Dupes & Hacks
Dear Friends and Readers,
As summer continues, and we try to find new ways to amuse ourselves amidst the repetitive days of social distancing, many of us - myself included - have started cleaning out our cupboards. And what you may ask have we been cleaning? Our makeup drawers! I know for myself I keep lipsticks and eyeshadows forever - especially because in an earlier incarnation I worked as a beauty counter gal, peddling to the unsuspecting masses tons of makeup and skincare. Now you may ask why do I keep those colorful remembrances of days past - mostly too see what I already have, especially in regards to colors, what I loved, and what I hated. Now I don’t wear my colors of days past because hygienically I know that they are past their prime as well as having toxic ingredients. But going back through them, is like going into a brick & mortar store and playing with color and all things pretty! Remember when we use to do that?
In the last 5 years or so since I have been working on my health and discovered green beauty I have tried to swap out a number of the colors and brands for healthier alternatives with either the same color, consistency or product individuality that made the original such a game changer. Dupes or hacks as people like to call them; and today I thought I would share some of them with you! Now are they a perfect replica of a favorite well worn shade? Some are and some are not - but they are leading all of us in a healthier direction.
So here are my top dupes when it comes to changing out what you have…..you may have dupes for classic brands in textures and colors that you love: please share them in the comments below!
One brand that I use to love - especially for the actual small brush tip was: YSL Touche Eclat. And supposedly I am not alone in my love for this product as one pen is sold every 10 seconds in the world! I think a good dupe or replica that I have found in clean beauty as an alternative is: Jane Iredale Active Light Under Eye Concealer…..$30.00.
Pros: An under-eye concealer and facial highlighter that refracts light for a soft-focus finish. Provides sheer to medium coverage for under-eye shadows. Conceals while it brightens. Cucumber and White Tea Extract calm tired eyes and help to reduce puffiness. Avocado and Sunflower Oil gently nourishes the delicate eye area - From the Jane Iredale website
Cons: Some reviewers claim that it can be oily and slide, while others complain that the product drys out quickly in the tube.
Jane Iredale is a former Londoner who moved to NYC to work in the theater as a casting director and producer. Eventually she started thinking about the makeup that theater people put on their skin and Jane Iredale The Skincare Makeup was born! Her company started with one product: Amazing Base a loose mineral powder that became one of the biggest sellers in her line and beloved by dermatologists and makeup artists to this day. Today Jane’s company is situated in Great Barrington, MA where she personally oversees the development of the product line for the company while serving as Founder and CEO.
Jane Iredale Active Light Concealer
Another much beloved staple in the drug store/makeup counter world is Maybelline Great Lash mascara or Dior Show mascara. Two mascaras that when I wore them - I thought I was a the cat’s meow. But today I think a great alternative for these particular products would be Dr. Hauschka’s Volume mascara in black …..$16.80 . This is a product that I have shown love for in a previous post.
Pros: The formulation combines mineral pigments with nourishing ingredients such as quince seed, silk and candelilla wax to envelop and protect every single lash. Bydie Eco 2020 Beauty Award winner! - From the Dr. Hauschka website
Cons: Some reviewers talk about smudging and smearing as well as having to put more than one coat on to achieve the ‘volume look’. But they all concur that this does give you a beautiful open eye look with full lashes.
A little on the company: Dr. Hauschka began developing natural medicines in skincare in 1935 in Germany. Later he was was banned by the Nazi’s and imprisoned. In the 1960’s Dr. Hauschka started working with Elisabeth Sigmund developing natural skin care remedies and the Dr. Hauschka skin care brand was born.
*To Read More On Dr. Hauschka please refer to an older post regarding their skin care line.
My next dupe is MAC Russian Red an iconic red that people love! And my dupe of choice is: Ilia Color Block True Impact Lipstick in True Red……$28.00 . If you love red: I think this could possibly be your next love affair color. As with other Ilia products this one is beautifully made: Color Block High Impact Lipstick is crafted by hand and milled with customized pigments in organic castor seed oil to offer four times more pigment than any lipstick we've ever made. - From the website
Pros: A mix of classic shades including soft nudes, bold reds, and vibrant berries offers a solid block of color with even textures and smooth, creamy finishes. Apricot oil, Castor Oil and Mango Seed drench your lips in hydration and oils.
Cons: There really aren’t any cons where this lipstick is concerned other than the price may be a bit prohibitive. But wouldn’t you rather pay a bit more for health?
Ilia company info: Sasha Plavsic is the creator and head of Ilia Beauty. This Canadian now resides in LA where she develops new additions to the line.
* For more on Ilia Beauty please refer to an earlier blog post on the company and their lipsticks.
My next hack is for the iconic Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder an under sleeper’s go-to products to add light and sparkle to dark circles under the eyes - my dupe is RMS “Un-Powder - Transluscent…..$38.00. I think what people loved about the Laura Mercier formula was that it was light with some brightening pigments - well I think RMS gives LM a run for their money! This weightless powder is oil absorbing and because of the way the light hits the powder softens your overall look.
Pros: Formulated with silica this powder defuses light and minimizes pores. Because it is translucent it is suitable for all skin tones. Only things in it are: silica and mica.
Cons: Some reviewers think it makes them look older and reminds them of baby powder on their face. Also some mature women aren’t big fans - due to the fact that powder on the face when you are older seems to gravitate towards fine lines rather than than staying put in the areas it was applied to. Over all my thought is: if you don’t normally use a setting powder or you don’t have oily skin , you may want to skip this dupe.
*If you would like to read more about RMS and it’s founder Rose Marie Swift please refer to my earlier blog post on the company and some of it’s products.
My last dupe is for another Laura Mercier product her: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer an iconic moisturizer still used today by many makeup artists in the business. My suggestion for a dupe is: Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen, SPF 30……$45.00 . I love this stuff and in fact highlighted it not too long ago in a blog post on how to protect summer skin.
Pros: Suntegrity Skincare provides this all in one, "UV Chemical-Free" Tinted Sunscreen/Beauty Benefit (BB) cream that renews, hydrates, protects, primes and covers the skin. Supercharged with youth promoting antioxidants that help to scavenge surface free radicals, this cream also provides mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 30 protection. Hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, red algae and Certified Organic: aloe vera, jojoba, sunflower, pomegranate, cucumber, and green tea help rejuvenate, moisturize and hydrate the skin while non-nano size zinc-oxide protects the skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays, as well as reduces the appearance of redness. — From Suntegrity’s website. What I love is that there is a tiny bit of sheen to the product after it is applied…it gives a VERY subtle/hint of glimmer in daylight.
Suntegrity's "5 In 1" Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen made EWG's 2020 "Best Moisturizers with SPF" list and received a #1 Rating in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Packaged in a TSA Friendly size airless-pump tube.
Cons: Some reviewers complain about the price and wish that it was a higher SPF. I love this stuff and use it when I am going to be out in public.
