Cheap vs Expensive Makeup Products

Lexi Hensler

5 May 202418:29

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging video, the host embarks on a quest to discover if affordable makeup 'dupes' can truly replace their pricier counterparts without compromising quality. Through a series of comparisons, she tests a variety of products, including sunscreens, bronzers, primers, foundations, concealers, brow gels, blushes, highlighters, mascaras, lip products, and perfumes. Each pair of products is rigorously evaluated for aspects such as coverage, texture, blendability, and lasting power. Surprisingly, many of the cheaper alternatives stand up to the challenge, with some even outperforming the high-end versions in certain categories. The video concludes with a comprehensive review of how each product fared throughout the day, offering viewers valuable insights to make informed choices when it comes to their makeup purchases.

Takeaways

💰 The video discusses the high cost of makeup and the quest to find cheaper alternatives that perform as well as their more expensive counterparts.
🧴 The host compares the Super Goop glow screen ($38) with the e.l.f. WO glow ($13), noting that the cheaper option may be a good dupe but lacks the shimmer of the original.
🌞 The Drunk Elephant bronzing luminous de bronzy, anti-pollution Sunshine drops ($38) are compared with the L'Oreal Paris Lumi lotion true match ($13), with the host remaining curious to see if the dupe can live up to the hype.
💧 The M.A.C Cosmetics prep + prime lip ($20) is pitted against the NYX Professional Makeup Butter Lipstick ($6), with the host finding the cheaper option to be a good match in terms of quality.
🌬 The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel ($26) is compared with the e.l.f. Brow Lift Gel ($6), and the host finds that the cheaper version works just as well in taming thick eyebrows.
💄 The Rare Beauty blush ($23) is compared with an e.l.f. dupe ($7), but the host finds the original to be slightly better in terms of blendability and shade match.
🏵 The Charlotte Tilbury bronzer ($58) is a favorite of the host, but the Physician's Formula bronzer ($13) is found to be a great and affordable alternative.
✨ The Benefit Cosmetics tickle highlighter ($35) is compared with the Wet n Wild highlighting powder Mega glow ($7), with the host leaning towards the original for a more natural look.
👁 The Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash mascara ($28) is compared with the e.l.f. Lash and Roll curling and lifting mascara ($6), and surprisingly, the dupe performs well and is almost as good as the original.
🌹 The Benefit Cosmetics Benetint lip and cheek stain ($35) is compared with an Amazon find ($6), but the host prefers the original for its ingredients and smell.
🎁 The host reveals a preference for the Dossier Woody Santal perfume ($79) over the Le Labo Santal perfume ($230), citing that the dupe not only matches but may even surpass the original in terms of scent and compliments received.

Q & A

What is the primary motivation behind the video?
-The primary motivation is to test whether expensive makeup products can be effectively replaced with cheaper dupe versions without compromising quality.
What is the first product comparison made in the video?
-The first product comparison is between Super Goop Glow Screen, which retails for $38, and its dupe, e.l.f's WO Glow, priced at $13.
What is the main concern regarding the dupe sunscreen compared to the original product?
-The main concern is that the dupe sunscreen doesn't look as shimmery and feels more like a skin tint, which may or may not be preferable depending on personal taste.
How does the video determine the effectiveness of the makeup products?
-The effectiveness is determined by applying the expensive product on one side of the face and the dupe on the other, then assessing how they hold up by the end of the day.
What is the price difference between the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and its dupe, Essence Pretty Natural?
-The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation retails for $69, while the Essence Pretty Natural is priced at $16.
What is the reviewer's opinion on the performance of the dupe mascara, e.l.f's Lash and Roll, compared to Benefit's Roller Lash?
-The reviewer finds that e.l.f's Lash and Roll performs well and is a good dupe for Benefit's Roller Lash, even though it requires a bit more work to achieve the same results.
What is the final verdict on the Benefit Roller Lash mascara?
-The Benefit Roller Lash is still preferred for its ease of use and the natural look it provides, despite the dupe being a close contender.
What is the price of the Le Labo Santal perfume and its dupe from Dossier?
-The Le Labo Santal perfume costs $230, while the dupe from Dossier, the Woody Santal, is priced at $79.
How does the reviewer feel about the smell of the Dossier Woody Santal compared to Le Labo Santal?
-The reviewer prefers the smell of the Dossier Woody Santal, stating it smells even better than the Le Labo Santal and has received many compliments when wearing it.
What is the main factor that contributes to the reviewer's decision to choose a product in the dupe test?
-The main factors include the product's performance, longevity, and price, as well as personal preferences such as smell and texture.
How does the video conclude regarding the overall performance of the dupes?
-The video concludes that many of the dupes performed surprisingly well, with some even outperforming the original products in terms of quality and value for money.

Outlines

00:00

💄 Makeup Duplication Challenge

The video script details a makeup challenge where the presenter tests cheaper 'dupe' versions of her favorite high-end makeup products. She compares the performance and value of each dupe against the original, starting with sunscreens, moving on to bronzers, primers, foundations, concealers, brow gels, blushes, and finishing with highlighters and mascaras. The goal is to determine if the less expensive alternatives can match or even surpass the quality of their pricier counterparts.

05:00

🤔 Evaluating Dupes vs Originals

The presenter goes through a series of comparisons, applying the expensive products on one side of her face and the dupe versions on the other. She discusses the initial impressions, texture, smell, and application process of each product. She expresses surprise at how well some of the dupes perform, especially considering their lower price points. The presenter also shares her personal experiences and preferences, including her history with certain brands and products.

10:02

🏆 The Dupes Show Their Worth

Throughout the video, the presenter awards points to the dupe or the original product based on their performance. She finds that many dupes are surprisingly effective, often coming close to or even exceeding the quality of the more expensive items. The presenter also discusses her emotional attachment to certain brands and her struggle to remain unbiased during the evaluation. She concludes with a humorous note about her honesty potentially affecting future opportunities.

15:04

🌟 Final Verdict on Makeup Dupes

The video concludes with the presenter's final thoughts after a day of wear. She notes that both sides of her face have held up well, with only minor differences in appearance. The presenter summarizes her findings and provides a link to all the products discussed in the video for viewers who may be interested. She ends the video with a light-hearted comment and signs off, promising to return in the next video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Dupes

Dupes in the context of the video refer to cheaper, alternative versions of more expensive makeup products. The video's theme revolves around testing these dupes to see if they can effectively replace their pricier counterparts. For example, the video compares 'the super goop glow screen' at $38 with the 'e.l.f wo glow' at $13.

💡Makeup Primer

A makeup primer is a cosmetic product that creates a smooth surface for makeup application and can help extend the wear of makeup. In the video, the presenter tests the 'milk Hydro primer' against the 'e. power grip primer' to see which provides a better base for foundation.

💡Foundation

Foundation is a cosmetic product applied to the face to create an even, uniform color base for other makeup. The video discusses the 'Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation' and compares it with the 'Essence Pretty Natural' foundation, noting the difference in price and performance.

💡Concealer

Concealer is used to hide blemishes or dark circles under the eyes. The video compares the 'Giorgio Armani luminous silk concealer' at $42 with the 'Nyx bare With Me concealer serum' at $12, highlighting the significant price difference and evaluating their effectiveness.

💡Brow Gel

Brow gel is a product used to shape and hold the eyebrows in place. The video tests the 'Anastasia Brow gel' against the 'e.l.f brow lift gel', noting the presenter's personal preference for gels due to her thick eyebrows.

💡Blusher

Blusher, or cheek color, is used to add a flush of color to the cheeks. The video compares 'rare Beauty blush' with its cheaper dupe from 'e.l.f', noting the emotional connection the presenter has with the rare Beauty brand and its philanthropic efforts.

💡Bronzer

Bronzer is a cosmetic used to add a golden or bronzed color to the skin, often to mimic a sun-kissed look. The video discusses the 'Charlotte Tilbury bronzer' and its more affordable 'Physician's Formula' counterpart, noting the nostalgic value and effectiveness of the latter.

💡Highlighter

A highlighter is a cosmetic product used to add a luminous or shiny effect to certain areas of the face. The video compares the 'benefit tickle highlighter' with the 'Wet n Wild highlighting powder Mega glow', focusing on the difference in finish and intensity.

💡Mascara

Mascara is a cosmetic product that darkens and adds volume to the eyelashes. The video tests the 'benefit roller lash' against the 'elf Lash and roll curling and lifting mascara', discussing the presenter's long-term loyalty to the former and the surprising performance of the latter.

💡Lip Product

Lip products include various cosmetics for the lips, such as lipsticks, liners, and glosses. The video compares 'Charlotte Tilbury lip liner in pillow talk' with the 'Nyx lip liner dupe', and also discusses 'Dior lip oil' versus its cheaper alternative, focusing on texture, longevity, and price.

💡Perfume

Perfume is a fragrant liquid preparation used for personal scenting. The video reveals a personal preference switch from the expensive 'Le Labo Santal' perfume to the 'Dossier Woody Santal', which is considered a dupe and is praised for its scent and value for money.

Highlights

The experiment aims to test if cheaper makeup 'dupes' can effectively replace their more expensive counterparts.

The Super Goop glow screen at $38 is compared with e.l.f's WO glow at $13 for effectiveness and longevity.

The e.l.f product provides a more natural look and has a scent similar to real sunscreen, which the reviewer likes.

The Drunk Elephant bronzing luminous de bronzy at $38 is pitted against L'Oreal's Lumi lotion true match at $13.

The reviewer finds the cheaper L'Oreal product to be a good dupe, noting its soft and moisturizing feel.

Milk Hydro primer at $38 is tested against e.l.f's power grip primer at $10 for their performance as makeup base.

The Giorgio Armani luminous silk foundation at $69 is compared with Essence Pretty Natural at $16 for coverage and finish.

The reviewer is surprised by the quality of the cheaper Essence foundation, noting its good coverage and glowy finish.

Giorgio Armani's luminous silk concealer at $42 is tested against Nyx's bare With Me concealer serum at $12 for coverage and texture.

The Anastasia Brow gel at $26 is compared with e.l.f's brow lift gel at $6 for their ability to hold thick eyebrows in place.

The e.l.f brow gel is deemed a winner for effectively taming the reviewer's thick eyebrows.

Rare Beauty blush at $23 is compared with e.l.f's blush dupe at $7, with the reviewer noting a slight difference in color and texture.

Charlotte Tilbury's bronzer at $58 is tested against Physician's Formula at $13, with the latter being a favored product from the reviewer's youth.

The Physician's Formula bronzer is praised for its blendability, smell, and value for money.

Benefit's tickle highlighter at $35 is compared with Wet n Wild's Mega glow at $7, with the Benefit product providing a more natural and skin-like finish.

The Benefit roller lash mascara at $28 is considered by the reviewer to be superior to e.l.f's Lash and roll mascara at $6, despite the price difference.

The reviewer finds a dupe for Benefit's Bena tint lip and cheek color, but prefers the original for its ingredients and smell.

Charlotte Tilbury's lip liner in pillow talk at $25 is compared with Nyx's dupe at $5, with the former being chosen for its creaminess and ease of use.

The reviewer finds a dupe for Dior's lip oil, but rejects it due to its chemical smell and texture, preferring the original.

Le Labo's Santal perfume at $230 is compared with dossier's Woody santal at $79, with the latter being the reviewer's preferred choice for its smell and value.

The reviewer concludes that many of the cheaper makeup products tested held up well throughout the day, providing good value for money.