High-end makeup brands think up some great ideas. But while they’re out of your price range for now, it doesn’t take long for bargain brands to make a product that comes really close. This is known as a makeup “dupe” (short for duplicate), and some companies will just copy the packaging, but these five items are the real deal.

I’m Bronni and I’m a professional deals hunter – I have two blogs, BeautyMarkdown.co.uk for deals and tricks on how to get cheap makeup and Bronni.co.uk for everything else.

For this guest blog, Lotty has asked me to give you my top tips on how to save some serious cash when it comes to filling your makeup bag. And she trusts me, she’s still wearing the same eyeliner I recommended her about four years ago!

Revolution Conceal & Define £4 – Tarte Shape Tape £23

This concealer broke the internet when it was released. There are 25 different shades, which is loads for a concealer in this price range. Most high street brands tend to go for four different types of beige and leave it at that.

It’s also got seriously high coverage and can be used for highlight and contour under your other makeup. It even has a pure white shade you can use for mixing.

Its main competitor in terms of coverage is Tarte Shape Tape concealer. This is £23 (and you either have to ship it from America and pay customs, or buy it for over £30 including P&P at QVC). This is a really good concealer, but I think it’s almost indistinguishable from Revolution’s Conceal & Define. And at £4, you really can’t complain!

L’Oreal Paradise £6.03 – Too Faced Better Than Sex £19

In my personal opinion, expensive mascaras really aren’t worth it. You should be replacing your mascara regularly to avoid eye infections, so you’d be throwing £20 down the train every couple of months, anyway!

The brush on the L’Oreal Paradise mascara looks identical to the one on the Too Faced Better Than Sex version. It gets rave reviews online, and it’s well worth a try. L’Oreal mascaras have a reputation for being great, and it’s for good reason!

Nyx Epic Ink liner £9 – Kat von D Tattoo liner £17

I’ve owned and loved both of these eyeliners, and I can honestly say, they’re both extremely good. For a while, the Kat von D was a truly unique product. It’s the liner’s tip is what makes all the difference, both of them have a really fine brush that makes doing a cat eye a breeze.

When the Nyx liner was released I had to try it straight away. In person, they’re both really similar, and you get a lot more product with the Nyx liner too. You can read my full review on the the Nyx and Kat von D eyeliners on my blog.

Sleek blushes £4.99 – Nars blushes £25

Nars blush in the colour Orgasm is famous for a reason. It’s a universally flattering shade, that is a beautiful pinky peach colour with loads of gold shimmer. It really makes you look like you’re just back from the beach, all year round.

Sleek is an incredibly underrated high street brand, but this blush is a blogger favourite. The shade Rose Gold is almost a dead-on dupe for Nars Orgasm, and the packaging is incredibly similar. Give it a try! For less than £5 I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Watch out for deals and discounts on Sleek, they’re often on buy one get one half price, or similar.

E.l.f Mineral Face Primer £7.50 – Smashbox Photo Finish foundation primer £26

If you’ve not tried e.l.f yet – where have you been? They’re stocked in Superdrug and now also in Boots too. The whole line is cruelty free, and it’s very reasonably priced to boot.

The brand’s Mineral Face Primer is a winner with bloggers and reviewers, it has an average rating of 4.5 stars based on over 2,000 reviews. This barely ever happens with bargain makeup products!

The Smashbox version is almost four times the price, and I don’t think the packaging is as good. I much prefer using a pump when I have the option. I’ve looked at the two ingredients lists, and there’s not much between them really, either.

If you have trouble getting your foundation to last all day, it might be time to try a primer. Why not give this one a shot?

Liked this post? Check out Lotty’s review of Aldi’s Lacura makeup dupes.