The Truth about MAC Dupes

There are plenty of videos, sites, blogs and social media platforms suggesting that more affordable brands are "almost exact" dupes for MAC's higher-end lipsticks, for example. I am hear to say, yes and no.

What you can often find in drugstore brands such as Wet N Wild, Revlon, Milani, NYX and L'Oreal are repetitive colors usually in some variety of blue-based, orange-based, pink-based, mid-, light-, bright-, dark-, muted and mixed colors of all the shades of the rainbow...with just slight (and sometimes major) differences in specifications such as tone; undertone; finish (e.g. sheer, sheen, satin, matte, etc); texture; price; formula; packaging; application; type; and length of wear, among other things. 

Wet N Wild is a special favorite among lovers of lipsticks looking for a bargain because many of their colors almost exactly mirror those of MAC. However, the specifications of these lipsticks are quite different, hence the difference in price. 

For example, Wet N Wild megalast brand is semi-matte and MAC's matte collections are either fully matte (dry) or retro matte (more drying). This leaves a little more shine on your lips as compared to MAC. 

You will find that Wet N Wild does not cover with as good an opaque finish on the lips unlike MAC, which can enhance the appearance of the lipstick, your lips and your face in totality. 

Wet N Wild is good because it has great color payoff, but with less product (and better packaging) you will get amazing color pay off from MAC.  This allows your product to last longer. MAC, of course, also has longer wear, allowing you to use less product, thus further prolonging the life of the lipstick.

Wet N Wild also had the tendency to clump on me sometimes when applying (although pursing the lips helps) while this is never a problem with MAC. Sometimes Wet N Wild also settles in the lip, creating a poor application and requiring further application. I could go on and on about the differences but this is just to provide what these differences mean for you. 

I love a good dupe myself especially for colors I am on the fence about. However, the truth about MAC dupes (and dupes in general) is that when you buy a dupe, you should more or less just expect to get the same color. MAC products have a superior texture and finish that most brands can not rival. If all you are concerned about is a color, than go right ahead and get a dupe. A dupe usually is the same as getting the color, not the same as "almost" getting the product. Just know the truth that a "dupe" is no where near the same as getting the original lipstick no matter how similar the colors.  As long as that's straight, dupe away!



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