We all know about the term dupes, and how they can replace the real product. 2023 was the year of figuring out if that certain product should be a splurge or save.
Branding
Tiktok has become one of the best places to find reviews for any product including makeup. As seen on social media Charlotte Tilbury the luxury makeup brand has been beaming with their sales and advertisements. Especially with Tiktok, watching people do GRWMs (get ready with me), recommending products, and pack my makeup with me. Gives them power to influence people very quickly. Also giving them an upper hand to these brands without a dime coming out of brands.
Luxury Makeup
If you are on Tiktok you have seen the videos featuring luxury brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty Beauty, and Dior Beauty. The pricing of these brands can range from $10-$100. Most of their products that came out in 2023 cheaper brands have made the dupe for.
Some trending products include the Hollywood Flawless Filter which carries seven shades. The purpose of this product is to blur, smooth, and illuminate the skin for a real-life filtered effect by boosting its complexion. The product is currently going for $49.00 with 30 mL on Sephora. They also carry this same product in a mini size but with only four shades. The mini size is currently going for $19.00 with 5.5 mL on Sephora. The so-called dupe would be the e.l.f Halo Glow Liquid filter which carries 12 shades in only one size. The purpose of the product is to boost your complexion and give it a soft-focus social filter effect IRL, having a similar purpose with the Hollywood Flawless FIlter. The product is currently going for $14.00 with 1.06 oz in Ulta.
Tiktok reviews do say that the e.l.f Halo Glow is the better bang for your buck having the same result as the high end Hollywood Flawless Filter. Also e.l.f has more options in the shade range giving them more customers.
e.l.f’s 2023
E.l.f is a makeup brand that carries many products for the whole face. E.l.f stands for eyes, lips, and face. The brand is also considered as the cheaper alternative or the “dupes”. This year has definitely been a good year for e.l.f coming out with a lot of products. They managed to keep up with all trending products each season.
For example the Milk Primer Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide has been beaming on TikTok for being the greatest primer. It is currently on the market for $38.00 with 45mL and the mini for $20.00 for 10 mL. Then e.l.f a little later came out with the Power Grip Primer going for $10 with 0.811 fl oz. But that certain primer did not have niacinamide just infused the product with powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid. So they came out with another primer product called the Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide.
Are we leaving dupes?
Dupes this year have definitely stepped their game up. Most people have even said that the dupe is basically the same as the real product, maybe even better. Knowing that there is a cheaper alternative and not having to spend so much money on one product can save you a lot. But always remember that dupes are a hit or miss, luxury makeup may not be the smarter option for your wallet, but saving your money overall and buying the real product in the end may be the better option.