Top 10 Affordable ColourPop Alternatives To High-End Makeup Brands

ColourPop – the cosmetics brand that promises to offer cruelty-free makeup at wallet-friendly prices. Beauty should be affordable, they said.

But, ColourPop, if you’re constantly releasing new products almost every month, how is a girl going to keep up? Well, that’s a topic for another day.

For those on a tighter budget, you’ll be pleased to know that all of ColourPop’s products are priced reasonably between USD5, approx. S$6.60, to USD25, approx. S$33. Plus, the brand doesn’t scrimp on quality in order to offer this price point.

So here’s a bit of a newsflash: You don’t have to spend an exorbitant sum for high-quality makeup. Here are the top 10 ColourPop alternatives to high-end makeup, where no one will be able to tell the difference.

10. ColourPop’s Double Entendre Palette = Tarte’s Tartelette In Bloom

Admittedly, the Double Entendre Palette (USD16, approx. S$21.50) is not a complete match for the Tartelette In Bloom (S$72). The former has warmer tones with lighter shades of browns and the specks of glitter are more apparent in the shimmer shades.

However, in terms of colour payoff, the Double Entendre Palette held up well against its more expensive counterpart. One swipe of the shimmer shades is enough to achieve an intense look and the mattes aren’t chalky at all.

If you are not looking for an exact shade in the Tartelette Palette, the Double Entendre one will be a more worthwhile investment.

9. ColourPop’s Yes Please Palette = Natasha Denona’s Sunset Palette

The Yes Please Palette is pretty much ColourPop’s crème de la crème.

The palette is so beloved because it has everything — enough browns and peaches for a subtle everyday look and pops of crimsons and mustards if you’re looking for something more striking.

In fact, YouTuber Kathleen Lights did a swatch of the two palettes side-by-side and found most shades to be similar.

The best part is that ColourPop’s Yes Please (USD16, approx. S$21.33) costs eight times less than Natasha Denona’s Sunset Palette (USD129, approx. S$170.75).

8. ColourPop’s Zingara Foursome = Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette

Urban Decay’s highly-anticipated Naked Heat Palette (S$83) was adored for its shades of “warm browns, burnt oranges and rich siennas”. It’s perfect for creating a sultry look in the day and you can build up the intensity of the shades for a more smoky nighttime look.

ColourPop’s Zingara (USD18, approx. S$24) contains four shades of Super Shock Shadows. Paradox stands out most for its striking burgundy red tone. The other shades are also warm-toned, with hues of gold, terracotta and reddish-browns.

While not an exact dupe for the Heat palette, the Zingara quad has got you covered if you’re creating a warm-toned look.

7. ColourPop’s Summer Solstice Foursome = Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette

Another alternative to Urban Decay’s Naked Heat Palette is ColourPop’s Summer Solstice Foursome (USD18, approx. S$24).

Consisting of four shades of Super Shock Shadows, this quad veers towards more golden and copper tones. With these shades, you have enough variety to create a look with more burnt amber hues.

6. ColourPop’s Lunch Money = MAC’s Lightscapade

The swatch above is Mac’s Lightscapade (S$32) and the one below is ColourPop’s Lunch Money highlighter (USD8, approx. S$10.67).

As you can see, Lightscapade has a slightly more pearly tone while Lunch Money is a tad warmer. Also, Lightscapade is a finely-milled powder while Lunch Money applies creamy but dries to a powder finish.

Besides, when the light hits your highlight, the differences become barely noticeable.

5. ColourPop’s Wisp = Becca’s Opal

ColourPop’s Wisp (USD8, approx. S$10.67) is described as a “golden champagne with gold pearls” while Becca’s Opal (S$58) is said to be a “white gold with soft pink undertones”.

In terms of intensity, Wisp packs more of a punch and looks more metallic than Opal. However, you can simply use a fan brush and lighter hand to tone down the intensity.

4. ColourPop’s Freak Like Me = Becca’s Rose Gold

Another pair of dupes are ColourPop’s Freak Like Me (USD8, approx. S$10.67) and Becca’s Rose Gold (S$58).

The former is described as a champagne peach and the latter as as warm copper. This pair of highlighters would better suit those who tan better.

Rose Gold‘s intensity was crazy — one swipe yielded a completely opaque swatch. For Freak Like Me, it took me a few swatches to build up the intensity to match Rose Gold‘s. However, Rose Gold had a metallic finish so for a more natural look, Freak Like Me would be more suitable.

3. ColourPop’s Clueless Ultra Matte Lip = Kylie Cosmetics’ Posie K Liquid Lipstick

Kylie’s Posie K (USD17, approx. S$22.49) is described as a cool mid-tone berry and ColourPop’s Clueless (USD6.50, approx. S$8.67) as a cool-tone dusty mauve.

Posie K is a tad brighter and more vibrant under direct light and Clueless has slightly more blue undertones to it. However, the differences are not too apparent and you’re able to pass off Clueless as Posie K if you’re not too particular about hitting the exact shade.

2. ColourPop’s Midi Ultra Matte Lip = Kylie Cosmetics’ Candy K Liquid Lipstick

On the left, she’s wearing ColourPop’s Midi (USD 6.50, approx. S$8.67) and on the right, Kylie’s Candy K (USD17, approx. S$22.49).

Another one of Kylie’s early releases, Candy K liquid lipstick is described as a warm pinky nude. ColourPop’s Midi is described as a pale dusty pink. Both lip colours dries matte and when they do, you can’t really tell them apart.

1. ColourPop’s No Filter Concealer = Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer

For the concealers, I’ve swatched the No Filter Concealer above and the Naked Skin Concealer below.

I’m wearing Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Concealer (S$40) in the shade Light Neutral and the closest match is ColourPop’s No Filter Concealer (USD6, approx. S$7.94) in the shade Light 20.

I adore the No Filter Concealer. In fact, I always purchase extras so I won’t ever have to risk running out of it. Apart from its lower price point, what won me over was the doe-foot applicator.

I’ve tried many brands of concealers but nothing beats it. The tip is a lot softer and more flexible (more bendy) as compared to Urban Decay’s, which is the usual stiff applicator found in more concealers.

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So, there you have it: 10 cheap ColourPop alternatives to high-end makeup products.

A tip for those who are trying out ColourPop for the first time – combine orders with your girl friends to hit the free international shipping for orders above USD50, approx. S$66. Also, sign-up for their newsletter to receive a USD5, approx. S$6.60, discount for first-time users.

Go forth and have fun with your ColourPop purchases, ladies! But be warned, it’s highly addictive.

Price: USD5, approx. S$6.60 – USD25, approx. S$33

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