Best Makeup Dupes: Drugstore Alternatives to High-End Products That Actually Deliver

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High-end makeup is hard to give up — until you find a drugstore version that performs just as well. On a recent episode of The Beauty Lab Podcast, Velia (licensed cosmetologist) and Monina (licensed makeup artist and esthetician) put their favorite high-end products up against their most-recommended dupes. These aren't guesses pulled from Reddit threads. They're side-by-side comparisons from two professionals who work with these products regularly.

Here's what they found — including one swap that saves you $420.

 

Primer Dupes That Actually Grip

Milk Hydro Grip Primer vs. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

The Milk Hydro Grip Primer has a devoted following, and at $30 it's not exactly impulse-buy territory. Velia has used it for years — and after testing the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer ($11) side by side, her verdict is that they feel exactly the same. Same texture, same grip, same finish. If you've been loyal to the Milk version, this is worth testing. The $19 difference adds up fast.

e.l.f. Putty Primer vs. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

This one goes a layer deeper — a dupe for a dupe. The e.l.f. Putty Primer ($10) is already a fan favorite for blurring pores and creating a smooth base. But the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser does the same job for $7. Monina, who has larger pores and relies on a pore-blurring primer before foundation, tested both and found them genuinely comparable. Both finish matte, both blur, and both hold up under foundation throughout the day.

Blush Dupes Worth Talking About

Rhode Pocket Blush in Toasted Teddy vs. Ulta Too Cheeky in Debut

The Rhode Pocket Blush has been one of the most talked-about blush launches in recent memory — and at $25, it's not unreasonable, but it's also not a drugstore grab. The Ulta Beauty Too Cheeky blush in the shade Debut ($13) is the dupe that's been circulating, and after trying it in the episode, the reaction was immediate. The shade is a warm mauvy-brown that blends out beautifully and works across a range of skin tones. It's creamy, it spreads evenly, and it's the kind of color that looks like it belongs in a much pricier compact.

e.l.f. Cameo Liquid Blush vs. Essence Baby Got Blush

Liquid blush is one of those categories where a little really does go a long way — and the e.l.f. Cameo Liquid Blush ($8) is already a strong product. The Essence Baby Got Blush ($5) is its dupe, though it comes in stick form rather than liquid. The $3 difference is minor, but if you're replacing an entire makeup bag or shopping on a tighter budget, every dollar counts. Both deliver color payoff and blend out without patchy application.

The Setting Spray Situation

One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray vs. Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray

The One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray ($34) solves a specific problem: it takes a powdered, matte finish and transforms it into something that looks like glass skin. For anyone who loves full coverage but wants that lit-from-within finish at the end, it's a game-changer. The Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray ($13) delivers the same effect — Velia tested it in-store and was skeptical enough to try the tester before committing, and it held up. Same melting effect, same glass finish, $21 less.

The glass skin look works because of that final step — setting spray that breaks down the powdery layer and lets the hydrating, luminous foundation underneath show through. Either of these options gets you there.

e.l.f. All Night Setting Spray vs. Revolution Sports Fix Setting Spray

The e.l.f. All Night Setting Spray ($10) is already a budget-friendly option. The Revolution Sports Fix Setting Spray ($5.50) undercuts it further — and comes in a generous bottle. Monina used it for several days running and found it set makeup reliably and held well throughout the day. At $5.50 for a full-size spray, it's the kind of product that belongs in a gym bag, a travel kit, or as a backup for when you run out of your main setting spray mid-week.

Lip Liner Dupe That Goes the Distance

MAC Chestnut Lip Liner vs. NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Cocoa

MAC Chestnut is one of those cult products that hairstylists and makeup artists have been recommending for years. The warm reddish-brown undertone makes it one of the most versatile neutrals in the lineup — it works under a range of lip colors and on its own. At $25, it's a professional product at a professional price. The NYX Retractable Lip Liner in Cocoa ($6) matches that same warm reddish-brown undertone, goes on just as creamy, and according to Monina, the color lasts a long time. For a $19 difference, this one is hard to argue with.

The Glow Product Worth Mixing

e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter vs. L'Oreal Lumi Glotion

These two land at the same price point ($14 each), which makes this less of a money-saving swap and more of a "same result, different brand" situation. Both are luminous tint products designed to be mixed into foundation or worn alone for a natural, glowing finish. Monina has been mixing the Halo Glow into her foundation for a subtle all-over luminescence, and the Lumi Glotion performs the same way. If you can't find one, the other is a direct substitution.

The Big One: A $420 Perfume Dupe

Tom Ford Lost Cherry vs. Finery Not Another Cherry

Tom Ford Lost Cherry retails at $450 — and there's reportedly a larger size for $699. It's a genuinely exceptional fragrance: deep, dark cherry with a richness that doesn't read as sweet or juvenile. Velia discovered it at Sephora and spent the rest of the day smelling her own wrist. The problem, obviously, is the price.

Finery's Not Another Cherry ($30, available at Target) is the dupe — and Velia's take is that it actually smells better. The cherry note stays present longer than it does in the Tom Ford, which tends to fade into its base notes relatively quickly. The Finery version holds that dark cherry quality through the dry-down. At $30 versus $450, the savings are $420. That's the biggest dupe win of the entire episode.

A Note on Dupes in General

Velia and Monina are clear that these comparisons are based on their own testing and research — not on any manufacturer confirmation that formulations are identical. Dupes are about results, not chemical equivalency. What they're comparing is what the product does on skin, how it wears, and whether the result is worth the price difference.

In most cases here, the answer is yes.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're trying to stretch a tight budget, replace a lost makeup bag, or just want to know if the drugstore version actually holds up — this list is a good place to start. Most of these swaps were tested side by side, and in a few cases, the cheaper product came out ahead.

Want more honest product comparisons? Listen to the full episode of The Beauty Lab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.