Beauty Dupes can be a beauty game-changer, offering you trendy, high-quality products without the high price.
If you’re always on the lookout for the next viral beauty product, you know how quickly things like Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops or Rare Beauty Liquid Blush can take the internet by storm.
It’s so easy to fall head over heels for a product you’ve only seen online. But then comes the heartbreak—either it’s out of your budget or sold out everywhere. Enter the magical world of beauty dupes.
When looking for any beauty product from the best bronzer on a budget or skincare with ceramides there is likely to be a dupe version worth looking into.
There are seemingly endless posts about dupes online: recommendations on specific products, comparisons between dupes and originals, and plenty of discourse around the general existence of dupes.
What’s a Dupe, Anyway?
A dupe is a product that mimics a popular, often pricey item, offering a similar experience and results at a fraction of the cost. With the rise of #BeautyTok and increasing living costs, dupes are becoming the go-to for many beauty enthusiasts.
They make beauty accessible and inclusive, though it’s a bit of a headache for original brands – as well as for consumers trying to find the right dupe.
Dupes are essentially beauty’s best-kept secret to look fabulous without spending a fortune.
Why Go for Dupes?
Discontinued Products: It’s gut-wrenching when your must-have product is suddenly discontinued. Before you panic, check if there’s a dupe somewhere. Dupes can save the day by offering a similar product when your favourite item is no longer available.
Price Point: Dupes are usually much cheaper than the originals. If you want to try something without breaking the bank, a dupe is a perfect solution. Why spend a fortune when you can get a similar product for a fraction of the cost?
Sold Out Stock: Viral products often sell out quickly. If you can’t get your hands on the original, a dupe might be readily available. It’s frustrating when everyone else has snapped up that hot new product, but a dupe can be your saving grace.
Jumping on a Trend: Trends can be tempting but pricey. Dupes let you enjoy the latest fads without the hefty price tag. Whether it’s the latest lipstick shade or a new skincare craze, there’s likely a dupe that lets you stay trendy without emptying your wallet.
When to Buy a Dupe:
As mentioned, it’s entirely up to the individual to decide if and when a dupe is right. Here are some situations where you might consider going for a dupe:
Replacing a Discontinued Product: Almost every beauty lover has experienced that heart-sinking feeling when the time to repurchase one of your essentials comes around, and it’s suddenly nowhere to be found. Next time you find yourself in this situation, do a little digging to find out if anyone has created a dupe.
Budget-Friendly Shopping: The biggest selling point for most dupes is simply that they are cheaper than the original product. They kind of have to be, otherwise people would likely stick to the original. If you want to try something but can’t quite justify the price tag, a dupe might be the answer you’re looking for.
Finding Sold Out Products: Beauty faves are forever selling out, sometimes all it takes is one viral video. If you can’t get your hands on a sold-out product, and it’s something popular enough to be selling out in the first place, there’s a very good chance another company has duped it.
Exploring Trends on a Budget: It can be hard to resist jumping on a viral trend when it starts overtaking our social spaces, both online and in real life. But, it can quickly become an expensive habit, and it can also be hard to justify spending on something you’re not sure you’ll love. Again, if something has gone viral, there’s likely more than one brand producing the goods.
How to Buy a Dupe:
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when sourcing your dupe:
Check the Weight/Volume: Don’t be fooled by misleading advertising or packaging. You don’t want to buy a dupe thinking you’re getting a great deal only to discover that the product is significantly smaller than the original, or even just smaller than it appears.
Don’t get caught out thinking you’re saving a quarter of the price only to have half of the amount of the product. This doesn’t happen with every dupe, but cost per ml or gram is something to be mindful of.
Ingredient List: Do your research on a dupe’s ingredients before purchasing. Don’t get caught out thinking you’ll achieve the results of a favorite skincare product by buying a dupe only to find out the ingredient list is entirely different.
Similarly, don’t be fooled by a creator who swears two scents smell identical when they don’t actually share any of the same base notes.
Know Your Why: While we admit we love a trend, it can be easy to get caught up in them when they become so accessible through dupes.
There’s nothing wrong with jumping on something for the fun of it, but you should still ensure it’s something you’re actually interested in, and will likely continue to use, to save yourself a little buyer’s remorse later on.
Whether you’re trying to save some cash, replace a beloved discontinued item, or just jump on the latest trend, there’s a beauty dupe out there waiting for you.
