum – $12 💰 Tarte Shape Tape – $31 ✨ Savings: $19
NYX’s hydrating concealer gives full coverage without creasing, just like Tarte Shape Tape—but for way less.
3️⃣ Setting Powder Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me vs. Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
💰 Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – $8 💰 Laura Mercier Translucent Powder – $48 ✨ Savings: $40
Maybelline’s Fit Me Loose Powder delivers the same soft-focus, smoothing effect as Laura Mercier’s cult-favorite setting powder—but at a fraction of the price.
4️⃣ Primer Dupe: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer vs. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
💰 e.l.f. Power Grip Primer – $10 💰 Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer – $38 ✨ Savings: $28
e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer delivers the same long-lasting, hydrating, tacky base as Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip, making foundation stick and last all day. Both formulas include skin-loving ingredients like aloe to keep makeup looking fresh, but e.l.f.’s dupe is a steal at nearly 75% less!
5️⃣ Bronzing Drops Dupe: L’Oréal Lumi Glotion vs. Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops
💰 L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion – $13 💰 Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops – $38 ✨ Savings: $25
L’Oréal’s Lumi Glotion gives you the same bronzed, glow-from-within radiance as Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Drops, without the luxury price tag. Both mix effortlessly with moisturizer or foundation, adding a natural warmth without looking streaky or overly shimmery.
6️⃣ Highlighter Dupe: MCoBeauty Highlight & Glow vs. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
💰 MCoBeauty Highlight & Glow Wand – $18 💰 Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand – $42 ✨ Savings: $24
MCoBeauty’s Highlight & Glow Wand delivers the same radiant, lit-from-within glow as Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Beauty Light Wand, but at less than half the price. The creamy formula blends effortlessly, giving you a soft-focus, dewy finish that looks just as luxe—without the designer markup!
7️⃣ Setting Spray Dupe: L’Oréal Infallible Setting Mist vs. ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray
💰 L’Oréal Infallible Setting Mist – $15 💰 ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray – $32 ✨ Savings: $17
L’Oréal’s Infallible Setting Mist delivers the same long-lasting, oil-controlling, makeup-locking power as ONE/SIZE’s On ‘Til Dawn, but for half the price. Both sprays help extend makeup wear, resist humidity, and keep shine under control, making this drugstore find a game-changing dupe!
8️⃣ Lip Gloss Dupe: ColourPop Lux Gloss vs. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip
💰 ColourPop Lux Gloss – $10 💰 Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip – $24 ✨ Savings: $14
ColourPop’s Lux Gloss delivers the same ultra-hydrating, glossy finish as Tarte’s Maracuja Juicy Lip, but at less than half the price. Both formulas are packed with nourishing ingredients, giving lips a plump, juicy look without the sticky feel. If you love Tarte’s buttery shine, this dupe keeps your lips looking luxe—without the luxury markup!
9️⃣ Mascara Dupe: L’Oréal Lash Paradise vs. Too Faced Better Than Sex
💰 L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – $10 💰 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $28 ✨ Savings: $18
L’Oréal’s Lash Paradise is one of the best drugstore dupes for Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Mascara—offering the same dramatic volume, fluttery lashes, and long-lasting wear for less than half the price. Both mascaras feature a similar hourglass-shaped brush, ensuring full, lifted lashes without clumping.
🔟 Liquid Blush Dupe: ColourPop Cheek Dew vs. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
💰 ColourPop Cheek Dew Serum Blush – $8 💰 Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush – $23 ✨ Savings: $15
ColourPop’s Cheek Dew Serum Blush delivers the same lightweight, buildable flush as Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, but at a fraction of the price. Both formulas offer a natural, dewy finish, blend effortlessly, and last all day—making this a perfect budget-friendly swap for that coveted Rare Beauty glow!
🌸 The 5 Best Designer Fragrance Dupes
Perfume pricing has officially entered their villain era, and we’re not here for it. Some of the most popular luxury fragrances cost upwards of $300, and while they smell amazing, there’s no reason to drop a car payment on scented mist.
That’s why fragrance dupes are a game-changer—they give the same iconic scent profile for a fraction of the cost. Whether you love sweet, warm, musky, or floral, these five affordable alternatives will keep you smelling expensive—without actually spending like it.
1️⃣ Dupe for Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
💰 Alt Fragrances Crystal – $49 💰 Baccarat Rouge 540 – $325 ✨ Savings: $276
Alt Fragrances’ Crystal gives you the same airy, sweet, musky scent as Baccarat Rouge—but for a fraction of the price.
2️⃣ Dupe for Valentino Donna Born In Roma
💰 Oakcha Love in Rome – $37 💰 Valentino Donna Born In Roma – $130 ✨ Savings: $93
Oakcha’s Love in Rome is a spot-on dupe for Valentino’s Donna Born In Roma, offering the same rich blend of black currant, pink pepper, jasmine, and vanilla—but at a fraction of the price. If you love warm, fruity-floral scents with a luxurious edge, this dupe delivers the same elegance without the designer markup.
3️⃣ Dupe for Tom Ford Lost Cherry
💰 Zara Cherry Smoothie – $13 💰 Tom Ford Lost Cherry – $290 ✨ Savings: $277
Zara’s Cherry Smoothie is just as rich and fruity as Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry—but way more budget-friendly.
4️⃣ Dupe for Le Labo Santal 33
💰 Aerre Joshua Tree – $55 💰 Le Labo Santal 33 – $355 ✨ Savings: $300
Aerre’s Joshua Tree captures the same warm, woody sandalwood scent as Santal 33—without the luxury price tag.
5️⃣ Dupe for Parfums de Marly Delina
💰 ALT Fragrances Duchess – $49 💰 Parfums de Marly Delina – $355 ✨ Savings: $306
ALT Fragrances’ Duchess is a spot-on dupe for Delina, offering the same luxurious blend of Turkish rose, lychee, rhubarb, and vanilla—but at a fraction of the price. If you love Delina’s elegant, feminine scent, this dupe delivers the same sophistication without the designer markup.
*BONUS* Yes, Alt fragrances is on here TWICE! They are my absolute personal favorite for fragrance dupes! Such a great price for such great quality! I have had a few misses with them but my top 3 favorites are the dupe for Sauvage by Dior – Farouche (this is the cologne that our very own NetWorthInsights owner and operator Kyle Gundersen wears!) Next are the two listed above, Duchess and Crystal! I wear the Duchess fragrance all the time and constantly have EVERYONE telling me how good I smell and asking for the name of my fragrance. Crystal is worn by my Mother-In-Law (Kyle’s Mom) and she absolutely loves it!
Beauty on a Budget
Looking luxurious doesn’t mean spending a fortune. With these makeup and fragrance dupes, you can save hundreds while still serving high-end beauty.
So next time you’re tempted to drop $300 on a perfume or $50 on a lipstick, remember—there’s a dupe for that.
