Cheap Beauty Alternatives: 5 Drugstore Dupes for High End Products
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In my ongoing efforts to streamline finances, I started swapping out my higher end beauty products for more affordable drugstore finds. Without having to compromise quality or effectiveness, here are my BUDGET FRIENDLY FINDS…
Pureology Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner VS Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
I have been using – and loving – the Pureology Hydrating haircare line for sometime now. I have a combination of straight and wavy, color treated hair. Without the right balance of product, I walk a fine line between dry and brittle, oily and lifeless hair. The Pureology products helped me maintain shiny hair without being greasy, soft without feeling weighed down… overall HEALTHY hair. Recently Michelle talked about the Organix line in her Ulta Haul post, so I thought I would give it a try. The absolute best thing I can say about the Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner is that there was absolutely no change in my hair going from my old, expensive products to the new ones. At a fraction of the price… I was sold!
Kérastase Nutritive Serum Oléo Relax VS Organix Macadamia Dry Styling Oil
I used the Kerastase Nutritive Serum Ole Relax to help protect against the daily torture I put my hair through of blow drying and flat ironing. The serum also helps to keep the frizz and fly aways in check. I honestly had no plans to give up this product, until the great minds at Organix decided to attach a free sample of their Macadamia Dry Styling Oil to my Renewing Moroccan Argan Conditioner. This stuff works fantastic. Same great soft and shiny results, AND I think it actually makes my hair more manageable and easy to style. Nice work on the product placement Organix!
Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara VS Maybelline Full N’ Soft Mascara
I used the Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara for a short time until my mom(!) told me to try out a cheaper alternative – Maybelline Full N’ Soft Mascara. Same even coverage…thick, full lashes… but the Full N’ Soft really does make your lashes feel SOFT! Sometimes I forget I’m even wearing mascara. It’s also REALLY easy to remove with my regular Dermologica face wash – No extra eye makeup remover needed! THANKS MOM!
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream VS Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream
I carry hand cream with me everywhere I go! I have extremely dry hands. I was given the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream as a gift and was immediately addicted. Absorbs quickly, thick but not greasy, VERY effective. I was also given the Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream as a gift on a separate occasion, and found the exact same results. Burt’s Bee’s it is!
NARS Blush in Orgasm VS Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
As summer comes to an end and my tan fades, its time to retire my NARS Bush in Torrid for the winter. In the pursuit of a new shade, the NARS Blush in Orgasm came highly recommend, so I gave it a whirl. I loved the peachy, pink tones and subtle gold shimmer, but at check-out was reminded how expensive NARS blushes can be! After doing a little research, I found a review online which lead me to a similar, but WAAAAY less expensive product called Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. The woman reviewing the product called it a “Dupe” for it’s more expensive NARS counterpart. The colors are ridiculously similar, but I will say that the NARS blush does last a bit longer on the cheek. For the ridiculous price cut, I think I can deal with a little late afternoon reapplication.
Pin this reminder graphic!
FRUGAL MINDS UNITE!! Tell me about your favorite “Dupes”! I know I’m not the only one looking for a bargain… 
Marge Burkell September 20, 2012 at 11:33 am
Hmmmm… that is the mascara I use, although I have to admit to using a cheaper alternative for the base coat and then using Hypnose over it. So you say that the Maybelline Full N’ Soft Mascara is as nice? With the same results? I can always use some good base mascara so I’ll have to pick it up the next time I’m in the store!
Thanks for the heads up!
Christy Moylan September 23, 2012 at 8:09 pm
The Full N’ Soft is great, Marge. I think it would be a wonderful base coat for you. Defines, thickens, and lengthens my lashes perfectly. Love to hear your feedback!
Marge Burkell September 28, 2012 at 7:27 pm
I happened to have a brand new Hypnose in the house so I grabbed the Maybelline one from Walmart the other day… they really are not the same but the Full N Soft does, as you said, makes a good base coat. That way you cut down on how much of the Lancomme you use. I would never buy the Maybelline in place of the Lancomme but would and will use it in conjunction with it since it’s the base I bought this time around!
Christy Moylan September 29, 2012 at 11:52 am
Thanks for the follow up Marge! I guess I should preface by saying that I already have quite long eyelashes. If I add too much mascara it can look a bit overwhelming and taranchula-esque. The full n’ soft seems to work similarly -and actually better- for me because it defines my lashes, but doesn’t clump as much as the hypnose does. When I look for a mascara, I guess i’m not actually looking for a thick coat, but more a full/defining layer. Does that make sense? Glad it worked as a base coat for you though!
Michelle MacPhearson September 20, 2012 at 1:24 pm
What a great post!
So the Pureology – never tried it. Everything I’ve heard about the Organix Moroccan Aragan Oil shampoo & conditioners says they’re amazeballs though. I like my coconut ones, mostly for the smell, but am totally going to try these ones next, so many people RAVE about them.
I got a sample of one the Kerastase oils, and loved it, very on par with the Moroccan Oil brand, maybe even better. Right now I’m using a trial size of the Organix Moroccan Aragan Oil hair oil and it’s just ok, which kinda made me think maybe their hair oils weren’t so good, but I will totally try the Macadamia oil now.
I just bought a tube of the Hypnose Drama – got a sample and loved it. If Maybelline compares, WOW! That’s a steal!
I have a cheap-o baked blush I’ve been loving from Palladio called Choc-Au-Lait. It’s very bronzey-blushy, great summer (or end of summer color). I do have Nars Orgasm, and love it, but I think blush is totally one of those products you can get away with drugstore finds more often.
Loved this post!
Christy Moylan September 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Thanksr the feedback Michelle! Think the Macadamia Syling Oil is a little lighter than the Moraccan one… let me know what you think. And thanks for the heads up on the Organix line… Looove it!
Cheryl September 21, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Love drugstore dupes! Must try the Milani blush.. I’ve been lusting after the NARS for years, but never felt like spending quite so much on blush, since I wear it so, so rarely. This, however, I can get down with!
Cheryl
Christy Moylan September 23, 2012 at 8:02 pm
I am LOVING that you used the term “lusting” when talking about the NARS Orgasm Blush, Cheryl! Awesome…
let me know if it works for you! I found it at Walgreens and Target, and I think I’ve seen it at CVS as well. Enjoy!
Lori March 21, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Where can I find Milani products? I don’t see them at Ulta or Target… Id rather go and see the product so buying online isn’t something I would want to do. :\
Christy Moylan March 25, 2013 at 8:27 am
I found mine at Target and CVS. I have also seen the brand at some Walgreens. Hope this helps!
Lydia January 23, 2013 at 5:12 pm
I’ve been using Full n Soft Mascara since I started wearing mascara in the 8th grade. No matter what I try, I always, always go back to it. There has only been one mascara I liked as much, and that’s Maybelline Volum’ Express. I can’t really speak for their other make up, but I just love their eye products. I also really like Suave Professionals hair products. They are SUPER cheap and made to pretty much do the same thing as overpriced salon brands. One of my favorite products is the Keratin Infusion. It is the PERFECT consistency to keep dry hair shiny and fluffy without weighing it down at all. All in all, I have a tendency to believe that most beauty products are really not worth the money people are willing to pay for them, unless you have some really weird and super specific allergy thing, because chances are there is ONE product at the grocery store you will love, as long as you’re putting in the sense to find it.
Christy Moylan January 25, 2013 at 2:51 pm
I’m starting to realize this, Lydia. Thanks for the recommendations as well!!
Alexandra February 3, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Blistex in the white pot is an awesome dupe for Kiehl’s lip balm and Annabelle liners are even better than MACs.
I also agree about the Maybelline Volum Express. I wont use anything else, regardless of price.
note that a NARS blush compact will last a year+, and I’ve never had one crack or crumble, even towards the end, or if it’s been dropped. and unless you’re really sweaty or oily it wont need retouching during the day. For me, that’s worth it since I know itll last and not crumble away in the package or streak or fade on my face.
Christy Moylan February 6, 2013 at 10:13 am
Thanks, Alexandra, for the recommendations. For lip balm, I’m pretty obsessed with Aquaphore, but will have to give your Blistex a try. I do agree that the NARS blush does last longer, but haven’t had any trouble with the Milani brand blush crumbling . . . yet. I’ll keep ya posted.
Kimble February 7, 2013 at 2:15 am
I admit to falling for the hype of NARS Orgasm blush and buying one of my own. Do I like it? Yes. Is it worth the price tag for what it is? No. The Milani Luminoso blush is a good dupe, and Wet n’ Wild have one called Pearlescent Pink that’s a pretty close dupe… and ridiculously pigmented, all for about $3.
Honestly, drug store makeup is good stuff these days, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily make a “better” product.
Nicole February 7, 2013 at 6:58 am
Hey! I saw your post and loved it … I have used Pureology before and it was so amazing! I bought the Organix morrocan oil and loved it as well so I thought – based on this post – that I’d try the shampoo & conditioner – boo. It was no good – AT ALL .. to me. It felt drying and just not conditioning at all …. I was surprised that it had sulfates & alcohol in the shampoo & conditioner respectively. I think that you should give L’Oreal EverPure a try as it is a GREAT drug store dupe for Pureology. It is truely amazing. I can literally comb through my hair after just shampooing – something I can not do with any other shampoo. It’s sulfate free & alcohol free as well. It’s actually a perfect dupe for Pureology seeing how Pureology was purchased by L’Oreal and then L’Oreal came out with EverPure shortly after that … The only difference is you can tell they are real scented essential oils.
Christy Moylan February 13, 2013 at 9:39 am
Sorry you didn’t have as much luck with the Organix as I did, Nicole! I am SUPER intrigued by your L’Oreal EverPure dupe! Love the fact it is alcohol and sulfate free. Picking some up today.
Becky February 17, 2013 at 12:13 am
I found your site on Pinterest. For an even cheaper shea butter cream dupe, try the De-luxe Shea Butter Hand Creme from Drugstore.com. It’s only $7.99.
http://www.drugstore.com/de-luxe-shea-butter-hand-creme/qxp138486?catid=182927
Christy Moylan February 17, 2013 at 8:58 am
Fantastic, Becky! My husband actually just informed me that he’s not a fan of the smell of the Burt’s Bees lotion, so I will definitely check out the De-Luxe.
Shauna Gething February 28, 2013 at 8:08 pm
I’ve been searching for different dupes as well.. I found that for makeup brushes, the ELF professional powder brush works just as well as my sephora powder blush! And it’s only three dollars at Target! Also, the eyeshadow brush from ELF (white handle) works just as well as my Sephora eyeshadow brush! As for eyeliner, I love the Loreal black liner ( I can’t remember the exact name, but it’s a fat pencil next to the telescopic mascara in most drug stores). I prefer it over my urban decay liners because it is easier to apply over eyeshadow and stays in place all day:) also, I use smash box full exposure mascara and I found that the cover girl lash perfection works literally 100x better for fuller, clump less lashes! Hope this helps someone! Happy dupeing hahaha
Kate March 12, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Everyone always raves about the Naked palette by Urban Decay, partially because of the eye primer that comes with it. I’ve also recently used Laura Gellar’s eye primer (whose products I do absolutely adore). However, Prestige’s eye primer is only $10 and worth every penny and then some. My makeup lasts all day! Granted, if it’s crappy eye shadow, it can probably use a bit of a touch-up around 5ish (and this is after putting it on at 8!), but if it’s the good stuff, no touchups required! I freaking love it. I will have to try the Organix Moroccan Oil line; I used the coconut before and loved the smell, but I feel like my Suave Professionals are just as good (speaking of cheap dupes!).
Also, not really a dupe, but the BEST mascara I have ever used: Clump Blaster. It’s in a giant green tube by Cover Girl. Someone was raving about it on Reddit; I tried it, and I too am a believer now. You can add multiple coats without clumping and it doesn’t leave flakes all over my face. I will say that it’s probably heavier than the full and soft, though. But also, my eyes are ridiculous sensitive.
Michelle MacPhearson March 19, 2013 at 5:14 pm
@Kate – I don’t care for the Urban Decay Primer Potion… The best, in my experience, is Lorac’s Behind The Scenes Eye Primer. I haven’t tried Prestige’s, I’ll check it out!
Erin April 19, 2013 at 6:16 am
Great post; I LOVE dupes
I’m going to share this on my website later today & will link back to you. Thanks!
Christy Moylan May 7, 2013 at 8:51 pm
Thanks Erin!