As you may know by now, my other favorite hobby (when I’m not eating or thinking about food…) is “beauty”.  I love high-end makeup and hair products, and am quick to spend my extra cash at Nordstrom or Sephora.  But, let’s face it… that “extra” $$$ could definitely be spent elsewhere.  

I constantly find myself falling in love with a new product, and then quickly hating it for the price tag when it comes time to repurchase.  So, when I find a budget-friendly version of a high-end product that I love… I’m a happy girl!
I’ve been keeping an on-going list of beauty “dupes” on my notes app that I’ve been so excited to share with those of you who share my love for beauty.  
Each of the products listed is, in my opinion, just as good (if not better) than its high-priced alternative that I’ve bought before.  & Once you see the price comparisons below… I think you might be excited about them too!

L’Oreal Blow Dry It Quick Dry Primer Spray:  $4.99 (4.2 oz)
compare to:  Kenra Professional Platinum Blow-Dry Spray:  $22.00 (3.4 oz), $33 (6.8 oz)

The L’Oreal smells better (less fruity, more of a soft tropical perfume scent) and works exactly the same.  This stuff seriously speeds up your blow-dry time, while protecting your hair from heat damage.  I think I went through about 4 bottles of the Kenra (& loved it), but won’t be buying it again!

Maybelline Eyestudio Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara– “Soft Brown”:  $6.99
compare to:  Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel– “Medium/Deep”:  $24.00

Different shaped wands that do the same job.  I actually prefer the Maybelline Brow Drama by far… it doesn’t have the dry/caked up feel that the “Gimme Brow” leaves.  Plus, the color selection is awesome, while Benefit only offers two shades.

Garnier Fructis Style Damage Eraser Reconstruct Butter:  $5.99

compare to:  Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque:  $32.99, or
                     Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Hair Masque:  $62.50

This deep conditioning hair mask is the best I’ve found to date… and I have tried many!  I couldn’t decide which it was a dupe for– the Macadamia Natural Oil, or the Kerastase.  I think it’s because it’s the perfect mix between the two.  It feels repairing, hydrating, and nourishing, without weighing my hair down.  I think it would work for any hair type– & the smell is amazing!  I can smell hints of it in my hair for days.  This is a must-try!

& now for the lip liners…

Left to Right:  MAC Whirl, Milani Nude 03, Too Faced Perfect Nude, Rimmel Innocent 032, Urban Decay Naked, Rimmel Addiction 018, MAC Dervish, Rimmel Eastend Snob

Milani Color Statement Lipliner– “Nude 03”:  $3.99  //  MAC Lip Pencil– “Whirl”:  $16.50

  • The Milani is slightly more rosy than MAC Whirl (which is a touch more mauve), but the look on the lips is almost identical.  The Milani formula is a little softer, which makes it more comfortable to apply– the MAC seems dry to me.

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner– “Innocent 032”:  $5.99  //  Too Faced Perfect Lips Lip Liner– “Perfect Nude”:  $17.00

  • Slight undertone difference– Too Faced is a touch more cool-toned mauve/pink/beige, while the Rimmel is more of a warm beige.  I had to mention them still– because the finished look is really similar.  The Too Faced always seems to crumble on me, while the Rimmel is my favorite formula ever– soft enough to be creamy without being too soft & crumbly.  Perfect for a lighter nude lip or for fair-skinned girls!

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner– “Addiction 018”:  $5.99  //  Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil– “Naked”:  $20.00

  • Obviously the Rimmel formula is a fav of mine… and this color holds a special place in my heart <3 .  It’s the perfect darkened nude that gives me a touch more color to my lips than their natural shade.  I LOVE it, and think that these two pencils look almost exactly the same in person.  The formula is almost exactly the same too!

Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner– “Eastend Snob 063”:  $5.99  //  MAC Lip Pencil– “Dervish”:  $16.50

  • Another near-perfect color match!  Again, I prefer the Rimmel formula to the dry MAC pencil formula– so much easier to apply & doesn’t dry out my lips.  This is a really pretty shade of light rosy pink.


I hope you enjoy this type of post!  Let me know if you do, and please comment below if you’ve had any good cheap finds lately!  I would love to check them out  😉

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Filed   beauty, lifestyle