4.21.2016

Dupe? MAC Angel Vs. Maybelline Born With It


Y'all I'm going to be honest--I kind of don't go on Pinterest. I pin there daily, but I find a lot of the info I encounter to be false, like a ploy to get page views. So whenever I see a list of beauty "dupes" I tend to throw the 'ol side eye. But I get asked so often for drugstore dupes of popular expensive products, that I felt it necessary to test these "dupes" and see if they were legit or not.

And the most requested dupe request I get is for lipstick, specifically ones from MAC. Today I'm pitting MAC Angel (one of my favorite pinky-nude lipsticks) against a "dupe" I found online, Maybelline Born With It. So is it a dupe or not?

MAC Angel
  • Purchase where MAC is sold in stores and online
  • $17
  • "Frost" finish
  • Vanilla scent
And here it is swatched on the lips. I have a light-medium skin tone.
Overall, I love this lipstick--one of my faves.

Maybelline Born With It
  • Drugstores, box stores, and online
  • $7.49 (I've seen it cheaper and more expensive, so shop around)
  • Unscented--it does smell like lipstick to me. Idk how to describe the smell. 
  • It does have sparkles in it, noticeable when the lipstick wears off or when you use a makeup wipe
And here it is swatched.

So now that we've got some background on each, let's look at them side by side:


They do look similar in the tube, with MAC Angel being a little darker.

And here they are swatched, in natural and artificial lighting. You can tell MAC Angel looks a little different, but similar overall.

But how do they look on the lips? I swatched half of my lips with MAC and half with Maybelline:


On your left is MAC Angel. I took this pic with no flash (top) and flash (bottom).
On your right is Maybelline Born With It.

Can you tell a difference?

On my lips (which aren't very pigmented, to be honest) they look the same. MAC has a better scent, is a little creamier, and doesn't have the sparkles. But Maybelline has the excellent price. I think (on my lips) this is a dupe.

Do you think this is a dupe?
What dupes would you like to see next?

Extra Elle:
  • I took the day off blogging to get some deadlines met and finish up some product testing. I can't wait to share it all!
  • Last night I was up late (#bloggerproblems) and fell down the spiral of The Tonight Show #hashtag clips--viewers via Twitter submit funny/embarrassing/weird stories using a given hashtag. I was crying I was laughing so hard!

49 comments:

  1. Oh man I just bought that color from MAC a few weeks ago, but something about a MAC lipstick makes me happy! xo, biana -BlovedBoston

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  2. I love Mac lipsticks but they are so pricy. The shade is so pretty! This is a great dupe! They really do look almost exact!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  3. I love Mac Angel, so good to know there's a dupe out there just in case!!

    Xoxo,
    Whitney & Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  4. This is great, I was looking at the MAC Angel the other day but I did not buy it, I find MAC lipsticks so expensive and I prefer the more affordable dupes. I'll have a look at the Maybelline one :)

    Yiota
    PinkDaisyLoves

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  5. Yay for a day off, but it sounds like you were still hard at work! I think this is a great dupe. I really can't tell the difference, although I know what you mean about that lipstick smell. I wonder what causes it?!

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  6. TOTAL dupe - and I am now off to buy Born With It!

    xx

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  7. Oh wow! This is one of the closest dupes I've seen. I do think they both look similar, and you can't beat that Maybelline price.

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  8. As much as I love a good dupe I am too addicted to Mac lipsticks to go for the dupe version. But I can't believe how much these look alike! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  9. looks like a good dupe to me! but i can't help but always go for the MAC bc i know i'll be satisfied :)

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  10. Great spread! Thanks for sharing. Continue the good work.
    Best, MODENOVA I www.modenova.com

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  11. I love a good dupe! But MAC lipsticks are worth it to me..they're still a good price and the whole scent and look of it makes the experience more special :) It's nice knowing there are dupes out there though!

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  12. I think this is a dupe. you cant really tell a difference on your lips. I am not one to hunt for dupes, but when I find an affordable version I am pleased.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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  13. I'll have to try out that Maybelline one because that's one of my favourite MAC shades as well!

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  14. These are a pretty good dupe, I love the shades x

    Zoe Mountford x

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  15. I always get swept up in the Hashtag thing from Jimmy Fallon. They are the best!!!!

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  16. Thanks for the headsup and review - I am so looking for a great nude lipcolor! Don't forget to check out my latest collab with EXPRESS and let me know what you think about the romper! Have a lovely weekend!

    Rebecca
    www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  17. Thank you so much for pointing out that Pinterest dupes are usually false, I have found that to be the true which is why, I don't bother with it. This is such a pretty nude shade, Elle and I'll swatch the Maybelline one the next time I go shopping, hopefully it won't wash me out.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  18. They look so different (but similar) swatched, but on the lips they definitely look almost the same! Angel was one of my first ever lipsticks and I probably need to toss it because it's so old now, but this looks like it would be a good dupe- though the sparkles kind of make me nervous-- though you really can't see them from the photos.

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  19. I love when Jimmy Fallon does hashtag bits. He's my favorite late night guy. These look super similar! I had forgotten about MAC Angel. I like nudes that are more pink toned, I need to grab one of these ASAP. This is a great color to keep in my purse and throw on with anything since it will match everything.

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  20. These a both very pretty. I've had Angel on my wish list for a while. Maybe I'll checkout the maybelline one instead, since I think they are just as good as Mac lipsticks!

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  21. I don't have Angel...I feel like it may not look good on me. It looks great on you, and definitely a dupe on your lips!

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  22. A little too frosty for me. I swear I look so weird in anything with a frost to it. Always cool to see those Pinterest claims are legit though! (;

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  23. I think they are both lovely, but I'd definitely go with Maybelline. It's just something easy, pretty and perfect for summer months. :)

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  24. They look slightly different in the swatches. Angel looks more pinky peach but on your lips they look very similar.

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  25. Ooo! Good to know. I wonder if it's still a dupe on my pigmented lips. I need to test this out. :) Love these dupe posts.

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  26. Thank you so much for sharing this. I hate buy high end lipstick. Which I'm sure you could tell by my lipstick post this week.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home/

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  27. Omg this is a perfect dupe! You can't even tell on your lips! Such a pretty natural color too!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  28. Ooh these do look pretty much the same on your lips. I've actually been looking for a pink lipstick that isn't too bright (I already have some bright ones) so I'm going to try the Maybelline! Also, I'm the same way with Pinterest--especially recipes, so many aren't great. I prefer to pin or repin from food blogs!

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  29. I can't tell a difference at all! Love the soft color and the price of Maybelline!

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  30. I think they look exactly the same! Great, I love MAC lipsticks but now I can try out more shades under budget!

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  31. I've actually never had a MAC lipstick, but I've heard of angel, I know it's super popular. I didn't know their lipsticks were scented??? I might have to pick up this Maybelline one though!

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  32. That does look like a dupe! It's always nice to find a cheaper option :)

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  33. Wow! I can't tell a difference on your lips at all! That's crazy! Awesome to have an actual dupe! :)

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  34. Any difference between these two shades looks barely discernible on your lips. I really wish I could pull off light pinks like this.

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  35. MAC lipsticks are some of my faves. I really can't tell a difference on these when they are on your lips, I can tell a difference on your arm, tho! These dup posts are so fun!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  36. love MAC lipsticks! pretty color!
    xx, lauren

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  37. Love this! It really helps when deciding if to splurge or not! They both look great!

    Paula- www.livingpaula.com

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  38. Pinterest bothers me these days, too! I never see any pins from the gals I follow and they continually show me the same, popular pins!

    But anyways, great dupe comparison! I totally think that this is a dupe! I don't own Maybelline Born with It, but now i think I need to! ;-)

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  40. I don't have Angel but I've tried it once in store and it's a beautiful lipstick. Born With It is indeed very similar. x

    Renata | Speaking Beauty UK

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  41. This looks like a really good dupe on your lips! I've owned the Born With It shade before, and used it all up. This reminds me that I need to get it again!

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  42. Fun fact, Mac Angel is the first Mac product I ever purchased. Good to know there is a dupe out there for it!

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  43. I've become a huge fan of MAC lipsticks after my friend gave me a couple for Christmas this past year, but you really can't tell the difference when they're on your lips! MAC lipstick does smell so good though!

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  44. both colours are pretty on you, i personally wouldn't like this colour on myself, but if i did, i'd probably go for the mac. which i never thought i'd say haha. i love pinterest, i hate click bait type pins though, i stay away. i normally use it for travel, outfits, or recipes. i'm gonna have to check out the hashtag tonight show thing it sounds hilarious!

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  45. I love MAC Angel. So good to know there's a dupe for it! Thanks for the info!

    Breakfast at Gracey's

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  46. Wow, almost spot on! Angel looks a tad warmer :)

    www.passingfancyblog.com

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  47. Pretty colors!
    Have a nice week-end!
    Photographer Gil Zetbase
    http://www.gilzetbase.com/

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  48. These are SUCH pretty shades! I never wear lipstick and you have me wanting to go buy the Maybelline one right now!

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