These are our favorite affordable beauty products that perform like the pricey ones.
Am I the only one who thought I was getting the best quality and product in that category when purchasing high-end makeup products? I wanted to believe all my luxury-brand beauty products were exceptional, but the more I experimented with them, I started to question if that was the case. Products of a significantly lower price were similar in comparison to those double the price. So are we paying for the brand, or the quality of the product?
I put that question to the test and found three luxury makeup products and their more affordable makeup dupes. I’m going to compare the Becca Highlighter vs. the Wet N Wild Megaglow Highlighter; NYX Primer Putty vs. Too Faced Poreless Primer; and the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara vs. Cover Girl Lash Extension Mascara. While they have significant price differences, they are very similar, so I wanted to see if the price is worth it?
Becca Highlighter vs. Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighter
First off, the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter is one of Becca’s best sellers on their website, with 5 out of 5 stars. This product also received the Influenster Reviewers Choice in 2018. Out of all the products I will be comparing, the Becca highlighter has been my go-to in the shade rose quartz, which is a neutral, pale pink with a soft, gold pearl.
For my everyday makeup look, this product has been essential, so I was intrigued to see how the Wet N Wild highlighter would compare.
When it comes to purchasing either product, they both come in a variety of shades. Wet N Wild comes in seven different shades, and Becca comes in ten shades.
The biggest difference between the products so far is that Wet N Wild offers highlighters in blue, bright corals, and peaches, while Becca’s shade range is more neutral and muted offering every skin type the right shade of highlighter. Their colors will suit more skin types to create a natural look versus Wet N Wild’s bold colors.
Wet N Wild Megaglo highlighters are baked powder that features micro-fine pearl pigments and a creamy formula that is infused with nylon for a silky-smooth texture. The Becca shimmering skin highlighters formula is fused with ultra, fine, pearl pigments with liquid for an ultra-buttery texture. These multidimensional pearls are meant to reflect and retract light from every angle for a natural, luminous glow.
As for how these products compare in the application, the Becca highlighters seem to have more pigmentation at first swatch, although the Wet N Wild is buildable. The Becca highlighter has stronger undertones while the Wet N Wild seems to be more one-dimensional, although they both are reflective to the light and have a strong glow.
The verdit: For range of color and dimensional undertones, Becca wins. But for its buildable ability and reflective nature, Wet N Wild wins. So, they each have their pluses and minuses – but if you want to save some money, Wet N Wild is a great alternative.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Primer Putty vs. Too Faced Poreless Primer
Up next is the base to any makeup look – primer. Too Faced Primed and Poreless Advanced Formula Primer features a pore banishing and blurring face formula that is infused with hyaluronic acid, a gentle form of retinol, vitamin C, and vitamin E. This product is a hydrating instant skin perfecter that can be worn under makeup or alone to achieve the appearance of perfectly smooth skin.
The Too Faced primer has an instant mattifying effect in terms of application, while the e.l.f. primer has a silky feeling finish.
The e.l.f. primer is a lightweight, non-drying blurring primer that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines and is also vegan. This formula offers a silky and lightweight finish. The biggest difference in both products is that the Too Faced primer features extra ingredients that are beneficial to healthy, glowing skin.
The verdict: Too Faced, as always, offers up a great primer – but e.l.f. is giving us a truly worth, less expensive alternative. Try both!
Benefit Roller Lash Mascara vs. Cover Girl Lash Extension Mascara
The last makeup dupe comparison is between the Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara and the Benefit Roller Lash Curling Mascara. As mascara is something we usually go through the fastest – at least I do – why should we splurge every time if we don’t have to.
The Benefit roller lash features a “hook ‘n’ roll” brush that grabs, separates, lifts, and curls and consists of a formula that contains provitamin B5 and Serin, which are known ingredients for conditioning lashes.
The Covergirl Clump Crusher Extensions is a clump-proof mascara that offers 20 times more volume. This mascara also features a curved double-sided brush that will lift your eyelashes. Both of the mascaras come in the color black and offer similar results, to lift and curl your eyelashes.
The verdict: Both products offer similar benefits and results, so saving a little money on the dupe is a great choice when you’re looking to save some money.
Splurging every month on replacing everyday makeup products isn’t necessary when, as you can see, these three products have a suitable, similar, inexpensive dupe. Why break our bank every month on prettier packaging or high-end name brands when the outcome of the product is essentially the same? So the next time you’re in the market for either new makeup or a refill, try and see if a less expensive option could give you the same effect.