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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter.

Makeup is expensive, and being a college student on a budget, I’ve spent hours researching the best dupes for high-end products. I have found that drugstore makeup is almost always better than expensive makeup from Sephora. After several Target and Walmart trips, I have found the best dupes for high-end products.

One of the best and most popular primers is the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer. This is sold at Sephora, and it comes in two different sizes. The mini, which has .33 FL oz, is sold for $20, and the standard size, which has 1.52 FL oz, is sold for $38. I have found the best dupe is the Elf Power Grip Primer. Elf has recently released a mini version of this primer, which has 0.5 FL oz, and it’s sold at Target for only $5. However, the standard size, which has 0.811 FL oz, is sold for $10. I have found that unless you are not sure if it’s the right primer for your skin, then the $10 is worth it.

I have tried powder, crème, and liquid blush. I have found that the best blush is the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. However, it is a little more expensive, and it is only sold at Sephora. This blush has 0.25 FL oz, and it’s sold for $23. Even though it is more expensive, this blush lasts over a year, and it’s worth the money. However, there are several drugstore dupes and more affordable options. I have found that the best dupe the elf Camo Liquid Blush. This blush is sold at Target for $7, and it has 0.13 FL oz. This blush has a lot of pigment, and it comes in similar shades as the Rare Beauty Soft Punch Liquid Blush.

A lip oil that went viral a few years ago was Dior Lip Glow Oil. This lip oil has 0.2 FL oz, and it’s sold for $40. There is not that much product in it either, and it is expensive for a lip oil. A dupe that I have found for this is the Elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil, which has 0.25 FL oz, and it’s $8. I have used this for several months, and it is worth the money.

Even though I have a few high-end makeup products, most of my collection is drugstore products. Drugstore makeup is affordable, and the brands are trustworthy. Especially with being a college student on a budget, I will continue to go back to Target and Walmart to purchase makeup.

Lindsay Whitaker is from Rochester NY and is a new member of the St. Bonaventure University Her Campus chapter. Lindsay is excited to write about self-care, fashion, and pop culture. She is also excited to write and meet all of the other girls in this chapter. Lindsay is currently a freshman majoring in marketing, and she has joined other clubs such as the American Marketing Association, and she hopes to join club tennis. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys watching shows, hanging out with friends, and playing tennis. She has also been working with kids for years, and she works as a camp counselor during the summer. She also loves to shop, and hang out with her family.