9 Affordable Drugstore Primer Dupes That Are Under $15
Tired of paying big bucks for high-end primers? Looking for the best drugstore primer dupes that are comparable in performance and quality, but at a fraction of the price?
You landed in the right spot!
You’ll find some of the best face primer dupes that drugstore makeup has to offer below, including a drugstore dupe for the famous too faced primer, becca primer, milk primer, smashbox primer & so many more.
Is a primer really necessary?
Honestly, it depends.
It depends on your skin type, what you’re doing, where you’re going, how long you want your makeup to last, etc.
Do I wear a primer every day?
No.
Do I wear a primer if I’m attending an event that I want my makeup to last extra long for?
Or if I’m outside in the heat to keep makeup from sliding off my face?
Definitely!
It’s really up to you through some trial and error to figure out when you feel a primer is necessary for you, since it’ll differ for everyone.
Another common question for those who don’t wear a primer often is what can be used instead of face primer.
A common primer beauty hack involves adding some aloe vera gel to your face moisturizer to reduce oil and give your makeup a good base to latch on to.
But honestly, the amazing drugstore primer dupes below are so affordable, you can opt for the real deal without having to spend much at all!
What is the best drugstore primer?
The most highly rated drugstore primer is most definitely the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, which is an incredible dupe for the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer (one of the most popular high-end primers on the market).
So many people swear by both of these primers and have dubbed them virtually identical (except for in price!)
If you love the Tatcha primer, give the e.l.f primer a try.
You won’t be disappointed!
Don’t have time to check out all of the best drugstore primer dupes below? Pin this post for later:
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the disclosure policy for more information.
The Best Drugstore Primer Dupes:
1. Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer vs DUPE: e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer
Looking for a drugstore makeup dupe for the Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer?
The e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer is an exact tatcha silk canvas primer dupe!
From the finish, packaging & same pore-filling performance to the equally long wear time, this is hands down one of the best drugstore dupes available on this list!
While this incredible drugstore primer dupe is great for all skin types, it’s an especially awesome face primer for those with oily skin (who usually rely on primers the most!)
2. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer vs DUPE: e.l.f. Jelly Pop Dew Face Primer
Another really popular high-end primer is the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.
So many people swear by this primer!
If you’re looking for a milk hydro grip primer dupe from the drugstore, then the limited edition e.l.f. Jelly Pop Dew Face Primer is the affordable drugstore pick for you.
Both of these are fantastic foundation primers that are especially amazing for dry skin that needs extra hydration.
As mentioned above though, this milk makeup primer dupe won’t be around for long since it’s limited edition!
I’ve already seen Reddit threads of people stocking up on multiples before they sell out everywhere.
RELATED POST: 19 Best Drugstore Foundation Dupes: Look Beautiful & Save Money
3. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Original vs DUPE: NYX Studio Perfect Primer
Everywhere online, I kept seeing the same question come up: What is a dupe for the Smashbox Photo Finish and pore minimizing primer?
The tried and true Original Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is probably one of the first high-end primers that you bought when you first started wearing makeup and has stayed a favorite for many years later.
It’s an oldie but a goodie!
The NYX Studio Perfect Primer is an affordable drugstore primer dupe for Smashbox’s primer.
Both have the same consistency, equally reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines, provide a silky matte finish, are scentless, and have almost identical packaging (way to be subtle NYX haha).
Both brands also have color correcting primer options:
- Green to reduce redness – check out the Smashbox primer & the NYX drugstore primer dupe
- Lavender to further minimize pores – check out the Smashbox primer & the NYX drugstore makeup dupe
4. Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer vs DUPE: NYX Pore Filler Primer
Another super well-loved and OG primer is Benefit’s The POREfessional Face Primer.
If you’re looking for a cheaper (in price, but not in quality) drugstore primer alternative, the NYX Pore Filler Primer is pretty much a spot-on dupe.
Both smooth out and blend into the skin effortlessly, have a similar formula coming out of a squeeze tube, fill in pores & lines well, and stay put on the skin all day without wearing off.
RELATED POST: 9 Jaw Dropping Drugstore Highlighter Dupes To Save Major Money
5. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer vs DUPE: NYX Angel Veil Primer
This best drugstore primer dupes round up wouldn’t be complete without the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
If you’re looking for a comparable primer that will give you a nice matte base, the NYX Angel Veil Primer is an excellent primer dupe from the drugstore for way less money!
While there are no major differences in the formula, consistency and longevity of this primer dupe, there are two differences that are worth noting.
Firstly, the hourglass primer comes in a really nice glass bottle, whereas the NYX primer is in a plastic squeeze tube.
Secondly, the NYX primer doesn’t have SPF like the hourglass one does.
Hopefully neither one of those are deal breakers for you, since a lot of the cost of high-end makeup is in the packaging and you can/should be using SPF somewhere else in your skincare & makeup routine anyways.
6. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer vs DUPE: Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer
Looking for a cheaper option for your favorite Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer?
The best drugstore primer dupe I could find for this trending Fenty primer was the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer.
I’m a big fan of terrible puns, so the Touch in Sol primer dupe got points right off the bat for that haha.
Both of these primers come in a glass pump bottle, are suitable for all skin types, have a similar liquid formula, and provide great oil control for the whole day.
Some people even said they preferred the oil control power of the Touch in Sol dupe over the original Fenty primer!
RELATED POST: 6 Unbelievable Drugstore Bronzer Dupes To Save You Money
7. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer vs DUPE: I Heart Revolution Primer in Coconut Dream
Another old faithful and wildly popular high-end primer is the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer.
This one was super tricky to dupe, because there wasn’t a heavily talked about drugstore dupe for this too faced primer floating around in the beauty world.
But, this I Heart Revolution Primer in Coconut Dream is a home run dupe (honestly it might even be better!)
Both primers have a lightweight white lotion formula, have hydrating ingredients (like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid), last all day long, and even both smell like coconut.
A coincidence? I think not.
8. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer Spray vs DUPE: wet ‘n wild Photo Focus Primer Water
Love the primer above, but looking for a dupe for the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer spray instead?
If primer sprays are your thing, then this wet ‘n wild Photo Focus Primer Water is an excellent dupe for its more expensive twin (and both suspiciously even have the same coconut smell).
9. Becca Cosmetics Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer vs DUPE: Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer
Love the illuminating power of the insanely popular Becca Cosmetics Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer?
This Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer is an incredible drugstore dupe for the Becca primer and will quickly become your new favorite primer.
PS – Becca Cosmetics is out of business as of September 2021, so if you did want to give the real deal a try just a heads up!
Did you like these spot on drugstore primer dupes?
I hope this list of some must-have drugstore primer dupes helped you find a cheaper alternative for your favorite high-end primer.
Or that you found an affordable makeup dupe that you can try out before committing to spending more on the high-end version.
Are there any other drugstore primer dupes that you’ve tried and loved?
Please share them below so we can help each other out one drugstore makeup dupe at a time!
If you liked this post, you may also be interested in some of my other best drugstore dupes posts in the Beauty Category of my blog.