Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Splurge/Steal Beauty

We all love a good splurge.... but don't we also love a good steal? When it comes to makeup, I am a firm believer that if I can find something good as the luxury item, you bet your sweet britches I will use it. So, I have done the work for you here and found you some great dupes.


Each one of these products I have used, both the high end and low end brand. I hope this helps!


In order to get some brighteness under your eyes, you may consider using an eye brightener. Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat (by the way, I just love saying that with a fancy French accent) is a cult favorite among many, and an awesome product. However, I honestly feel like these products are so similar in the effect that they give. The Maybelline is a great product, and not to mention I really like the sponge applicator.


Mat Velvet + foundation is a wonderful mattifying foundation, loved by many women who have oily/combination skin. The price tag, however, is pretty hefty. A great alternative is my beloved Revlon Colorstay foundation! The consistencies are a bit different, but both are medium to full coverage foundation with mattifying properties!


Laguna is probably my favorite bronzer I have found. I love the packaging, and the color that is buildable. It is also not too shimmery, which I think is perfect for adding warmth to the face and contouring. I found the Sephora Brand bronzer for fifteen dollars cheaper, and an almost exact color. However, this bronzer is completely matte, which doesn't make it an exact dupe. I actually like this better because I love a matte bronzer. 


I think MAC makes the best gel eyeliner of the high end brands, but fear not, there is something just as good. The E.L.F. Cream Liner is seriously just as good, and a fraction of the price. The brush it comes with is useless, so make sure you get a good eyeliner brush (be it angled, tapered, or flat). Stay tuned to the bottom of this post for good brush recommendations.


You might have read this post on how I compared the two of these products, but I would be silly not to include these powders in this post. So go and read my other post for more details. Bottom line, the E.L.F. powder is not completely identical, but it is a great HD powder!
 MAC / Sigma

I have only used MAC brushes ever since I started getting serious about makeup. I built up a pretty good collection. However, I lost quite a few of my brushes (much to my dismay) and wanted to replace them without breaking the bank. I did a ton of research and ultimately decided on Sigma brushes because they are modeled exactly after MAC brushes (which I feel are the best). The numbers of the brushes even used to be the same. I have been so pleased with these brushes, I am only going to buy Sigma here on out. Check out a full review of these brushes here.

Have you found any good dupes lately? Do tell!

29 comments:

PrettyPhysicist said...

I love reading these posts! I don't have the $$ to splurge on the beauty items, and I don't wear makeup every day ... but I still want to get great products and get my money's worth. Thank you!

Life With Lauren said...

I love this post! I have the YSL brightener so I will have to try the maybelline and I will also have to check out the elf liner once my mac is gone. THANKS!!!

Michelle @ The Vintage Apple said...

I have actually never used the Revlon Colorstay but I want to! I do use the ELF Gel eyeliner (my only prob is it dries up quicker than more expensive brands, but still much cheaper to use!) and I use the ELF hd powder. I really want to try those sigma brushes. Can I get those at ulta?

Meg Cady said...

My brush situation is a disaster! I need to check out this Sigma business!!!

Great post!!!

Whitney @ I Wore Yoga Pants said...

Can I just say that I L-O-V-E when you post things like this?! I feel like I need to go out and get everything on the right side of this post... well, the things you haven't already previously convinced me of (ELF HD powder!).

Kristen said...

awesome post! i need new brushes so badly, i've been wanting that sigma set forever!

Erin @ Keep Calm and Sparkle said...

L-O-V-I-N-G everything about this post!!! Love bargins...why does make-up have to be so darn expensive anyways?! Thanks for the tips!!

Rhonda said...

I love dupe posts!

I use that Revlon concealer. it has changed my life!

Annalilly said...

Remind me why I'm supposed to use HD Powder? I have the mac mineral powder thing I use over my foundation - does it replace that or go over it?

Neely said...

The makeup forever foundation is amazing

Claire Kiefer said...

I love this post and can't wait to try some of these! I have the elf cream eyeliner in a couple different colors (it is SO GOOD!) and the elf HD powder, and now I really want to try the Maybelline eye brightener. Thanks for your research! :)

Rebekah said...

I love this post! I'm always writing things down that you recommend. Can't wait to try some of these and that elf powder is AMAZING!

Lauren said...

I don't use a lot of these products in my every day but I've been meaning to up the ante on my routine so trying them but cheap is a must. Thanks for the recs :)

Sami said...

I just got the under eye thingy and the Revlon Colorstay from your recommendations in earlier posts! I haven't used either yet but I'm excited to try! I need to get a good brush to apply the foundation. What do you suggest Sigma wise? Also, another question.. did you get a color of the Maybelline under eye thing? They have colors but they also have a neutralizer one and a brightener. Just curious what you use :) I am definitely going to check out the bronzer for sure!

Hollie Ann said...

Whaaaa!? I that maybelline under eye concealorthat good?? Do they have light yellow colors? The beige ones make my eyes look like they've never been shut & I've been going without Concealor for days!!! This is perfect timing

Megan G. said...

Ahhh I loved this post! I definitely need to try out the gel eyeliner and under eye brightener, I've been meaning to but just never knew what products to use! I'll also have to check out the Sigma brushes and matte look. Thank you so much for telling us about your picks!!

Blue Dog Belle said...

I just started getting in to sigma brushes and they really are AWESOME!

Nicole said...

I really love that brightener! I recently bought the foundation, concealer, and brightener in that line and Im pretty happy so far!

tara said...

i seriously need to get some good brushes. seriously.

Taylor Urban said...

I have been looking for under eye brightener... Thanks!

Casey said...

I loved this post so much I included it in my biweekly series, Lots of Link Love. I hope you'll come check it out, and maybe even share with your readers!

http://www.stresscasey.blogspot.com/2012/09/lots-of-link-love_20.html

XOXO
Casey

ashleigh said...

i love that you did this post; i love make up but since i dont wear a "face full" everyday i dont like to spend a ton of money on it..i would rather spend more money on eye stuff (mascara, shadow,..etc) because that i wear everyday; i am definitely going to check out those brushes

Megan said...

Ooooh! Need to try the undereye brightner!! I have the WORST dark circles! Right now I use mac concealer that does a pretty good job but some days I could still use a "brightner!" :)

Veronika said...

love this post :) the dark circle corrector has been my favorite product like, ever!

Allyssa Idell said...

Thanks for sharing these awesome comparisons! I always think that higher end products are always 'the best', but I think some drugstore products can work just as good. Good post :)

-Allyssa

wwww.clothedwithstrengthanddignity.com

Lindsay @ Trial By Sapphire said...

You are the make-up QUEEN! I need to remember to consult your blog before buying any cosmetics!

Kristen @ KV Confessions said...

I really need to rethink/restock some of my makeup choices! Particularly that Elf gel liner... my Loreal liner brush is crapping out!

Cajun Cowgirl said...

I love when you do posts like this! Seriously, I keep a running list of products based on your reviews! :) Any dry lip recs?

Paige said...

I freaking love your makeup posts! They make me so happy!

If you had a makeup channel, I could see you being like a brunette Tiffany D (idk if you watch her) and I would totally watch, although I don't think you have any plans of a makeup channel, just throwing that out there!

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