Let’s be honest, not everyone wants to spend over $40 on a singular makeup product. High-end products such as Charlottle Tilbury, Rare beauty, Milk, Dior, Two Faced, and many more usually charge over $30 for a single item but that’s where Eyes, Lips, Face (E.L.F.) come in with their affordable duplicate products. Over the years, e.l.f. has been releasing quality products at a reasonable price that performs as well as high-end products. I, myself, have tried their duplicate products and I can say I’m surprised. In this review, I will be comparing e.l.f.’s duplicate products vs high-end products.
Products I’ve used
Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer vs. e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer
I used to use Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer which retails from $20-$40 with varying sizes. However, Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer that retails at $29 is like e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer in terms of size. e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer retails at $10, which is a $19 dollar difference from Milk’s Primer. I noticed that with Milk’s Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, it left my base looking smooth as where e.l.f.’s Power Grip Primer left my base looking a bit cakey but they both share a sticky, thick texture that holds onto your foundation and can hold your makeup intact.
Charlottle Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter vs. e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Let’s talk about Charlottle Tilbury’s Hollywood flawless filter vs e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter. Charlottle Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter retails at $49, while e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter retails at $14. I bought Charlottle Tilbury’s Flawless Filter first as at the time, e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter wasn’t out. Charlottle Tilbury’s Flawless Filter can be used as a primer, or you can use it as foundation. e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter can be used as a primer as well or as foundation. Both leave a radiant glow on the skin.
Rare beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush vs. e.l.f.’s Camo Liquid Blush
Everyone has seen viral videos of people putting a small amount of Rare Beauty’s soft pinch liquid blush and getting the most amount of coverage, and if you haven’t seen those videos, then you’re missing out. Rare beauty has these blushes that are ultra pigmented, so a singular dot gives you coverage for the rest of the day. The formula is light weight, blends easily, and comes in 2 different finishes such as matte and dewy. Rare Beauty’s blush retails at $25. e.l.f. released their Camo Liquid Blush at only $7. I haven’t tried e.l.f.’s product, but there are TikTok reviews of people saying it’s lightweight, blends seamlessly and leaves a natural glow on your skin.
Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray vs. e.l.f.’s Stay All Night Setting Mist
Okay, so the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is one of those products people have recommended on those viral videos on social media. Especially TikTok. It’s $36 but is it worth the price? e.l.f. has their Stay All Night Setting Mist for $10, and it works well. I use it to this day for when I wear my makeup. It’s light weight, doesn’t give off that sticky feeling, and the mister sprays pretty good. Not like those misters that once you spray, it all comes out at once. For the price, I would say it is a good product.
Products I Haven’t Used
Charlottle Tilbury’s Contour Wand vs. e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Contour Wand
Another viral dupe e.l.f. has come out with is their Halo Glow Contour Wand. It is a dupe of Charlotte Tilbury’s Contour Wand. They also have the same applicator, making the e.l.f. one look expensive as well! e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Contour Wand is $9. A huge difference, right? Charlotte Tilbury’s contour wand is $42. I haven’t used these products, but I’ve seen how they have a similar formula and how easily they blend out without giving you any streaks.
Dior’s Lip Oil vs. e.l.f.’s Glow Reviver
The Dior Lip Oil went viral on TikTok for its packaging and hydrating formula. Dior’s Lip Oil leaves your lips looking glossy but without feeling sticky. In most cases, not everyone loves sticky lip glosses, so they resort to lip oils. But it is also $40... for a small bottle. e.l.f. came out with their Glow Reviver Lip Oil, and it is so much more affordable than the Dior one. Both give you a shiny, hydrating, and juicy finish on your lips. The Dior one may last a bit longer than the e.l.f. one, but that’s okay, just keep reapplying and you’ll be fine!
Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer vs. e.l.f.’s Poreless Putty Primer
The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer is like a holy grail for smooth skin and flawless makeup. It blurs pores, evens out texture, and leaves a soft, velvety finish without feeling heavy or greasy. But it is $50... for a primer. Not even a foundation, but a primer. Who is going to pay $50 for a primer itself? Maybe people who can afford it, but what about the ones who can’t? e.l.f has their Poreless Putty Primer. It smooths out your skin, blurs pores, and gives you a nice base for makeup. It feels soft, not greasy, and helps your makeup stay put. e.l.f.’s Poreless Putty Primer is only $9, which is a huge difference in prices.
Stila Glitter & Glow vs. e.l.f.’s Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow
Okay, I don’t wear glitter eyeshadow as much, but for my people who do, have you seen the Stila Glitter & Glow? It glides smoothly, dries quickly, and delivers a high-impact glitter finish that stays put for hours, but $25 for a tiny bottle. I would say that’s a bit pricey! For the times I do want to wear glitter eyeshadow, I bought the e.l.f ‘s Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow for $5, and it is just as good. It applies smoothly and dries quickly, which is a need.
e.l.f vs. High-End Packaging
High end brands use fancy packaging for their products, giving them that expensive look. Those heavy glass bottles, with gold lettering and matte feel boxes, even the weight of the product. e.l.f’s packaging is simpler as they use basic plastic for their products. Let’s be honest, once you’re applying your makeup on, you won’t be paying attention to the packaging. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying luxury products occasionally but not buying them all the time.
Makeup vs. Skincare
Elf doesn’t just copy makeup…they copy skincare as well. They have cleansers, serums, and dupes from expensive brands. Personally, I stick to just soap and water for my face as my face is sensitive, but if you’re interested in those types of products, here are a few I recommend, Elf’s Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm, Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Serum, Super Clarify Cleanser, and their bronzer drops. All these items work well on skin and leave your skin looking glow/bronzy for only a low amount of money.
The influence of social media
TikTok or any other platform has a huge impact on what we buy. A famous influencer reviewing a product can make something sell out quickly because of their audience. e.l.f has figured that out and knows how to follow trends. Therefore, once something goes viral, e.l.f releases a dupe at a low price which makes other people review those products as well making them profit.
Where can you buy this stuff?
An underrated thing about people don’t talk about is how e.l.f is everywhere. You can find it in stores like Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and sometimes even grocery stores. A lot of high brands are usually sold online or at Sephora and most of the time, their products aren’t available for pickup in person, meaning you will have to place an order online. Why wait 1-2 weeks for your order to ship out when you can go to regular store and find an entire shelf full of e.l.f’s makeup waiting to be bought?L
Why dupes Matter
Let’s be real, not everyone can drop
over 200 dollars for a singular makeup routine. That is why there are multiple
brands that make dupes out of high-end brands. I chose to compare e.l.f because
they’ve come out with many duplicates of other brands at such a low price.
Drugstore makeup might even be better than the expensive ones, only since they
make them affordable enough for new people who want to get into makeup. Let’s
say you’re someone who really wants to get into makeup, but you don’t know
where to start but you’re already thinking about buying those fancy expensive
products because you think they’ll do a better job. You can go ahead and make
your bank account cry by buying those products, but I would recommend looking
into drugstore makeup brands that most of the time do the same exact thing as
those pricey makeup products.
At the end of the day, makeup is supposed to be fun, you shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy it. Makeup isn’t about looking cute; it can be a form of self-care or a way to feel more in control. Plus, when you’re feeling down, or going through stuff putting on makeup can help you feel a bit more put together. I find makeup therapeutic because it’s calming and sometimes, I don’t have to worry about anything else rather than doing my own makeup. And most of the time, others feel the same way about it too.
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