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Courtesy of E.L.F.
In a world where prices keep going up, it’s no wonder we’re all trying to find affordable dupes for our favorite makeup and skincare.
There’s no shame in trying to find cheaper versions of our favorite high-end products because let's face, no one actually wants to spend $70 on a foundation.
These days, opting for lower-priced makeup and skincare doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality. Drugstore brands have really stepped up their game, delivering top-performing products that are so similar to their expensive high-end counterparts, except at prices that won’t make you go broke.
And if there’s one drugstore queen who takes the crown for creating the best alternatives, it’s e.l.f. Just a few years ago, they were known as the “dupe” brand, but now, they’ve garnered a cult-status all their own — and for a good reason.
They’re able to give us exactly what we want: cheap makeup and skincare that mimics and rivals those you'd find at say, Charlotte Tilbury, Milk Makeup, Glow Recipe and Anastasia Beverly Hills, to name a few.
These e.l.f. products work just as well, if not better, than high-end options — and have the reviews to prove it.
From contour wands to smoothing primers and juicy lip plumpers, we rounded up a list of the best e.l.f. products that work just as well (or better) than the the pricey high-end stuff and are all under $13.
e.l.f. Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen
Achieve a juicy pout with this lip plumping pen, which is a cheaper alternative to the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip. The non-sticky formula also provides a glass-like sheen. Choose from eight pretty shades.
Rave Review: “LOVE this color!!! I actually like this more than all my tarte lip products. This color is perfect. It makes you look polished and put together without being too much.”
e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray
Instead of the Milk Hydro Grip setting spray, use this one from e.l.f., which is $28 cheaper. Spray it beneath or on top of makeup to enjoy a boost of hydration. The result is a dewy, long-lasting finish.
Rave Review: “I use this not just to set my makeup but also to dampen my makeup sponge. I think it has made a huge difference in how my makeup looks and how much smoother it applies. It is just as good if not better (feels less sticky) than the similar more expensive Milk makeup one.”
e.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder
Want flawless makeup? This pressed powder blurs fine lines and pores for a smooth, photo-focus finish. It's ideal for throwing in your purse so you can touch up during the day.
Rave Review: “I have combination/oily mature skin. This is the pressed powder I reach for every time. It's affordable and most importantly IT WORKS! This is my go to, if I want poreless flawless skin. If you know.....you know! Thanks Elf for hitting it out of the ball park, for another successful product.”
e.l.f. Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer
Urban Decay's eyeshadow primer is an OG product, but this one works just as well and is a fraction of the cost. This long-lasting primer provides a blank canvas, preventing oily and creased lids while intensifying the opacity of your shadows.
Rave Review: “This is as good as Urban Decay and way cheaper. Eye shadow does not crease all day.”
This eyeshadow primer has been recommended by Madison LeCroy.
e.l.f. Jelly Pop Dew Primer
This primer has the same grippy feel that makes for long-lasting makeup application as e.l.f.'s Power Grip primer. The difference is that this one leaves your skin with a lit-from-within dewy finish.
Rave Reviews: “Perfect to even out my dry skin that comes out when I do my makeup even after moisturizing.It Makes my skin feel moisturized under my makeup not cakey and dry.I like this primer feels like it creates an actual primer layer and doesn't feel like it just absorbs into my skin immediately after applying.Leaves a dewy moisturized skin look.”
e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops
If you love how Glow Recipe's Watermelon Dew Drops make your skin feel, then you'll adore e.l.f.'s more affordable version. It's also made with hydrating niacinamide and can be used as part of your skincare routine or as a primer before makeup.
Rave Reviews: “I've used Glow Recipe's Watermelon Dew Drops, and while I liked the product I wasn't too fond of the strong scent or the price point. The texture, finish, and feel of this product is pretty much identical, but without the fragrance and at a better value. Smooth, absorbs quickly, works well as a lightweight primer that doesn't pill with makeup, and hydrates skin for an even finish.”
Rave Review: "This primer really does live up to the hype- I am a redhead with very sensitive, acne-prone skin, and this formula didn't break me out. The product lathers on the skin in a smooth, cooling gel, and dries very tacky (in a sensible way). I've used Milk Hydro Grip primer, and I didn't notice any difference in my finished makeup looks."
This primer has been recommended by Lisa Rinna, Paige DeSorbo, Madison LeCroy, and Nita Danielle.
e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector
Enhance your natural beauty effortlessly with this lightweight, skin-perfecting essential that evens out discoloration. Yellow camouflages dullness in fair-to-medium skin tones, while the green covers redness, blemishes, and rosy cheeks in all skin tones. Additionally, the peach masks spots and darkness under the eyes for fair to medium skin tones, and orange does the same for tan to rich skin tones. Lastly, the blue mixes seamlessly with your foundation and concealer to offset overly warm tones.
Rave Review: "I have invested in every brand to try to hide the genetic dark circles under my eyes and to provide a good base prior to applying concealer. I've used Becca, Huda Beauty, Tarte, etc. this seems to work better."
e.l.f. SKIN Suntouchable Invisible SPF 35
An alternative for Supergoop's beloved Unseen Sunscreen, this one has SPF 35 (only a little less than Supergoop's) and has a similar lightweight feel and blurring effect that make it a great makeup primer.
Rave Review: "I can't afford the super goop sunscreen, but I really like the invisible and primer-like finish, so this is a great alternative (TJ is another one). It works well, does not irritate skin, and looks good with the slight blurring and glowing effect."
e.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
Achieve polished brows and luscious lashes effortlessly with this dual-purpose clear gel. Perfect for grooming and setting eyebrows into place, it also enhances natural lashes with a lightweight, flake-free formula.
Rave Review: "Has all of the upsides of the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand—easily blendable, rich in pigment, long-lasting—without any of the downfalls. What makes this better than Charlotte Tilbury is the diverse shade ranges, the fact that it's easy to blend but does not blend away, and it has an amazing price point."
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
The Power Grip Primer needs no introduction, but we'll give you one anyway. Comparable to Milk's Hydro Grip Primer, this one has a similar gel formula with a tacky consistency that reviewers say keeps their makeup intact for hours. That's probably why it has 16,200+ 5-star ratings.
Rave Review: "This primer really does live up to the hype- I am a redhead with very sensitive, acne-prone skin, and this formula didn't break me out. The product lathers on the skin in a smooth, cooling gel, and dries very tacky (in a sensible way). I've used Milk Hydro Grip primer, and I didn't notice any difference in my finished makeup looks."
This primer has been recommended by Lisa Rinna, Paige DeSorbo, Madison LeCroy, and Nita Danielle.
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream
Experience ultimate hydration and nourishment with this fragrance-free face cream, designed to replenish and soothe sensitive skin. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, leaving a smooth and radiant complexion.
Rave Review: "So hydrating. The best dupe for Tatcha Water Cream if you're on a budget! It doesn't smell as good, but it'll make your skin feel so smooth and hydrated."
e.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick
Elevate your makeup routine with this versatile multi-stick, offering a blendable formula that adds a natural flush to cheeks, lips, and eyes. Available in a range of flattering shades, it effortlessly enhances your features with a creamy, long-lasting finish. Embrace simplicity and elegance in your beauty regimen with this essential for creating coordinated monochromatic looks
Rave Review: "This might be better than the milk I've been searching for. Love using it as a quick blush and lipgloss on the go."
Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Kandi Burruss has recommended this multi-tasking product.
e.l.f. Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand
Another Charlotte Tilbury alternative, these contour wands with a user-friendly cushion tip applicator boasts a buildable formula that effortlessly blends into the skin. The e.l.f. version has less shimmer, which can be a good thing for many. Plus, it comes in five shades as opposed to just two.
Rave Review: "Has all of the upsides of the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand—easily blendable, rich in pigment, long-lasting—without any of the downfalls. What makes this better than Charlotte Tilbury is the diverse shade ranges, the fact that it's easy to blend but does not blend away, and it has an amazing price point."
e.l.f. Complexion Duo Brush
Rather than spend $50 on the IT Cosmetics Complexion Perfection Brush, get this e.l.f. one instead. It's also dual-ended with a large fluffy brush to buff out foundation and a smaller precise brush to spot conceal. The bristles on both brushes are made from synthetic fibers.
Rave review: "Wow, this brush is amazing! So soft, dense but not too dense, and handle is great quality. It ranks up there with my favorite foundation brush from IT Cosmetics, which is 4x the price."
Rave Review: "I am pleasantly surprised with this product. I have been a longtime user of Tatcha, but heard that this is a great dupe. Got it, tested it, loved it. This is an excellent dupe for Tatcha and great for my wallet"
e.l.f. Cosmetics Brow Lift
The Anastasia Beverly Hills' Brow Freeze is a legendary product, but this extra-strength brow gel is just as good (if not better, according to reviewers). It's perfect for taming unruly brows and achieving that fluffy, laminated look that's all the rage right now.
Rave Review: "After trying the ABH brow freeze I gave up on high end and decided to try a drug store product and I have NEVER been more SATISFIED with a product. Application is easy, my brows stay put all day, and the price is amazing. 10/10 ranking, and I am now loyal to this product"
e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer
Comparable to the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, this concealer provides just as much coverage and the same matte finish. It's also creamy and blendable, which is why people love Shape Tape. It comes in 14 shades and has 26,400+ 5-star ratings.
Rave Review: "This stuff is practically an exact Shape Tape dupe. I bought this because it had such rave reviews and I am totally impressed. It covers and blends just as well as Shape Tape. It also works well as an eyeshadow base. I like this product so much that I immediately bought another one. Btw, dark circles are totally covered!"
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Tired about hearing people hype up Dior's $40 lip oil? Us too, which is why we were thrilled to find this alternative from e.l.f. It leaves behind a sheer, glossy wash of color and is infused with hydrating ingredients, too, including avocado oil, jojoba oil and pomegranate oil. It comes in seven gorgeous shades.
Rave Review: "The glow reviver lip oil can easily hold up against Dior, Haus Labs, etc. other sorts of high end lip oils. It's hydrating, it's pretty… not very opaque in colour at all but it feels great and is [long]lasting"
Rave Review: "Have been using Rare Beauty in Joy and loved it, but decided to try this new product. Got Gorg Orange which is exactly the same as the Rare Beauty. The ELF is at a MUCH better price. One drop provides all the blush for your entire face and it lasts all day"
e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
Effortlessly remove makeup and impurities with this luxurious cleansing balm, leaving your skin feeling nourished and hydrated. Its gentle formula transforms from a solid balm into a silky oil upon application, melting away even stubborn waterproof makeup.
Rave Review: "AMAZING DUPE for expensive cleansing balms I am OBSESSED with the Elemis cleansing balm. However, to get a decent sized bottle you pay over $100 bucks. This ELF cleaning balm is comparable in creamy silky texture and a fraction of the price & does everything the Elemis balm does. Everyone's skin is different but I am sensitive and prone to breakouts and I have no issues with this."
Olivia Culpo recommended this cleansing balm to E! shoppers.
e.l.f. Bronzing Drops
A new addition to e.l.f.'s lineup, these bronzing drops are extremely similar to the D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops from Drunk Elephant, but at a fraction of the cost, of course. It gives your skin a bronzy wash of color and radiant finish. It comes in three shades compared to Drunk Elephant's singular shade.
Rave Review: "I've tried a lot of bronzing drops and these are top tier. Great shade range, blends easily, gives a great bronze to the skin. I mix mine into foundation and it's perfect!"
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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