Sainsbury's Boutique Makeup Review
Sainsbury's is my regular store for grocery and other household bits. I have been shopping there for the past 6 years and I do really enjoy it. I moved houses three years ago and I was lucky to find a massive Sainsbury's about 3 minutes from my house (You know the ones where they sell Tu Clothing, yeah the really massive ones). One section/aisle I always wander through is the Beauty Section because I have found so many bargains there. When they have reductions (which is pretty frequent), I just top up all my beauty essentials. One brand I have always seen but never tried was the Boutique Makeup Range. To be honest, I did not know much about the brand. You can imagine my absolute shock when I discovered that Boutique was Sainsbury's own brand. I was really pleased when I was contacted by Boutique Makeup's PR asking if I wanted to try some products from Boutique. When they arrived I was excited to see how they swatched but sadly three of the eyeshadows smashed in transit. I still managed to fix them with some medical grade alcohol and they have held up pretty well. Having tried the products out for a good while, I thought I should share my thoughts and let you know some of my favourites within the range.
Brief overview of Sainsbury's Boutique Makeup
Sainsbury's Boutique Makeup is a high quality and affordable cosmetics range which was launched by Sainsbury's in 2013. It was designed to allow women access beautiful products within the convenience of supermarket shopping. Their capsule collection was created by makeup artists Jo Saville & Sophie Price. The Boutique range offers long lasting formulations with high pigmentation and easy application to suit a wide range of skin tones. When I saw this description, I was quite intrigued and I knew I wanted to test the range especially when it comes to suiting a variety of skin tones. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the products and how they suited my complexion. Within the range, you can find lip glosses, lipsticks, eyeshadow singles, eyeshadow palettes (quads), blushers, bronzes, nail polishes, etc. They don't have concealers and foundations just yet but I am sure they will planning towards it at some point.
What products did I get?
I was very lucky to be sent a wide range of their products to try out and I have put them to the test for a pretty long time. This review is well overdue as I got these products back in August but I am so happy I am finally reviewing them. I received the following products: Eyeshadows, Lip glosses, a perfect red lipstick, Nail Polishes and Blushes. I am really pleased that I was sent products that were complementary to my complexion and I am always impressed and grateful when PRs take out time to see what products will suit me and my complexion.
Packaging
I always say if any brand is in doubt of packaging colour, they should stick to black as that always looks classy. Boutique Makeup come in really elegant black packaging and they are very good quality even down to the doe foot applicator of the lip glosses. I am mostly impressed with the Lipstick packaging which is weighted and has a lovely secure lid (of course, complete with a click). I find that some brands scrimp on packaging when they are trying to keep down costs of products but I think product's packaging really influences people's purchasing power. In this digital media age where everyone and everything needs to be visually pleasing and Instagram worthy, a classy packaging will always win many hearts. The only packaging I think may need to be improved on are the single eyeshadows. They are not bad but they are not as sturdy as the other packaging. However, I looked at the eyeshadow palette in store and that looked so beautiful and sturdy.
Boutique Lip Gloss //Link //£6
I am going to put it out there that I am not a huge fan of very glossy lips but I do find that I experiment with them during A/W season. I think it's because I feel a little more shinier during summer so I can't deal with shiny lips but during A/W, my skin may look dull so a glossy lip is actually good. I really like the packaging and the doe foot of the Boutique Lip Glosses. They are so well made and you can tell a lot of thought went into their production. The formula itself is a typical lip gloss one which means it is slightly sticky but not the kind of stickiness that sticks your hair to your lips. I was sent three shades which include Hocus Pocus, Seal of Approval and Cat got Cream. I really like the names and they are really catchy.
Hocus Pocus is an iridescent light pink shade and it is my favourite because it works with almost any lip combination. I don't wear it alone although it does look gorgeous by itself. I prefer to use it on top of some really matte lipsticks as it just transforms them so beautifully. Cat Got Cream is more of a nude pink shade which surprisingly looks lovely on my lips. I thought it would not suit me but it actually does and it can be used on its own or paired with a nude lipstick. Last but not least is Seal of Approval which indeed has my seal of approval as it is a beautiful pink shade which will suit many complexions. I really like it and I tend to wear this more on its own. At £6, I think they are a real bargain for the quality you get with these products.
Boutique Nail Polishes// Link //£4
I am no longer very fussy when it comes to nail polishes but I do like long lasting formulas and good applicators. I am totally loving the colours from the Boutique Nail Polishes because they are versatile and can be worn all round the year. They have a wide range of shades (20 in total) and they are really very wearable shades. I was very kindly sent 5 nail polishes which include Tickled Pink, As Good as Gold, Nail on the Head, The Royal Mint and Cloud Cuckoo Land. I love their packaging because they look so elegant as with their other packaging. I feel like square shaped nail polish bottles look so much better than round ones and many high end brands have square shaped bottles. These nail polishes also have two lids which again goes to show how much effort was put in their development. Now on to the formulas which is the most important thing.
The deeper shades only need one coat as they are quite opaque and they are not thick, streaky or clumpy. Even if you are not great at applying nail polishes, you would find these relatively easy to use. The wand has a decent length and coats my nails very evenly. I always use a top coat with all my nail polishes (Seche Vite) which helps with the lasting power of these nail polishes. However, the few times I skipped using a top coat, they still lasted as good (and even better) than some high street brands. As Good as Gold is one of my favourite nail polishes from the range because it can be used in many ways. It looks gorgeous on its own especially with the holiday season approaching and can also be used on top of other nail polishes or for nail art. Another favourite is Tickled Pink because it is the perfect "My Nails But Better" shade. If you don't have time for a manicure and you want to still have the same look,Tickled Pink is an amazing option. It just really makes my nails look so healthy and I really like it. I love the other shades as well and at the price of £4, you can hardly go wrong.
Boutique Makeup Single Eyeshadows //Link ///£4
I don't think I own many single eyeshadows that have not been put into a palette as that's my preferred option. I am a huge eyeshadow junkie and I just can't help myself at all. When it comes to eyeshadows, I look out for many things especially pigmentation, colour range and longevity. I was kindly sent 5 shades including Grass is always Greener, Out of the Blue, Put on the Slate, All that Glitters is not Gold and Forty Winks (how cute are the names though!). I was really surprised to find that they had really good pigmentation and lasting power as well. I use eyeshdow primers for all my eyeshadows including high end brands like Urban Decay, MAC and even my Shu Uemura. So, I paired this eyeshadows with primers each time and they lasted all day on my lids. They don't feel cheap at all and I am impressed with that. However, I do have my favourites and they are All that glitters is not Gold and Forty Winks. All that glitters is not Gold is a warm bronze shade that reminds me so much of MAC Bronze. It's such a beautiful shade and will suit many skin tones including deeper complexions. Forty Winks is a beautiful light gold shade that also reminds me of MAC All That Glitters. I really enjoy using these two shades a lot although the other shades are also lovely.
Boutique Makeup Blushes //Link //£8
I used to be the girl that did not care too much about blushes but I am so in love with them. I tend to go for dusky pink or muted mauve shades for everyday wear and I amp it up when it comes to weekends or nights out. I was sent two lovely shades- Footloose and Fancy Free ad Fool's Paradise. I honestly did not believe any of them will work on my complexion just from looking at them in their pans. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I was very wrong. First off, their packaging is totally on point complete with a decent sized mirror for application and touch ups. These blushes are beautifully pigmented and can be built up depending on what your preference is. I was so sceptical about Footloose and Fancy Free because it is a powder pink shade which I thought will never suit me. It has a matte finish/texture and it actually looks lovely on my complexion. I apply with a light hand and it just blends in so well. However, my all time favourite which I have been using at least 70% of my working week is Fol's Paradise. It is the perfect dusty/mauve pink shade which looks very flattering on my skin and will look the same for deeper the skin tones. I really enjoy using it and I find myself reaching for it every time. It can also be used as a bronzer for lighter complexion because it has a beautiful texture and applies so beautifully.
Boutique Makeup Lipstick
This was the lipstick that made me fall in love with the entire brand because it feels like a premium brand to me. The shade I got is the Paint the Town Red which is a classic red shade which I know many people would adore especially with the festive season. I already mentioned how amazing the packaging is so I won't repeat myself again (although I am tempted). The texture and formula is my ideal one because it is light, applies evenly, forgiving on dry lips and long lasting. It has an intense pigmentation which is also long lasting and for an affordable brand, I think it's pretty impressive. If there is any one product you want to try, I would definitely recommend checking the lipstick range out as you would absolutely fall in love with it as I have.
Boutique Lip Liner //Link //£2
Last but in no way the least is the Lip Liner which is called Seal One's Fate. This is such an incredible my "Lips but Better" shade for my complexion. I use it in two ways- as a lip liner to set the stage for other lipsticks and on its own as a lipstick. It glides on easily without feeling scratchy on the lips and it does not feel drying either on the lips. I think this will be a winner for anyone who is into nude lips and I will be picking up backups because you can't go wrong at £2.
Overall Thoughts
I am so very impressed with Sainsbury's Boutique range because I did not expect a lot at all. I thought it would be a regular high street brand but it has proved to be so much better. I have really enjoyed using them especially all the favourites I highlighted in the review above. You can find some products on the Sainsbury's website but not the entire range and I am sure they are working on that. However, the entire Boutique Makeup range is available in at least 30 Sainsbury's stores. It's s worth checking out if you are out grocery shopping in Sainsbury's. They also recently launched the Boutique Beauty Solutions which you can check out here.That's pretty much my review and I hope you enjoyed it. Have you tried the Sainsbury's Boutique Makeup?
*PR Sample, read my full disclaimer here.
The Ultimate Dupe List (High End vs Drugstore)
I love to read a good Dupes Post and I am forever searching for cheaper alternatives to higher end products. Let’s face it, not everyone has the resources to splurge on high end beauty products every time. I do treat myself once in a while but I still love my drug store products. I have to mention that not all these dupes are 100% similar or even 80%. What I decided to do was include common dupes I had read about before and put them to the test and also dupes that were absolutely amazing. Of course, you can’t expect the same quality from high end and drug store all the time but for the most part, majority of the drug store products are really good. For example, a high end blush may look similar but the lasting power and finish may set it apart from a more affordable dupe. Right let’s get started….
This is an uncanny dupe and I cannot even tell the difference at all if they did not have slightly different fragrances. The Lancome Galateis Douceur Cleansing Milk is a lovely cleanser that glides on so easily (just like silk) across the face removing both face and eye makeup. It feels super hydrating and moisturising and does not sting my eyes at all. The Vichy Purete Thermal works in exactly the same way and the formulas are so similar. I would say the Vichy version is ever so slightly thicker in formula than the Lancome version but I love both of them. Of course, the Vichy version is cheaper than the Lancome one.
There are quite a few dupes for Lancome products and Vichy products and these companies are both under the L’Oreal umbrella. The Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum (review here) is one of the best affordable hydrating serum I have ever tried and I loved it so much that I repurchased it when I was running low. On the other hand, I have always had my eyes on the Lancome Advanced Genifique Serum after trying several samples which were GWP (gifts with purchases). I took the plunge and purchased it and it’s been bliss. The two serums are very similar in terms of texture and feel on the skin. They even smell similar as they are both fragranced but the Vichy has a slightly stronger fragrance. The major difference would be the effects they have on the skin. The Advanced Genifique has anti-ageing properties and bespoke ingredients that seriously makes my skin look and feel incredible while the Vichy is mainly a hydrating serum but an amazing one. If you are looking for a good all rounder, I'd say splurge on the Lancome Advanced Genifique but if you are just after hydration, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum is the one for you.
Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion (£45) vs Alpha Liquid Gold (£33.50) vs Pixi Glow Tonic (£18)
Now, the above 3 toners or chemical exfoliators are the best I have in my stash and I cannot even explain how amazing they are. The first time I heard about the Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion (review here), I wanted it instantly but it was absolutely difficult to get my hands on. Then I heard the Pixi Glow Tonic was a dupe and I purchased it immediately. Now that I have tried both of them, I don't think the Pixi Glow Tonic (review here) is a straight dupe per say. I would say the Pixi Glow Tonic is a mild version of the Biologique Recherche P50. They both contain effective AHAs that help exfoliate the skin but the P50 works so much faster than any other toner/chemical exfoliator I have tried. The skincare product I actually think is a close contender for the P50 is the Alpha H Liquid Gold (review here) which is not particularly inexpensive but it is cheaper than the P50. In my opinion, if you want a good chemical exfoliator and you have sensitive skin, try the Pixi Glow Tonic. If you want a powerful chemical exfoliator and you can bear it, then the P50 and Liquid Gold will be my picks. I love all these toners as already mentioned and I am so happy I even have minis of the P50 and the Pixi Glow Tonic.
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water (£19) vs Garnier Micellar Water (£4.99)
I already did an entire post on my Favourite Micellar Waters so I won't ramble on too much. I also have separate reviews of the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water here and the Garnier Micellar Water here. I was so delighted when I finally tried the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water which was and still is very hyped in the beauty world. I have to say it is the best micellar water I have ever tried. It just does the job so well and I don't have to use a lot of it at all. The Garnier Micellar Water is the closest dupe I have tried from the drug store and it looks very similar to the Bioderma version even down to the pink packaging. The only thing I find is that I need to use more of the Garnier Micellar Water compared to the Bioderma Micellar Water. Other than that, I think they have very similar quality and the Garnier price range makes it more attractive and accessible.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (£15) vs Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil (£8)
First off, I just have to say that my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is actually finished so the swatch looks a little dodgy but it was a really good brow pencil. I have a review of it here. Anyway, I eventually fell for the hype of the ABH Brow Wiz and I was quite impressed with how tiny the nib was. However, I felt the £15 price was a little crazy and the fact that I could only buy it online was not one I liked. So, I was on the search for a more accessible and affordable dupe. I have tried quite a few others including the NYX Micro Brow Pencil but the Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil (review here) is the best dupe to the ABH. I dare say it may even be better and the fact that it is £8 (most times you can get it less with Boots offers) and it's more accessible makes it an absolute winner. The only difference will be the colour range, The ABH Brow Wiz has quite about 10 shades while the Soap & Glory version has only 2 shades. However, the shade Hot Chocolate in Soap and Glory and the shade Dark Brown in ABH Brow Wiz are almost identical and they match my complexion so well.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade (£15) vs NYX Brow Pomade (£5.50)
Another very hyped up product is the ABH Dipbrow Pomade (review here) and I put off purchasing it for the longest time until I caved in this year. I really actually think it is very much worth the hype although I have heard people complain that theirs have dried up. Mine has remained the same as when I purchased it and I am very impressed with it. However, I did try the NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade before I purchased the ABH one. The NYX version is very similar to the ABH version for a fraction of the price and it's a good dupe in my opinion. However, I feel the ABH version is creamier and easier to apply with better lasting power compared to the NYX version (which is a tad drier). To be fair, if you are not looking out for differences in them you may not notice at all. I also think the ABH version is more pigmented so I use way less product than when I use the NYX version. Lastly, he ABH Brow Pomade has more shades than the NYX version. Regardless, you can see from the photos that they are both well loved and I just use whichever I fancy on a daily basis. I have heard good things about the Freedom Makeup Brow Pomade which is always sold out so I guess it must be good.
Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion (£45) vs Alpha Liquid Gold (£33.50) vs Pixi Glow Tonic (£18)
Now, the above 3 toners or chemical exfoliators are the best I have in my stash and I cannot even explain how amazing they are. The first time I heard about the Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion (review here), I wanted it instantly but it was absolutely difficult to get my hands on. Then I heard the Pixi Glow Tonic was a dupe and I purchased it immediately. Now that I have tried both of them, I don't think the Pixi Glow Tonic (review here) is a straight dupe per say. I would say the Pixi Glow Tonic is a mild version of the Biologique Recherche P50. They both contain effective AHAs that help exfoliate the skin but the P50 works so much faster than any other toner/chemical exfoliator I have tried. The skincare product I actually think is a close contender for the P50 is the Alpha H Liquid Gold (review here) which is not particularly inexpensive but it is cheaper than the P50. In my opinion, if you want a good chemical exfoliator and you have sensitive skin, try the Pixi Glow Tonic. If you want a powerful chemical exfoliator and you can bear it, then the P50 and Liquid Gold will be my picks. I love all these toners as already mentioned and I am so happy I even have minis of the P50 and the Pixi Glow Tonic.
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water (£19) vs Garnier Micellar Water (£4.99)
I already did an entire post on my Favourite Micellar Waters so I won't ramble on too much. I also have separate reviews of the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water here and the Garnier Micellar Water here. I was so delighted when I finally tried the Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water which was and still is very hyped in the beauty world. I have to say it is the best micellar water I have ever tried. It just does the job so well and I don't have to use a lot of it at all. The Garnier Micellar Water is the closest dupe I have tried from the drug store and it looks very similar to the Bioderma version even down to the pink packaging. The only thing I find is that I need to use more of the Garnier Micellar Water compared to the Bioderma Micellar Water. Other than that, I think they have very similar quality and the Garnier price range makes it more attractive and accessible.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (£15) vs Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil (£8)
First off, I just have to say that my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is actually finished so the swatch looks a little dodgy but it was a really good brow pencil. I have a review of it here. Anyway, I eventually fell for the hype of the ABH Brow Wiz and I was quite impressed with how tiny the nib was. However, I felt the £15 price was a little crazy and the fact that I could only buy it online was not one I liked. So, I was on the search for a more accessible and affordable dupe. I have tried quite a few others including the NYX Micro Brow Pencil but the Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil (review here) is the best dupe to the ABH. I dare say it may even be better and the fact that it is £8 (most times you can get it less with Boots offers) and it's more accessible makes it an absolute winner. The only difference will be the colour range, The ABH Brow Wiz has quite about 10 shades while the Soap & Glory version has only 2 shades. However, the shade Hot Chocolate in Soap and Glory and the shade Dark Brown in ABH Brow Wiz are almost identical and they match my complexion so well.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade (£15) vs NYX Brow Pomade (£5.50)
Another very hyped up product is the ABH Dipbrow Pomade (review here) and I put off purchasing it for the longest time until I caved in this year. I really actually think it is very much worth the hype although I have heard people complain that theirs have dried up. Mine has remained the same as when I purchased it and I am very impressed with it. However, I did try the NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade before I purchased the ABH one. The NYX version is very similar to the ABH version for a fraction of the price and it's a good dupe in my opinion. However, I feel the ABH version is creamier and easier to apply with better lasting power compared to the NYX version (which is a tad drier). To be fair, if you are not looking out for differences in them you may not notice at all. I also think the ABH version is more pigmented so I use way less product than when I use the NYX version. Lastly, he ABH Brow Pomade has more shades than the NYX version. Regardless, you can see from the photos that they are both well loved and I just use whichever I fancy on a daily basis. I have heard good things about the Freedom Makeup Brow Pomade which is always sold out so I guess it must be good.
I think I may have tried the Benefit Roller Lash sample
first and I loved how it transformed my little lashes. When it ran out, I heard
that the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara was a good dupe so I had to try
it. I do agree that they are very similar and if you don’t want to splurge on
Roller Lash, this is one to try. They both have curly or a curvy wands which helps keep
your lashes curled for a longer time. The major difference would be the formula
for me. The Benefit Roller Lash does not get clumpy and it set and dries quickly which makes the mascara last longer. The Maybelline version has a
slight wet look and could go clumpy if you are not careful or if you layer it. Another thing I have
to point out is that the Roller Lash does not add volume to my lashes as well
as the Maybelline Lash Sensation. They are both amazing and I would repurchase
them when they run out.
By Terry Ombre Blackstar (£29) vs Kiko Longwear Eyeshadow Stick (£6.90)
The award for the most talked about dupes for the By Terry Ombre Blackstars goes to the Kiko Eyeshadow Sticks. I actually purchased the Kiko version first (I have a review here) because I was so keen to try their amazing formula and I can tell you they work so well. The By Terry Ombre Blackstars (mini review here) are absolutely unique and I don’t think I have tried anything like them. There are two very similar shades in the range (Bronze Moon in By Terry and 06 in Kiko) and (Misty Rock in By Terry and 05 in Kiko) which look identical on swatching. They both look incredible on the eyes and you can’t tell the difference immediately. However, the major difference is the packaging, formula, lasting power and cost, of course. The By Terry version is infused with Tahitian Black Pearl which gives it an unrivalled glow while the Kiko version does not have this ingredient. I also feel the By Terry version lasts longer without creasing and it looks beautifully packaged. Nevertheless, I think the Kiko versions are the closest dupe to the By Terry Ombre Blackstars and the price difference makes it more accessible. I also have to mention that one of my Kiko eyeshadow sticks melted or got damaged while my By Terry ones have remained intact even after enduring really hot weather. So, I would definitely choose the By Terry Ombre Blackstars (as a treat) any day although they are super pricey but worth it.
I think this has to be one of my favourite dupes because
they are very similar. When Maybelline launched their Color Drama Lip Pencils,
I made my way to Boots to pick a couple up (review here). They have such a lovely formula,
incredible pigmentation and lasting power. The thing is their formula is not
consistent across the range. The lighter shades seem to be more difficult to
apply than the darker colours which glide on so easily. The NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils on the other hand are incredibly pigmented, last a long time and glide on so
smoothly despite them being matte. However, I have to mention that the only close
dupe (that I own) is the shade Cruella in NARS and the shade My Red in Maybelline. Honestly,
you cannot tell the difference once they are on the lips but on a swatch you can see that the NARS formula is more matte while the Maybelline appears creamy or satin. The only difference is
the lasting power where the NARS Formula stands out. I already have a full post comparing both formulas here.
I can see people raising their eyebrows already at this dupe duo. Honestly, they don’t look at all similar and you would never guess but the taste of the pudding is in the eating. First off, they both provide a demi matte velvet finish which is more flattering than a flat matte finish. They look absolutely the same on my skin and I dare say the L’Oreal Pro Matte (review here) is easier to blend into my skin than NARS ADLWF (review here )which requires mostly fingers or a beauty blender to look flawless. Their formulas are very different as the NARS is more watery while the L’Oreal is creamier. However, their finish and lasting power is very comparable but the NARS definitely takes the win when it comes to lasting power.
I can see people raising their eyebrows already at this dupe duo. Honestly, they don’t look at all similar and you would never guess but the taste of the pudding is in the eating. First off, they both provide a demi matte velvet finish which is more flattering than a flat matte finish. They look absolutely the same on my skin and I dare say the L’Oreal Pro Matte (review here) is easier to blend into my skin than NARS ADLWF (review here )which requires mostly fingers or a beauty blender to look flawless. Their formulas are very different as the NARS is more watery while the L’Oreal is creamier. However, their finish and lasting power is very comparable but the NARS definitely takes the win when it comes to lasting power.
MAC Velvet Teddy (£15.50) vs Rimmel Kate 03 vs Collection Deluxe in Charleston vs W7 Lady Luck (all the dupes are £5 and under)
I remember a little while ago when it was almost impossible
to get your hands on MAC Velvet Teddy, I had to get my friend buy me one when she went to America. Yes, a very desperate measure and they were even cheaper over there. Before my friend got back, I tried quite a few dupes that I had read about. I actually have three other products which I think are really close to MAC Velvet Teddy. I do have to say that when swatched they may not look like exact dupes but when they are on my lips, they look very similar. I think it may also have to do with the colour of my lips. I actually have a full post on MAC Velvet Teddy dupes over here if you fancy a read. I also have a review of the MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick here. The closest dupe for my complexion is the W7 Lady Luck (from their Ebony range). It looks very similar to Velvet Teddy on my lips. The other two Rimmel Kate 03 and the Collection Lipstick in Charleston are pretty close contenders to and I guess may be better dupes on other complexions.Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (£38.50) vs Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Palette (£4)
I remember when Makeup Revolution (MUR) recently launched, everyone knew them for the amazing dupes they make. Of course, I had to check them out and one of the first products I tried was the MUR Iconic 3 Palette. I was really impressed with the palette and I used it for a good while. I purchased the Naked 3 Palette during Boxing Day Sales and I needed to finally see if the MUR Iconic 3 Palettes was really a dupe. Well, the thing is Urban Decay Eyeshadows have one of the best buttery textures and pigmentation out there that it is almost impossible to dupe them. I find that the texture of the MUR Iconic 3 eyeshadows are not consistent across the palette. Some of them feel really nice and buttery and the rest are a bit chalky and patchy. However, if you are after a palette that has a similar colour scheme to the Naked 3, the MUR is a good place to start. For the price of £4, I think they did pretty good and if you use a good primer, you can get a longer wear time. However, if you are after good quality long lasting eyeshadows, then the UD Naked 3 is the way to go.
MAC Eyeshadows (£10) vs Makeup Geek Eyeshadows (£4.95)
I feel like I could do a whole post on eyeshadow dupes because there are many dupes out there. It's no secret that Makeup Geek eyeshadows are incredible and they are also very good dupes for a good number of MAC eyeshadows. I only own a few that are very similar to other MAC eyeshadows. The first is MAC Amber Lights which is one of my favourite eyeshadows (I have even hit pan) and the Makeup Geek Glamorous. I still prefer MAC Amber Light and there is something about its luminous finish that keeps me reaching for it over others. The Makeup Geek Glamorous is a close dupe in terms of shade and pigmentation but it lacks the beautiful luminous finish that Amber Light has. The other close dupe is Makeup Geek Burlesque and MAC Swiss Chocolate. They both are rich dark brownish red shades which I adore but I think the Makeup Geek Burlesque is more pigmented than the MAC shade (shocking right). Still, I prefer to use the Swiss Chocolate because it is easier to build and blend.
NARS Orgasm Blush (full size £23) vs Sleek Rose Gold Blush (£4.50)
I have turned into a little blush freak and I think I may need to share my blush collection pretty soon. Anyway, I have always liked Sleek Blushes because they have very flattering shades for all skin tones. I also heard a lot about NARS blushes and I was delighted to see the very popular NARS Orgasm Blush (mini) included in my Glossy Box. The first time I tried it I was like I definitely have a blush like this in my collection. I did a little search in my Muji storage and I found my good old Sleek Rose Gold Blush. They are very similar both as a swatch and on my face. I honestly think they are almost identical although I think the NARS version lasts ever so slightly longer than the Sleek one.
NARS Taj Mahal Blush (£23) vs Sleek Blush in Lantern (£9.99 for 3 Blushes)
One of the blushes I have had my eyes on was the NARS Taj Mahal which was rumoured to be discontinued (it is still here, thank God). I quickly purchased it the next time I was at Duty Free and I could not have been more delighted. It is everything I hoped for and more and I think it is super flattering on deeper skin tones. The Sleek Blush in Lantern is part of the Blush 3-in-1 in Pumpkin set which I adore as the blushes in there are absolutely gorgeous. They are very pigmented and flattering on my complexion and I usually have to use a very light hand. The shade Lantern is really similar to NARS Taj Mahal and both are beautifu. The major difference is that Taj Mahal has more glitter (a beautiful glow on the skin and not patchy glitter at all) while Lantern has more of a matte finish. Also, Taj Mahal is more of a brighter shade on the skin (maybe the glow helps) compared to Lantern.
MAC Highlighter in Peach Lustre (£19) vs L.A. Girl Orange Corrector (£4.99)
I have always been on the hunt for a good orange corrector because they work so well on my complexion and they correct my hyper pigmentation. I tried quite a few orange correctors and none worked as well as my MAC Peach Lustre. It has the right balance of peach and orange that works so well with my skin tone and that's why I repurchased it. Before then, I tried the L.A. Girl Orange Corrector after reading how amazing it was but I found it way too orange for my liking. I have been told I could mix it with the Yellow Corrector but to be honest, it's too much of a faff. I think the L.A. Girl Corrector may be suitable for much darker complexions than mine so I am not completely writing it off. Apart from the difference in colour, the MAC Peach Lustre has a lighter texture which is easier to blend compared to the L.A. Girl Orange Corrector. I would definitely choose the MAC Peach Lustre over the L.A. Girl Orange Corrector.
The Original Beauty Blender (£16) vs Precision Beauty Blender (£3.99)
Now this was quite a surprising one because I had tried quite a few Beauty Blenders including the Real Techniques version. I have written a comparison post over here so you can check it out if you fancy. The truth is the Original Beauty Blender is the best I have ever tried. The closest I have ever come across is the Precision Beauty Blender which I stumbled upon in TK Maxx. I am not sure where else it is sold but it is pretty good. It definitely does not have the same bounce as the Original Beauty Blender however when it comes to blending, it does a very decent job. I also find that it is way easier to wash than the Original Beauty Blender. So, it's a winner for me and I do prefer it to the Real Techniques Miracle Sponge. The only sad thing is it's not easy to find as I have only found it in TK Maxx.
Overall Thoughts
I know this was a super long post (you all know what I am like) but I do hope you enjoyed this post. I am keen to know if you have tried any of these dupes or the high end products. If you have other dupes, do leave them in the comments section so I can check them out. See you in my next post...xx
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