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Is This Face Scrubber a Match For Clarisonic?

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:35 -0800

Do you squeal with joy upon finding a much (much) cheaper alternative to an expensive beauty item? Of course. At any rate, you all know what I've had to say about my Clarisonic, but at almost $200, it's most certainly an investment. For about $150 less, there's the Pretika Sonic Dermabrasion Facial Brush ($41.50). While I haven't tried out this much (much!) cheaper version of the expensive original, I'm wondering if you have. If so, tell us all about it. Is it as good as the highly sought-after Clarisonic, or is it a cheap imitation?

The Look For Less: 10 of Your Favorite Dupes

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:20 -0800

Once a makeup item has achieved cult status, we can almost assuredly expect replicas to pop up anywhere from drugstore brands to competing department store collections. Recently, I mentioned that I had found a great dupe for Nars's famous Orgasm blush in Milani's Luminous. Thanks to input from readers Baby Girl, yajairab, JessRose, and SnufaLuffaGus143, I've gathered together 10 products that could easily pass for the original. To join in on the fun, why not become part of our Beauty Dupes Group? And for more lookalike cosmetic items, check out some of my Look For Less coverage, too.

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What Are Your Favorite Makeup "Dupes?"

BellaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:00:04 -0700

The economy might (might) be on its way to recovery, but that doesn't mean I'll stop saving my pennies as much as possible. I'm always in the pursuit of looks for less, and over the weekend, I picked up Milani Blush Compact in Luminous ($3.50) - a pretty decent lookalike of the classic gold-toned peachy pink Nars blush in Orgasm ($25). While Milani's Luminous is not an exact replica of the famous afterglow shade, as it's not quite as pigmented, since it's about $20 less, I'm a happy lady.

Now I need your help. Whether it's a trendy new nail polish shade or an old-school lipstick favorite, share your favorite affordable alternative in the Beauty Dupes group.

The Look For Less: Nars' Hot Fall Nail Polish

BellaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:18 -0700

Every time I hit Sephora, I gaze longingly at Nars Tokaido Express nail polish ($16). It's a deep, sophisticated purple with subtle gold flecks that a cool girl like Kim Gordon might wear if she were invited to a fancy-pants brunch. If you're looking for a similar shade at a smaller price, you're in luck. I've found a drugstore dupe that's pretty close to this shade. To hop aboard that train, just keep reading.

The Look For Less: Fun Feathered Lashes

BellaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:00:59 -0700

False eyelashes are a lot of fun, especially when you have the opportunity to play around with unusual and wild styles. Sometimes, wacky lashes are bold and brash, but other times, they're artistic and fantastic. Shu Uemura's Fleur-Ever lashes fit firmly into the latter category. Designed by Gina Brooke, Madonna's personal makeup artist, the $79 lashes provide beautiful plumage for a dramatic look. Then again, not everyone has an extra $79 to spend on something so fanciful. But if you want to try the look for less than $10, check out what I found

The Look For Less: Alexander Wang Donna Washed Hobo

FabSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:00:22 -0700

I have a love-hate relationship with this Alexander Wang Donna Washed Hobo ($795). I'm absolutely smitten with the hip zippers and '80s throwback design, but the cost is far from desirable. There's no way I would splurge on something so of-the-moment, but I do love it . . . right now.

To see the look for less, read more.

Righteous. This Forever 21 Expandable Utilitarian Bag ($27) emotes the same cool vibe without the funky price tag. At that price, I can wear it now, hate it later, and won't regret anything in between.

The Look For Less: Dogeared Wishbone Necklace

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:00:22 -0700

I like the idea of having an everyday necklace to wear with any and all outfits. This Dogeared Wishbone Pendant Necklace ($58) is something I can see myself sporting when I don't feel like wearing a loud statement necklace. It's subtle and would hopefully bring me good luck. The price isn't horribly bad, but I found a similar necklace for less than half the price!

To see the look for less, read more

I stumbled upon this Wish Inspirational Pendant Necklace ($15) while doing research for everyday necklaces. It's nearly identical to the Dogeared version - petite and charming. Hopefully, just because I paid less doesn't mean I'll get less luck . . .

The Look For Less: Marc Jacobs Silk Tulip Skirt

FabSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:00:22 -0700

Tulip skirts totally remind me of Spring. After all, tulips do best in the brisk Spring weather. This look, modeled by Daiane Conterato, is from Marc Jacobs's Resort '09 collection. The bright blue tulip skirt is flirty and Fab just like the flower, but the $850 price tag is insanely steep for my wallet. It's good then that I found a cheaper skirt that has the same shape and sexy asymmetrical slit. I can now recreate this funky fresh look without going broke. Perfecto.

To see the look for less, read more.

I am in lust with this Charlotte Russe Satin Tulip Skirt ($23); it looks identical to the MJ version, minus the crazy cost. The asymmetrical slit is the same, as are the contrast black trim and the elastic waistband. Both also have a silky sheen that makes them ultra luxurious. I can dress it up or down depending on the accompanying accessories.

Source

The Look For Less: A Blush and Bronzer Duo

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:00:34 -0800

The buzz around Nars Orgasm blush is huge, so much so that Nars has released multiple products based upon the peachy-pink hue. I've had my eye on the blush and bronzer duo ($37), which packages Orgasm with Laguna bronzer. Both are beautiful colors, but until I finish my full-size Orgasm blush, I can't justify buying it.

Then again, one drugstore brand is hoping you'll "cheat" with their lookalike product. To see the look for less, read more.

Eyes Lips Face clearly took a cue from Nars in creating its Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder ($3). While the shades aren't identical, they're pretty close. And at $34 less than the original, it's a recession-busting option for anyone looking for an affordable "O" glow.

The Look For Less: Madonna's "Diamond" False Lashes

BellaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:40 -0700

Remember Madonna's famous mink-and-diamond lashes from a few years ago? Her makeup artist, Gina Brooke, made them by hand; they proved to be so popular that she developed a Madonna-inspired set ($25) for Shu Uemura. For Halloween or just a glam night on the town, they're super-slick.

But what if you don't have $25 to spend on fantasy lashes? I've found a pair that gives you the look for the fraction of the price. To check them out, read more.

Halloween makeup company Fright Night Cosmetics makes these "Chaos" lashes ($4.95) for cheap, costumey fun. These lashes aren't available online, but they're stocked at stores such as Long's Drugs, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens during this time of year. You'll have to buy adhesive separately, as you do with the Shu Uemura lashes - but for such a low price, why not give it a whirl? (You can even get inspiration from PartySugar's Madonna costume if need be.)