A Guide to Affordable Makeup Dupes

If you're ready to stop overpaying for high-end makeup and luxury products and join the millions of customers who shop drugstores for beauty needs, it's time to explore makeup dupe culture.

But, what is a makeup dupe exactly? Makeup dupes are affordable products that are comparable alternatives to high-end makeup brands. So, what expensive makeup brands might you want to ditch or supplement? Chances are, if it's associated with a fashion brand sold in a high-end department store and manufactures beauty items under the same name, it's an expensive makeup or luxury beauty product. "High-end" and "luxury" are often synonymous with "expensive" — and needlessly so.

Here, discover the benefits of makeup dupes, how they mimic the look and feel of luxury beauty products, and suggestions you can pick up for a sliver of the cost at Rite Aid.

The Benefits of Drugstore Makeup Dupes

You'll likely notice many similarities when you compare drugstore brands with those beauty products you can only purchase at a boutique counter or a fancy clothing store. The biggest difference, in fact, may simply be the price.

Here are some reasons to try makeup dupes — and ways you can benefit from the switch.

1. Only Pay for What You Need

Oftentimes, you're paying for a big designer's name and all of the things that go along with that when you pay for a high-end luxury makeup product. This could include their marketing budget, celebrity spokespeople, advertising and expensive packaging — often in tiny jars. Yes, the makeup dupe companies need to cover those costs as well, but they're able to do that and keep their items affordable on any beauty budget.

2. Similar Quality for a Steal

As you start to research and purchase beauty dupes, you'll notice similarities in formulation and performance compared to the higher-cost options. Read the reviews and watch TikToks and you'll quickly learn some of the brands that beauty influencers and makeup artists swear by for lasting coverage and durability.

When you're getting comparable quality makeup for much less money, you can feel good about expanding your beauty routine. Some customers claim their makeup dupe outperforms the high-end original.

3. Try Different Colors, Trends and Formulas

One of the best parts of applying makeup is that you can experiment with colors, styles, formulas, applicators and brushes — and have fun playing! When you choose a drugstore makeup dupe, not only are you saving money, but you're also minimizing any risk of buyer's remorse. If you don't like the product because it's not the best fit for your look, you can feel good knowing you didn't blow your paycheck on the latest beauty trend.

On the other hand, when you love a brand or beauty product and want to stock up in one color or a variety of colors, doing so with beauty dupes makes it much more affordable to do so.

4. Easy To Find and Buy

When you're buying a makeup dupe of a similar product, you can pick up your favorite item easily online or in a store while running errands. You don't need to visit a particular counter in a department store and hope they have it in stock. When you shop for a drugstore beauty product, you can have it delivered to your front doorstep with other necessities, like toilet paper, cleaning supplies and pet care items.

Makeup Dupe Drugstore Picks To Try

Here are some popular beauty dupes compared to certain high-end makeup products you might want to try out. Once you read the ingredients list, the benefits of the product and what it does for your skin, as well as the customer reviews, we feel pretty confident you'll be excited to buy some beauty dupes for your makeup bag.

*Average costs per product.

How To Add Makeup Dupes to Your Routine

If you want to start incorporating makeup duplicates, experiment with some fall beauty products in new shades. Relying on a makeup dupe to test out that trending lipstick, try a bright eyeshadow, or switch to a new foundation is a great way to have fun with your makeup again without stressing about the cost of beauty products.

Now the only problem is, where will you store all of those makeup dupes?