the £200 Face vs. the £60 Face | Beauty Dupe Challenge

As I'm sure you know by now, I can't resist a bargain but at the same time I like to treat myself occasionally. I thought I would challenge myself to do two faces of makeup with similar products, one being all high-end and the other being all drugstore, to see if there really is that much of a difference. 

First, let's take a look at the two makeup looks and you can have a think about which you reckon looks more expensive. Then keep scrolling (or hit 'continue reading') to find out which is which, how much they cost and about the products I used!

FACE 1

FACE 2

I can reveal the cost of each face is... *drumroll*

Face 1: £215.69

Face 2 : £67.42

PRIMER: Benefit's the Porefessional (£24.50) vs. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser (£7.99), review of both here

I personally always use a primer as I find my base goes on easier, lasts longer and looks more flawless. Although the Porefessional is more of a paste or balm texture and the Maybelline Baby Skin is definitely a silicone-based gel, I thought they were equivalents as they both aim to minimise the appearance of pores. Whilst the Porefessional is more effective, I do think Baby Skin is a good alternative. 

FOUNDATION: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (£29.50) vs. L'Oreal True Match Foundation (£9.99)
Both of these products offer a medium build-able coverage that's sort of satin-y, as it's not quite fully matte. I do find that the L'Oreal is a little 'wetter' (therefore sheerer and dewier) whereas the Estee Lauder applies streak-free a little more easily and remains flawless and shine-free much longer. Double Wear is also an easier colour match for me, however I think the finished look is pretty similar. If you want this sort of finish for a price that's slap bang in the middle of these two then try MAC's Studio Fix Fluid.

CONCEALER: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22) vs. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (£5.99), review, swatches and comparison here
The formula of these two definitely differ; the Maybelline is wetter and lighter coverage, whereas the Nars is a thicker, drier consistency and offers a fairly full coverage. However you do use them in a really similar way. I find Fit Me is a little less prone to caking under the eyes whereas the Nars is more effective at concealing blemishes. It really depends what you're after but I personally prefer the Nars.

BLUSHER: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush (£28) vs. Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink (£8.99), review, swatches and comparison here

I chose these as they're both 'two-in-one' blusher and highlight products. The colour of these two isn't identical; Luminous Flush is more of a vibrant coral, whereas Seductive Pink is a little more muted, however I think the formulas are similar. The texture of the Hourglass one is a lot smoother and softer, however I think they give a really similar natural highlighting flush of colour on the cheeks.

EYESHADOW: Urban Decay Naked 1 Palette (£38) vs. Collection  Eyes Uncovered Palette in Bronze Nude (£3.99) review, swatches and comparison here

I applied the equivalent shades from each palette in the same way and I really don't think you can see much of a difference once they're applied. I do find the Urban Decay shadows smoother and longer-lasting however the Collection version is pretty amazing for the price so you have to ask yourself if the difference is worth £34!

EYELINER: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (£12.69) vs. Soap & Glory Supercat (£6, review and swatch here)
My Bobbi Brown Gel Liners are officially done, and as I've been more into pens recently I thought I'd compare these two. They're both super-pigmented inky black and perfect for winged liner. The Kat Von D applicator is thinner and actually isn't a felt tip, it's made up of lots of little bristles, whereas the Soap and Glory is more of a traditional pen.

EYEBROWS: Benefit Brow Zings in Dark (£24.50) vs. Sleek Brow Kit in Dark (£8.49) review, swatches and comparison here

This is the one area where I feel the products are effectively identical! The Sleek version is perhaps slightly warmer-toned but to be honest I'm clutching at straws to find something different about them. They both have a wax for shaping and a powder to give an illusion of fullness, which work the same for me.

MASCARA: Benefit They're Real Mascara (£19.50) vs. Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara in Black (£9.99) review here

Mascara isn't an area I usually go high-end with, however Benefit's They're Real is my one weak spot. I find the brush and formula are perfect for lengthening and adding volume, really making the most of my natural lashes. The Bourjois wand isn't dissimilar as it is also rubberised with a large number of spikes to grab hold of every single lash. I would say the Bourjois formula is a little drier where They're Real is quite wet, however they give a similar look.

LIP COLOUR: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel (£17) vs. Rimmel Colour Rush Balm in Not an Illusion (£5.99)
I'm afraid these are slightly different colours as I didn't have an exact match. The Clinique is more of a nude, whereas the Rimmel is a more pigmented pinky-red. However they're both similar sheer lip crayons and I don't see a huge difference in quality between the two.

As much as I love having a touch of luxury in my makeup collection, this post has really made me think! I actually sort of prefer the drugstore version of this look and even if you don't it's definitely made me wonder if high-end products are really worth the amount more they cost than the drugstore (here almost 4x as much!) I think my base is the one thing I'm always willing to invest in to get something flawless and long-lasting but there are so many areas where the drugstore might be a better option.

Did you guess correctly which was which? Do you think it's worth splashing out on expensive products or do you prefer drugstore brands?

Also if anyone wants to try this little challenge, I'd love to see it - make sure you tweet me :)

 

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