It’s been so long since I’ve shared a “Dupe or Dud” post, but today I finally have two products to share with you that appear very similar….but are they really?? Let’s find out! Something unique about today’s post is that they’re both from the drugstore! Ready to see if e.l.f.’s smudge pot is a dupe or dud for a cult-favorite shade from Maybelline’s Color Tattoo pots?
If you missed my previous posts, I compared a LORAC eyeliner to a more affordable one from Physicians Formula, and I’ve also compared the It Cosmetics Tightline mascara to one from NYX. Click the links to see if they were a dupe or dud! 🙂
The Products
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze — $6.99 — Color Tattoo’s ink technology creates the most saturated shadow. Cream gel smooths on for vibrant, crease-proof color that never fades.
e.l.f. Smudge Pot in Cruisin Chic — $3 — This smooth gel formula glides on perfectly. Use it as a long-lasting eyeshadow or eyeliner! Enriched with Vitamin E to nourish and hydrate the delicate eye area.
The Similarities
Pigmentation — Applied on your fingers or your lids, the colors look identical. In the picture above one appears to have more of a shine, but that is only because the light is hitting it right. In person, it’s near impossible for me to tell them apart.
Longevitiy — For this test I wore both of these products in a day, and they both looked fantastic at the end of the day. No wear, smudging, or fading from either of them.
The Differences
Packaging — Bad to the Bronze is in a glass pot while Cruisin Chic‘s packaging is plastic. As is obvious from the pictures, one has a black lid and the other white.
Consistency — They both are a cream/gel formula, but the ELF feels like it has more moisture in it. The Maybelline feels pretty dry brand new, and as the months go by it only gets dryer. I’ve owned the ELF smudge pot for about a year now and it feels as creamy and smooth as the day I bought it.
Amount of Product — The ELF Smudge Pot contains 0.19 oz while the Maybelline Color Tattoo’s jar has 0.14 oz. Surprised? I know I was when I saw that the more affordable one gives you more product!
So, is it a Dupe?
Yes! While it may not seem a huge price difference, in my opinion I love to save money whenever I can. $4 is totally worth saving, and you get more product in the cheaper alternative. And, honestly, I find that I reach for the ELF Smudge Pot way more than the Maybelline Color Tattoo, as I like the smoother, more creamy, consistency.
Do you own either of these products? Have you ever realized that they’re dupes for each other?
If you have any other high-end products that you want me to find dupes for — or even test out what pinterest might ‘claim’ as a dupe — let me know in the comments below. I would love to give them a try out and see if they’re a dupe or dud!
Pin to Read Later!
The products mentioned above were purchased with my own funds. I was not compensated in any way for writing this post. All thoughts are 100% my own. Some Affiliate Links Used. 🙂
Never Say Die Beauty says
I definitely need to try the elf pots because I’m a big fan of cream shadows, and your description sounds great! I think a trip to Target is in order because I don’t think these are on the elf display at CVS. I wish the Maybelline Color Tattoo pots didn’t dry out because I own a lot of them. That’s why I like the Almay Softies: they stay soft.
Katie Garvin says
I know, I always hate how dry the color tattoos get. It makes it so difficult to use. But my elf smudge pot is still going strong! 🙂
Julie says
I didn’t even know that ELF had cream shadows! I love my Color Tattoos, but they definitely dry up quickly. I’m hoping for some new shades soon too. I don’t think they’ve released any in forever!
Katie Garvin says
Yes, they do! And totally worth the $3! 🙂
Christine says
I had zero idea elf had cream shadows!!! Bad to the Bronze is one of my all time favorites so I really need to check out the elf one!!
Katie Garvin says
Yes, they do! I think they have two different kinds of cream shadows — the other one has a black lid, but I hear those aren’t as good. So look for the smudge pots with the white lids 🙂
Chelsea says
I’ve never tried the elf Smudge Pots (didn’t even know they existed, to be honest, haha). Definitely grabbing some on my next makeup shopping trip!
Katie Garvin says
Oh, do go try them! I forget how I stumbled across them, but they’re great. Definitely give them a try!
Renu says
Excellent post – these are certainly alike. I love Colour Tattoos but haven’t tried elf cream shadows yet.
Katie Garvin says
Yeah, I wore them several times — one on each eye — and everyone I asked could never tell a difference.
Sammi the Beauty Buff says
I think I’d rather go for the e.l.f.! Hearing that it has more moisture in it is great. I was pretty bummed when my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold dried out, since i loved the color. The e.l.f. ones sound like they might be better than their expensive counterpart! I’ll definitely have to check those out.
Katie Garvin says
As far as the creaminess, I definitely prefer the smudge pots. Mine are still going strong and apply like a dream! I don’t think they have any matte smudge pots, though…
Lisa says
I tried a Maybelline Tattoo pot and while I loved the color, I agree with you that it’s dry and only gets drier super quickly. Thanks for the suggestion on the ELF version, I will need to tive it a try.
Katie Garvin says
Glad you found it helpful — they don’t have a wide selection, but if they have colors you like, they’re totally worth the $3!
Kristina | The Feminine Files says
Wow, this is amazing! I love the Maybelline ones but I agree, they do feel dry. The ELF one sounds better in my book and your right, they do look identical!
Katie Garvin says
Pick a few up — I have slowly been weeding out my color tattoo collection and keeping my smudge pots 🙂