The Dupe of all Dupes
There is no doubt that TikTok has become one of the greatest apps of our generation. With dance challenges, funny videos, beauty, and fashion inspiration, the app has certainly taken over our society. However, with power comes great responsibility; the pressure on content creators and businesses to cater to the growing demands of TikTok continually grows with each trend. I am sure you have all seen, especially on the beauty-inspired side of TikTok, a popular trend where influencers do full-face makeup challenges. These challenges are not limited to their creativity as influencers encompass various ways to perform the challenge. From a full face of makeup “I love,” to a full face of makeup “I hate,” these challenges offer honest reviews of trendy products to the users of TikTok. I stumbled across one of the newest versions of this challenge: a full-face of makeup dupes.
Break Out of the Mold
Makeup dupes are inexpensive skincare and makeup products that can replace their expensive counterpart. More so, the dupes themselves can prove to be of better quality and well worth the money spent on them rather than the pricier products. See, the one thing I love about these full-face makeup challenges is that they break the barriers between what is fake versus what is real. I know that we have all been amazed by high-end and luxurious brands such as Chanel, Dior, or Balenciaga, etc. We may even fantasize about what it would be like to have a taste of that luxury. Such desires can create an atmosphere of shame and insecurities for those who do not have the opportunity to dabble in such a world, yet these insecurities push us to lie about what is real. Therefore, those on social media choose to paint the perfect picture for popularity, to fake it until they make it. However, this is the very reason why I adore the full-face makeup challenges. Influencers who are willing to give honest opinions and feedback on products, whether expensive or inexpensive, popular or nonpopular, offer viewers the ability to feel good about the products they choose to buy. Let us dive right into the current battle between one of the most beloved luxury makeup brands and its rival dupe.
The Dupe of all Dupes
Charlotte Tilbury is a brand I am sure you all have heard about. Since the brand's launch in 2013, Charlotte Tilbury received record-breaking results and mass popularity. However, this brand's rise to fame wasn’t until recently, with the introduction of social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok. For many weeks, all I would see was videos of influencers raving about Charlotte Tilbury products. Products such as their contour, blush, and highlighter wands, their setting powder, and their lipsticks, fascinated me. Because of this newfound obsession, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these products. However, there was one little problem: these products came with a hefty price. Scrolling through the Charlotte Tilbury website, I was flabbergasted! I could not even fathom the prices of these makeup products. For example, a little tube of mascara was $30! I was disappointed, I wanted so badly to be like those influencers and be able to say that I owned a Charlotte Tilbury product. Yet, that was just not a reality for me. Well, that is, until now. Launched in 2004, Elf Cosmetics was created by a self-made 23-year-old woman who wanted to give the world affordable and quality makeup products. With supposedly better products, at a much nicer price, Elf Cosmetics is doing what no dupe has ever done before and giving Charlotte Tilbury a run for her money. As this battle of the brands needs a winner, I decided to test each brand’s products to determine who will come out victorious.
The Final Showdown
Using TikTok as my guide, I chose to compare the most beloved products of Charlotte Tilbury with the Elf Cosmetic version. The Iconic Beauty Trio from Charlotte Tilbury, retailing at $119, contain the infamous liquid contour/highlighter wand sticks that have, to me, been the most raved-about product. The trio offers you three different wands, a contour wand, a blush wand, and a highlighter wand. Using all three products together, I was neither impressed nor unimpressed. The blush wand was amazing, providing a perfect rosy color to the cheek and giving you a finishing glow. However, the contour wand was difficult to use. I felt that the tip of the wand was too big for my face and that too much product came out, which, in turn, made my face look muddy as opposed to sculpted. The highlight wand was not bad, but it blended into the blush and was barely noticeable. All in all, for the price of $119, I was unamused and underwhelmed by the products.
Now, let’s look at the Elf Cosmetic version. At just $24, you are offered a contour wand, a blush wand, and a highlighter wand. Although that price might be kind, I wanted to be fair to Charlotte Tilbury and truly give my honest feedback. The first thing that I noticed that set the two brand’s products apart was the tip of the wand stick; Elf Cosmetics wand sticks have a small tip as well as a more reasonable amount of products on it. Having tried all three wands, I had an easier time placing down my contour and blending it into my skin. The highlighter laid nicely over the blush, without blending together. However, my only con would be that the blush is not nearly as vibrant as the Charlotte Tilbury version. Yet, with that being the only issue I had, and being that I can easily just use more product, I would have to say that Elf Cosmetics products were more to my liking than Charlotte Tilbury.
Aside from the wand sticks, I tried other products. I tried the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter Foundation in comparison to the Elf Cosmetics Halo Glow, and I could not spot a difference between the two foundations — well, besides the price. The new Halo Glow retails for $14, while the Flawless Filter retails for $50. Furthermore, I even compared sets and bundles. For the Elf Cosmetic Glow All Out Bundle, you are offered all three wand sticks, the foundation, a setting powder, as well a powder puff, all for the price of $53. A bundle like that does not exist at Charlotte Tilbury, so I decided to calculate the cost of what the bundle would look like in comparison to all the products the Elf Cosmetics bundle offers. With the foundation, wand stick, setting powder, and powder puff, I calculated the bundle would be roughly $265. While I think you can find quality products at Charlotte Tilbury, the price is not realistic, especially for college students. Considering Elf Cosmetics offers just as much, with quality and affordable products, I see no point in spending that kind of money when there are better options. So, the winner of the battle of brands has to be… Elf Cosmetics!
Written by Chloé Golden, Design: Anna Keller, Social Media: Karla Trevino