Which drugstore makeup dupes actually match the finish of the luxury original?

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder – Translucent Extra Coverage, about $8 ($3.49 / oz), against the $43 Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder — 92% less. A drugstore classic that makeup artists use for baking. Slightly more coverage and a heavier feel. You get more than twice the product for under a fifth of the price.

Makeup dupes that match the finish, not just the shade

Shade matching is the easy half. These pairs match on finish and texture too — the same satin, the same soft-focus blur, the same flat matte — which is what makes a swap survive a full day rather than the first photo. Where the dupe's texture behaves differently, the comparison says so before you buy.

Pairs: 12
Top saving: 92%
Total gap: $315

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder – Translucent Extra Coverage for Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
$8 against $43, 92% less ($3.49 / oz versus $42.04 / oz).
The original
Laura Mercier
Translucent Loose Setting Powder
$43
$42.04 / oz
The dupe
Coty Airspun
Loose Face Powder – Translucent Extra Coverage
$8
$3.49 / oz
-92%per oz
Cost per oz
Laura Mercier$42.04 / oz
Coty Airspun$3.49 / oz
$35 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Laura Mercier29 g
Dupe · Coty Airspun65 g
Key ingredients
Original · Laura MercierNot disclosed
Dupe · Coty AirspunNot disclosed
What matches
A drugstore classic that makeup artists use for baking.
What the dupe does worse
Slightly more coverage and a heavier feel.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
2. wet n wild MegaLast Matte Lip Color – Stoplight Red for MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo
$3 against $24, 89% less ($25.77 / oz versus $226.80 / oz).
The original
MAC Cosmetics
Retro Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo
$24
$226.80 / oz
The dupe
wet n wild
MegaLast Matte Lip Color – Stoplight Red
$3
$25.77 / oz
-89%per oz
Cost per oz
MAC Cosmetics$226.80 / oz
wet n wild$25.77 / oz
$21 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · MAC Cosmetics3 g
Dupe · wet n wild3.3 g
Key ingredients
Original · MAC CosmeticsNot disclosed
Dupe · wet n wildHyaluronic acid
What matches
Same cool-toned blue red in a flat, high-pigment matte that photographs the way Ruby Woo does.
What the dupe does worse
Softer bullet and a semi-matte set, so it feels less drying but transfers more and needs a liner to hold its edge.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
3. Makeup Revolution Skin Silk Serum Foundation for Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
$11 against $69, 84% less.
The original
Giorgio Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Foundation
$69
$68.02 / fl oz
The dupe
Makeup Revolution
Skin Silk Serum Foundation
$11
per unit
-84%on price
What each one costs
Giorgio Armani Beauty$68.02 / fl oz
Makeup Revolution$11
$58 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Giorgio Armani Beauty30 ml
Dupe · Makeup Revolutionone unit
Key ingredients
Original · Giorgio Armani BeautyNot disclosed
Dupe · Makeup RevolutionHyaluronic acid
What matches
Same serum-fluid texture and the same satin, skin-like finish that Luminous Silk is bought for, in a comparable medium coverage.
What the dupe does worse
Less shade depth at the extremes of the range and a shorter wear time on oily skin, around eight hours before it needs powder.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
4. e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow for Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Fiber Gel
$6 against $26, 80% less ($48.60 / oz versus $245.70 / oz).
The original
Benefit Cosmetics
Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Fiber Gel
$26
$245.70 / oz
The dupe
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Wow Brow
$6
$48.60 / oz
-80%per oz
Cost per oz
Benefit Cosmetics$245.70 / oz
e.l.f. Cosmetics$48.60 / oz
$20 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Benefit Cosmetics3 g
Dupe · e.l.f. Cosmetics3.5 g
Key ingredients
Original · Benefit CosmeticsNot disclosed
Dupe · e.l.f. CosmeticsNot disclosed
What matches
Also a fiber gel with a tiny brush.
What the dupe does worse
It adds a bit less volume but holds as well.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
5. NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner for Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
$10 against $24, 79% less ($295.73 / fl oz versus $1419.53 / fl oz).
The original
Stila
Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
$24
$1419.53 / fl oz
The dupe
NYX Professional Makeup
Epic Ink Liner
$10
$295.73 / fl oz
-79%per oz
Cost per fl oz
Stila$1419.53 / fl oz
NYX Professional Makeup$295.73 / fl oz
$14 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Stila0.5 ml
Dupe · NYX Professional Makeup1 ml
Key ingredients
Original · StilaNot disclosed
Dupe · NYX Professional MakeupNot disclosed
What matches
Brush tip instead of felt, so it's more flexible for thin-to-thick wings and needs a steadier hand. Just as black and just as waterproof, with twice the product for under half the price.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
6. Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick – Secret for Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick – Pillow Talk
$9 against $35, 78% less ($63.79 / oz versus $283.50 / oz).
The original
Charlotte Tilbury
Matte Revolution Lipstick – Pillow Talk
$35
$283.50 / oz
The dupe
Milani
Color Fetish Matte Lipstick – Secret
$9
$63.79 / oz
-78%per oz
Cost per oz
Charlotte Tilbury$283.50 / oz
Milani$63.79 / oz
$26 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Charlotte Tilbury3.5 g
Dupe · Milani4 g
Key ingredients
Original · Charlotte TilburyNot disclosed
Dupe · MilaniHyaluronic acid, Shea butter
What matches
Same muted rosy nude with a warm brown undertone, and a matte finish cushioned with hyaluronic acid rather than a flat powder matte.
What the dupe does worse
Slightly more pigment on the first pass and a shorter wear time, around five hours to Pillow Talk's six or seven.
About the original Buy the dupe
7. NYX Professional Makeup Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade for Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade
$8 against $25, 74% less ($45.36 / oz versus $177.18 / oz).
The original
Anastasia Beverly Hills
DIPBROW Pomade
$25
$177.18 / oz
The dupe
NYX Professional Makeup
Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade
$8
$45.36 / oz
-74%per oz
Cost per oz
Anastasia Beverly Hills$177.18 / oz
NYX Professional Makeup$45.36 / oz
$17 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Anastasia Beverly Hills4 g
Dupe · NYX Professional Makeup5 g
Key ingredients
Original · Anastasia Beverly HillsNot disclosed
Dupe · NYX Professional MakeupNot disclosed
What matches
Same waterproof pomade idea with a slightly softer, easier-to-blend texture.
What the dupe does worse
Only four shades, so pale blondes and very deep browns are less well served.
Buy the original Buy the dupe
8. e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
$14 against $49, 73% less ($13.14 / fl oz versus $48.30 / fl oz).
The original
Charlotte Tilbury
Hollywood Flawless Filter
$49
$48.30 / fl oz
The dupe
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Halo Glow Liquid Filter
$14
$13.14 / fl oz
-73%per oz
Cost per fl oz
Charlotte Tilbury$48.30 / fl oz
e.l.f. Cosmetics$13.14 / fl oz
$35 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Charlotte Tilbury30 ml
Dupe · e.l.f. Cosmetics31.5 ml
Key ingredients
Original · Charlotte TilburyNot disclosed
Dupe · e.l.f. CosmeticsSqualane, Hyaluronic acid
What matches
Same three uses (alone, as primer, mixed with foundation) and a similar soft-focus sheen.
What the dupe does worse
Slightly more pigment and a thinner texture, so blend quickly.
About the original Buy the dupe
9. COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm for Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick
$7 against $25, 72% less ($99.22 / oz versus $354.37 / oz).
The original
Clinique
Black Honey Almost Lipstick
$25
$354.37 / oz
The dupe
COVERGIRL
Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm
$7
$99.22 / oz
-72%per oz
Cost per oz
Clinique$354.37 / oz
COVERGIRL$99.22 / oz
$18 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Clinique2 g
Dupe · COVERGIRL2 g
Key ingredients
Original · CliniqueNot disclosed
Dupe · COVERGIRLCoconut oil, Shea butter
What matches
Same sheer berry-plum wash that shifts with your own lip tone, and the same balm-weight comfort rather than a lipstick set.
What the dupe does worse
Less pigment per pass, so it takes two or three, and it fades faster over a meal.
About the original Buy the dupe
10. e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand for Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
$10 against $42, 71% less ($29.57 / fl oz versus $103.51 / fl oz).
The original
Charlotte Tilbury
Beauty Light Wand
$42
$103.51 / fl oz
The dupe
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand
$10
$29.57 / fl oz
-71%per oz
Cost per fl oz
Charlotte Tilbury$103.51 / fl oz
e.l.f. Cosmetics$29.57 / fl oz
$32 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Charlotte Tilbury12 ml
Dupe · e.l.f. Cosmetics10 ml
Key ingredients
Original · Charlotte TilburyNot disclosed
Dupe · e.l.f. CosmeticsNot disclosed
What matches
Same cushion-tip wand and a similar pearly finish.
What the dupe does worse
Shades run a little warmer.
About the original Buy the dupe
11. e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer for Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Primer
$10 against $35, 71% less.
The original
Benefit Cosmetics
The POREfessional Pore Primer
$35
$47.05 / fl oz
The dupe
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Poreless Putty Primer
$10
$13.50 / oz
-71%on price
What each one costs
Benefit Cosmetics$47.05 / fl oz
e.l.f. Cosmetics$13.50 / oz
$25 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · Benefit Cosmetics22 ml
Dupe · e.l.f. Cosmetics21 g
Key ingredients
Original · Benefit CosmeticsNot disclosed
Dupe · e.l.f. CosmeticsNot disclosed
What matches
Same silicone putty texture and blurring effect, in a jar instead of a tube, so it's less hygienic to dip into. Nearly the same amount of product for under a third of the price.
About the original Buy the dupe
12. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge
$6 against $20, 70% less.
The original
beautyblender
Original Makeup Sponge
$20
per unit
The dupe
Real Techniques
Miracle Complexion Sponge
$6
per unit
-70%on price
What each one costs
beautyblender$20
Real Techniques$6
$14 less at checkout than the original.
Size
Original · beautyblenderone unit
Dupe · Real Techniquesone unit
Key ingredients
Original · beautyblenderNot disclosed
Dupe · Real TechniquesNot disclosed
What matches
Same damp-and-bounce use, plus flat sides for contour and a precision tip.
What the dupe does worse
Slightly firmer, so less product is absorbed. Often sold in multipacks, which matters because sponges should be replaced every 3 months.
Buy the original Buy the dupe

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Makeup dupes that match the finish, not just the shade

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder – Translucent Extra Coverage for Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

2. wet n wild MegaLast Matte Lip Color – Stoplight Red for MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo

3. Makeup Revolution Skin Silk Serum Foundation for Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation

4. e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow for Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Fiber Gel

5. NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner for Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

6. Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick – Secret for Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick – Pillow Talk

7. NYX Professional Makeup Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade for Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade

8. e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

9. COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm for Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick

10. e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand for Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand

11. e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer for Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Primer

12. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge for beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge