“Dupes” posts are my favorite ones so far. They aren’t the easiest to create, as I rely mostly on online information to find an alternatives to products I already own and love. Often, either the formula has changed-meaning the final product looks different-or the person who wrote about the dupe didn’t actually compare the items side-by-side. This time, however, I’ve found dupes I’ve been hunting for a long while, and the original products are some of my all-time favorites.
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You won’t believe these next finds. We are talking Armani Luminous Silk foundation OG, the old version of Givenchy Prisme Libre Pink powder, and even the Mac Costa Riche liner. For some of these, I didn’t just find a match for performance and texture, but for the exact shade as well. There is one, though, that I can’t say is 100% identical-but you won’t find anything closer, and I’ve been researching alternatives for over a year.
If you want to check out my previous posts featuring proven dupes I’ve personally tested, I’ve linked them all below. You’ll find iconic products like Nars Laguna bronzer, Bobbi Brown Face Base, Urban Decay Primer Potion, and more.
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation-OG vs. L'Oreal True match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
This is my all-time favorite foundation. You can read the in-depth review I did on it-with swatches and all my insights-right here, in this blog post. The brand has already announced that the formula will change to comply with updated health guideline requirements. That could mean the product will perform better or worse than before; I have already experienced formula changes from other brands in the past where the product felt different. I really hope that will not be the case here. This foundation is a go-to for many makeup artists, and it’s perfect for most skin types with the right skin prep. It photographs gorgeously and doesn’t oxidize throughout the day, which is essential for long wear. It is an oil-free bridal and event foundation with buildable coverage( from light to full) that improves skin texture and easily blurs imperfections. I simply love it. But here is the catch: good luck finding your shade! You need to try in-store or have samples sent from the Armani Beauty boutique (the staff is usually very helpful), as the shade descriptions often don’t match the undertones. I just found out that most people with olive undertones recommend shades 6 (light-medium) or 7.8 (medium).Â
I wasn’t even looking for a dupe for my ride-or-die Armani Luminous Silk foundation. I simply needed an affordable, everyday light serum foundation, and I ordered the shade 2-3 Light online after reading several positive reviews. I truly value reviews on retailer websites; they often feel the most authentic since people are giving feedback on products they’ve purchased with their own money. Not only did I achieve the same effect-luminous, radiant, and medium-natural coverage that lasts all day(when paired with powder and the right skin prep for my combination skin), but I also found an identical match for Armani shade 5.75( light-medium golden with a warm undertone). I didn’t have much hope of finding a good neutral in the drugstore world, but for summer, I can definitely make it work. While it is marketed as a tinted serum, many retailers have added “foundation” to the product description and name, and I believe that’s accurate. It offers buildable coverage despite being so fluid. It also contains 1% hyaluronic acid, so it hydrates, brightens, and evens out the skin. Just be sure to shake the bottle well before use!
YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara in 2 Uninhibited Brown vs. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara in True Brown
There has been a huge trend surrounding brown mascara lately, but not all of them are created equal. Most don’t actually look brown once applied, or the formula is so difficult to develop that it lacks quality. Although my hair and eyebrows are dark gray, I prefer brown mascara to emphasize my green eyes and achieve a more natural, everyday look. I want my lashes curled and volumized without the pigment looking too harsh. The YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume mascara in the brown shade was sold out for so long. At first, I thought it was just because of the trend and the lack of brown options at that time. However, as time passed and positive reviews kept rolling in, it sold out several more times. I finally got to try it, and I’m not mad that I spent so much on a high-end mascara. We all know you’re supposed to toss your mascara after 3 months of use, right? Knowing that, I felt I had to try it to see if the hype was real- and it was. It offers intense volume with a vegan formula, rich pigment, no fallout, and no “panda eyes” after hours of wear. It is also now available in a waterproof formula. The wand is a bit tricky, though. It is massive- I’ve never seen a wand this size- and it can be challenging for someone with small eyes or short lashes. The upside is that the bristles manage to catch and coat every hair from the very first layer. The oversized wand has an hourglass design ( wider at the base and tip and tapered in the middle) with traditional fiber bristles of varying lengths. I rarely apply two coats of mascara because I don’t want to pump air into the tube- which dries it out- and I dislike the clumpy look that happens when you apply wet product over a previous coat. This mascara isn’t necessarily for a “no-makeup” look, even in brown, because the lashes end up looking very volumized.
If you need to replace your mascara every 3 months, why not buy drugstore brands at a fraction of the price? The reason is that you cannot always find the same quality as a high-end product. People say that the “make-or-brake” factor is the wand, but I beg to differ. I am convinced that many types of mascara wands are good-whether they are rubber, plastic, or fiber, or have a comb or classic shape. What is more important is the formula: whether it manages to keep the lashes curled and coated in pigment without melting down throughout the day. I have written before about the viral Maybelline Sky High mascara as one of my favorites, and I found that the “True brown” shade gives my lashes that same brown intense pigment, volume, curl, and longevity as the YSL version. At the moment, this Maybelline mascara comes in 8 shades !!!, so you will find your favorite; they offer blue, brown, and even plum and green. The formula provides instant volume that holds the lash curl and does not result in fallout. The wand is made from soft, molded plastic-elastomer, designed to flex under pressure; it is thin, long, and tapers slightly toward the tip. Because it is so thin, you can reach the smaller, inner lashes, which is much harder to do with the YSL mascara. Ultimately, both products result in the same effect and offer the same quality.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Illuminating& Color Correcting Loose Powder in 03 Voile Rose(old version) vs. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Tone up Rose
I consider this product discontinued because, although we were offered an “improved” formula, the new powder doesn’t perform like the original. Ever since the formula changed, I have been searching for a replacement that provides the same effect as the Givenchy Prisme Libre- specifically shade No. 3, Voile Rose (the pink one!). Because the internet went viral over this specific corrective shade, the product became nearly impossible to find, despite its high price point at the time. Now, everyone is searching for a replacement since the original no longer exists. The old powder mattified, blurred, and illuminated the complexion while setting makeup for the entire day. It was incredibly finely milled, meaning it never added a visible layer of “cakey” makeup. Most importantly, it really kept my undereye looking fresh by neutralizing the blue tones of my dark circles . I’m not upset anymore, though, as I’ve found a few replacement options- some affordable and some high-end. The issue with the original version was the inclusion of talc. Givenchy choose to do the right thing by reformulating and removing the ingredient, effectively sacrificing an iconic item. Meanwhile, other brands continue to use talc in their setting powders, not to mention that it remains a primary ingredient in most eyeshadows on the market. It makes me wonder: shouldn’t the law apply for everyone? If talc- which can be harmful if contaminated with asbestos- is a risk, then all brands should be required to remove it from their production lines.Â
The translucent powder from Laura Mercier is an iconic product in its own right and remains one of the best face powders on the market. It improves makeup longevity while reducing and controlling shine. (For very oily skin like mine, it keeps things matte for a few hours before needing a retouch). Most importantly, it doesn’t look cakey-provided you don’t overdo it, of course. Beyond it’s classic formula, this loose powder is available in different shades, including a peachy-pink tone designed to brighten and enliven the complexion. This pink shade offers a similar effect to the Givenchy version and still contains talc, just as Voile Rose did. This suggests that the product will likely be reformulated sooner or later, so there may not be much time left to enjoy the original formula. I am currently testing another pink powder that is talc-free, and I believe I have found a great alternative for when the Laura Mercier version is no longer available. The “Tone up Rose” powder makes the skin look instantly radiant with peachy-pink pigments that never look chalky, or pile up for a “cakey” look. It also produces no flashback, making it perfect for photography. I’ve found that the best way to apply it is with a powder puff: use the smallest amount possible, work the powder thoroughly into the sponge first, and then gently pat it under the eyes-which is where this specific shade shines best.
Lancome makes good lip products and when it comes to lip oils, which EVERY BRAND carries nowadays, I prefer this one from all the high-end category. Lip oil are a “newer” concept in the makeup world, they are hybrid products, a mix between a lip gloss and a lip balm, giving nourishment and looking like a lip gloss, keeping the lips smooth, soft, and protected from dryness. I love them especially during the winter or dry days as I don’t need to use that much of a lip balm. The Lancome lip oil feels very hydrating on the lip, not slippery and greasy like an oil, and that is because of the squalane ingredient that was added to the formula. It’s not sticky at all and gives a hint of color. Scent wise, it has a nice sweet-minty smell, that fades after a while, so it’s not bothering at all. The shade that my sister got for me is the 60 Million-Dollar Berry one and it’s a plum berry one. Having it on the lips made me instantly realize that I already own an identical dupe, at a drugstore price point.
.Launched in 2023, the e.l.f. lip oil was an instant hit. It arrived right at the peak of the lip oil trend, providing us with an affordable product that maintained high quality, just as e.l.f. consistently manages to do. I knew there was no point in choosing the lighter shades, as the color payoff is often minimal, so I went straight for the darkest shade at that time, and most viral: the Jam Session, a beautiful black cherry hue. The formula is hydrating while providing a high-gloss finish, and it features a minty scent reminiscent of the Lancome version. In addition to Squalane, the e.l.f. lip oils contain Apricot, Avocado, Jojoba, and Pomegranate Oils, just like the Lancome product. I especially love the XXL plush cushion applicator on this one, as it allows me to swipe on enough product in one go rather than having to double-dip, which is a common issue with other lip oils. Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, this is an exact dupe for the high-end one from Lancome.
One of the most searched-for dupes on the internet is for the OG classic, amazing, must-have Kohl Power Eye Pencil from Mac in the shade Costa Riche. I have also been searching for a dupe for the longest time, and I can honestly say that most suggested products aren’t even similar to the original. A soft eyeliner from the Kohl line, Costa Riche is richly pigmented and silky smooth upon application; the brand describes it as a “coffee bean brown”. It can be used as part of a smoky eye look or simply on its own, either as a traditional liner or to tightline . It has the unique power to complement blue and green eyes perfectly. A staple in every makeup artist’s kit, Costa Riche liner is one highest-rated and most popular Mac products (you can find the top all-time best-sellers Mac products here)Â . However, it is not a long-lasting product, unless you set it with a powder one. This rich brown shade, with its subtle red undertone, is not easy to replicate; I have yet to find anything identical, whether high-end or drugstore.
Out of all the dupes suggested on the internet, the UD Whiskey eyeliner appears the most. It has the highest percentage of similarity, but I don’t know if it’s because there was a formula change or if the internet just lies, because it is far from being identical, besides just being a brown pencil. A medium-dark, matte finish with a neutral-warm tone, the shade is missing that red touch that makes Costa Riche special. On its own, it’s an amazing shade. UD Whiskey is also smudge-proof and waterproof, unlike the Mac one, which you have to set. It is very creamy, easy to apply, and easy to work into the desired shape until it sets. It is so long-lasting that I need a special bi-phasic cleanser to take it off at the end of the day. I personally love the Urban Decay 24/7 liners; I have plenty of shades, both neutrals and colorful ones for a pop of color. These liners have been among the brand’s best sellers for years. And if Whiskey is not an identical dupe, why is it here? Because I found a combination that gives the same effect as the Costa Riche pencil.
It has an impossible name to remember. I didn’t see much talk about it online, but a Mac makeup artist recommended it to me as a waterproof dupe for the Costa Riche eyeliner. It is not an exact dupe, as the red stands out more than the brown tone of this shade, but I like to wear it on its own; if I combine it with the UD Whiskey eyeliner, it gives me an identical match to Costa Riche. Described by the brand as a “dark dirty red”, it has enough pigment to change the tone of a different liner. It is not matte, but more of a satin finish. It is creamy, glides on the skin, and once it sets, it doesn’t move. This liner comes in a retractable packaging, meaning you can’t sharpen it, but it stays thin enough to draw precise lines. Ultimately, this liner is the key element to making any other warm brown, mid-tone, matte liner a dupe for Costa Riche while adding longevity to the wear. Applause, applause!!!
That is it for this time. As much as I love finding dupes for the best makeup products out there- and I see you like reading about them, too- I find it more and more difficult to find identical products that are permanent. Many brands are reformulating their lines, changing ingredients that modify the shade of the OG. There is a lot of confusion and a lot of information to digest, but I can say that some products are just not the same as the originals; therefore, they shouldn’t keep the same name after a reformulation.
Leave me a comment down below on which product you are searching for a dupe for!