Shoop de dupe
Recommendations from my human brain to your inbox
Actually Good Things is a Friday-morning letter with recs from an internet expert. I know what to buy, and I can tell you exactly why.
This week—while perusing exhibits at CES Las Vegas (a real sausage fest, to be frank)—I’m compiling all the product dupes I’ve discovered recently.
Here are actually good things that are sufficiently similar to their higher-end counterparts.*
Quince vs. Skims thong
I’ve raved about the Skims Fits Everybody Thong before and still stand by it. But you can get a pack of six in a very, very similar design from Quince for less than the price of two from Skims.
Quince’s Second Skin Thong has an extremely stretchable waist that extends a few feet wide, so it always fits and won’t dig in. Plus, it comes in five of the same nude-ish hues.
My husband tried the brand’s modal-blend boxer briefs and says they’re nearly the same as Calvin Klein’s stretchy modal ones.
Floatly vs. Eby bra
Ask me what the best bra in the world is, and I’ll say Eby’s back-smoothing, perfectly cupped Wireless Bralette. However, if you’re on a budget, this super-soft Amazon one is incredibly comfy and looks almost exactly the same underneath shirts.
I’m From vs. Tatcha rice cleanser
My absolute favorite face wash of all time is The Rice Wash, Tatcha’s skin-softening concoction—she’s pricey, but she’s so good.
For less than half the price, though, you can get a larger tube of this Korean cleanser that also gently softens with rice enzymes.
Kora Organics vs. Tracie Martyn turmeric cleanser
At the risk of boring you, another face cleanser comparison:
Celebrity facialist Tracie Martyn’s Alma cleanser is a true queen with a well-deserved cult following. It’s liquid gold but almost 70 bucks for less than 2 ounces—in this economy?!
If you’re looking for a complexion-enhancing formula with turmeric and skin-friendly plant oils, this 5-ounce bottle from Kora Organics is a way better deal.
Paul Mitchell vs. Crown Affair clear conditioner
My fine, flat hair is easily weighed down with moisturizing products (though it’s getting noticeably thicker, thanks to my obsessive, multi-year hair journey).
I’ve been into clear conditioners lately because they’re lightweight and leave my strands silky but not greasy. Love, love, love Crown Affair—if you can swing it, go ahead and treat yourself. But Paul Mitchell makes one that’s basically as good and a fraction of the price.
e.l.f. vs. Milk vs. Pat McGrath iridescent shimmer gloss
This light-catching, literally brilliant lip gloss from Pat McGrath Labs is stunning. (I wore it at Disneyland last week for a princess-y cool-mom vibe.) Milk Makeup’s take is also lovely, but it’s hard to justify lip gloss that’s more than one-quarter of $100.
This one from e.l.f. in the shade Opal-ogy Tour creates a similar shimmery opalescent effect (and it’s not as purply-blue as it looks—the finish is sheer and luminous). More to the point, it’s $9.
Quince vs. Lululemon pocketed leggings
For pocketed stretchy pants to tuck into slouchy crew socks and wear in rebellion of Gen Z fashion rules, Lululemon is essentially an undefeated champion. That said, $130-ish is a lot of money for leggings.
Quince’s copycat pair is $45, and the fabric (which is Lulu’s claim to fame) looks and feels practically identical.
Maybelline vs. Lys Beauty sponge-tip concealer
Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser is not only one of the best drugstore products of all time but also among the best makeup items ever made. It’s the sponge-tip applicator, the unbelievably creamy formula, and the skin-like finish. You don’t have to take it from me—the 160,000+ five-star Amazon reviews speak for themselves.
For a more serious glam look, I’d reach for Lys because it offers a smidge more coverage and longer wear. In this case, the premium product might actually be a dupe of its affordable equivalent. Lys was founded in 2021, and Maybelline (a century-old brand) launched this concealer in 2010.
Quince vs. Lemme sleep gummies
Lemme Sleep Tight Gummies taste awesome and get me in the mood to conk out. I’ve repurchased them several times.
The affordable alternative is Quince, once again. (If you haven’t noticed, a major part of Quince’s business model is wallet-friendly dupes.) These berry-flavored chewies have a similar ingredient list, and they’re less than 50 cents a serving, whereas Lemme is roughly a dollar per serving.
*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What I’m reading lately:
New York Magazine | In 2026, We Are Friction-Maxxing
The Atlantic | The Friend-Group Fallacy
Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.