What is a Makeup Dupe?

Once upon a time, back in 2000, I was surfing the internet checking out numerous choices to some of my favorite beauty products. After pondering and deliberating my overall choices, I couldn't help but question the terminology I noticed throughout the actual beauty market exchange. Especially one that really caught my attention. The word "dupe".

When one thinks of the word dupe, they often think of a way to trick someone or to deceive them. Never would I have ever imagined that the word dupe in the beauty world had an entirely different meaning. So, what is a dupe in the beauty world? What is a makeup dupe? A dupe is simply an alternative to a product. It simply means another option to something.

If you are on any beauty affiliated message board such as Makeup Alley or Spectra or Makeup Talk or any makeup forum and someone says "That is a fantastic dupe" they simply mean "That is a fantastic alternative" to the product and/or products in question. Whether cheaper, the same price, or even more expensive then the original product, "dupes" exist for just about any beauty necessity.

For instance, if you are looking for a dupe for Illamasqua lipstick in "Fable" which is a very vibrant, yet uplifting bubble gum pink matte shade, more than likely there is always a substitute. In fact, as much as I love Fable, one of my favorite dupes for the shade is Sephora's Maniac Mat Long Wearing Matte lipstick in "Mat 01" which is a bright pink matte. Although I love the quality of Illamaqua's lipsticks, if I were to want to save $10 on a lipstick, I would purchase Sephora's, as Illamasqua's is $22, whereas; Sephora's is only $12.

Dupes let you to discover new products. If you are budget cognizant or looking to try something a little more superior (which in theory, costs a little more money), you are ordained to find that specific alternative, you are destined to find that dupe. Dupes also allow you to discover new favorites, that you never knew existed.

I have been a Mac Cosmetics aficionada for a long time and I have always thought that they were the only cosmetic company in the world to create a spray like Studio Fix Spray. If you are a makeup enthusiast, you will know that their product is amazing and it lets you to set your makeup, allowing it to last for a long time. I also love this product because it's moisturizing, but not harsh and is generally good for your skin.

It wasn't until the past few years that I found several "dupes" for this product. Everything from Make Up For Ever's Mist & Fix Spray to Urban Decay's All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (and Urban Decay makes three major types) and more.

Of course you will develop a true liking and love for products that are original and cannot be "duped", but there are more alternatives (aka dupes) than not.