The HOLY Dupe: Fenty Blur Drops versus…

Are you ready to keep nerding out with me?

I have been on this crazy mission to find all the makeup and skincare dupes. I got curious about a month or so ago and wanted to find an alternative to my $130 Caudal Premier Cru Moisturizer. So I went digging around.

If you haven’t read that article yet, head that way so that you can see where I pull my resources.

It is fascinating to see science-backed data and ingredients in our products. It makes you think: “Am I being sold a good product? Or am I being sold on good marketing and a fancy brand?”

The BIGGEST questions I wanted answered when researching skincare are: Does this product do what it is advertised it does? What is the efficacy of the ingredients? Are the ingredients compatible for my skin type? And finally: Are there other products with similar ingredients, in similar order, that are more (or equally) as efficient and compatible for my skin type?”

I have posted two articles, but have researched many more. Don’t worry, those posts are coming. Believe me, 80% of what we are buying is because of good marketing. It’s not so much the product is worth $130, it is the brand.

Did you know it only costs about $500 to design a Chanel bag? But the Chanel Classic Flap Bag or the Boy Bag range from approximately $4,500 to over $5,800?

Branding, exclusivity and marketing.

Let’s dive into this…

I didn’t even know I was buying a dupe when I purchased this product.

About 3 years ago, I bought the Fenty Blur Drops before going to Disney Land with my family for our Summer vacation. I obviously didn’t want to have a full face of makeup, just to sweat it off and leave foundation marks on Mickey’s costume. But I wanted to have a clear complexion. The no-makeup makeup look.

It took awhile to figure out what skincare products I needed to use before applying, but I nailed.

Serum > Moisturizer for Dry Skin > Eye Balm > Mineral Sunscreen > Blur Drops > Rose Water Facial Mist.

When I put on the Blur Drops without a fully hydrated face, it tended to highlight my dry patches and sink into my fine lines.

I could work with this until Winter months, when my face would get super dry. And then I would have to switch to something else.

I would go between the Lancôme Teint Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation. Or the Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin Caring Glow Foundation for my more natural makeup look.

((I tried really hard to like the Ilia Tinted Serum – but I could NOT handle the smell)).

Both foundations cover the red blotches that would show up on my cheeks and under the corners of my nose. For the most part. And if my skin was being a little bitch, I would swipe on the Givenchy Prism Libre Color Corrector. The green tube.

They work great as long as I have good face prep. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Sometimes the foundations fell into my lines and creases. Although with enough playing around, I could make it work.

But, they are also $$$. Which I don’t always mind. I’m a girl who invests in good makeup and skincare.

A few weeks ago, my 17 year old asked to go to Target for a skincare haul.

Of course I won’t turn that down.

As we were browsing the aisles I was looking for a lightweight foundation. It’s October, time to start shopping for dry skin products.

I hear Karsyn ask: “What is BB cream? What is it supposed to do?”

Me: “It basically clears your complexion and evens out your skin tone.”

She has beautiful olive skin, no need for her.

But right next to it is the L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum.

At this point, dupe wasn’t on my mind. I saw Hyaluronic and I saw Serum. Sold.

I ended up letting it sit on my counter for several days. I had been hanging out in 3 day old baggy joggers and hoodies. Not leaving the house except for school drop off/pickup runs.

But, on Monday October 21st, I had to take my daughter to an appointment. So I decided to try out the serum.

I did my skin prep. Except this time I didn’t use my hyaluronic serum first. I wanted to see how it worked on my skin. Straight to the moisturizer. I accidentally skipped the eye balm. But used my mineral sunscreen.

I started with a few drops on my right cheek. That’s where I need the most coverage. “Ok. This doesn’t look bad.”

I zoomed right up to my mirror, inspecting my face. I turned off my bathroom lights and got a natural light view. Turned back on the lights. Walked over to my husband’s sink to get a look.

I decided to apply to my whole face. I had a dewy look. (Perfect for my 40yo skin). I looked hydrated. I looked fresh faced. The “no-makeup makeup look.” So applied my mascara. Glossed my lips. And left for the day.

About 4 hours later I come back home. I went straight to my bathroom mirror to get a look. I turned on the lights, off the lights, to my husband’s mirror once again. I was looking at my lines and creases. Nothing. Checked the perimeter of my face. No splotchy dry skin.

“Holy shit. I think I found THE dupe.”

I didn’t need to apply my serum. I didn’t need the rose hydrating mist. Or the eye balm (but I wouldn’t skip it the next time).

Feeling too good to be true, I tested it all week long. Same results.

I immediately took to Instagram to share on my stories this miracle in a bottle. But deleted it. I wanted to investigate even further.

Off to the research lab.

Here is where I started…

“What are the key ingredients in the L’Oréal Tinted Serum? How do they perform on dry skin? And what is the coverage?”

Key Active Ingredients:

1. Hyaluronic Acid: This is the star ingredient in the L’Oréal tinted serum. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture, which is especially beneficial for hydrating and plumping dry skin.

2. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Known for its brightening effects, niacinamide helps improve skin tone and texture while reducing redness and soothing inflammation. It also helps support the skin’s moisture barrier, making it particularly useful for dry or sensitive skin.

3. Glycerin: Another humectant, glycerin works to pull moisture into the skin, reinforcing hydration alongside hyaluronic acid.

4. Dimethicone: A silicone that provides a smooth, soft finish. Dimethicone helps prevent moisture loss by forming a light barrier on the skin. This ingredient also helps give the serum a silky, lightweight feel.

Performance on Dry Skin

• Hydration: The combination of hyaluronic acid and glycerin provides excellent hydration for dry skin, making it feel plumped and refreshed

• Moisture Retention: Dimethicone forms a light barrier on the skin, helping to lock in the hydration provided by the humectants (hyaluronic acid and glycerin). Which can keep dry skin looking dewy and feeling soft.

• Soothing and Brightening: Niacinamide offers soothing benefits, which can help reduce redness or irritation often experienced by those with dry or sensitive skin, while also supporting an even, radiant complexion.

Overall, this formula is designed to provide dry skin with a lasting, hydrated, and glowing appearance, which can enhance its natural radiance without accentuating dry patches.

Coverage

• Light, Sheer Coverage: This tinted serum offers a very natural finish, more like a “second skin” effect. It’s ideal for those who prefer a minimal, lightweight look that enhances the skin’s natural texture without heavy coverage.

“Now what about the Fenty Blur Drops?”

Key Active Ingredients

1. Dimethicone: A silicone that provides a smooth, velvety texture, helping to blur imperfections and create a matte finish. Dimethicone fills in fine lines and pores, creating a soft-focus effect on the skin

2. Silica: Known for its oil-absorbing properties, silica helps to control shine and give a matte appearance. It’s also instrumental in providing the product’s soft-focus effect, making skin appear smoother and reducing the look of pores.

3. Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture to the skin, providing lightweight hydration that helps keep the formula comfortable without feeling too dry.

4. Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate: An emulsifier that aids in even application and helps the product blend smoothly into the skin.

5. Ethylhexylglycerin: Enhances skin feel and works as a preservative booster, supporting the formula’s stability.

Is it Good for Dry Skin? Or What Skin Type is it Suitable For?

• Not Ideal for Dry Skin: The formula’s emphasis on mattifying and blurring, particularly with ingredients like dimethicone and silica, may not be suitable for those with dry skin. Silica can absorb oil and moisture, potentially highlighting dry patches rather than smoothing them.

• Best Suited for Normal to Oily Skin: The blurring, mattifying effect works well for oily or combination skin types, as it controls shine and helps minimize the appearance of pores. For those with normal skin, it can also create a soft-focus finish without being too heavy.

If you have dry skin and still want to use this product, applying a hydrating primer underneath may help to keep the skin balanced and reduce the potential for dryness.

Coverage

• Sheer to Light Coverage: Fenty Blur Drops provide a soft-focus, natural finish with sheer coverage. This coverage level is ideal for enhancing skin’s texture without fully covering imperfections, giving a minimal, blurred effect.

No wonder I couldn’t wear this foundation year around. “NOT ideal for dry skin.”

Let’s keep digging in…

“What other lightweight foundations and tinted serums are comparable to the L’Oréal Tinted Serum?”

1. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

• Comparison: Both the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint and the L’Oréal Nude Serum focus on lightweight, dewy coverage with skincare benefits. The Ilia features hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane for hydration and skin improvement, similar to the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide found in L’Oréal’s formula.

• Why It’s a Dupe: They both offer a natural, glowy finish that enhances rather than covers the skin. The L’Oréal version provides a similar look at a much more affordable price, although Ilia includes mineral SPF and is considered a cleaner formulation.

2. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation

• Comparison: While not a perfect dupe due to coverage differences (Lancôme offers more buildable, medium coverage), both foundations emphasize hydration and a radiant finish. They use similar hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, to plump the skin.

• Why It’s a Dupe: L’Oréal True Match Nude delivers a comparable dewy and fresh look, making it a budget-friendly alternative for those who don’t need the medium coverage of Lancôme.

3. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

• Comparison: Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk is known for its radiant, lightweight coverage that enhances skin’s natural glow, similar to the effect of L’Oréal’s tinted serum. Both emphasize a natural, second-skin finish.

• Why It’s a Dupe: While Luminous Silk offers a more refined, silky texture, the L’Oréal Nude Serum provides a comparable radiant glow with a similar lightweight feel at a fraction of the cost.

4. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

• Comparison: Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder Foundation is another product that focuses on a dewy, glowing finish with sheer to light coverage. Like L’Oréal, it’s designed to provide a radiant, youthful look with skincare-infused benefits.

• Why It’s a Dupe: L’Oréal’s True Match Nude captures the same fresh-faced aesthetic, focusing on hydration and light coverage for a fraction of the price.

5. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

• Comparison: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight, hydrating formula with a dewy finish that also incorporates skincare elements. It offers sheer coverage, similar to L’Oréal’s tinted serum.

• Why It’s a Dupe: Both provide a natural glow, lightweight hydration, and sheer coverage. L’Oréal is a more affordable alternative with similar effects for a daily, fresh look.

Summary of Dupes:

• Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint – Similar dewy finish with hydration and niacinamide benefits.

• Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow – Similar in texture and finish, with an emphasis on hydration and glow.

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk – Comparable radiant and lightweight effect.

• Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation – Similar sheer, glowing finish for an illuminated look.

• NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – Comparable in coverage, hydration, and dewy texture.

“The L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is a versatile and budget-friendly alternative that captures the essence of many higher-end, glow-enhancing foundations and tinted serums, making it a popular choice for those who want a high-end look without the premium price tag.”

Now the BIG question:

“What are the price points for each of these products?”

1. L’Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum

• Price: Approximately $19.99 to $22.99 for 1 oz (30 mL).

• Price per ounce: Around $20.00 to $23.00.

2. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

• Price: Approximately $48 for 1 oz (30 mL).

• Price per ounce: $48.00.

3. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation

• Price: Approximately $57 for 1 oz (30 mL)

• Price per ounce: $57.00.

4. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

• Price: Approximately $69 for 1 oz (30 mL).

• Price per ounce: $69.00.

5. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation

• Price: Approximately $49 for 1.4 oz (40 mL).

• Price per ounce: About $35.00.

6. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

• Price: Approximately $46 for 1.9 oz (55 mL).

• Price per ounce: Around $24.21.

Summary of Price Points (from lowest to highest per ounce):

1. L’Oréal True Match Nude – $20.00 to $23.00 per ounce, the most budget-friendly option.

2. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – Approximately $24.21 per ounce.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation – About $35.00 per ounce.

4. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint – $48.00 per ounce.

5. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow – $57.00 per ounce.

6. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk – $69.00 per ounce, the most premium option.

Takeaway

• L’Oréal is the most affordable option, providing a hydrating and radiant finish at a fraction of the cost of high-end alternatives.

• Charlotte Tilbury and NARS offer mid-range prices with a radiant, natural finish.

• Ilia, Lancôme, and Giorgio Armani are at the higher end, ideal for those seeking luxury formulas with skincare benefits and unique textures.

My key takeaway:

What I THOUGHT L’Oréal was a dupe for: The Fenty Blurring Drops, was actually a dupe for the Ilia Tinted Serum.

If you want a more natural product, that has clean ingredients and has plant extracts. Choose Ilia.

But if you are like me and just want the best dupe for all of those luxury makeup brands. L’Oréal is your girl.

Full Disclosure:

I actually use the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk GLOW Foundation.

There are two formulations for this foundation. One is more matte finish and the other is a more dewy finish. Dry skin girlies: get the glow.

This foundation is more medium coverage, but can be built up to more full coverage. I love this foundation for those nights out, or when I want to go full face.

But for my day to day? It will be L’Oréal from now on.

And as always…

Remember that makeup isn’t about covering up our insecurities or trying to impress anyone else.

It’s about enhancing our natural beauty. It’s about feeling more confident in the skin we’re in. It is being okay with putting our best face on and feelings fine as fuck when we look in the mirror.

You are gorgeous just as you are. With full face of makeup or with a bare face. And you get to celebrate both.

Ok, my work here is done.

If you haven’t checked out my other dupes you can read about my Caudalie article or my Elemis article. Those who like science-backed data will really enjoy those.

If you would like to see more dupes and comparisons, drop your brand below and I will put on my research hat.

Much love to you.

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