Can a so-called dupe hold its own and replace the original, or are we settling for less in the name of saving and accessibility?
For those in beauty, it’s hard to ignore the flood of local makeup duplicates—or “dupes” in social media speak. With every scroll comes someone claiming that a certain local product is just like your high-end favorite, but at a fraction of the cost. While many love them for being more affordable and effective, others wonder why they don’t just create something original and more innovative instead. This question has beauty lovers divided: when does a dupe become a worthy alternative, and when is it just a cheap imitation? It’s a fine line, and definitely worth digging into.
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Value for Money
Dupes win big on price, and that’s precisely why so many people bite into this. They offer the experience of high-end products without breaking the bank. Take the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, for instance. It blew up for good reason, with people raving about its flattering shades and nourishing power (and of course, its Creative Director and founder Hailey Bieber). Then, in May 2023, local brand Sunnies Face released their own version—the Lip Glaze—just months after Rhode’s launch. It had people talking: copycat or coincidence? And why the sudden interest in peptides? Nevertheless, the Lip Glaze practically flew off the shelves.
I admit, it’s tempting to jump into the “copycat” wagon, but we can’t deny the glaring difference in price. Sunnies Face’s Lip Glaze comes in at P495, compared to Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment at $18, which is well over P1000 as of writing. Not to mention that they’re both 10ml.
In a sachet economy like ours, where—for many—every peso has to stretch, it’s hard to blame anyone for biting into the more affordable option. After all, both of these products hydrate, tint, and pack these skin-loving peptides, so technicals aside, isn’t this a case of snagging the same thing for less?
The Price of Convenience
The answer to the above can be a resounding yes, but, of course, there’s more to this than pricing. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder is the holy grail powder for beauty lovers across the globe, myself included. It’s airbrush perfection in a compact, and it truly keeps the shine at bay. But at $40 (about P2400) for just 8 grams, it’s not the first choice for many.
Another pain to this is that it’s not readily available locally, not even Sephora Philippines carries it. So what’s a girl to do? There are three options: ask a friend traveling abroad to grab one, contact a “pasa-buy” page on Instagram, or opt for a local alternative. It’s clear which one’s the least hassle.
Local makeup brand Absidy released its Complexion Blur Perfecting Powder. Influencers are all about it, as some claim it’s practically identical to Charlotte Tilbury’s. Both powders blur, control oil, and give a flawless finish. The difference? Absidy is available in most beauty chains and online stores—no international shipping, risks, and weeks-long waiting time involved. Thus, it can be the better option (again, technicals aside).
It’s clear by now that dupes exist for one simple reason: demand. High-end products aren’t always readily available here, which is where dupes come in. Frankly, some of these alternatives do a solid job and do more than just deliver. But beyond the price and accessibility, especially for those who have room to splurge, this debate isn’t just about “getting the job done.” Otherwise, dupes would always win, which to me, isn’t exactly the case.
Shadowing the Original
Local products are everywhere—almost too everywhere at this point. The volume has been overwhelming, people have called them out for being “unoriginal”—products that look and feel like the original but eventually prove otherwise once you actually use them. And honestly, they’re not entirely wrong.
I say this not because I prefer one over the other, but because no two products are ever identical. They might look similar when applied, but a few hours into wear, you’ll notice the difference—longevity, texture, or just something that makes the original stand out.
But here’s the other side of it: it’s not all about mimicry. Part of R&D (Research and Development) is scanning the global market for what works, spotting what’s missing and inaccessible, and then filling the gap from there. It’s reeks of appeal—because once the local clientele recognizes that familiar “premium” vibe, they buy in. Is this feeding into a colonial mentality? Possibly, but that’s a conversation for another day. The “unoriginal” flak can linger, but at the end of the day, they make cult favorites accessible—and that’s hard to argue with.
That said, it’s a practical move. Innovation is expensive, and it’s way easier and cheaper to take something that already works abroad and tweak it for the local market. Plus, Filipinas have long been loyal to the classic lip tint-and-powder duo, and we’re slow to warm up to anything radically new. So, it makes sense that local brands are working with what’s already been done. Still, credit where it’s due: efforts are made to create shades and formulas that are much more suited to our skin tones and types.
Is There a Winner?
Now, the local scene is booming and better, and some local brands are already gaining international traction. Take Sunnies Face’s Fluffmatte—globally recognized and winner of the Best Matte Lipstick of 2022 by a top beauty publication. This could be the wake-up call to push the envelope a little bit more to create something that’s truly our own. If these brands can turn up the originality dial, they’ll no longer be called dupes—no matter how worthy they may be—and set the trends instead of riding them.
So, are local dupes better than the originals? Honestly, it depends on what you’re after. If you’re just looking for a budget-friendly alternative that gets the job done, go for the dupe. On the other hand, if you’re after something more refined, luxe, and reliable, the originals will always have the upper hand. And isn’t it that if something’s worth copying, it’s probably worth the splurge? As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery, and when something gets copied, it’s doing something right.
Photos: RHODE, SUNNIES FACE, CHARLOTTE TILBURY, ABSIDY, RARE BEAUTY, GRWM COSMETICS (via website)
