Beauty CEO Reveals the Top Makeup and Skincare Dupe Brands and Warning Signs of Bad Brands
Budget-friendly makeup and skin care are on almost everyone’s agenda.
Because some designer cosmetics can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, many people opt for counterfeit products over cheaper alternatives.
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Rohan Widdison is the CEO of New laboratories in Victoria, Australia.
He spoke to The US Sun about what makes a good dupe in the beauty world.
Widdison also pointed out what to look for before making a purchase.
He added a few brands that he doesn’t work with himself, but would recommend for people looking for beauty on a budget.
BEING DECEIVED
Widdison explains why dupes will always be relevant in the world of cosmetics.
“Dupes will always have a place in the market because consumers love the idea of a luxury experience without the high price tag,” he told The US Sun.
“Dupes are affordable, ideally have a comparable quality, appearance and experience to more expensive products and offer consumers the opportunity to try out new trends without having to spend a lot of money.
“If consumers find that a product doesn’t suit them, they spend less money than if they spent a small fortune on popular luxury products.”
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Widdison isn’t far off the competition, as some skincare lines like La Mer are shockingly expensive.
However, he added that a lower price does not always result in a successful product.
“Duplicates that just don’t work are the biggest reason for failure,” he said.
“Just because consumers want to spend less money doesn’t mean they don’t have expectations for value and performance.
He added that while counterfeit products have “more leeway” when it comes to performance, meeting customer standards is a must.
DON’T BE FOOLED
Widdison gave advice on what to look for when buying imitation beauty products.
According to him, making the wrong choice can be dangerous.
“Appearance is important when it comes to spotting a bad imitation. Poor packaging is the first sign of inferior product quality,” he said.
“Make sure duplicates are properly packaged and sealed and that all important information, such as the ingredients list and directions for use, is in clear, easy-to-understand language.
“Check that the ingredients do not contain harmful substances or that they could potentially cause irritation.”
“Be careful if a product is priced too low, as this could mean that the quality is at stake.”
Rohan Widdison
He gave a tip to make sure a counterfeit product meets the customer’s needs.
“Look at the ingredients and compare it to the original product,” he said.
“User reviews are very helpful, especially for makeup forums and makeup artist reviews.
“Good dupes should be long lasting, not smelly, pigmented, easy to apply and well packaged.”
However, according to Widdison, some deals are too good to be true.
“Be careful if a product is priced too low, because that could mean the quality is compromised,” he said.
WHY DUPES WORK
Widdison explained why dupes are so popular.
“Dupes make it easy to experiment with beauty trends because they are cost-effective and widely accessible to consumers,” he said.
“Eagle-eyed beauty enthusiasts are always looking for a good imitation. Brands are responding by launching new products and expanding popular ranges faster than luxury brands.”
Widdison listed some of his favorite cosmetic imitations.
“Elf has a great reputation for low prices and high quality, with many of their products going viral on social media,” he said.
“Their knockoffs of Dior lip balm, Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter and Rare Beauty blush are hailed by makeup artists as being just as good, if not better, than the originals.
“Too Faced’s cult mascara Better Than Sex is also getting competition from Maybelline’s The Falsies Lash Life Volumizing Mascara, and for good reason.
“There are a few imitations of Nars’ Orgasm blush, including L’Oréal’s Blush Please collection and Maybelline’s Fit Me True to Tone blush in Rose.”
He also offered advice to skin care product buyers looking for a bargain.
“In skincare, The Ordinary is known for its affordable and effective range,” he said.
“The 100% cold-pressed, pure Marula oil is a great substitute for Drunk Elephant’s Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil.
“Cosmeceutical brand Skinstitut has a much cheaper version of Emma Lewisham’s popular Skin Reset Serum, namely the 10% Niacinamide Power Serum.”
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