It’s no news that the most well-known cosmetic products are the ones that carry big brand names like ‘MAC’, ‘NARS’, ‘YSL’ or ‘Bobbi Brown’. This is particularly true with lipstick. There are some shades that are so iconic, you might recognize them just from seeing a swatch. They usually carry unique names and every makeup lover probably has a few of them in their collection.

Needless to say, not everything that glitters is gold. Most of the world’s favorite cosmetic products contain harsh chemicals and harmful ingredients. If you are in the process of transitioning into a more ‘green’ lifestyle, you‘ll notice that some of the staples in your makeup bag wont make the cut. With lipstick, it’s especially important to find a natural alternative. After all, the average woman eats up to 3kg of lipstick in a lifetime. That’s a lot of parabens, aluminum and acetate to snack on. Making the change does not necessarily have to mean parting with the shades you love though. Which is where dupes come in handy. Dupes are pretty much the twin to a makeup product that is either above your budget, no longer available, or simply harmful to you and your skin. But wait, before you start swatching every color available in the organic makeup universe, we’ve gathered some of our favorite dupes right here, potentially making the switch incredibly easy for you.

Top 5 Organic Lipstick Dupes

1. Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in ‘Black Honey’

Lipswatch Tata Harper’s Very Popular

Comparison Swatches: Black Honey Left & Very Popular Right

Here’s one of the most iconic lipstick in modern times. Black Honey was released in 1971 has been within the Clinique collection ever since. This fact alone tells you how popular this lipstick is. In the US, one ‘Black Honey’ is sold every three minutes. The product itself is rather sheer and, when applied, looks unique on everyone. An organic alternative was not easy to find but we are happy to tell you that Tata Harper’s Volumizing Lip and Cheek Tint in ‘Very Popular’ does the same job and so much more. First of all, it’s 100% organic and combines rich pigments with the latest anti-aging technology. Plus, it doubles as a cheek tint. On our lips it looked quite similar to Black Honey and gave the same sheer and glossy finish.

2. Charlotte Tilburry’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Amazing Grace’

Lipswatch ILIA’s Dress you up in Combination with Karma Chameloen

Comparison Swatches: Dress you up Right & Amazing Grace Left

You might not necessarily have heard of this brand yet, but trust me it’s been around for a while and everyone and their mother loves the Matte Revolution Lipsticks by Charlotte Tilburry, especially in the shade ‘Amazing Grace’. This shade is a medium-dark, pink-coral and it is flattering on a wide variety of skin tones. It was challenging, but our closest pick has to be ILIA’s Lipstick Crayon in ‘Dress you up’. It might not look like it in the tube, but on the lips they are very similar. To get an even closer match, try mixing ‘Dress you up‘ with ILIA’s ‘Karma Chameleon’. ILIA’s Lipstick Crayons are by far my favorite green lipstick product. Easy to use, great and handy packaging and amazing color payoff.

3. MAC’s ‘Ruby Woo’

Lipswatch ILIA’s Strike it Up

Comparison Swatches: Strike it Up Right & Ruby Woo Left

OK, if you’re not familiar with MAC’s ‘Ruby Woo’, you’ve probably been living under a rock. It’s perhaps the most popular red lipstick on the planet. There’s not much else to say other than that it’s a blue-based, matte red that looks fabulous, but will completely dry out your lips. Seriously, you will need a good lip scrub and mask after you let this bad boy sit on your mouth for half a day. So don’t let yourself be ‘wooed’. Instead, choose something that will condition your lips and look great at the same time. There are countless organic red lipsticks out there, but the closest match we found is ILIA’s Lipstick in ‘Strike it up‘. This lipstick is highly pigmented and contains precious oils and organic cocoa butter. There is pretty much nothing better for your pout.

4. NARS’ Audacious Lipstick in ‘ANNA’

Lipswatch Kjaer Weis’ Rapture

Comparison Swatches: ANNA Right & Rapture Left

A relatively new launch by NARS that has taken the beauty world by storm. This is especially true for the color ‘ANNA’, which has been frequently sold out at counters and online. The shade is described as a ‘smoky rose’, so totally on par with recent color trends. Kjaer Weis’ Lip Tint in ‘Rapture’ offers the same gorgeous tint, although it is slightly more of a true pink. It contains Jojoba Seed Oil, Beeswax and Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, so it nourishes, moisturizes and fights signs of aging. I also have to mention that the Kjaer Weis packaging is so glamorous, it might just make you faint.

5. NARS’ Satin Lip Pencil in ‘Rikugien’

Lipswatch ILIA’s Blossom Lady

Comparison Swatches: Rikugien Right & Blossom Lady Left

You can find the Satin Lip Pencils by NARS in the handbag of pretty much every beauty blogger out there. Although it is impossible to pronounce, ‘Rikugien’ is one of the most popular shades. It’s the kind of color you can wear everyday. ILIA’s Tinted Lip Conditioner in the shade ‘Blossom Lady’ offers the same “your lips but better”-hue. On top of that, you will get all the amazing benefits of a rich lip balm. So it’s pretty much a win-win.

What is your favorite organic lipstick dupe? Is there a color you desperately need a green alternative for? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll try to find it for you!

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