The Dark Side of Dupes: Moral Dilemma or Budget Savvy?
- Julia Chang
- Feb 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Are dupes the secret weapon for beauty on a budget—or are they stifling true innovation? In this episode of GlowJob™ Podcast, we peel back the layers on what makes a product a dupe, from hyped alternatives to borderline copycats that toe legal and ethical lines.
🔍 Do dupes truly democratize beauty, or are they ultimately hurting the industry?
💸 Are we all for the savings, or do we cringe at the blatant knockoffs? We’re sharing our personal takes.
⚖️ How do established brands push back? (Charlotte Tilbury, we see you!)
Is there any product that can escape imitation?
And it’s not just beauty—duplication is shaking up fashion, pharmaceuticals, and beyond. We’re calling out the biggest repeat offenders (cough ELF, Makeup Revolution, cough) while celebrating those rare gems that stay one of a kind.
💭 Is the dupe phenomenon here to stay, or will brands eventually outsmart the copycats?
00:29 – Defining Dupes
01:39 – The Perks of Dupes
03:16 – The Pitfalls of Dupes
05:03 – What’s REALLY “Original”? (George Condo x Kanye West)
06:20 – Budget Savvy vs. Ethical Dilemmas
07:44 – Olivia Rodrigo vs. Taylor Swift
08:39 – The Role of Trademarks in Beauty
10:21 – Dupes in Fashion: The ZARA Effect
14:24 – A Wild TikTok Shoplifting Story
15:35 – How Price Shapes Consumer Behavior (Buy Now, Pay Later)
17:47 – Dupe Confessional
20:26 – Charlotte Tilbury’s Genius “Cannot be Duped” Campaign
21:30 – Spotlight on E.L.F. Dupes (Milk Hydro Grip Primer, Natasha Denona)
23:41 – Dior Lip Glow Oil: A Copy Magnet?
28:36 – The Science of Dupes: Ingredient Lists & Formulations
31:27 – The 1% Rule in Ingredient Lists
32:56 – Cosmetics vs. Drugs: Classification & FTC Claims
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