When searching for beauty products today, people often turn to stores like Sephora, Ulta or Bluemercury. However, these retailers typically don’t offer prices feasible for college students juggling various living expenses. Fortunately, many inexpensive products available in pharmacy aisles deliver results just as good as – if not better than –  the pricier alternatives. For an airbrushed, flawless makeup look, there’s no need to splurge on an Hourglass foundation or Charlotte Tilbury highlighter. In a world of Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Haus Labs, budget-friendly favorites like NYX, Maybelline and L’Oréal hold their own. Here are the best quality alternatives to high-end products that won’t break the bank.

Foundation

• High-End Product: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($69)
• Dupe: L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Foundation ($13)

Both foundations provide a natural, smooth finish with substantial coverage to hide redness and more. The L’Oréal foundation is a dewy and lightweight foundation, making it a great alternative to the Giorgio Armani option.

Concealer

• High-End Product: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($30)
• Dupe: e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer ($7)

The e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer is notorious for its full coverage and creamy consistency, making it nearly identical to the Tarte concealer but at a much lower price.

Highlighter

• High-End Product: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter ($38)
• Dupe: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in “Precious Petals” ($5)

The Wet n Wild highlighter has a creamy glow similar to the Becca highlighter’s famous luminous finish.

Blush

• High-End Product: NARS “Orgasm” Blush ($32)
• Dupe: Milani Baked Blush in “Luminoso” ($10)

Both products offer a light, yet vibrant, pink shade with a subtle shimmer, making the consistency and color a perfect match between the two blushes. 

Eyeshadow Palette 

• High-End Product: Urban Decay Naked Palette ($59)
• Dupe: CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette in “Nudes 805” ($12)

Urban Decay’s palette features shades ranging from beige and darker browns to various pinks. CoverGirl’s palette offers fewer colors but still delivers comparable quality and blendability.

Mascara

• High-End Product: Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara ($28)
• Dupe: L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara ($11)

The L’Oréal mascara’s applicator and formula are incredibly similar to that of the Too Faced mascara. The drugstore option is sure to provide clean, voluminous lashes for a fraction of the price.

Brow Gel

• High-End Product: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz ($25)
• Dupe: NYX Micro Brow Pencil ($10)

While both of these products are known for their precision and long-lasting looks, NYX offers you this look for less than half the price of Anastasia. 

Lip Gloss

• High-End Product: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($20)
• Dupe: Maybelline Lifter Gloss with Hyaluronic Acid ($10)

Maybelline’s gloss gives a beautiful high-shine finish with a plumping effect that mirrors that of the Fenty Gloss Bomb. 

A flawless makeup finish and an affordable price don’t have to be mutually exclusive; with the right products, they can go hand in hand. With so many budget-friendly options available, creating a complete beauty routine with a flawless finish is entirely possible for college students. Next time you find yourself scrolling through Sephora’s website, consider visiting your local drugstore for alternative products — your wallet will thank you.