In general, whichever performs better; like if it was a pretty color but $30 and yet was so-so in quality and the dupe for it was $5 but A+, I’d rather the dupe. Otherwise, I’m fortunate to be in the position to support the originator, so if both were equal, I’d most likely purchase the original.
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Unless the cheaper dupe doesn’t meet certain requirements and/or the “original” is unique, I almost always go for the dupe. There’s certain items that I haven’t noticed much of a difference of performance wise if I decide to spend $$$ like mascara or gloss.
Makeup is a consumable, hence unless it’s absolutely necessary I’ll avoid paying more for something that’ll get thrown away in a relatively short period of time.
I’d rather have the original, unless the dupe either (1) performed better or (2) performed the same but was less expensive.
Just saw this morning on Fudejapan Instagram a limited edition Dior mono eyeshadow 89 Smoky Gun for the fall. Do I have a dupe? Not sure, but probably not. Even if I did, this is the type of color that keeps me watching the new makeup offerings. And I’m salivating over it. A rare offering (in my estimation anyway). Long story short, if I like something, which is more and more a rarity for me these days, I get it irrespective of dupe possibilities (but I don’t even think a dupe is a possibility). I’m hoping it’s a UD mushroom color with a rosy/purplish twist in a smooth, no glitter particle formula. Cool ladies with green/hazel eyes in particular, take a look. If this color is an Asian exclusive, I’m gonna scream.
I’d prefer a cheaper alternative if the quality is there. I’ve recently purchased 3 of the Stila Shimmer & Glow liquid eyeshadows after purchasing a few drugstore brand offerings of liquid eyeshadows. I’d wanted to try Stila all the time, but didn’t want to spend so much. Well, the cheaper alternatives were all trash and I haven’t been able to use them while the Stila eyeshadows are divine & I use them regularly. I’ve purchased a few dupe palettes which I got some use of and was satisfied for what I paid.
I agree with Christine above. If it’s more expensive but works better, I’ll buy the one that works, but if I know there is something more affordable out there that works just as well, then I’m buying the cheaper chicken.
Generally, as long as the dupe does perform to level of original, I’ll be happy to pay less of course.
This said, if the item in question is core (like, a foundation or mascara), I’ll probably go with the original on assumption it’s the better quality item. If it’s more of a just-for-fun item, I’ll probably go for the dupe.
Also, sourcing matters: I do so little of my shopping online any more, that if an item is available only online, I’ll probably skip it altogether but especially if it’s a dupe.
I don’t really bother w dupes bc in the end I want the dupe and the original and most likely have both lol. I have however shopped my stash and duped a new palette as a means to use what I have and not buy another palette.
For some items, like mascara I go drug store dupe all the way. Foundations, OTOH I prefer the original because they wear better. Other items like Bad Habit brand palettes leave me uneasy because I feel it sleazy if all a brand does is knock off others.
Exactly as you said above, Christine. If the dupe is not only cheaper, but better quality, I’m going for the dupe. However, if the OG has a complexity and uniqueness to it, plus great quality, then the OG it will be!
This said; if the OG is quite pricey and is NOT something that I will get much use out of, then I would be more than happy to get its lower priced alternative.
I’m of the same opinion. I would also generally choose the dupe if the original is some kind of super limited edition. I can’t keep track of all these release dates, and sometimes things don’t even release in Canada, and I don’t realize it until it’s sold out already.
If they are the same in color and quality, or the dupe is better, I’ll usually go for the dupe and save money if there’s a big price difference. Sometimes, though, I go for the original to support a brand I like or if I really love the packaging.
What Rachel said I’ll go for that. I’ll add in Ng experience many times I think the quality can be very similar but the packaging would make the final call. These days I been really satisfied with my drugstore finds! I have lean so much from this page and YouTube! ???
I’d rather have the better performing product (and the pricier one isn’t always better). That said, if I already have “dupes” of a new product (would those still be dupes?), and those dupes perform well, in the interest of not having 5 shadows that are all dupes of one another, I would prefer to stick with the product I have (a pre-dupe?) especially if it performs well, rather than buying ANOTHER shadows that is virtually identical to the old MUFE Reptile and 3 other similar shadows I already own. Does this make sense to the rest of you? I hope so.
If the cheaper dupe is of the same quality as the original, I will go for that. Otherwise I would stick to the original if it wasn’t too expensive and easily available.
I would *much* rather have the original. I have found that high end products (not just with makeup) are nearly always better than their inexpensive counterparts. I really do believe that you get what you pay for. Some cheaper things are good *for the price,* but they’re dreadful compared to expensive merchandise. So, yes, I would definitely rather have the original.
Not true at all. Higher price doesn’t guarantee better and the same company often owns the higher end and lower end and uses the same formula so you pay more for the name and packaging but it’s the same product.
Agree. High end products perform better. Rather buy less high end products than a bunch of subpar products.
Wish you do a blog entry on those experiences who went to the counter for a free Mac lipstick on Sinday, Christine.
Definitely! I buy only what I need of high end makeup and I’m happy. The only product I’m getting is a Sleek eyebrow powder pencil, hoping against hope that it is similar to my discontinued love, the Bobbi Brown eyebrow pencil. They’re both “powder” pencils. We’ll see if it’s good when it comes in the mail from Ulta. I figured an eyebrow pencil was a pretty safe thing to buy from an inexpensive brand. Another reason I only buy high-end is because I have über sensitive skin and the many times I’ve tried drugstore makeup, it was not only junk, it irritated my skin terribly! An e.l.f. foundation actually made my face swell! Anyway, if you can afford it, all high end is definitely the way to go!
I’ve had the opposite experience! Out of all of my products, my drugstore ones greatly outperform the pricier ones. Most of the midrange products I’ve tried are garbage or 100% dupe-able.
I think – and Christine’s excellent testing and rating standards have pretty much born out – that the expensive cosmetic companies would like use to believe this statement but it’s patently untrue! Just compare something like Chanel’s Silver Screen Ombre Premiere eyeshadow to NARS Stud (not a cheap brand but more than $10 less than the Chanel) – the cheaper product rates much, much higher in terms of performance. And this is hardly a rare occurrence – some of the older Wet n Wild eyeshadows rate significantly higher than their pricier counterparts.
You pretty much said my thoughts already, Christine! Chances are, I already have it by the time the dupe comes out. In other cases, a couple palettes that didn’t wow me and/or didn’t get great reviews, I’d spring for the dupe. I bought one palette off of the dupe app, not realizing that it was a dupe and one that I had the original of. It arrived and then I knew. I thought it performed better than the original. I thought the original was too expensive and wasn’t going to buy it but they ran a sale on it so I got it. The dupes are usually smaller and sometimes lack the fancy packaging. I’m not picky about packaging and smaller is actually good for me because I’m such a hoarder of palettes that I never even come close to hitting pan on anything! There are a few exceptions for me when it comes to packaging. The Pat McGrath Mothership palettes, the big ones with the beveled mirrors are exquisite. I have all 3 of the ones that now have the $55 minis (I have them, too). Those were a treat to myself. Now there is a dupe out of one of those! Nope! The quality and the packaging of the original were such a nice luxury for me. Now if they come out with a dupe of the 4th Mothership palette, I will buy it. I remember your review of that one being so good. I can’t remember why I decided not to buy it, but I doubt that I will change my mind on it, especially with a dupe on the horizon. Tarte made another packaging exception for me. I can’t think of the name of it, but I believe it was a holiday palette in late 2017. Eyeshadows were either super metallic or high bling cream to powder formulation. The case is inlaid with mostly turquoise stones. Gorgeous inside and out! I don’t think anyone would try to dupe that one because of the unique formulation of the eyeshadows. Great question, Christine! I’ve noticed some of the other ladies have been mentioning dupes as have I. My short answer is I will usually go with the dupe IF I don’t already have the original because I find the quality is usually quite good on certain dupe brands.
The cheaper dupe every time! Why would I ever pay more money for the same product?
Definitely the cheaper dupe if they both look the same when i am wearing them and i cannot make a difference texture wise too.