The Best Money-Saving Beauty Dupes

While some skincare, makeup, and hair care products have a golden reputation for a reason—and are worth splurging on if you can swing it—there are occasions (including this inflation soaring time) when dropping $200 on a serum isn’t happening, no matter how glowy it makes your skin.

Enter beauty dupes, i.e., more affordable options that have a similar formula, texture, or benefits as their pricier, albeit widely acclaimed counterparts.

Here are 7 switches to consider when your beauty budget needs to stretch a little further.

Splurge 💸

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($182 for 30 ml)

Considered the gold standard of vitamin C serums by many experts, this serum is worth every penny. Its secret: it combines L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E, and ferulic acid to provide superior antioxidant protection against free radicals, while promising to improve skin brightness, as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

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Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster ($55 for 20 ml)

Boasting a similar combination of antioxidant ingredients (vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid), this booster—which can be used on its own or by adding it to another serum or a moisturizer—also includes hyaluronic acid for extra moisture. And it has glowing reviews, too!

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Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer ($68 for 50 ml)

Peptides tend to fly under the radar compared to other beneficial skincare ingredients, but their benefits are worth considering—unless improving the elasticity and firmness of your skin is not something you’re interested in. This beloved product contains nine signal peptides and has a wonderful gel texture that keeps your skin moisturized and bouncy.

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The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer ($15.99 for 50 ml)

For nicely nourished, moisturized skin, this moisturizer is a good option that also includes peptides (although fewer) in its formula. Its texture is nice and rich, but the product absorbs quickly in the skin, making it a great basic moisturizer to layer over your favorite toner and serums. And it costs under $20!

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Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($21)

The aptly named Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer is one of the shiniest, most enveloping, non-sticky lip gloss formulas out there. And as if that wasn’t enough, it comes in gorgeous shades that are all more flattering than the next. Two swipes are all you need for an instantly fuller pout!

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Maybelline Liftr Gloss Lip Gloss ($9.99)

Available in no fewer than 20 shades, this plumping lip gloss provides incredible shine, just enough color, a fuller-looking effect, and extra hydration thanks to the hyaluronic acid in its formula. And the final look is nothing short of stunning.

Splurge 💸

Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara ($28)

Whether this cult mascara is actually better than sex is debatable… but it’s definitely better than many other mascaras out there. It adds curl and tons of volume to your fringe thanks to its fluffy hourglass-shaped brush, while its peptide-containing formula helps condition your lashes.

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L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara ($11.99)

This mascara, which consists of a soft, curvy brush and a conditioning formula, provides dramatic volume and length in just a few swipes. It is also buildable, so you can tailor the amount of lash definition you need to your overall makeup look.

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Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector ($30 for 100 ml)

By now, many beauty aficionados have become converts of Olaplex’s innovative system of bond-building hair products. The results of the No. 3 Hair Perfector in particular are nothing short of mind blowing—and a single use is often enough to convince you that it actually helps repair your mane.

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Elizavecca Milky Piggy Cer-100 Collagen Coating Protein Ion Injection ($13 for 50 ml)

Although this hair serum doesn’t repair the bonds in your hair, it is a protein treatment that has gone viral on TikTok for its ability to make strands shiny and soft while reducing frizz, but without adding any weight to them. For $10, it’s worth a (protein ion injection) shot!

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Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream ($100 for 50 ml)

The goal of this “magic” formula, which contains peptides, vitamins C and E, rosehip oil, hyaluronic acid, camellia oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and more: to give you plumper-looking, glowing, luminous skin. The iconic cream has thousands of positive reviews on Sephora and sounds like it really delivers.

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e.l.f. Skin Holy Hydration! Moisturizer ($13 for 50 ml)

Offering a luxurious texture at a (super!) affordable price, this face cream features hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalane, and vitamin B5 for an impressive moisturizing effect. It sinks in quickly, doesn’t leave a greasy finish, and leaves the skin super soft.

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Chloé Eau de Parfum ($147 for 75 ml)

This beautifully feminine scent is timeless and hugely popular for a reason. Floral and fresh, it features peony, rose, and magnolia notes on a cedar and ambergris base, and comes in an elegant, fluted glass bottle topped with a delicate bow.

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Oil Perfumery Our Impression of Chloe – Eau de Parfum ($64.99 for 60 ml)

Oil Perfumery’s “impressions” of best-selling fragrances may not have the same fancy packaging, but they’re almost half the price, and very highly rated in terms of how close they are to the originals. Plus, they come in the form of easy-to-apply oils whose scent lasts hours on end.

What is the best dupe you’ve found for a luxury beauty product? Let us know in the comments!