15 Dupes We Reckon Are Just As Good As The OGs (And 8 That I Regret To Inform You You Can't Cheap Out On)

Cozzie livs, babes.

1. Milk's Hydro Grip primer has had beauty buffs in a tizzy for ages, but I reckon e.l.f.'s cheap-as-chips alternative is just as powerful.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Both primers promise to *truly* hold your makeup in place all day and offer a smoothing, blurring effect. Reviewers rave just as much about the sub-£15 e.l.f. option as they do Milk's higher-end offering, though, and having tried the cheaper one myself I can vouch for the hype – it makes my skin look poreless and has seen my makeup through multiple oily, sweaty days out (folks, we're talking tube-proof effects here). It doesn't have the pre and post-makeup magic of Milk's original, of course, and it's got slightly less of a premium feel, but definitely one to see you through the work week IMO.

Milk price: £24.81 for a mini spray.

e.l.f. price: £13.56 for a full-size primer.

2. Yes, yes, treat yourself to the Dior lip oil if you can (TikTokers love it for a reason) – but I reckon Technic's cheap-as-chips offerings are great for day-to-day use.

Boots / Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Let's be real here – with that price gap, there will be a bit of a difference between these two (Dior's option includes nourishing ingredients like cherry oil, for example, and has some seriously luxe packaging). For day-to-day use, though, I adore my Technic lip oils! They deliver a natural-looking glowy finish that isn't as thick as lip gloss or as drying as some lipsticks can be, and its faint tint means it's incredibly forgiving to apply too (perfect if you're rushing out the door).

Dior lip oil price: £23.80.

Technic price: £3.00 each – they come in five shades.

3. The Stanley cup is a pretty gorgeous way to stay hydrated, but I love my stainless steel alternative just as much.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Both options are made from stainless steel, come with a straw, maintain hot *and* cold temps for ages, and are dishwasher-safe, so IMO your aesthetic preference ought to be the thing that decides which one you fancy more. Personally, I like the forest green look of my flask, but there is something to be said for the FYP-worthy looks of the OG! 

Stanley cup price: £37.32.

Travel tumbler price: £18.99.

4. We love a Dyson air wrap, but I'm still recovering from how good my coworker's locks looked after using Revlon's heated curlers.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk, Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

To be very clear, these two do quite different things (again, with that price gap, you'd expect them to). The air wrap dries *and* styles your hair, while Revlon's heated rollers work best on pre-dried locks – the former will save you tonnes of time too. That said, if you're after results above all else, I do have to say my coworker's hair had some seriously gorgeous volume and curl after using her heated rollers (fancy blowout-worthy, if you ask me).

Air wrap price: £652.00.

Revlon heated rollers price: £44.36.

Here's what my coworker's hair looked like after the heated rollers:

Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

She has absolutely no regard whatsoever for my jaw apparently? Rude.

5. I've used both Anastasia's Brow Freeze and Got2B's brow gel, and while you can personalise your brow shape a little more with ABH's option, I've been honestly wowed by the cheaper one too.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Both of these products promise the same thing: an unmovable, natural-looking hold that lasts for hours. It's an interesting comparison, because Got2B is known for their no-budge hairspray and ABH are famed for their amazing brow products. Unsurprisingly, then, I reckon they both deliver – while ABH's option comes in an adorable tub and really does lock those hairs into place, I like Got2B's handy mascara-like design and remarkable staying power too.

Brow Freeze price: £23.00.

Got2B price: £3.21.

Speaking of brows, I reckon this NYX brow pencil is the best I've tried at any price point – no need to spend a penny more, IMO.

Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

It's got a super-fine nib that's perfect for creating hair-like strokes, and there's a handy spoolie on the other end too. I have a scar in one of my eyebrows that it covers seamlessly, and it's water-resistant too! 

Price: £7.45 – it's available in eight shades.

6. I spent more money than I'd like to admit on skincare before I landed on a simple cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen routine that's transformed my skin completely. I don't have a single skincare product to debunk here – I just don't think people with no specific skincare needs have to bother with much for a basic, pre-active ingredient routine.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

I wrote last year about how a trip to my dermatologist completely changed my skincare routine. I've gone from a six-product mess that was leaving my skin stripped to a much healthier complexion by combining a gentle cleanser with a simple moisturiser and my must-have sunscreen (if you only get one thing from this trio, make it sunscreen – it doesn't have to be this brand, just make sure it's minimum SPF30 and protects from both AVA and AVB rays). I have also added retinol at night to clear my acne and hopefully keep my skin smooth, but you might not want or need this – we'll talk about active ingredients later. Either way, I'm never going back to my million-product routine.

Cleanser price: £10.00.

Moisturiser price: £8.00.

Sunscreen price: £7.00.

7. If Rare Beauty's beautiful liquid blush is on your birthday wishlist, this Makeup Revolution cheek stain will see you through 'til someone splashes a bit more cash on you.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Rare beauty's range is much-hyped for a reason – its inclusive tones and smooth, skin-like finish have more than earned it its TikTok hype, IMO. Plus, as a liquid blush convert, I swear by the stain-like finish and buildable flush their products give my face (doesn't hurt that the packaging is so great either, right?). That said, I've been really enjoying my Makeup Revolution offering too. It's light, buildable, and offers a patch-free finish, so I'm def happy to sacrifice a tiny bit of that more fancy feel for my everyday activities. I will say I do need to apply this more often throughout the day that I do with Rare beauty's option, but thankfully it's on the top layer of my makeup, and the tube is small enough to carry round with me.

Rare beauty blush price: £35.95.

Makeup Revolution blush price: £4.50.

Of course, you can always bet on e.l.f.'s glowy Monochromatic Multi-Stick if you like a bit of sparkle in your sun-touched glow.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

It's not that heavy makeup never looks good (I enjoy a MUA-level, full-glam beat as much as the next NikkiTutorials lover), but there's something so fresh and clean about the minimal base/glowy blush/gently-pigmented lip makeup style that's been doing the TikTok rounds recently. No wonder this daytime-worthy blush, lip tint, and eyeshadow stick from e.l.f. is so ridiculously popular, then – its creamy finish and angelic shimmer looks great across the entire face and adds a sort of dewy, eight-hours-of-sleep finish that customers love. 

Price: £5.00 – it comes in four shades.

8. Glow Recipe's sensational niacinamide-rich Dew Drops are as gorgeous as they are hydrating, but if you're mostly after the smoothing, pore-cleansing promises of its active ingredient, why not buy some of the INKEY list's niacinamide serum and get it straight from the source?

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

I can hear people typing the comments already: yes, I know I was talking about the three-step base routine earlier, but that's before adding any active ingredients if you need any (the ones you choose will depend on your skin's specific needs, and not everyone needs any). If you're worried about rough, clogged skin, reviewers love Glow Recipe's niacinamde-infused Dew Drops – it's as hydrating as it is gently exfoliating, and there's no denying that there's something so pampering about using its gorgeous formula. It's got a few fancy ingredients over the cheaper option too (like moisturising watermelon extract), but I like The Inkey List's back-to-basics serum for daily use. It may be missing that lovely hydrating element, but it's packed with the same B3 vitamin that'll help to unclog your pores and control your sebum levels (bye-bye, dull skin and spots).

Glow Recipe niacinamide price: £63.45.

INKEY list niacinamide price: £7.19.

9. I've seen TikTok-viral round vases go for hundreds, but why pay that when this one is under £14?

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Sure, those gorgeous vases are pretty (and fairly timeless if you ask us), but why pay more than you have to? 

Price: £13.99.

10. There's nothing better than an indulgent night in with Sand & Sky's pink clay mask, but we love this cheap and cheerful option too when we're a little further from payday.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

If you're all about skincare (especially one-off treatments, like masks) as a 'treat yourself' pamper sesh, 1) I hear you and 2) I reckon it might just be worth your while to invest in Sand & Sky's blemish-busting pink clay mask. After all, it comes in some gorgeous packaging and has a luxe, dense brush. But if you don't mind getting your hands mucky (literally), our Procoal fave is well worth a try – it delivers similar brightening, cleansing results, and even has the same kakadu plum extract the pricier option boasts.

Procoal price: £8.99.

Sand & Sky price: £30.60.

11. Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter foundation is, according to multiple beauty influencers and my friend Louise, 100% worth the price (especially for special occasions). But if you're after that filtered-looking glow on the reg, this e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter foundation has made a convert of everyone I know who's tried it.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

Look, nobody's doubting Miss Tilbury's skin product mastery here – her brightnening, smoothing, natural-looking products are beloved by celebs and beauty TikTokers alike. I will say, though, that the only other time I've heard as much hype about a product is when my friends tried e.l.f.'s Halo Glow foundation; everyone I've seen wearing it has looked sort of airbrushed, and customers love its handy swipe-and-you're-done applicator too.

Charlotte Tilbury foundation price: £39.00.

e.l.f. foundation price: £9.33.

12. My colleague Jess is pretty *particular* about scents, so I trust her when she says this Jenny Glow Wood & Sage perfume makes her just as happy as her beloved Jo Malone Wood, Sage, & Sea Salt cologne.

Jo Malone / Amazon

We all know there are going out-out perfumes and daily scents, and everyone I know who's tried Jo Malone swears by her legendary blends for special occasions. If you're a daily perfume wearer, though (and Jess is), this delightfully refreshing aroma is sure to impress. It smells of peach, lemon, cedar wood (my fave scent) and musk, meaning it's neither too sweet nor too deep for everyday wear – though Jess has found it doesn't last quite as long as Jo Malone's, so bring the bottle with you to work for a day-long finish. (If you're as clumsy as me or just don't want to worry about the bottle breaking in your bag, you can nab this trio of tiny atomisers for £3.45).

Jo Malone perfume price: £110.00.

Jenny Glow perfume price: £12.37.

13. If you love the viral Lululemon Everywhere belt bag but can't pay full-price right now, this more affordable alternative has impressed my editor.

Lululemon / Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

It doesn't have the viral brand's iconic branding and the material is slightly different, but still, Jasmin swears by hers.

Lululemon bag price: £29.00.

Amazon bag price: £16.99.

Here's my editor rocking her cheaper alternative:

Jasmin Nahar / BuzzFeed

14. Speaking of which, my *other* colleague Valeza loves these affordable-yet-super-high-quality leggings which remind her of Lululemon's beloved Nulu ones.

Valeza Bakolli / Via BuzzFeed

Lululemon are famous for their leggings' buttery-soft material and perfect fit, and to be fair, Valeza is pretty sure she's lost out on some of that famous quality by nabbing the less expensive pair. But she reckons the cheaper option is still great for her needs! In her words: 

 "They have a very high waist, which sort of holds me in and doesn’t even roll down during downward facing dog (normally my biggest pet peeve with yoga attire!). They’re so unbelievably comfortable that I’ve been known to wear them all day – even before and after a yoga sesh! I adore the slight kick flare that has a flattering effect without getting in the way of yoga poses, and I find them true to size (I’m a UK size 10/12 and got them in M for reference)."

Nulu leggings price: £59.00-£84.00 – they're available in US sizes 0-20 and come in 11 colours.

Amazon leggings price: £19.80 – they're available in sizes XS-M and UK sizes 8-16 and come in four colours.

Here she is stunning in the less-pricey alternatives:

Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

15. If you love the look and body-hugging compression of the viral SKIMS dress, this sub-£10 Amazon offering contains 17% Spandex.

SKIMS / Amazon

While the SKIMS option is made from 9% Spandex and 91% luxe, soft, bio-based modal material, this Amazon one offers 17% stretchy Spandex but 83% polyester. So if you're fussy about your fabrics, go for the real thing – that said, customers love the look, feel, and control of both, so if you care most about the figure-snatching silhouette and gorgeous design, this sub-£10 option is well worth a try.

SKIMS dress price: £76.00 – it's available in sizes XXS-XXXXL and comes in six colours.

Amazon dress price: £9.76 – it's available in sizes XS-XL and comes in 22 colours.

💸 And now for the bad news – here are eight products we'll never cheap out on. 💸

16. Jess, who owns a pet, won't be without her Shark cordless vacuum cleaner.

Lucy Sutton / BuzzFeed

Anyone who's come to realise their low-suction vacuum has just been moving the dirt around rather than sucking it up will understand why a *proper* one is worth the investment. Jess reckons nothing else removes as much pet hair – she loves the brand's signature design, which means hair won't get tangled in its head.

Price: £238.00.

17. And Valeza won't be without her Dr Martens platform Jadon Boots.

Valeza Bakolli / BuzzFeed

When it comes to boots, you just can't beat the design and long wear of Dr. Martens. At least that's what Valeza reckons! She says:

"I bought these Jadon Hi Dr. Marten boots last March, have gotten LOADS of wear out of them since then, and see myself wearing them for years to come!

I will say that they take some time and effort to break into, but once you’re in, you’re in (I’ve owned my first pair of Doc Martens for over ten years and they only get more comfy with time!). I love the platform style of the Jadons which gives me extra height without the discomfort of heels."

Price: £189.00 – they're available in UK shoe sizes 3-9.

18. This absolute beast of a draining rack is one of the best products I've ever bought for my shared flat.

Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

Our tiny, quite basic dish rack was so old and rusty that it literally fell apart last week – and having replaced it with this ridiculously well-designed alternative, we've all become sort of glad that it did. It has a plastic base to prevent that annoying soap scum from forming on your drainer, it's got angled holders to help your glasses dry *properly*, there are knife slots in the cutlery drawer(!), and most importantly, it's massive enough to hold enough pots, pans, and plates to keep me from passive-aggressively removing items from our windowsill. There are a million other features too, so if you've got more than four people in your household, I'd recommend giving it a go ASAP. 

Price: £49.99.

19. Having tried this heated air rack myself, I'm honestly not sure how I lived (or got ready for work) without one.

Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

I've always wanted a heated air rack (if I have to lift one more still-damp pair of jeans from my current clothes horse three days after I've put them there, I'll scream), but it was hard to find one for less than around a hundred quid. Thankfully, this highly-rated option is under £70 and works brilliantly – it's cut my clothes' drying time by about a third, and it can hold loads of laundry too.

Price: £54.99.

20. Jess (who always has amazing hair, TBF) does not play about her GHD Max Styler Hair Straighteners.

Lucy Sutton / BuzzFeed

She's been an avid GHD fan for ages and has had my current hair straighteners for over ten years (so at least you know you're getting some serious quality). They take next to no time to heat up and work even on thick, hard-to-style hair – she's just never found another brand that compares.

Price: £199.00.

21. Noise-cancelling headphones are a must-have IMO, and Beats are by far the best I've tried.

Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

I was a ride-or-die fan of my old Betron pair, but these converted me. They ensure I don't hear my flatmates moving around throughout the day, and they're amazingly comfortable too (I have massive, weirdly sensitive ears, so I need the comfiest option available). They charge really quickly, stay going for days at a time, and deliver the purest sound quality I've experienced so far! 

Price: £148.99.

22. As an ex-cleaner, I will not settle for less than Fairy Liquid.

Amazon / Via amazon.co.uk

It's by far and away the best washing-up liquid out there, IMO – cuts through grease in no time, you only need to use a little bit, and I weirdly love the smell? Unbeatable leak-proof design, too.

Price: £4.43.

23. I know I said I don't care what sunscreen you buy as long as you have one, and that's true – any is better than none. But for me personally, La Roche-Posay's cult-status option is a non-negotiable.

Amy Glover / BuzzFeed

I know how important a good sunscreen is, but I was really struggling to find one that didn't break me out. Enter: this super-lightweight option that coats my skin without clogging it – it feels incredibly hydrating, and it lives up to its 'invisible' claims IMO. Dermatologists love this stuff for its high-coverage, fragrance-free, sensitive skin-friendly formula, and I love it because it doesn't give me spots or an annoying chalky cast.

Price: £18.99.