Top Drugstore Makeup Dupes That Actually Work

November 12, 2025

 


Who doesn’t love a good makeup dupe — especially when it performs just like a luxury brand but costs a fraction of the price? With beauty prices constantly rising, savvy shoppers are turning to drugstore makeup dupes that deliver high-end results on a budget. From glowing foundations to long-lasting lipsticks, the beauty aisles are packed with products that mimic expensive favorites — and many actually outperform them.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the top drugstore makeup dupes that truly work, breaking them down by category. Whether you’re a makeup minimalist or a full-glam lover, you’ll find budget-friendly alternatives for your favorite luxury products — all tested, trending, and loved by makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts alike.


Why Makeup Dupes Are So Popular Right Now

The beauty industry has entered a “smart shopping” era. With viral TikTok reviews, YouTube tutorials, and Instagram reels comparing luxury vs. affordable products, consumers are discovering that drugstore brands are more innovative than ever.

Brands like e.l.f., Maybelline, NYX, Wet n Wild, and Milani are creating high-performing formulas that rival (and sometimes beat) luxury brands like Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Fenty Beauty, and Too Faced.


Top Reasons Drugstore Dupes Are Trending

Affordability: Save 50–80% compared to high-end products.

Accessibility: Available at local stores and online easily.

Vegan and Cruelty-Free Options: Many drugstore brands now align with ethical standards.

Social Media Proof: Influencers and makeup artists openly test dupes for performance and finish.

Same Ingredients, Lower Price: Some products share nearly identical formulas or textures as luxury lines.

Foundation Dupes: Luxury Finish, Budget Price

Your foundation sets the stage for your entire look. Here are drugstore foundations that have earned cult-favorite status for being nearly identical to expensive ones.


1. e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter vs. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

If you’ve been obsessed with that radiant, dewy “glass skin” look, this dupe is unbeatable. The e.l.f. Halo Glow Filter offers the same luminous, soft-focus finish as the Charlotte Tilbury classic — but at a fraction of the price.

Luxury: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter — ₹4,800

Dupe: e.l.f. Halo Glow Filter — ₹1,200

Why It Works: Identical glow, silky texture, buildable coverage. Perfect for mixing with foundation or wearing solo.


2. L’Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation vs. Estée Lauder Double Wear

If you want a long-lasting, transfer-proof foundation that feels lightweight yet full coverage, L’Oréal’s version is a near-perfect dupe. It stays flawless through humidity, heat, and long days — just like its luxury counterpart.

Luxury: Estée Lauder Double Wear — ₹4,900

Dupe: L’Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear — ₹1,500


Why It Works: Same matte finish, high coverage, and long wear. Great for oily and combination skin types.


3. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless vs. NARS Soft Matte Foundation

Maybelline’s cult-favorite Fit Me Foundation has been praised for its buildable coverage and blurring effect. It performs astonishingly close to NARS Soft Matte, offering a smooth, natural finish that resists shine.


Luxury: NARS Soft Matte Foundation — ₹5,000

Dupe: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless — ₹899


Why It Works: Minimizes pores, controls oil, and gives flawless, airbrushed skin.

Concealer Dupes: Bright Eyes Without the Splurge

Concealers are the secret weapon for brightening and perfecting the complexion. Here are the most convincing drugstore swaps.


4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind vs. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

This dupe is legendary. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind offers the same creamy coverage and radiant finish as NARS, with a lightweight texture that doesn’t crease.


Luxury: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — ₹3,200

Dupe: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind — ₹799


Why It Works: Blendable, brightening, and perfect for under-eye circles.


5. e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer vs. Tarte Shape Tape

The internet’s favorite dupe! e.l.f.’s Camo Concealer delivers full coverage and a matte finish almost identical to Tarte Shape Tape, but for one-fifth the price.


Luxury: Tarte Shape Tape — ₹3,600

Dupe: e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer — ₹850


Why It Works: Long-wear formula, crease-resistant, and covers blemishes flawlessly.

Powder & Bronzer Dupes: Sculpt and Set Smartly

Setting powders and bronzers add structure and longevity to your makeup look. Luckily, there are great budget swaps here too.


6. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder vs. Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

Both powders give a smooth, blurred, soft-focus finish, locking in makeup for all-day wear.

Luxury: Laura Mercier Translucent Powder — ₹4,000

Dupe: Coty Airspun Loose Powder — ₹900


Why It Works: Fine texture, great oil control, and photo-ready finish.


7. Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer vs. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil

This is one of the best drugstore bronzers ever made. It blends effortlessly and smells divine.


Luxury: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer — ₹3,900

Dupe: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer — ₹1,200


Why It Works: Same buttery formula, tropical scent, and sun-kissed finish.

Blush Dupes: Perfect Flush Without Overspending


8. Milani Baked Blush “Luminoso” vs. NARS “Orgasm”

This dupe has achieved cult status for good reason. Milani’s “Luminoso” offers the same peachy-pink glow with subtle shimmer as the iconic NARS shade.


Luxury: NARS Orgasm Blush — ₹3,500

Dupe: Milani Baked Blush “Luminoso” — ₹900


Why It Works: Identical tone and luminous finish, flattering on all skin tones.


9. e.l.f. Putty Blush vs. Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

Want that dewy, natural flush seen all over Instagram? e.l.f.’s Putty Blush gives you the same soft pigment payoff and silky texture as Rare Beauty — without the premium price tag.


Luxury: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch — ₹2,800

Dupe: e.l.f. Putty Blush — ₹750


Why It Works: Creamy, blendable, and long-lasting with a natural finish.

Highlighter Dupes: Glow for Less


10. Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder vs. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

When Becca’s iconic highlighter was discontinued, beauty lovers turned to Wet n Wild MegaGlo — and found it equally radiant.


Luxury: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector — ₹3,800

Dupe: Wet n Wild MegaGlo — ₹600


Why It Works: Ultra-fine shimmer, buildable glow, and stunning payoff.


11. Makeup Revolution Reloaded Highlighter vs. Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy

This dupe offers the same golden luminosity and smooth texture — ideal for all skin tones wanting that soft-glam glow.


Luxury: ABH Amrezy Highlighter — ₹4,000

Dupe: Makeup Revolution Reloaded — ₹850


Why It Works: Great pigmentation, mirror-like finish, and blends easily.

Eyeshadow Dupes: Luxe Looks on a Budget


12. ColourPop “Bare Necessities” vs. Urban Decay “Naked” Palette

ColourPop has perfected affordable eyeshadow formulas. Their Bare Necessities palette delivers identical nude shades and buttery texture as Urban Decay’s Naked line.


Luxury: Urban Decay Naked — ₹5,500

Dupe: ColourPop Bare Necessities — ₹2,000


Why It Works: Same pigmentation, long wear, and versatile color range.


13. Makeup Revolution “Iconic Reloaded” vs. Anastasia Beverly Hills “Modern Renaissance”

Revolution’s version gives the same warm tones and rich payoff that made ABH’s palette famous — perfect for soft glam or bold looks.


Luxury: ABH Modern Renaissance — ₹4,500

Dupe: Makeup Revolution Iconic Reloaded — ₹1,000


Why It Works: Similar color story, smooth texture, and long-lasting wear.

Mascara Dupes: Big Lashes, Small Price


14. L’Oréal Lash Paradise vs. Too Faced Better Than Sex

This dupe is practically identical in formula and wand design. Lash Paradise gives dramatic volume and curl without clumping.


Luxury: Too Faced Better Than Sex — ₹3,200

Dupe: L’Oréal Lash Paradise — ₹899


Why It Works: Same hourglass brush, deep black pigment, and long wear.


15. Maybelline Sky High Mascara vs. Benefit Roller Lash

Sky High gives that fluttery, lifted lash effect everyone loves. It’s waterproof, lightweight, and adds impressive length.


Luxury: Benefit Roller Lash — ₹3,000

Dupe: Maybelline Sky High — ₹799


Why It Works: Builds volume without flakes and lasts all day.


Lipstick and Lip Gloss Dupes: Luxe Lips for Less

16. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream “Cannes” vs. NARS “Dolce Vita”

The texture, tone, and finish are nearly indistinguishable. NYX gives the same velvety matte look and comfortable feel.


Luxury: NARS Dolce Vita — ₹2,800

Dupe: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream — ₹700


Why It Works: Long-wearing, non-drying, and smooth finish.


17. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink vs. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte

This drugstore staple lasts through meals, meetings, and makeup wipes. A favorite among budget beauty lovers.


Luxury: Huda Beauty Matte Lip — ₹2,900

Dupe: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink — ₹750


Why It Works: Transfer-proof, opaque, and available in trendy shades.


18. e.l.f. Lip Lacquer vs. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb

This viral dupe offers the same plump, glossy shine and smooth texture as Fenty’s fan-favorite gloss.


Luxury: Fenty Gloss Bomb — ₹2,200

Dupe: e.l.f. Lip Lacquer — ₹450


Why It Works: Same reflective finish, hydrating formula, and non-sticky feel.


Setting Spray Dupes: Lock It All In

19. Milani Make It Last Setting Spray vs. Urban Decay All Nighter

Milani’s spray is a near-perfect dupe that keeps makeup intact for up to 16 hours — at half the cost.


Luxury: Urban Decay All Nighter — ₹3,000

Dupe: Milani Make It Last — ₹1,000


Why It Works: Lightweight mist, no residue, and long-lasting finish.

How to Identify a Good Makeup Dupe

Before you grab any product labeled a “dupe,” here’s what to check:

Ingredient List: Many dupes share active ingredients with luxury products.

Texture & Finish: Swatch and compare how it feels and blends.

Longevity: Test for staying power and oxidation.

Packaging Doesn’t Equal Quality: Focus on formula, not fancy bottles.

Always check reviews, beauty blogs, or YouTube comparison videos before purchasing — they’re a great source of honest feedback.


The Beauty of Budget-Friendly Makeup

Drugstore dupes prove that great makeup doesn’t need to be expensive. Thanks to improved formulations and industry transparency, you can achieve red-carpet results at a student-friendly price.

Whether you’re recreating your favorite influencer looks or building a beginner’s kit, these dupes offer everything you need — affordable luxury, incredible performance, and guilt-free glamour.


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