Spend vs. Save: My three tried-and-tested dupes that work just as well as the original
Words by Meg Hidalgo
As a beauty enthusiast, I must have seen thousands of Tiktoks or YouTube videos talking about numerous dupes for popular, often more expensive products. We grew up in a society wherein most of the time expensive means better but with the current advancements in the beauty industry this has started to change as more and more products turn out to perform comparably well or even at par with popular brands.
Here are a few much-loved beauty products and their corresponding dupes – tried and tested by yours truly.
SK II Facial Treatment Essence (Php11,000/230ml) & Habitude Hardworking Miracle Water (Php 849/100ml)
SK II’s Facial Treatment Essence needs no introduction as it is undeniably one of the most popular Japanese skincare products. The main ingredient here is Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate which is made from a yeast strain that has undergone a fermentation process. This is unique to SK II. I have no qualms about this product as it does everything that it claims to do. For me, it does wonders for my skin’s texture even with just a short time using it - rightly so given the hefty price tag.
Earlier this year, I discovered the Filipino beauty brand Habitude and their Hardworking Miracle Water has become my personal favorite. This product also has Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate along with a bunch of other ingredients such as Rice Extract, Ginseng, Tomato Leaf Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Witch Hazel, and Aloe Leaf Extract. I’ve used this for months and the results are amazing. My skin is hydrated and radiant, but you need to be consistent for amazing results.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (ANR) Serum (Php 6,550/50ml) & Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X (Php 2,925/50ml)
I have a long-term love affair with Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair that I have not only the serum but also the intense reset concentrate and the intensive recovery ampoules. The star of the show is the Bifida Ferment Lysate which is a type of probiotic that protects against skin damage caused by the sun as well as having anti-aging properties. While it’s mainly marketed as an anti-aging product, I find that it works for other issues as well including uneven skin tone, dullness and even breakouts.
When I first heard about Missha’s Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule 5X, my initial reaction was “Wow!” as it has 10 fermented ingredients including Bifida Ferment Lysate. In this case, you might think that more is better – in some instances yes, if your skin can tolerate it. In my experience, my skin would only allow me to use it 2-3 times per week which meant that it took longer for me to see results.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey (Php1,300/1.9g) & E.L.F. Cosmetics Sheer Slick Lipstick in Black Cherry (US$5/1.9g) OR Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Ecstatic (US$7/2.8g)
I remember when this Almost Lipstick in Black Honey from Clinique broke the internet. The funny thing is, technically this isn’t even a new product. In fact, this product was first launched in 1989 and the shade Black Honey has been in existence since 1971! The main reason why this is still a crowd favorite is that it looks good on everyone, and I mean everyone. So, is it a lipstick? Is it a gloss? I would describe it as more of a tinted lip balm. The formula also has castor seed oil which not only gives a lovely sheen on the lips, but also adds hydration.
As Clinique’s Black Honey is always sold out, everyone was quick to turn to E.L.F.’s Sheer Slick Lipstick in Black Cherry as it is so similar to Black Honey. Plus, it’s only US$5! For that reason, it sells out just as fast as Clinique’s Black Honey - don’t fret though, E.L.F.’s Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Ecstatic is another great alternative! Also, this one is that it almost has 1g more of product, so it lasts just a tiny bit longer.
Truth be told, with today’s inflation, I personally find it quite comforting to know that there are budget-friendly alternatives to more expensive beauty products. Aside from a budget standpoint, some products are more accessible than others, so you do you!