By Akeem Alex
The battle between high-end vs drugstore beauty is nothing new. In fact, drugstore retailers like Target and Walgreens have pioneered affordable beauty for decades. The growth of social media has made competitor analysis easier than ever, with mass-market beauty brands quickly creating affordable versions of high-end products as soon as they’re released. The price gap between drugstores and luxury beauty products can be quite significant.
For example, even basic products like lip liners can differ by up to $25 per liner! What’s worse is that when you buy high-end for a product like a lip liner, you’re usually paying extra for the packaging and branding. Aside from affordability, budget beauty retailers are offering consumers an extensive range of brands and products, from gel polish to lip gloss, that their luxury competitors struggle to match.
Drugstore beauty ‘dupes’ are usually measured against their hero products on two main factors. Affordability and performance. So what are the top drugstore beauty finds that tick both those boxes?
Foundation
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk vs L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation is loved for its buildable, medium-coverage formula that transfers seamlessly on the face while mimicking the look of natural skin, even with a fuller-coverage blend. Typically, the full-size Luminous Silk foundation retails for $69 on luxury beauty sites like Sephora. The L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable foundation gives Giorgio Armani a run for its money on both price and performance. If you take a look at both foundation’s formulas, they’re almost identical. Consumers are opting for the drugstore dupe for its lightweight coverage at just $9.99 at Target.
Bronzer
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream vs Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Bronzer
Cream and powder bronzing products have transformed the beauty industry and created a trend amongst consumers looking for a sun-kissed, bronzed look in their everyday makeup routine. Chanel’s Les Beiges Bronzing Cream is a popular choice within the market because of its creamy formula that blends cleanly without streaking or looking cakey on the skin. It’s also praised for its radiant finish that brightens without looking sparkly and unnatural. US consumers can buy the bronzing cream for around $60.
Makeup Revolution, although originally set up in the UK, has expanded worldwide and is now a go-to option for buyers looking for the quality and finish of Chanel’s bronzing cream for just a fraction of the price. The high-end ‘dupe’ melts into the skin exactly as Chanel’s bronzing cream does, and can be easily picked up at retailers like Ulta Beauty and Target.
Concealer
ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer vs NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum
You can buy the ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer for $32 from a number of different beauty retailers. Customers favour it because it cleverly blends medium-coverage makeup with skincare benefits. Not only that, it has a buildable and serum-like formula which is created without toxic ingredients like sulphates and harsh fragrances. NYX left no time to waste and launched their Bare With Me Concealer Serum that is also packed with skin-kind, vegan extracts. It got its ‘dupe’ name for having a very similar hydrating and natural finish to the ILIA original. The NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum also retails for $22 dollars less!
