It's nice to save money on those everyday essentials, but how the heck do you do that when you are hooked on 'premium' makeup brands? The solution is, you find a dupe (duplicate). That's right, for every hero cosmetic in our handbag, is a budget version somewhere.
We warn you though, it's a minefield and what might look like it's going to be similar, can turn out to be a total waste of £££'s.
Real Deal: YSL Touche Eclat* (£25 at Debenhams) This is in nearly every women's makeup bag, right? It doesn't come cheap but boy does it help a gal out after a heavy night on the vino.
Budget Dupe: Gosh Click'N Conceal* (£9.19 at Amazon) Not quite as good as YSL but a decent enough dupe. If you need some strategic, subtle highlighting to distract from your 'tired' bits, then snap this up for just under £10.
Real Deal: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick* (£35 at Debenhams) If ever there was a cosmetic item to make anyone look healthy, it's this. Just a sweep across the face is all you need and it takes you from drab to delicious.
Budget Dupe: SEVENTEEN Instant Glow Shimmer Brick (£4.99 at Boots) WOW! I saw this dupe in a magazine, called BS and went out and bought it to prove how wrong they were. Seems like I stand corrected - for under a fiver, this is the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick dupe to buy.
Real Deal: NARS Orgasm Blush* (£23 at John Lewis) Getting the right blush can be the difference between 'Coco the Clown' and looking 'fantastically flushed'. The NARS Orgasm Blush is said to be the most 'wearable' blush on the market and we are inclined to agree. Doesn't matter if you are pale and interesting or dark and beautiful - this is the blush to suit all.
Budget Dupe: Sleek Shimmer Blush Rose Gold*(£4.99 at Superdrug) Not an exact tonal match, but the nearest thing I have found - and many bloggers agree. If you're on a budget I would snap this up.
Real Deal: DIOR Mascara Diorshow* (£25.50 at Debenhams) Oh this mascara is great if you want your lashes to be noticed, but it comes at a premium. One thing I will say is you can most definitely ditch the false lashes with this.
Budget Dupe: L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara X4* (£9.99 at Superdrug) This is as close as you'll find to Diorshow. For under £9, it's fantastic and a really great beauty buy. Brushes are a little different, but this is a darn good mascara.
Real Deal: Benefit High Beam* (£21.50 at Debenhams) It's the 'strobing' essential for any of you that like to shine, in a healthy 'glowy' way. Use too much and you end up looking like the tin man from the 'Wizard of Oz'. A favourite for many women, who wish to inject a bit of oomph to their skin.
Budget Dupe: NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator in Sunbeam* (£8 at Boots) Fantastic and possibly a better texture too. It's not as thin a consistency and applies really well. An absolute steal for £13.50 less than High Beam.
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Every NYX product I have tried is brilliant and gives the big brands a run for their money.