Ballin On A Budget

G R A D S

Cheaper beauty alternatives are getting popular on social media apps largely thanks to TikTok. The term “dupes,” short for du plicates, has become a shopping trend where people are trying to find products that closely resemble the more expensive items at a cheaper price.

According to www.mordernretail.org, on TikTok “videos under #dupe have garnered roughly 1.7 billion views and #makeupdupes have over 490 million views.” Now, the “dupes” trend has been around for a while. It started on Instagram with many influencers posting about affordable makeup products or clothing. The reason why it became an even bigger trend on TikTok is because of its algorithm system. Because once you like one video about a “dupe,” the app will then continue putting more videos on your for you page and that way you fall in the rabbit hole.

I asked University of St. Francis junior, Hannah Micthell, her thoughts on this trend. This is what she had to say:

“The TikTok dupe trend has most definitely been on my for you page. I think that it could be rather helpful at times! A product that I have purchased a dupe for is the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops. They normally cost aorund $38 but I found the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion at Target for $13. I found myself very happy with the dupe!”

As this trend continues to take over our for you pages, here are some “dupes” you can buy to ball on a budget and get the same experience as expensive products but at a reasonable price.

Dyson Airwrap vs. Revlon One-step Volumizer

This rounded airbrush allows you to blow dry your hair and get the same voluminous blowout as a Dyson Airwrap may provide. It is easy-to-use with three heat and speed settings and a great option for beginners to use on the go. This is a personal

By: Saba Aamir Layout Designer

can even get it for cheaper than $40.

Drugstore Makeup

Not just one product but there are multiple makeup dupes you can find at drugstore. I love a good bargain and what better place to find affordable makeup products than CVS, Walgreens or Target. Using affordable makeup products does not make it less pigmented and long-lasting. In actuality, a lot of the formulas used in these drugstore makeup products are just as good as, if not better than, their counterparts from the luxury market. So, stop listening to brand-obsessed people, listen to your bank account and save some money getting great quality products at an cheaper price.

Yeezy Slides

Stylish footwear is big on TikTok and one of those footwears include Yeezy slides. These slides were a collaboration between Adidas and YEEZY, Kanye West’s shoe brand; however due to the scandal involving the artist, Adidas discontinued this product. But people on TikTok were quick to find an alternative to these comfortable and soft sliders. Most of the alternatives can be found on Amazon with prices lower than $25 compared to the approximate original price of $50.

All in all, not everyone has access to popular brands and ability to purchase overly priced products, so this trend is giving people alternatives to get the same or close experience that people may get with the expensive products. Especially for us college students, who often have additional expenses like loans, gas and other things to pay for, this is a way for us to live a certain aesthetic at a reasonable cost.