Up until recently, I tried to stick with high-end products for my face makeup products and drugstore products for my eyes. However, after some research and testing, I have actually found some drugstore products that perform even better than their high-end counterparts.

While I've definitely had some beauty fails with drugstore products, with the right information I have been able to find the holy grail drugstore dupe, at stores like CVS, for the times when I just don't feel like shelling out $30 for a concealer. Here are my favorite high-end makeup products and their drugstore dupes, along with a judgment on when to splurge and when to save.

1. Primer

Splurge: smash box Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36). This primer lives up to its promise to smooth and blur skin. When you put it on, you can literally feel your skin get smooth and matte as you put it on. It makes your skin look flawless and makes foundation last all day.

Save: NYX Professional® Makeup Studio Perfect Primer ($10). While this primer has the same smoothing effect that the smash box version has, it does not help with the wear of your foundation.

Verdict: Splurge. In order to get the most out of your foundation, it is good to invest in a high-quality primer that will protect your skin while simultaneously making your skin look flawless.

2. Foundation

Splurge: La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20 ($110).

This foundation is pricey, but it feels like a million bucks when it's on. It is incredibly lightweight, and it feels like silk on the skin while also packing in fairly full coverage. It smells like flowers and has moisturizer and sunscreen in it. Win win!

Save: L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup ($12). This foundation comes in a huge range of color and undertones, so you can find your perfect match.

It is creamy yet lightweight, and it feels satiny on the skin. Like the La Mer version, it it hydrating and illuminating, and also has SPF 20.

Verdict: Save! The L'Oréal foundation looks so similar on the skin to the La Mer version that it is hard to justify spending an extra $100 on a foundation.

3. Concealer

Splurge: Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Crème ($26).

This concealer is full coverage and lasts all day. It has a thin consistency and has a matte finish. The teardrop shaped applicator makes it easy to apply just the right amount of product. However, this concealer tends to cling to dry spots and can become cakey throughout the day.

Save: NYX Professional® Makeup HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand ($4). This is my holy grail concealer. It is full coverage but extremely lightweight, and it never cakes. It is perfect for under the eyes or for blemishes. However, it does wear off a bit throughout the day.

Verdict: Save! The NYX concealer is my all-time favorite and outperforms the Kat Von D version at a fraction of the price.

4. Bronzer

Splurge: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder ($44).

This bronzer gives a healthy glow while not making your face look orange. It also has some glitter in it to make you sparkle.

Save: Physicians Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing Powder ($10). This bronzer has a buttery feel to it, and it provides a nice glow with bit of a shimmer. However, it can come off as a bit orange if not properly applied.

Verdict: Splurge! Bobbi Brown is a favorite high-end brand for a reason. Their products always look nice and last for a long time, so you get a lot for your money.

5. Blush

Splurge: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush ($29). I love this blush in the shade "paaarty." It provides a nice, soft glow to make you look rosy-cheeked, but not doll-like.

Save: Milani Rose Powder Blush ($7).

This performs the same as the Tarte blush. It is long-lasting and gives a subtle rosy glow.

Verdict: Save! The blushes are so similar that you may as well save a few bucks. Both will last you for months.

I hope that this list is helpful. Remember that products work differently on everyone, and my favorite products could be different from yours.
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