Top 10 dupes for your favourite high-end beauty brands

I love a good dupe product, one which really makes you question the price of a high-end brand and whether you are being overcharged. Not all dupes are dupes of course, just because something looks similar doesn’t mean it is the same, as the saying goes, even salt looks like sugar.

Over the past 12 months there has been an explosion of dupes and not just from Revolution and Aldi Lacura, if you are on or watch anything on Tiktok it is awash with dupes and as seen on the infographic below, it showcases some of the best viral beauty dupes for 2023 but not all.

As you can see, those are just 8 dupes from brands you might now have expected to see, like Elf, L’Oreal and even Fenty Beauty, but for me, there are some that should have made that list. In recent weeks, I shared the Aldi Lacura Eyeshadow Primer which to all intents and purposes is inspired by Urban Decay and their Eyeshadow Potion, very much a HG product for many. Again, Aldi have also got their own Hot Cloth Cleanser which is similar to that of Liz Earle, but it isn’t just Aldi. Primark also has an incredible line up of ‘dupes’, most recently, people raved about the PS Skin Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment, which is most definitely inspired by the cult classic from Dr Jart+ and even more recent was the PS Flawless Glow Radiant Primer Foundation which many claimed was a potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £36.

So, if I was to create my very own Top 10 makeup dupes for your favourite high-end beauty brands, this is what you would find on that list:

• Aldi Lacura Vitabase Moisturising Primer - potential dupe for Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
• E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
• Rimmel Magnif'eyes 12 Pan Shade Palette Spice - potential dupe for Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette
• L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup - potential dupe for Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
• Aldi Lacura Microblade Effect Pen - potential dupe for Benefit Cosmetics Brow Microfilling Brow Pen
• Elf 16hr Camo Concealer - potential dupe for Tarte Shape Tape
• Revolution Pro Miracle Cream - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
• Aldi Lacura Vanilla Golden Bath Nectar - potential dupe for Laura Mercier Honey Bath
• Revolution Pro Miracle Balm - potential dupe for Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream
• Essence Stay 8h Waterproof Lip Liner - potential dupe for Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner

That least doesn’t even cover hair care or fragrances, which again both Aldi and Revolution have hair care dupes of Olaplex and Living Proof in their line-ups, and the same for fragrances.

I would love to know if you have a favourite dupe of a high-end branded product!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence

I don't think REN Clean Skincare needs an introduction for my blog or my social media if we are being honest. It is one of my favourite brands and as yet, I haven't found a product I dislike.

The latest launch, Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence is described as being an instantly smoothing and plumping bio-ferment essence proven to boost the benefits of skincare and help strengthen the skin barrier.  Strengthening the skin's barrier is a term you will be hearing a lot about right now and ultimately, as your skin barrier weakens with age, it is never too late to take care of it. 

Your skin barrier is the outermost layer and it is called the stratum corneum and it is vital, possibly more so than you think. Its entire purpose is to protect your skin from all of those environmental stressors, irritations, and of course inflammation, while at the same time holding onto all the good stuff that we need, like moisture. However, using the wrong products or anything that is too harsh for your skin can damage that barrier, and this is where the REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence is important.

This Essence is powered by a synergetic trio of postbiotic bio-ferments and potent antioxidants:

• Bio-Fermented Microbial Extract - Plumps skin with hydration ​
• Bio-Fermented Hyaluronic & Polyglutamic Acids - Smooth and help strengthen skin
• Marrubium Extract - Helps protect skin against pollutants​

Plus there is the inclusion of Niacinamide which helps to brighten and even skin tone.

This Essence can be used both morning and evening as part of your routine and it is as simple as it can be. All you need to do is apply 3 drops directly into your hands and then gently pat it onto a freshly cleansed face and neck, if in a morning after your toner but before moisturising and in an evening the same, and not only will it work to boost hydration but to also support your microbiome and make all your other skincare work harder.  

I have used a few Essence products over the years and this one has a more serum-like texture and different to many others I have tried, so you really don't need more than those 3-drops.  I loved it as soon as I used it, the texture, the lack of chemical smell and the feeling of my skin being hydrated was an absolute winner. So easy to use and slot into your routine, it is hard not to love.

The REN Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence is £43 for 100ml and can be found in Boots, M&S, Cult Beauty, Lookfantastic, Space NK and of course from REN themselves.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

GLOSSYBOX For You Limited Edition

Glossybox has just launched their GLOSSYBOX For You Limited Edition and again, it is a great box just in time for Mother's Day!

This box features a total of 9 products which are said to be worth £155 and it is on sale now for just £35 but if you use the code STRONG it gets you a discount of 20% making this box just £33.35!

Indulge yourself and celebrate the beauty of you with the little luxuries nestled inside this GLOSSYBOX Limited Edition. It's time to awaken your senses and admire the influential women in your life.

With a touch of elegance and style, this box provides a beautiful array of refreshing and sophisticated products from brands such as Molton Brown, bareMinerals and Rituals - the perfect gift for a special someone this Spring!

As you can, it does feature some amazing brands inside this box, which as you can see, it is beautifully decorated.

What's in the Box?

• Wild Science Lab Root Therapy Hair Mask
• bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-AHA Radiance Facial
• L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
• Symbiosis Ultra Rich Regenerating Night Treatment
• Pixi Blush Duo – Peach Honey
• Glasshouse Midnight in Milan EDP
• Molton Brown Orange & Bergamot Body Wash
• Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Booster
• Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Parfum d'Interieur

On sale now, the Glossybox For You Limited Edition Box is just £35 but, as a reminder, if you use the code STRONG it gets you a discount of 20% making this box just £33.35!

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Boots The Icons Fragrance Beauty Box 2023

Following on from the very popular Mother's Day Just For You Premium Beauty Edit, Boots has released the Boots The Icons Fragrance Beauty Box 2023 and it is perfect for Mother's Day.

This Icons Fragrance Box is on sale now, this box is said to be worth £46 and it is priced at just £30 here. Inside there is a mixture of fragrances and other beauty products from brands such as Laura Mercier, Liz Earle and Carolina Herrera.

What’s inside:

• Ghost- Ghost Orb of Night Eau de Parfum 10ml
• Carolina Herrera- Good Girl Eau de Parfum 7ml
• Jean Paul Gaultier- Jean Paul Gaultier La Belle Eau De Parfum 6ml
• Laura Mercier – Rouge Essentiel – Nu Préféré 1.4g
• Liz Earle- Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser 10ml
• NARS- Laguna Bronzing Powder 1.2g

There is also the inclusion of a £20 voucher which can be used against a 100ml or above Fragrance and it is valid until 31st August.

Find The Icons Fragrance Beauty Box from Boots HERE

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.