We all love a luxury beauty moment—but sometimes, that splurgey serum or cult-favorite foundation comes with a price tag that makes your wallet cry. The good news? You don’t always have to spend big to get results that look and feel just as good.
There are some seriously impressive drugstore and mid-tier products that perform like the high-end versions—without draining your bank account. Here are 10 expensive beauty products that have cheaper dupes worth every penny saved.
10. La Mer Crème de la Mer
This ultra-luxurious moisturizer is beloved by celebrities, but it costs more than your monthly grocery bill. Plenty of rich, hydrating creams at the drugstore offer similar glow-up benefits without the hype.
9. Tatcha The Water Cream
It’s known for its lightweight texture and pretty packaging, but the hydration itself isn’t exclusive. There are budget-friendly gel creams that deliver the same bouncy-skin effect.
8. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
A staple in many makeup bags, but the price can sting for such a small tube. Luckily, there are creamy, full-coverage concealers out there that blend just as beautifully.
7. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick
The iconic pink-nude shade has reached legend status, but you can definitely find near-identical colors for less. The look is timeless—even if the tube doesn’t come with a luxury label.
6. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
This foundation gives that dreamy, dewy finish everyone wants—but so do a few drugstore options that cost way less. You can still get that glow without the splurge.
5. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
People swear by it for repairing damaged hair, but it’s not the only bond-building treatment on the market. Plenty of budget brands now have their own versions with similar results.
4. Dior Lip Glow
This balm gives your lips a natural flush and feels ultra-luxe, but tinted lip balms with similar formulas are easy to find. The color-changing magic isn’t exclusive to Dior.
3. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Serum
It’s a great vitamin C serum, but the price tag is no joke. Many more affordable serums brighten and even out skin tone just as effectively.
Read More: 10 Luxury Skincare Brands to Indulge In
2. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
The essence that launched a thousand skincare routines—but also drained many wallets. Several Korean and Japanese brands offer similar fermented-ingredient toners for a fraction of the cost.
Read More: 10 Skincare Steps for a Glowing Complexion
1. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
This cult moisturizer has a loyal following and an ultra-luxury price. Fortunately, there are nourishing creams out there with similar textures and results that won’t make your bank account weep.
Read More: 10 Best Drugstore Beauty Dupes Worth Your Money
