All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
WHO doesn’t love a good dupe? Especially when it delivers the same results as a pricier brand.
Budget retailers have become treasure troves for beauty lovers hunting for affordable alternatives that actually work.
The latest buzz? Beauty fans have spotted a new cream at Home Bargains that’s giving the iconic a run for its money.
Say hello to the Victoria Harper Mystical Cream, priced at just £3.99.
This bargain beauty gem promises to plump and firm the skin, and shoppers are already flocking to stores to grab it.
At a fraction of the price, it’s no surprise everyone’s eager to see if this affordable find lives up to the hype.
Taking to TikTok, shared a video of her coming across a shelf filled with the cream.
She captioned her video: “Charlotte Tilbury Magic cream at Home Bargains?”
Many beauty fans also rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “The HB [Home Bargains] one is amazing!
“I struggle with a lot of face creams and react badly but have no reaction and my face is so soft! Brilliant.”
A second praised the product by saying: “I love this cream, I bought it on a whim with doubt but it’s lovely.”
Whilst a third added: “Currently using this and loving it.”
Others stated that they were: “Running to buy.”
However, if you’re not a fan of strong smelling products then this may not be the one for you as one wrote: “No, the scent is really overpowering. I wish I hadn't bothered.”
If your interior design dreams don’t match your budget, then Home Bargains also have you covered.
The budget retailer has launched a stunning dupe of a luxury Zara lamp - offering homeowners the chance to save £100 without compromising on style.
Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it’s time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys.
Bargain US supermarket Walmart became a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès’ Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral.
Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: "Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it’s not, because who the hell has the money to spend on the real Birkin? Not me.”
Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that’s a different story).
Plus, if I splashed that much, I’d feel I was being ripped off...
We’ve all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world.
But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity.
Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000.
So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash.
Dupes — not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go.
I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower.
And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have.
Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a “heritage piece” and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we’ve been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades.
If we can buy a bag that’s the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn’t mean you have to remortgage, why not?
One savvy shopper shared her find in the Facebook group showcasing a chic beige table lamp she styled on her bedside table.
The poster revealed: “Zara lamp in Home Bargains, £19.99," she told her fellow Facebook users.
The Zara version of the is currently available for £119.99.
THERE are 19 Home Bargains stores with a café. See the list below to find your nearest one.
