Beauty Dupes That Will Save Your Wallet (and Maybe Even Outperform the Originals!)

Hey Beauties!

Today, we're diving deep into the world of beauty dupes. These are the miracle workers of the makeup bag – more affordable alternatives to high-end products that sometimes, surprisingly, even outperform their pricey counterparts. I've got five fantastic dupes to share, covering everything from serums to sunscreen and lip glosses. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let's start saving!

Vitamin C serums are a skincare staple, known for their brightening and anti-aging benefits. But the price tag on some of these serums can be eye-watering. I recently tried the MATTER OF FACT 20% L-Ascorbic with Ferulic and Maritime Pine Vitamin C Serum. The brand generously sent me their entire line, and while I appreciate the gesture, this serum was a major disappointment. In fact, I downright despise it. Their website is filled with glowing marketing claims, but my experience was anything but. The texture is incredibly sticky and tacky. It initially feels oily upon application, but then dries down to this persistent sticky residue that I just can't stand. Furthermore, my serum oxidized quickly, turning a strange orangey-yellow color, which is a far cry from the clear serum pictured on their website. And the results? Underwhelming, to say the least. My skin didn't achieve the same level of brightness I typically experience with other vitamin C serums. Considering the price, it's a definite no-go for me.

Now, let's talk about the real star of the show – the Medic8 Super C Ferulic. This isn't just a budget-friendly alternative; it's my holy grail, all-time favorite vitamin C serum. Those familiar with my previous recommendations know I rave about their Nightly Retinol Serum (the retinaldehyde one – truly amazing!), and now I'm equally obsessed with this vitamin C offering. It boasts a potent 30% stabilized vitamin C, which is a remarkably high concentration, yet I experience absolutely no irritation. If you struggle with age spots, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, or melasma like me, you absolutely need to try this. It dramatically brightens my complexion and even helps fade those stubborn dark spots, even without the use of my other targeted treatments. The stabilized formula prevents oxidation, a common issue with vitamin C serums. I've had my bottle for months, and it remains crystal clear. It leaves my skin with a gorgeous, healthy glow, and I use it almost every single morning. I've experimented with countless other vitamin C serums, including cheaper options, but nothing compares to the brightening and fading results I achieve with this Medic8 gem. This is a product I will repurchase again and again!

Sunscreen powders are a convenient way to reapply sun protection throughout the day. The Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 is a cult favorite, and I understand the appeal. It's portable and easy to use. However, for those of us with melasma, dark spots, or mature skin, I'm not entirely convinced it provides adequate protection for touch-ups. I personally felt like my melasma worsened when I relied solely on this for reapplication. I still find it useful for setting makeup or adding a light dusting of powder and SPF over cream foundation, but it's not my primary sun protection method. And the price? It's becoming a bit exorbitant.

Dermstore, one of my favorite brands, recently launched their own SPF Radiance Powder, and I was incredibly excited. I purchased both the medium and fair shades. The brush is luxuriously soft, and the medium shade performs well, dispensing easily with its open-and-close design. However, the fair shade was a complete letdown. Despite numerous attempts, I couldn't get any powder to come out. I suspect I received a faulty product.

But don't worry, because my true sunscreen powder love is the CIELE Loose Powder SPF 30. I'm a huge fan of this brand, and I own practically their entire product line. Their makeup is acne-safe, which is a major bonus for me. This powder is not only significantly more affordable than the Colorescience option, but it also contains more product. The application is effortless, thanks to its standard compact design with a puff applicator. You can also use a brush if that's your preference. The powder itself is finely milled and luxurious, providing an all-mineral SPF 30. It creates a beautiful, matte finish, which is a welcome change from the often overly dewy finish of other sunscreens. I also adore their sunscreen foundations, blushes, and bronzer sticks. Their cream bronzer, in particular, is stunning! It blends seamlessly and also offers all-mineral SPF protection. And their SPF 50 blushes? Game-changers, especially if you're concerned about hyperpigmentation on your cheeks. They're intensely pigmented and provide excellent sun protection. I even use them on my lips for a pop of color! If you're searching for a high-quality, affordable sunscreen powder, CIELE is the answer.

Let's move on to cleansing. I recently tried the Peach and Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser, and while it might work for some, it's not for me. I'm a firm believer in double cleansing at night to thoroughly remove makeup and sunscreen, and I generally prefer oil cleansers over balms. I had high hopes for this Peach and Lily cleanser, but it simply doesn't effectively cleanse my skin. Even after emulsifying and massaging, I'm left with residue. I feel like I have to use it multiple times to remove everything, which is frustrating.

My holy grail oil cleanser is the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. This is probably my 50th bottle. I'm constantly trying other oil cleansers, hoping to find something superior, but nothing compares. This product melts away every trace of makeup and sunscreen in a single cleanse. Mascara, foundation, everything – gone! It rinses clean without leaving any oily residue. It's the ultimate oil cleanser.

Finally, let's talk lips! The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm is a pretty, sheer rosy-mauve gloss. I typically wear lip liner because my lips are slightly uneven. This gloss isn't particularly thick or long-lasting, and I find it tends to bleed into my lip lines after about an hour. It's a nice gloss, but the price is a bit steep.

A more budget-friendly alternative is the Burt's Bees Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper Gloss. It's similar in color and finish, although the Burt's Bees leans more towards a reddish-mauve, while the Charlotte Tilbury has a slightly more brownish-mauve tone. Both have a thin, oily consistency that can bleed into lip lines, so if you're younger and don't have that issue, you might love these.

Another lip favorite of mine is the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Plumper in Strawberry Kiss. This shade always earns compliments from my husband. It creates this beautiful, sheer, popsicle-stained look that's perfect for summer. It doesn't bleed into my lip lines as much as the Charlotte Tilbury gloss.

A good dupe for the Too Faced gloss is the Maybelline Lifter Gloss. It's very similar in color and finish, although I slightly prefer the Too Faced formula.

So, there you have it – five affordable alternatives to some popular high-end beauty products. What are your thoughts? Which dupes are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments! And if you're interested in learning more about the Medic8 Retinaldehyde I mentioned earlier, I'll link a previous review below. It's my all-time favorite retinoid, and I've even stopped using prescription Retin-A!