Recession Concession: 5 Drugstore Dupes Makeup Artists Praise

OK, let’s be real for a second—as much as Beauty Wonkette loves and fixates over our makeup products, there’s no denying that this beauty obsession is the enemy to our bank accounts. Like, as much as we want to purchase every luxury or cult-favorite release from Sephora or Barneys New York, or our favorite internet site, our dwindling account balance (not to mention Mr. Beauty Wonkette) always seems to scream at us to rein it in. So when Beauty Wonkette came across a list of makeup-artist-approved makeup dupes on Reddit’s MakeupAddiction, Beauty Wonkette decided to share.

THE SPLURGE

Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, $24; at Benefit

THE DUPE

“It's pretty much the same product yet it's a fraction of the price, and it's amazing.” -Squashthatmelon

Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara, $2.99; at Ulta

THE SPLURGE

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella, $27; at Nars

THE DUPE

“Maybelline Color Blur in Partner In Crimson is a perfect dupe for NARS Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.”-Whenthereisfire

Maybelline Lip Studio Color Blur in Partner in Crimson, $8.99; at Maybelline

THE SPLURGE

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer, $31; at Sephora

THE DUPE

"Same tube style, same consistency, same coverage. Would highly recommend the like $4 option, obviously."-Karrialice

Wet n Wild Come Correct Celebrity Concealer, $4.99; at Wet n Wild

THE SPLURGE

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw, $20; at Sephora

THE DUPE

“CP Creeper is identical color wise to KVD Outlaw.”-Erikaa37

Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper, $6; at Colour Pop

THE SPLURGE

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, $39.50; at Estee Lauder

THE DUPE

“L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte for Estee Lauder Double Wear (I use the palest shade).” -Ishtar_Tiger

L'Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, $12.99; at L'Oréal

LASHES & LIPS! BEAUTY WONKETTE hits the drugstore :D

Beauty Wonkette has many secret shames, but the love of cheap, drugstore beauty products is definitely NOT one of them. Last month, on a business trip to Europe, the airline lost my entire, carefully packed suitcase for four days (which especially sucked since BW was only there for 5 days ..... grrrrr).  Besides, sometimes you just want something amazing that costs less than a double espresso.  AND sometimes you just want to try out a wild color without necessarily committing to it. Beauty Wonkette dutifully tested hoards of the newest drugstore lip and lash products — and some winners emerged. From two-dollar Popsicle lips to a mascara guard that protects against smudgy upper eyes, Beauty Wonkette's favs?  Read on my lovelies....

Revlon's ColorBurst Matte Balm is Beauty Wonkette's new favorite drugstore lip product. I went to an event the other night where this fell out of my overpacked bag, and a bunch of beauty editors all proudly flourished the very same product. The color goes on like silk, the payoff is bright and full, and it is so long-lasting that it takes several swipes, makeup remover, and real scrubbing to remove all trace of the product. It also has a slight minty taste, which is refreshing. BW wants to collect all the colors and carry them on a chain, like in ye olde days of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers.

L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara Beauty Wonkette is usually skeptical about gimmicky-looking mascara brushes. (since my lashes aren't traveling into outer space; how much technology do they actually need?) Though this odd-looking brush looks nothing like a monarch butterfly, the comb really does work to lengthen and separate your lashes. The brush is inflexible, with short and long bristles throughout, but works like a hard-backed comb to give volume and definition. The trick is to roll your hand so that your entire lash gets the full brunt of the short and long bristles. AND Beauty Wonkette likes the case.

Maybelline Color Elixir Lately, Beauty Wonkette has had a strict no-lip-gloss policy (don't ask). But these new glosses from Maybelline are more like two-thirds lipstick, one-third lip gloss, with the color payoff of a lipstick and the moisture and shine of a gloss. It's the right amount of shine to make your lips extra defined and full without making them look cheesy. The wand is also petal-shaped so that you can use it to trace along your lip line. It's non-sticky and has a pleasant, clean-laundry scent.

Flower Beauty's Lip Butters were Beauty Wonkette's favorites.  They are like dupes of Fresh's cult-favorite lip treatments. It's a tad less rich than Fresh's version, but the color glides onto the lips to deliver a clean, slightly sheer, rosy look. All the colors are named after flowers, so they also make for a nice mini-horticulture lesson. The only drawback is that you have to go to Walmart (skeery greeter land) to get them.

Covergirl Bombshell This mascara is one of the most durable mascaras Beauty Wonkette has tried. Yes, we know waterproof formulas usually are, but this was so long-lasting that BW woke up with a few smudges under my eyes even after washing with an oil-based cleanser. But it also really got to the root and base of BW's lashes, and made them look super-thick. The trick is the two-step formula, with step one being a polymer-base,d volume-enhancing base coat. Step two is the topcoat. Even if you don't end up liking the topcoat, Beauty Wonkette still suggests using the base coat and then applying your favorite mascara of the moment over it. BTW, it's best suited for people that may have long lashes already, but want more volume.

Drugstore Beauty - The Sequel

Dove Beauty Bar Nourishing Care Shea Butter
Bar soap devotees know that Dove Beauty Bars are the only way to go if you want to gently cleanse your skin. We love the Nourishing Care Shea Cream because it smells delish and is extra-hydrating, so it won't dry out your skin.
$11.99 for eight, available at Drugstore.com.

Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme
The active ingredients in many age-fighters are effective, but they can irritate your skin to no end. This creamy anti-ager has coenzyme Q10 to help firm and vitamin E to protect, but lacks the harsh additives and fragrances that can cause redness and inflammation.
$10.85, available at Soap.com.

Nip + Fab Night Fix Intensive Anti-Aging Gel
This diffusion line of the much-loved U.K. brand Rodial features lots of covetable goodies, but this anti-aging night gel is our fave. It features retinol, rosehip oil, and hyaluronic acid to smooth skin overnight, so you wake up with a radiant, hydrated visage in the a.m.
$17.95, available at Target.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50
Most natural sunscreens can be greasy or chalky on your skin, but this SPF moisturizer feels more like a veil than a mask. The lightweight fluid uses mineral sun filters to physically block out UV rays, protecting your skin from damage and premature aging. We love that it doesn't leave behind a white film or make your skin feel oily, a problem we've had with many of the sunscreens we've tried in the past.
$32.95, available at Ulta.

Vichy Aqualia AntiOx Anti-Fatigue Ice-Effect Eye Stick
This handy stick is an instant fix for tired, puffy eyes. It's infused with vitamins C and E, and has an immediate cooling effect that perks up your undereye area, minimizing dark circles and eradicating puffiness.
$29.50, available at Vichy

Beauty Wonkette is clearly on a frugalista roll, so stay tuned....

Bargain Bin Diving !

'Tis no secret that here at Beauty Wonkette, we love our fancy lotions and potions. But there are times (usually when we’re a week away from payday, our bank accounts are slim, and we just blew the last of our liquidity on those bee-yoo-tee-ful shoes) that we just can’t see shelling out major $$$ on beauty essentials. The good news? Beauty Wonkette is here to tell you that you don’t have to: There are gads of high-performance, low-cost beautifiers to be found at your local drugstore...if you know where to look. Fortunately, BW does! So, my lovelies, scrounge up the loose change in your sofa cushions and read on. The next few posts will reveal some of the best beauty products that (very little) money can buy ;-)...

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
The gold standard of sensitive-skin cleansers, this gentle wash gets rid of dirt, makeup, and oils without stripping your skin. It's also beloved by pretty much every dermatologist on the planet, and who are we to argue with them?
$9.19, available at Drugstore.com.

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
Strong enough to zap even the most monstrous of zits, yet gentle enough that it won't cause dryness and flaking, this clear gel features a potent percentage of salicylic acid that obliterates pimples large and small in as little as one day.
$6.99, available at Soap.com.

Weleda Skin Food
Never has a product name been more apt: This all-natural cream has extracts of pansy, chamomile, sweet almond oil, and calendula that "feed" your skin with vital nutrients to keep it looking great. Use it as a day or night cream to restore moisture and elasticity, on your hands and cuticles to cure dryness, on your lips to heal chapped pouts, and even on blemishes to help reduce redness and swelling. It's like the Swiss Army knife of skin care!
$18, available at Weleda.

Klorane Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover With Cornflower Water
Most makeup removers leave behind an annoying, greasy film that can be irritating on the eyes, especially if you wear contacts. This soothing lotion ditches the greasiness in favor of lightweight hydration that gently takes off even the toughest long-wear eyeliner without irritating your eyes. Cornflower extract helps to naturally soothe and reduce puffiness.
$11, available at Drugstore.com.

Smith's Rosebud Salve
This multi-purpose balm is one of the most ubiquitous beauty products out there – we've seen it in the bags of makeup artists, celebrities, editors, and in-the-know It Girls alike. That's because it's unmatched for curing chapped lips and dry skin. Not bad for six bucks!
$6, available at B-Glowing.

Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator
This exfoliator uses aluminum-oxide crystals, similar to those used in pro microdermabrasion treatments, to help eliminate dead skin cells, uncovering smoother, more radiant skin. It also helps even out your skin tone and minimize fine lines, with results visible in just four treatments.
$14.99, available at Target.