Luxe Or Less: Cult Products And Their Cheaper Alternatives

We love filling our makeup kits with luxurious, high end products because we know they are guaranteed to work! There are some products that have passed cult status and made it all the way into classic, and we absolutely need to have them.

But what about the cheaper alternatives? We've paired our favourite luxe products with some other choices that won't break the budget.

In all cases, these are products where we love both the high end and the moderately priced product. We would be happy to have either one in our makeup collection!

LUXE: YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch

LESS: Designer Brands CC Concealer Pen

YSL Touche Eclat is the ultimate beauty secret for a flawless face. This luminizing pen can be brushed on to instantly highlight your skin, erase signs of tiredness and fight dark circles under your eyes. You’ll trick the world into thinking you’ve had a good night’s sleep! It’s been a must have item for years, and you’ll find it in the makeup kits of women all over the world. Want similar results on a budget? Designer Brands CC Concealer Pen is formulated to instantly illuminate and refresh your skin. It's perfect for concealing dark shadows and undereye circles, and is enriched with ingredients like caffeine and vitamins to reduce puffiness and encourage skin cell renewal.

YSL Touche Eclat is available from Myer and David Jones and retails for $57

Designer Brands CC Pen is available from select pharmacies and Price Attack stores across Australia and New Zealand and retails for $12.99.

LUXE: Diorshow Mascara

LESS: Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast

There are a lot of high end mascaras out there, but Diorshow has reigned supreme for many many years. There are many different variations now, but the original formula is still my favourite. Is it worth spending so much on a mascara? Diorshow’s many fans would say yes. However, I have recently become obsessed with Covergirl mascaras. I like my lashes long and separated, and Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblast fulfils all my requirements.

Diorshow is available from Myer and David Jones and retails for $52

Covergirl Clump Crusher by Lashblash is available from Priceline and retails for $17.95

LUXE: MAC Fluidline

LESS: Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

A little pot of MAC Fluidline can completely change your eyeliner game. This gel liner works best with a flat or slanted brush, and is great for those of us who are afraid of liquid. Gel liner is a little more blendable than liquid liner, and it is much simpler to correct your mistakes. I also find it much easier to get the liner right into your lash line. For a cheaper alternative, try Rimmel’s Gel Eyeliner. It is long lasting and applies beautifully.

MAC Fluidline is available from Pro Stores, Myer and David Jones, and retails for $32

Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is available from Priceline and retails for $12.95

LUXE: Benefit High Beam

LESS: Mememe Beat The Blues

When it comes to highlighting, Benefit High Beam is my go-to product. It gives my cheekbones the perfect radiant glow, without being too sparkly or overwhelming. I actually received a sample size of this in a set that I purchased, and I’ve been using it on and off for nearly a year! An alternative is MeMeMe Beat The Blues Illuminator, which provides just as much shine for less than half the price.

Benefit High beam is available from Myer and retails for $45

MeMeMe Beat The Blues Illuminator is available from the bellabox store and retails for $18.95

LUXE: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brows

LESS: Designer Brands Extend A Brow

Anastasia Beverly Hills is the eyebrow queen of LA, and her products can instantly transform your brows from drab to fab. If you’ve been desperate for more defined eyebrows, Anastasia has got a product for you. However if you’re not too sure about this whole eyebrow thing, why not get started with Designer Brands Extend A Brow? With just one swipe you can easily fill in your brows and make them stand out.

Anastasia Beverly Hills brow products are available from the bellabox store and start from $38

Designer Brands Extend A Brow is available from select pharmacies and Price Attack stores and retails for $12.99

LUXE: Nars Pure Matte Lipstick

LESS: ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

There's nothing more on trend in the world of lips than a perfectly matte lip. Nars Pure Matte Lipsticks come in an excellent range of colours, and will stay matte all day long. Even though they are matte and long lasting, they won't dry out your lips. However if you just want to experiment with a matte lip, try ModelCo's Party Proof Lipstick for a matte finish that won't break the bank.

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick is available from Mecca and retails for $40

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick is in the bellabox store and costs $16.95.

LUXE: Lancome Juicy Tubes

LESS: Om She Fruitgloss Tube

If you love glossy lips, you’ll know about Lancome Juicy Tubes. I believe that they were one of the first high end products I purchased back when I started getting obsessed with makeup in my late teens. They were a cult item back them, and now I would consider them a classic and an essential item for all shiny lip obsessed gals. However if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, try the Om She Fruitgloss Tube. They’re shiny and glossy, and perfect in your handbag.

Lancome Juicy Tubes are available from Myer and David Jones and retail for $48

Om She Fruitgloss Tubes are available on sheaustralia.com.au for $12.95

All prices were correct as of 4.08.14 but are subject to change depending on individual retailers.

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