In case you haven’t already heard, Australia’s hottest makeup brand, MCoBeauty, has finally landed at Superdrug. Its arrival into the UK has been hugely anticipated, thanks to a wave of viral videos comparing the products to some of the most iconic names in luxury beauty, and all for under £15 each.
While MCo is brand new to the UK, its products may look… very familiar already. It’s the latest addition to the booming market of beauty ‘dupes’, with offerings that look extremely similar to some of my favourite names, from Charlotte Tilbury and Glossier to Drunk Elephant.
I love a luxury beauty splurge, and let's be clear on one thing – with a dupe you're not getting the same product for less. The formulas aren't identical, and you're also missing everything from the premium packaging to the innovation that makes the originals so special and covetable.
However, I have to admit that it’s nice to have the option of a more affordable alternative, especially with the cost of living continuing to rise. But does that saving come at the expense of performance?
When it comes to a dupe, it’s easy for a brand to imitate the packaging of a high-end product, but the real question remains: is the product itself actually any good? To find out, I decided to put the MCo collection to the test and see whether any of the products were truly worthy of a spot in my makeup bag.
MCoBeauty Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter, £15
Saving: £24 on Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, £39
Described as a ‘complexion perfector with a filter-like finish’, this appears designed to be an alternative to Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Hollywood Flawless Filter. With many dupes, I find the quality doesn’t extend past the obvious lookalike packaging. However, I have to say this is one of the standout MCo products for me.
If you’re a fan of glowy skin, this one’s for you. I just swept the product on and blended, giving me an instant, dewy and radiant finish. It can be worn on its own as a lightweight base, but I prefer it layered underneath foundation and concealer as a luminous primer for more coverage. It doesn’t have the luxe appeal or pedigree of Tilbury, but for me it stands up very well as a product in its own right.
MCoBeauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops, £12
Saving: £23 on Drunk Elephant Sunshine Drops, £35
Drunk Elephant’s Sunshine Drops have become a beauty cult-classic, and as a result, the market has been saturated with cheaper bronzing drops — and there’s no denying the staggering price difference when MCo’s version sits at just £12.
These drops are quite sheer, which is ideal if you have a paler complexion (like me). They add a natural warmth without appearing muddy, and the formula blends beautifully into the skin.
Despite the bronzing name, the product is a skincare/makeup hybrid, thanks to the inclusion of nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. You can mix it into your moisturiser for a touch of radiance on those no-makeup days. While it won’t be replacing my favourite Drunk Elephant bronzer, it will be joining my suitcase for my summer getaway.
MCoBeauty Cheek + Lip Tint, £6.50
Saving: £17.50 on Glossier Cloud Paint, £24
Glossier’s Cloud Paint was my introduction to liquid blush, and it’s remained a staple in my beauty bag for years – so the paint tube-style packaging of MCo’s Cheek + Lip Tint immediately rang a bell.
With a similar gel-like consistency, this is a great product. While not as pigmented as the Glossier OG, it delivers a lovely, natural-looking flush that can be built up. If you’re new to liquid blush, this is a nice starting point. You can’t really make a mistake, and it can be easily patted into the skin with your fingers.
Unlike Glossier’s Cloud Paint, MCo’s version also claims to double as a lip tint. Personally, the shade I tested was far too pale for my lips, but I can see the appeal of this in one of the deeper colours.
MCoBeauty Glow Up Ph Powder Blush, £12
Saving: £23 on Dior Backstage Rosy Glow, £35
If you prefer a powder blush, MCo has you covered on that base, too. Its Glow Up blush bears a not-so-subtle resemblance to Dior’s Backstage Glow. While it may not feel as luxe as Dior, it does the job beautifully. The formula is pH-activated, adapting to your skin for a personalised shade.
I tested the Rosy Glow shade, drawn in by the bold pink hue. The result was a stunning pop of colour on my cheeks. Despite its matte appearance in the pan, it leaves a soft, radiant glow. It’s safe to say this one is joining my daily makeup bag.
MCoBeauty Highlight & Glow Beauty Wand, £12
Saving: £18 on Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand, £30
If you’re a fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty wands, this might look familiar. While I’m not one to wear highlighter on a daily basis, the MCo option is a bargain, especially if you like an added glow in your everyday look.
The creamy formula features pearlescent particles to catch the light and give you some extra glow on the high points of your face. The effect it gives looks beautiful and natural-looking; however, I did find it lifted some of the blush I’d applied underneath. But at just £12, it’s hard to complain.
MCoBeauty Brow Laminate Sculpt & Set, £10
Saving: £8 on Refy Brow Sculpt, £18
I love the look of laminated brows, but let’s face it – brow gel is cheaper, especially when it costs just £10, in comparison to Refy’s £18 brow sculpt.
I’ll admit I was a little sceptical about the MCo product at first. Many cheaper brow gels have left my brows feeling oddly crispy, with white flakes appearing throughout the day (never a pretty look). So, staring down at MCo's white-looking gel, I was hesitant.
But once I’d applied it, I was genuinely impressed – each hair was lifted and set in place, giving my brows a thick, laminated effect almost instantly. I did notice a small amount of white residue around the edges, but it was easy to sweep away using the clean spoolie provided while shaping.
MCoBeauty Xtendlash Mascara, £10
Saving: £10 on Glossier Lash Slick, £20
MCo’s mascara is one of its bestsellers, and at just £10, it’s well worth trying if you’re on the hunt for an affordable new option. While the packaging isn’t an obvious dupe, formula-wise, it’s appears quite close to Glossier’s Lash Slick.
It’s worth noting that this is a tubing mascara, meaning it won’t flake or smudge throughout the day, and it can be easily removed with just warm water. However, like most tubing formulas, it’s not the most volumising mascara you’ll come across. That being said, if you prefer a lengthening, natural-looking finish, you’ll love it.
I found it beautifully separated and lengthened each individual lash — perfect for those days when you’re not after dramatic, falsie-style lashes.
MCoBeauty Perfect Pout Lip Liner, £4.50
Saving: £17.50 on Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner, £22
I’m big on lip liner, but that said, I don’t love spending a lot on them (I’m notoriously prone to losing them!) So, when I saw MCo’s were just £4.50, they were immediately on my must-try list.
The liner has a velvet-like finish, and it glides on like a dream. I opted for the shade Cheeky Chat which seems to reference Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Pillow Talk. The pencil itself wears down fairly quickly and I found myself needing to sharpen it after just a couple of uses, but considering the price, I didn’t mind too much.
MCoBeauty Creme Matte Luxe Lipstick, £9.50
Saving: £19.50 on Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, £29
To complete the look, I paired the Cheeky Chat liner with the matching Cheeky Chat lipstick – which, despite being labelled as ‘luxe’, comes in at just £9.50.
Like the liner, it has a velvet, matte finish. I was pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t dry out my lips, like many matte lipsticks tend to do. Plus, for the price, I was genuinely impressed with how long-lasting it was.
MCoBeauty Peptide Lip Treatment, £8
Saving: £10 on Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, £18
I’m a lip balm fanatic – after all, is there anything better than a product that looks and feels good at the same time? The name alone suggests this is meant to be an affordable alternative to Rhode’s cult-favourite peptide lip treatment.
I have to say, this is one of my standout favourites from the range. Not only does it smell delicious, but it left my lips feeling soft and nourished, wrapped in a gorgeous, non-sticky hint of colour. This one went straight into my handbag.
