ShadecubbyMakeup dupes: how to find one that’s actually close
A dupe is a less expensive product that looks or wears like one you love. Some are genuinely close. Many are only close in a flattering photo. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Updated · 5 min read
What makes a dupe close
- Color
- The shade has to look the same on skin, not just in a swatch photo.
- Undertone
- For foundation and concealer, the undertone has to match too. Two shades of the same depth with different undertones look very different on skin.
- Finish
- Matte, satin, dewy, shimmer. The same color in a different finish reads as a different product.
- Formula
- Coverage, wear time, texture and, for complexion, how it oxidizes.
How close is close enough?
- Foundation and concealer: the hardest to dupe, because a small difference in depth or undertone shows. Always swatch.
- Blush, bronzer and lipstick: easier. Small color differences matter less, and finish matters more.
- Eyeshadow: often easy to dupe on color, harder on texture and pigment.
How to judge a dupe
- Compare swatches side by side, in daylight, on skin.
- Check the undertone codes for complexion products. Read how to find your undertone if you’re not sure what the letters mean.
- Wear it for a full day before deciding.
- Compare price per ounce, not just the sticker price. Some dupes are cheaper because they’re smaller.
For complexion products, Shadecubby suggests a short list of close shades to swatch, with every store’s price. Lighting, finish and how a formula wears on your skin still matter, so swatch one before you buy.