Saving Money With "Dupes"

If you are a makeup lover like I am, you want it, you justify it and you cannot WAIT until you have a clean face (the blank canvas, if you will) for a new application of products.  Every woman has a budget and some may stick to products they find in their local drugstore. Others shop the spectrum, from drugstore to high-end. If they like it, they buy it. And then there are those with superior taste...and anything other than high-end just doesn't feel right.  If you have tried a high-end lipstick, you can understand that concept, even if it's just while you're trying it on at the makeup counter. lol

 

The term "dupe" didn't come out of nowhere. Duplicate or "dupe" refers to a drugstore or lesser price point than its high-end counterpart. For example, let's say a friend is wearing a fabulous eye shadow that catches the light just so....and you can't take your eyes off that shine. She says it's "X" shadow from "Y" Cosmetics.  So you go look it up. Wowza. $18 for one eye shadow?! For you, that could mean two lunches for you or two weeks worth of lunches for your child etc. (Note to self: Don't blog when hungry.)

If you're like me, you still want the color, the experience, the look/feel...without the cost.  How on Earth are you supposed to find something similar out of the TONS of brands out there?! Well, that's why I'm here! I've done the work for you. Products look a certain way in the container. Swatched they either look the same or different. In order to find the correct dupe, swatching for comparison is key.  It's difficult to swatch drugstore items which is why it helps to have experience with various brand colors and textures. 

 

Would you rather pay $3 or $18 for the same color/texture? True, there are package/brand lovers out there that will choose to pay $18, but they are paying for the brand/package. The lab does the same amount of work either way.  The color payoff is the same.  I'd rather pay $3 because that means I go home with more products. :-)))

 (photo credit: pinksith.com)

 

 

If you need a dupe, please contact me for more info and I would be happy to assist!