June 16, 2010

This or That

If you’re all about being friendly on your wallet here are a few great ways to save some money on your cosmetic purchases with products that have a lower price tag but are a dupe for some of your favorite higher end lemmings.

Jump!

This new Guerlain Terracotta Lady Bronzing Powder looks luxurious but at $62 it may be a little outside your price range!

You can pick up Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer for as little as $10 ($14.95 when not on sale) at your local drugstore to dupe Guerlain’s version!

I’m kinda loving on Benefit Stay Never Stray Eye Primer but at $24 it’s not the cheapest option around…..

Indulge in mark Please Hold Eye Primer and achieve the same 360 degree concealing power for $8 bucks!

Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer is quite lovely but the pump packaging and $32 price tag are a massive ouch!

Check out Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Tinted Moisturizer which has a whopping SPF 50 and a pump that works plus it’s teeny tiny price tag beats out Urban Decay any day of the week!

The new NARS Multiple Tints sure do appeal but the price tag makes me wince!

Try out the N.Y.C. New York Color Cosmetics Blendable Blush Stick for a mere $4 bucks and save yourself a good deal of $$$!

Bobbi Brown Beach Club Metallic Eye Creams are simply stunning but the $22 price tag may not be in your budget!

No worries try Avon Cool Bliss Eyeshadow for alot less!

Lorac’s Little Black Palette has gorgeous shades for Summer!

So does Stila’s It Girl Palette and it’s only $10 bucks!

Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight is the perfect highlighter for a golden Summer sheen but it’s price tag isn’t as perfect!

Try our Hard Candy Moon Glow which gives the same great glow for a whole lot less!

Hope some of these inexpensive indulgences will save you some money this Summer because, hey, after all, we should be saving for Winter and Holiday Collections already right?

Feel free to share your this or that purchases!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • wifluvelle

    oh so true! especially that benefit primer, issit only 10ml?!?!?!
    gr8 tips im going out to get me some physicians stuffs now!

    xoxo elle

  • spifftiff88

    love this post and thank you ! cant wait to try out that HC moon glow

    • the Muse

      aw my pleasure spiff glad you enjoyed it. def get some moon glow it’s lovely!

  • Womble

    Ahhh Muse, why is the cool stuff never available in the UK!!!!!! lol
    i got the Nars multiple tint, in the bright pink, but it tastes gross, so its cheek only, anyone else think that for a lip/cheek product it should taste… well… better!?
    Love from LDN,
    Womble x

    • the Muse

      hi womble *hugs* awww I can totally relate as I have strong lemmings for stuff in the UK lol ironic right?

      ew that sucks. I got the orgasm multiply and hate the taste too 😛 I’d never use on my lips anyway, simply too drying 😛 but totally can dig on something with a nice flavor!

  • Lenna

    This reminds me that I need to find a Walmart (*hissss*) so I can get that Moon Glow stuff. @_@;; Those Avon eyeshadows look fantastic too.

    • whitney krainock

      LOL I was just thinking the same thing, I need to make my trip to walmart for the HC highlighter. I wonder how the avon cream shadows work- any creasing?

  • allison1998

    Great post!!!

    I would have added the new Wet n’ Wild Color Icon palettes to this list. I picked up a few of these to quell the lemming for some MAC colors (Deep Truth, Beauty Marked, Newly Minted, Vanilla,…)

    ….$15 instead of hundreds of dollars….hummmm….sounds like a deal to me! 😀

      • allison1998

        I ended up getting all of the palettes Greed (neutrals/black), Lust (purples, great for smoky eye), Pride (blues and greens) and Vanity (brown/gold/cream). I think Lust, Vanity and Pride (in this order) are the best of the four. I think the shadows go on very well and blend together beautifully. Worn over a primer or paintpot they stay all day and dont crease at all. There are a few duds here and there, but out of the 24 shadows I have only found 3.

        There are a few MAC dupes in these palettes too:
        -Vanity (Bisque, Wedge, Embark, Nylon, Goldmine/Gorgeous Gold and Bronze/Mulch)
        -Lust (Pen & Pink, Fig 1, Shadowy Lady, Vanilla, Beauty Marked and Knight Devine).
        -Pride (Gesso, Newly Minted, Steamy, Deep Truth, Prussian/Nehru)
        -Greed (Idol Eyes, Tete-A-Tint, Carbon and Black Tied)

        I was able to compare some of these and agree that they are nearly identical or spot on in some cases.

        I did a beautiful smoky plum look using the left side of Lust and I am wearing Pride today, the right side.

        I spent $25 and was able to quash my lemming for about 20 MAC shades (some I really wanted and some that I just thought were pretty, but not enough to spend money for them).

        Sorry for the novel, 😀 but I dont think you will be disappointed if you get one..or two…or…Heck! Get all of them!! 😀

        • the Muse

          wow allison sounds good nice hauling 😀 thanks for the dupes! lol I’ll def give a whirl!

  • Natalie

    thanks so much! I love the products you found 🙂 plus, its great that you can get similar products for sooo much less!

  • Phyrra

    I love the This or That!
    I need to drag myself to Walmart to go look at the new Hard candy. I keep forgetting to do that.

  • jenna

    Thanks for this Muse!! I have no problem splurging on like-none-other products but it’s so nice to know when I can cut some corners hehehe.

    • the Muse

      me either jenna 😀 I’m all about high end myself but alot of folks like a good bargain which is why I love to include budget options with the posher stuff 😀

  • Agnes

    love this post! thank you for all the great dupes! 😀 the only problem i have now… is that some of this stuff isnt available over here in canada! argghhh 🙁 i especially want to try the nyc blush stick.. hopefully (crossing fingers) they will have it here! thanksss 😀

    • the Muse

      aw my pleasure agnes. Sure hope your side of the border sees it all soon hun! 🙂

  • Vera

    I was so excited about Hard Candy when it first came out but many people reviewed it as horrible. I have heard good things lately though. Must try!

  • Rini

    Thank you for this post!!!I’ve been looking hi and low for good dupes =)

  • JoElla

    Oh my how on earth did I miss this post?!

    I love trying out drugstore goodies to see if I want to bump up to the more expensive versions. Many times I have been quite happy to stick with the less expensive ones.

    I love the Physicians Formula Heathly Wear TM. It is so easy to apply, even I can do it! I have been quite happy with all of my purchases from this line. I love their shimmer bricks as much as my bobbi brown ones!

    I will have to try the avon shadows, for the price of one bobbi brown I can try several!

    And I do love my NYC goodies as well.

    Thank you for the dupe list, it is a great way to try something that is a wee bit out of your comfort zone, or if you are mildly curious without a lot of hassle or serious bank. Where I live, not much of the true fun brands (Hey we finally got Mac in my area.. ) So please keep these types of reviews coming! =)

  • Maris

    do u recommend hard candy cream glitter ( i think thats what theyre callled ) i think there really cute and wanted to get a few , but idk if i should..(:

  • Michelle Swarova

    Find of the century-I was using Bare Minerals foundation for years, they decreased the amount and raised the price, so I went and got myself a compact of the Wet n’ Wild Natural Wear powder. Buff it on with a kabuki brush, same coverage, beautiful finish, and only $4. Doesn’t settle into fine lines or anything. I don’t use anything else now.

  • fajas colombianas

    I use hard candy and I must say that it works magic on my everyday look.

  • Anita

    this all looks amazing..my only question is whether or not the products are good, or if they’re price is proportional to their quality..thanks !!

  • tierra

    i dont care! i still love too faced lol. it doesnt crease like all the others.