It costs a lot to look good, right? Especially in this economy. A quick scan of the shelves at Mecca and Sephora will leave tumbleweeds in your wallet, so it’s not surprising that beauty prices are the highest they’ve been in a decade.
So, how can we achieve a high-end makeup look on our low budget? Meet dupes.
Dupes have been making headlines for being an achievable way to own something that’s stylish, trending, or useful. And with the cost of living not getting any easier, we all have to save where we can.
Makeup girlies, look no further. Here is a list of some amazing and super-affordable dupes. I don’t know about you, but buying something that looks and feels expensive at a lower cost is absolutely #girlmath.
20 Beauty Dupes Under $30
If you’re like me and have a champagne taste but only a beer budget (if that!), nab these must-have beauty dupes of cult favourites for your makeup bag.
Skincare dupes from Chemist Warehouse
Cleansers with a decent percentage (8% or more) of Glycolic Acid can go for as much as $150. At Chemist Warehouse, they go for as little as $12 with Swisse Skincare. Dr LeWinn also has a similar cleanser at Chemist Warehouse for $29.99.
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops retails for around $60, but for just $14, you can get the same effect with Flower Beauty Heat Wave Bronzing Essence.
Being a bit of a makeup neophyte, when I saw ‘brow wax’ I thought it was for waxing – hair removal style. But, IYKYK, you can get a dupe of the $40 Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze for just $5 with W7 Browcicles Brow Wax.
Beauty dupes from Kmart
Kmart is quickly establishing itself as the boss babe of dupes. They have a line of dupes for Sol De Janeiro, with their version of the $77 Bum Bum Cream going for just $8.
They also have a $6 dupe for Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops that sells for $65.
For lips that need a little extra love, the $3 overnight lip mask is a great dupe of the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, which retails for $31.
Why spend $71 on  IT Cosmetics CC Cream when you can get almost the same thing for $12 with OXX Cosmetics Skin Tint.
Makeup dupes at MCoBeauty
So many dupes. MCoBeauty is available at Woolworths, Big W and Chemist Warehouse.
Why spend $62 on a Dior lip balm when an $18 dupe gives similar results?
You could spend $32 on a Charlotte Tilbury lip liner or get a lip liner at MCoBeauty for just $14.
Tarte contour concealer will set you back $50 but MCoBeauty has one for $20.
Beauty dupes from Priceline
In addition to more affordable, well-known brands of beauty products, Priceline also offers some dupes of other brands.
Like Milani’s Baked Blush, which costs $22 and works as a dupe for Nars Orgasm Blush, $53.
The $13.99 NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Concealer is a great dupe for $60 Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer, it’s even been raved about by former Housewife Bethenney Frankel.
Dior Lip Glow Oil has an almost cult-like reputation, but at $62, it’s not possible for many people. Never fear, Australis (who else remembers Australis from when they were teenagers?) is here to save your wallet. At $17, the Australis Lip Glaze does the job with hyaluronic acid and peptides and the same fluffy applicator as Dior.
Makeup dupes from Big W
As well as being home to MCoBeauty dupes, Big W also has many other dupes.
If you like Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick which goes for $71, try MCoBeauty Highlight & Glow Stick – Champagne for a mere $16.
Designer Brands Fragrance Baccara Red 100ml which costs only $14, is being hailed as a passable dupe for Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 (a 200ml bottle will set you back almost $1100).
Designer Brands Fragrance – Night, $14, is inspired by Tom Ford’s Noir. And I don’t know about you, but a good cologne on a man will always turn my head.
Woolworths has some great beauty dupes, too!
While this supermarket giant hasn’t been in the news for many good reasons recently, you can still find a bargain if you know what to look for.
They are home to MCoBeauty products like this MCoBeauty Dream Liquid Dewy Blush for $25, which is a super pigmented dupe for Rare Beauty Blush that retails for around $45 (a saving is a saving, right?).
Fans of L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil ($39) will love Thanks To Nature Nourish Sweet Almond Shower Oil for $20.
A notable mention goes to…
DB Cosmetics boasts their range is all under $25 and features dupes of beauty products and their designer range of perfume inspired by the big brands we all know and wish we could afford.
The world of beauty dupes is ever-changing as more companies try to compete with big brands. Of course, we all have our preferences, but with purse strings tightening all over the world, a good dupe is worth it.
So, the next time you’re in Kmart, Chemist Warehouse, Big W, or the supermarket, have a look at their other brands, and maybe you’ll find one you like!
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