the Hannah Hardy

There are so many high end products that are raved about and have glowing reviews, but do you really need to spend the money? One of my goals for this blog is to show you that you don’t have to spend a lot to look and feel like a million bucks. I’ve chosen 5 high end products that have really amazing dupes that are a fraction of the price but work just as well.

1. Original beautyblender, $20
   • I love the OG beautyblender and it really is a good product, but there are TONS of others sponges available now that are just a few dollars and do the same thing. I used to be a beautyblender snob and only use the original BB, but now there’s no way I’m paying $20 for a sponge.
   • DUPE :: Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge, $5
     • Super soft
     • Gets really big when it’s wet
     • Easy to clean
     • Holds up well
2. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, $23
   • This is one of the best-selling mascaras in American and for good reason. I have pitiful lashes, but with this mascara, I get amazing volume, length, and separation. It does not flake on me, but I know that is a common complaint. There are so many drugstore mascaras that are great so I never pay full price for high end mascaras. The only time I purchase them is during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty sale or some bomb sale.
   • DUPE :: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Mascara, ~$10
     • The wands and results are very similar
     • This one doesn’t flake and my lashes look long, full, and separated
     • Full review here
3. Anastasia Brow Wiz & Brow Definer, $23
   • Anastasia BH is the go to for all things brows and I’ve purchased their products and loved them. Most people go through brow pencil fairly quickly and at $23 each, that adds up quickly. Fortunately, the drugstore has some more affordable options that are similar in formula and performance. The ABH and the dupes have spools on the ends which is very important to me.
     • DUPE (Brow Wiz) :: LA Girl Shady Slim Brow Pencil, $5.99 –The price is already affordable, but these go on sale a lot at Ulta so you can often get them cheaper or take advantage of a Buy One, Get One Half Off deal. The small tip allows you to be really precise and easily mimic brow hairs.
     • DUPE (Brow Definer) :: Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable ~$5 — Since the tip of this one is bigger, I can fill my brows in no time.
4. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $20-45
   • If I’m paying $45 for lotion, it better come with a damn good massage. I got this as a 100 point perk at Sephora so I could try it and see what all the fuss was about. It does smell good, but other than that, I don’t get it. It’s a nice, hydrating lotion, but for the love, there are MUCH cheaper options.
   • DUPE :: Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter, $4-15
     • You can find this at Walgreens and Target.
     • It smells DIVINE and the scent has a good staying power
     • It’s hydrating and absorbs quickly
5. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, $9-36
   • It got this in a subscription box and I forced myself to use it up, but I really didn’t like this at all. Several of the people I watch on YouTube RAVE about this stuff, but I do not understand. I didn’t think it made my hair feel all that soft or hydrated.
   • DUPE :: LOreal Total Reapir 5 Damage Erasing Balm, ~$6
     • This makes my hair so silky, soft, and hydrated without weighing it down. It’s a tried and true favorite of mine that I’ve used for 5+ years. I can’t even count how many I’ve purchased over the years. Every time I try something new, I end up coming back to this.