17 Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes of 2023: Save Vs. Splurge!

Makeup and beauty products are notoriously expensive, especially if you buy name-brand and designer items. Some high-end products are definitely worth the money, but often you can find a drugstore makeup dupe at a much lower price point. We surveyed Krazy Coupon Lady readers, staffers, and editors to find the most popular drugstore makeup dupes on the market. Their recommendations do not disappoint.

Our readers shared their best drugstore makeup dupes and our editors filled us in on some fantastic under-$10 beauty products you’ll want to add to your cart ASAP. We’ve compiled all the products (and where to find them) to make it easy to buy new favorites.

Additionally, we’re breaking down the price difference between all the products, so you can decide where to splurge and what to save on.

For more deals and money-saving tips, download the Krazy Coupon Lady app or text DEALS to 57299.

Best Drugstore Makeup Dupes

1. e.l.f. Camo Concealer ($7) vs. Tarte Shape Tape ($31)

Reviewers say the e.l.f. Camo Concealer ($7, Ulta) is just as creamy and blendable as Tarte’s famous Shape Tape ($31, Tarte.com). While the e.l.f. bottle is slightly smaller (0.2 oz compared to Tarte’s 0.33 oz), you’ll save $24. Plus, e.l.f. products are available at most drugstores and grocery stores, so you can compare shades in person rather than trying to find the perfect match online.

Related: 19 Game-Changing Drugstore Makeup Hacks

2. Maybelline Superstay Ink Crayon ($8.99) vs. Bite Beauty Creme Lip Crayon ($27.99)

Bite Beauty is known for their iconic lipstick shades, but after the brand went out of business in 2022, customers are turning to other brands to replicate their favorite hues. Maybelline’s ‘Lead the Way’ ($8.99, Target) is almost the exact same shade as Bite’s ‘Sugarcane.’ Even better, it’s much less expensive than Bite’s original price of $27.99. You’ll save $19 by investing in Maybelline’s Superstay Ink Crayon, plus you can save another 5% if you have a Target RedCard. I’m a personal fan and have three shades of this lipstick. P.S., they also have ‘Enjoy the View’, which is almost a perfect dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk.

3. Elf Power Grip Primer ($10) vs. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer ($36)

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a quality primer. Our readers say the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer ($10, elfcosmetics.com) is their go-to drugstore makeup dupe for Milk Makeup’s popular Hydro Grip Primer ($36, Milkmakeup.com). You’ll save $26 by reaching for the cheaper option. Plus, e.l.f.’s website has a special offer where you get two free gifts when you spend $25.

4. Revlon Photoready Candid Antioxidant Concealer ($8.99) vs. NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer ($32)

Revlon’s Photoready concealer ($8.99, Walgreens) was released just a few years ago, but reviewers say they’ve already made it a staple in their makeup bags. It’s more than $23 cheaper than the nearly identical Radiant Creamy Concealer by NARS ($32, Narscosmetics.com). And, the Revlon concealer holds 0.34 oz, compared to NARS’s 0.22, so you get more product for less money. If you can find your perfect shade with Revlon, it’s definitely worth saving the money. It is, however, worth noting that NARS does have almost double the amount of shade options to choose from.

5. NYX Control Freak Eyebrow Gel ($5.99) vs. Makeup By Mario Master Hold Brow Gel ($22)

The Master Hold Brow Gel ($22, Makeupbymario.com) is one of Makeup by Mario’s most popular products, but it’s almost identical to the NYX eyebrow gel ($5.99, Walgreens). Both are clear gels with a miniature spoolie meant to set your eyebrows in place after penciling or filling them in. The Makeup by Mario bottle is only 0.10 oz, while the NYX version is 0.30 oz and $16 cheaper — which means you get three times more product for less than a third of the price. Plus, Walgreens often has special offers with W Cash rewards, like spending $15 on eye makeup and earning $5 W Cash rewards. So look for opportunities like that to save more.

6. Elf Camo CC Cream ($14) vs. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Full Coverage Foundation ($44)

IT Cosmetics’ CC+ cream foundation ($44, Sephora) is all the rage with beauty influencers right now. But, at $44 for a 1.08-oz bottle, it’s not cheap. However, e.l.f.’s Camo CC cream ($14, Amazon) is super similar and is $30 less. The e.l.f. bottle contains just 0.03 oz less than the IT Cosmetics foundation, so we’re almost comparing apples to apples. Both products have SPF built in, although Elf’s is SPF 30 rather than SPF 50.

ONLINE Deal

$13.30 $14.00 (5% Off)

Up to 5% off with Subscribe & Save

Eyes, Lashes, and Brows Drugstore Makeup Dupes

7. L’Oreal Lash Paradise Mascara /($6.77) vs. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($28)

The Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced ($28, Ulta) has topped the ‘best mascara’ lists for years, but there’s a new (cheaper) favorite on the market. Reviewers say L’Oreal’s Lash Paradise Mascara ($6.77, Amazon) is now their go-to, and at less than $7 (compared to Too Faced’s $28), it’s a steal. Plus, the L’Oreal product comes in six color combinations and is available as either washable or waterproof. We watched the sales history of the Lash Paradise mascara, and $6.77 seems to be the best price on it since it increased in 2018.

ONLINE Deal

$5.75 $6.77 (15% Off)

Up to 5% off with Subscribe & Save

8. e.l.f. Cosmetics Brow Lift ($6) vs. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze ($23)

E.l.f.’s Brow Lift ($6, Ulta) is almost a perfect match for the popular Brow Freeze by Anastasia Beverly Hills ($23, Sephora), but it’s $17 cheaper. The e.l.f. gel is 0.31 oz, while the Anastasia product is slightly smaller at 0.28 oz. And, if you have an Ulta Credit Card, you can save an extra 20% on top of that.

Related: Everything to Know About the Ulta Credit Card: The Good, Bad, and Beautiful

9. CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette ($9) vs. Urban Decay Naked3 Palette Eyeshadow ($59)

The Naked eyeshadow palettes by Urban Decay have had a cult following for over a decade. The Naked3 palette ($59, Sephora) is the latest release by the brand. But, if you can’t justify spending $59 on eyeshadow, the CoverGirl TruNaked palette ($9.99, Target) is a very close match for under $10. That’s a savings of $49! Note that the CoverGirl palette only includes eight colors instead of the 12 included in the Urban Decay palette. That said, it’s available in four color combinations (805 Nudes and 815 Roses are most similar to the Naked palette). That means you can choose a palette with colors you’ll actually use, and you won’t worry about wasting expensive products if there are shades of the Naked shadows you don’t love.

Best Face Drugstore Makeup Dupes

10. Milani Baked Blush Petal Primavera ($8.99) vs. NARS Orgasm Blush ($32)

If you love the peachy shade and shimmery finish of NARS’ Orgasm Blush ($32, Sephora), our readers have found an exact match that’s more than $23 cheaper. Milani’s ‘Petal Primavera’ ($8.99, Target) is the same shade and has a similar subtle sheen. Milani is more of a baked, creamy consistency while NARS is a true powder. Even though the Milani is 0.04 oz smaller, it’s still an insanely good deal for the same look.

11. e.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick ($5) vs. Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener ($25)

The eye brightener stick ($25, Thrivecausemetics.com) from Thrive Causemetics is an all-in-one eyeshadow product that can be used on your lids, lash line, and corners of your eyes for an instant lift. If you’re on the fence about trying a shadow stick (or if you want to try more shades), the e.l.f. No Budge Shadow Stick ($5, elfcosmetics.com) is essentially the same thing. Think of it this way: you can get five shades of the e.l.f. shadow for the same price as one Thrive Causemetics stick.

12. Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer ($12.99) vs. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer ($35)

Benefit Cosmetics ($35, Sephora) recently released new blush and bronzer shades, and they’re wildly popular. But if you can’t or won’t spend $35 on a bronzer color you’ve never tried before, grab the Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer ($12.99, Target) instead. The shade Endless Summer in the Butter Bronzer is a close match for Benefit’s Hoola Caramel, and Endless Summer is 10 oz bigger. I use this product every day and won’t spend money on higher-end bronzers ever again.

Lip Dupes

13. NYX Matte Lipstick in Euro Trash ($14.99) vs. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk ($34)

If you’ve never tried the matte lipstick by NYX ($14.99, Amazon), consider grabbing one next time you need a lip color refresh. Their shade Euro Trash is a close match for Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Pillow Talk ($34, Sephora), and you’ll save more than $21 by swapping brands. Plus, the NYX lipstick is 1 oz, while the Charlotte Tilbury tube only holds 0.12 ounces — so you get way more for your money by saving instead of splurging.

14. Maybelline Lifter Gloss Lip Gloss ($6.40) vs. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb ($20)

Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb ($20, Sephora) has become wildly popular on social media, but our readers have found a nearly identical shade for about a fourth of the price. Maybelline’s Lifter Gloss Lip ($6.40, Amazon) has the same shimmery and hydrating consistency as the Fenty gloss, but you’ll spend $14 less. Plus, you can save 20% on the dupe if you subscribe and save.

ONLINE Deal

$5.44 $6.40 (15% Off)

5% to 15% off with Subscribe & Save

15. Wet n’ Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare It All ($2.19) vs. MAC Cosmetics Matte Velvet Teddy ($21)

The MegaLast Lip Color by Wet n’ wild ($2.19, Target) is one of the best makeup dupes we’ve ever found. Their Bare It All color is almost the exact same shade and size as MAC’s Velvet Teddy ($14.70, maccosmetics.com), and it’s less than $3. (Yes, really!). You can even throw an extra 5% savings on top of the MegaLast if you have a Target RedCard.

Skincare and Makeup Remover Dupes

16. Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen ($8.99) vs. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen ($40)

Sunscreen is something you should never skimp on, so if the ultra-popular Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop ($38, Ulta) doesn’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. It’s almost identical to Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen ($8.99, Trader Joe’s), which is more than $31 cheaper. They’re both SPF 40 and 1.7 ounces, so it’s definitely worth grabbing the Trader Joe’s version.

17. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($7.99) vs. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover ($31)

Regardless of what kind of makeup you wear, you want to be sure to get it all off at the end of the day. Clinique’s Take the Day Off makeup ($31, Clinique.com) remover is a popular choice, but it’s also fairly expensive for the size of the bottle. Reviewers say Garnier’s micellar cleansing water ($7.99, Target) works exactly the same, and it’s only $8 for 13.5 ounces — compared to $31 for just 6.7 ounces of Clinique.