I am SO excited — I’ve been planning this new series for weeks now and have been nearly bursting at the seams in my enthusiasm to share this idea with you all! *happy dance*
Dupe or Dud is where I’ll be comparing two products that are very similar — one high end and one drugstore — and seeing if the cheaper product is a dupe for the more expensive one or if it’s a dud. Because who doesn’t like to save a little money, right?!
So let’s get right down to business! And tell me in the comments below what you think about this new series!
The Products
So for my very first comparison I’m taking the It Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Length mascara and seeing if NYX’s new, more affordable, The Skinny Mascara is a dupe for it or not.
It Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Length Mascara…
Tightline Full Lash Length Black Eyelash Primer is a true game-changer in mascara and eyeliner technology. This multi-tasking beauty must-have utilizes an ultra-skinny wand, allowing you to start coating your lashes at their actual root, so you coat black along your entire lash length (unlike most mascara brushes that are too large to get to the root, leaving the first 1/3 of your lash roots bare!). This gives you ultimate length and volume.
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| Sorry, I didn’t have a non-waterproof version of the IT Cosmetic Tightline :-/ |
NYX Cosmetics The Skinny Mascara…
NYX Cosmetics ultra Skinny Mascara brush is perfect for coating every lash from root to tip – even along the bottom lash line! Finally, the smallest, thinnest lashes can get extra special attention too. The water resistant formula and micro brush work together to create long, beautifully defined lashes.
The Similarities
Skinny Tubes
They both are packaged in the exact same kind of tube, except that the It Cosmetics tube is almost twice as thick as the NYX one.
Tiny Mascara Wand
This is the aspect that sets it apart from other mascaras — the teeny, tiny wand. And they both have the same tiny wand that gets right against the lash line and is able to coat every hair. People who have tiny, baby lashes on their lower lashes (LIKE ME!!) will love this!
Application
They both applied the mascara the exact same way. No clumping in any way, and yet coats the lashes with just the perfect amount of mascara to make your lashes much more noticeable.
Pigmentation
They both are a very intense matte black color. There’s nothing grayish about either of these!
Longevity of Wear
I’ve tested these out on very long days — wearing one on my right eye and the other on my left — and neither of them faded or smudged. I don’t have watery eyes, so I wasn’t really able to test them on that, unfortunately. But if it’s just a normal, long day, they work beautifully!
The Differences
Product Size
The It Cosmetic mascara has 0.118 fl oz (3.5 ml) of product in the tube, whereas the NYX mascara has 0.09 fl oz (2.8 ml). While they aren’t the same size, there isn’t that much difference and both tubes will probably feel like they last the same amount of time.
Different Formula Options
The It Cosmetics mascara comes in both a regular formula and waterproof, along with a travel size mini of the regular formula for only $10 (0.067 ml). The NYX Skinny mascara only comes in a regular, black formula.
So, Is it a Dupe?
I say that NYX’s The Skinny Mascara is a definite dupe!
As you can see from the pictures, they look almost identical to each other, and I didn’t notice any difference between them during the multiple wear tests I did.
If you don’t care for waterproof formula’s, than I would say definitely save $17 and purchase NYX’s The Skinny Mascara. 🙂
The products mentioned above were purchased with my own personal funds. I was not compensated in any way for writing this post — I do it because I love it! 🙂 All thoughts are 100% my own.
Summer @ Coffee With S says
Thanks for sharing, Katie! I always love reading makeup reviews and comparison posts. Also, I love your signature with the lipstick – too cute!
Katie Marie says
Thank you Summer <3
Aimee says
I’ve never tried either of these, but I’m tempted to. Did you experience any flaking with either one? I always have issues with flaking which leaves me with dark smudges under my eyes. I’m currently using Smashbox Full Exposure mascara, so I’d love to know if there is a dupe for that or for Benefit Posie Tint.
Katie Marie says
No, I didn’t! At least, I don’t remember with the NYX one — it’s been a while since I did this post! I just finished up another tube of the IT Cosmetics one and never remember seeing any flaking happening at the end of the day.
Lecy Poore says
I love NYX products. They are great quality and affordable. Thanks for sharing Katie!
Katie Marie says
Yes, they are! Though their prices I feel like are slowly creeping up there! :-/
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
Oh fun! I’m excited about this new series!! I should definitely try the NYX one because I wasn’t too impressed with the IT cosmetics one. I had a hard time applying it too, I kept poking myself in the eye haha! 🙂
Katie Marie says
lol, well if you have longer, thicker lashes I can see this type of mascara not being a good option…but when you have TINY lashes like me…this is SUCH a nice wand to have when doing your lower lashes!
ellesees.blogspot.com says
i want to get that nYx one! i’m so crazy that i’d keep the wand once product ran out!
Katie Marie says
That’s a good idea!
Jessica says
What a great idea for a series! I’m definitely looking forward to reading more posts like this in the future. And I’ll for sure look for that NYX mascara next time I’m in Ulta because I’ve had my eye on the It Cosmetics one for a while!
Katie Marie says
Thank you, Jessica <3
michele s says
This is a really great idea and I love this series. I love when I can find a more affordable option of beauty items.
Katie Marie says
Yes girl, me too! <3
Chelsea says
Love the idea of this series! I’m always looking to save some $$ on my beauty spending 🙂 Definitely going to pick up the NYX mascara next time I see it!
Thanks for linking up to Best of Beauty! xo
Katie Marie says
Thanks Chelsea! And I wish Best of Beauty was still a thing 😉
Erika says
This is a great comparison and a terrific idea for a series.
Katie Marie says
Thank you, Erika! <3
Aphrodite Kidd says
I think this is a great series and I’d love to buy the NYX product my lashes are ridiculously tiny. Aphrodite+Kidd’s Closet
Katie Garvin says
I hear you girl, I’ve always struggled with my tiny baby lashes, but this mascara does awesome things for them!
Brenda says
Hi, Katie
I just bought a sample size of the It tight line mascara. I was so excited because I have tiny lower lashes and I usually end up getting mascara on my face instead of my lashes from wands that are just too big. I LOVE this product. I will definitely be checking out the NYX brand also. Great blog!!!
Katie Garvin says
Brenda, your comment totally made my day — thank you for sharing with me! I am so, so thankful that my ‘dupe or dud’ post was helpful to you. 🙂
T. Ashley says
The tightline is better MUCH more lash loving ingredients inside! Only been wearing for a week and already lashes feel stronger and are getting ever so slightly thicker. .. now, imagine a good months use ;O <3 love it cosmetics!
Katie Garvin says
So glad to hear you love the tightline mascara — it’s an awesome little mascara wand that I’m always using for my lower lash line 🙂
Jess says
Okay, so here is where you are wrong and it is the ingredients. It cosmetics uses natural ingredients and oils that prevents breakage and actually help your lashes grow.
I have been using these products for the past 2 months and I am absolutely smitten with them! I can absolutely see a difference in the length of my lashes.
When I used the other store brand, my lashes would break and clump up. I don’t think I will go back to drug store cosmetics, unless I can start purchasing It cosmeticsurgery from there 🙂
Jess says
***that’s cosmetics NOT cosmeticsurgery…
Katie Garvin says
lol, no worries, I understood 😉
Katie Garvin says
Oh, I totally agree — the biggest thing that sets highend apart from drugstore is the ingredients. I don’t think any ‘drugstore dupe’ will match a high-end, ingredient-wise. But if you’re just getting into makeup, or don’t wear makeup often, then dupes that give you the same results as highend are nice so you can try it out and see if you like the results before committing to the higher price tag. Thanks for stopping by — and I’m glad to hear you love IT Cosmetics! They’re a favorite of mine as well! <3
Terri Workman says
I have used the IT cosmetics tight line mascara for years. When I saw this posting I decided to try the NYX mascara because it was a little cheaper and seemed to have a lot of the same results. I have to say that I bought 3 of the NYX mascaras for less than the 2 Tightline mascaras I normally bought and I am very disappointed. I found that out of the 3 NYX mascara that I bought that they all seemed to be empty and it took three times as long to even get any mascara at all on my lashes. I am so disappointed and will never order the NYX again.
Katie G says
Oh no, I am so sorry about that! I did not notice a significant difference between the wetness of the two mascaras, though at the time I had owned the IT Comsetics one for a month or so and the NYX I purchased to try for this dupe or dud. So maybe mine had dried out a bit. Either way, I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you!
Just in case you didn’t know, if you purchase NYX at Ulta or CVS you can return them with a receipt. That way you are not out on your money!! :-*
Cindy Key says
I am SO glad to see this review! I will definitely switch to the NYX mascara.
I originally bought the tightline travel size for $10. I loved it so much that I went back and bought what they sell as full size. Unfortunately, I did so just before leaving the country for three months. The product tube is EXACTLY the same size on the travel size and the full size. The only difference is the length of the wand cap! Since I am out of the country, I was unable to return it within the usual 30 days, so please, learn from my mistake.
Katie G says
Oh my gosh, I never realized that the travel size was the same as the full size! 😮 Sneaky! Good catch, girl!
Vicki says
Love your blog,great idea! I am in the cosmetics business and always offer this type of info to my regular clients and you have bested me by going all tech. Great idea and I look forward to reading all your posts.
Katie G says
Awww, thank you! I’m glad you found it so helpful! These dupe or dud’s are always so much fun to put together, I really need to get better at doing them more frequently! 🙂
Yvonne says
I tried both. I found the It Mascara wand way too flimsy and the mascara way too dry. So much so I exchanged it for another and had the same problems. Anyone else think so too? I preferred the NYX. Much better wand and the mascara was just right consistency.
Katie Marie says
Aw man, that’s such a bummer! For me, the IT Cosmetics mascara lasts longer for me — more months — than the NYX one. But I’ve only used one tube of the NYX one and have repurchased the IT Cosmetics one 2-3 times. I need to repurchase and give the NYX one another try soon!