Whether you scroll through the beauty feeds of YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, you’re sure to find dozens of influencers singing the praises of “makeup dupes” — makeup products that are nearly identical to high-end formulas but cost a fraction of the price. But often, these dupes aren’t geared toward women over 50 and our top aging beauty concerns.
That’s why we tapped 59-year-old YouTuber Laura Rae (@LauraRaeBeauty) for her tried-and-true makeup dupes that cater to mature skin for a flawless and youthful appearance fast. Read on to discover the affordable products that will work wonders for you.
Makeup dupes benefit you and your wallet
“Makeup dupes are the secret to getting that luxurious look without breaking the bank,” says Rae. And, with the rising cost of makeup, it’s no wonder why dupes are becoming more and more popular among savvy shoppers. Rae explains while some folks define a dupe as an exact product match in color, texture and lasting power, others think that as long as the product achieves the same results once applied, it’s a dupe.
Often, high-end makeup products are pricier because of the fancy packaging they come in, but at the end of the day, what matters most is the quality of the product, not the box it comes in, she says. “So don’t be afraid to try out some affordable alternative to your favorite high-end products—your wallet will thank you and you’ll still look absolutely fabulous!”
Here, Rae’s top dupes that are sure to shed years from your appearance in an instant.
The best mascara makeup dupe to volumize lashes
Rae’s ultimate “beauty gamechanger”: A curling mascara, like e.l.f. Lash ‘N Roll Mascara. “As we age, our eyelids tend to droop and make our eyes appear smaller, but longer, lifted lashes can give us an instantly more youthful look,” she says. (Click through to discover how drooping lids could contribute to a downward canthal tilt that can make you appear less attractive.)
For just $6, the e.l.f. mascara’s specially curved wand lifts and separates lashes for fullness and definition, and Rae says it works just as well as influencer-loved Benefit Roller Lash Curling Mascara. Bonus: Wiggle the mascara wand in a zig-zag motion starting at the base of lashes and move upward to ends. Repeat twice until lashes are fully coated and lifted.
The best lip gloss makeup dupe to make lips look fuller
Swiping hyaluronic acid-infused Maybelline Lifter Gloss plumps up thin lips as effectively as the beloved Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Polish, which costs $16 more. How it helps: The acid, which is naturally found in skin and lips but is depleted with age, draws moisture deep into deflated lips, volumizing them fast for an instantly fuller look. Rae’s tip: “Apply it with a light hand, focusing on the center of your lips to avoid feathering into the lip line.”
The best foundation makeup dupe to brighten up dull skin
A lightweight, water-based foundation, Ulta Beauty Youthful Glow Foundation Serum Drops even out skin’s tone and add a youthful, dewy glow to mature skin, notes Rae. That’s because the liquid formula won’t settle into fine lines and dry out or dull the complexion like a thick, matte foundation can. Even better? According to Rae, the drops have enough coverage to conceal dark circles and age spots, and the foundation blends into skin as seamlessly as MAC Studio Radiance Face and Body Sheer Foundation.
Check out the below video from Rae’s YouTube channel to see her test the two foundations side by side.
The best eyelid primer makeup dupe to make veins disappear
A flexible, non-flaking eyeshadow primer in a neutral shade, Sormé Treatment Cosmetics Under Shadow Primer creates a uniform base that fully covers imperfections on eyelid skin that’s become thinner from a natural loss of collagen as we older. And it works just as well as beloved MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow in Soft Ochre at covering discoloration and creating a base for eyeshadow so it stays put and looks smoother, notes Rae — and for $11 less! Tip: Tap and blend the product onto eyelids with an eyeshadow brush and let sit for 1 minute before applying eyeshadow on top. (Click through to discover more anti-aging eye makeup.)
Check out the below video from Rae’s YouTube channel to see how she uses the Sormé product for more than just her eyelids.
The best eyebrow pencil makeup dupe to thicken brows
Rae’s key to fabulous, fuller-looking brows is to use NYX Micro Brow Pencil, an ultra fine–tipped pencil that fills in sparse spots for just $11. That’s a steal since the pencil works just as effortlessly as its pricier $25 counterpart: the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. For a flawless finish, Rae suggests using the pencil in gentle, hair-like strokes to create a brow that looks natural, not filled in. (Click through to learn more tricks to disguise and repair sparse eyebrows.)
The best eye brightener makeup dupe to erase dark circles
The peach tint of Catrice Cosmetics Under Eye Brightener instantly cancels out the blue undertones of dark under-eye circles, giving eyes a brighter, more wide-awake look. “It’s my favorite replacement for Smashbox Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector and it works even better on mature skin,” says Rae. That’s because the dupe contains castor oil that draws moisture into skin to “plump up” sunken-in circles. And the oil’s compounds boost circulation to prevent blood from pooling underneath the eyes and creating dark circles in the first place. Plus, adds Rae, its creamy, lightweight formula won’t emphasize under-eye creases like the thicker Smashbox product can.
The best lipstick makeup dupe to smooth out lip lines
Matte lipstick has a reputation for causing dry, wrinkled lips to look even more shriveled, but fortunately Rae assures that’s not the case with Treslúce Beauty Empower Me Matte Lipstick in Nudey Pink. The pinky nude-hued formula is infused with fatty acid-rich mango butter that deeply hydrates lips and “fills in” lip lines. What’s more, vitamin C in the lipstick promotes collagen production so lip skin stays looking smooth and supple. Rae notes that the matte lipstick is a fantastic dupe for cult favorite Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick and costs less than half the price. (Click through to discover more anti-aging lipsticks.)
Click through for more affordable beauty finds:
Best Makeup Dupes of Summer 2023: Six Affordable Product Swaps for Gorgeous Hair, and Skin
These Are the 8 Best Hacks for Saving Money on Beauty Products and Toiletries
Dolly Parton Reveals the Drugstore Makeup She’s Relied on For Years — And It’s All Under $10
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