I Tested Dollar Tree Dupes—Here’s What’s Worth Buying (and Skipping)

Dollar Tree is stepping up its dupe game, and some of these finds are seriously impressive.

I compared popular brand-name products to their budget versions to see what’s actually worth buying—and what you should skip.

$1.25 Rose Pink Lip & Cheek Stain (Benefit Benetint Dupe)

This is a BUY, provided you are quick with your application. It offers a massive saving of over $26 and delivers a high-pigment look that lasts.

• Why to Buy: The Dollar Tree version is significantly more pigmented than the original. It is water-based, non-sticky, and provides a larger amount of product (0.33 fl oz) compared to a brand-name mini (0.06 fl oz). It is made in Korea, which usually signals higher-quality formulation in the beauty community.

• The “Deal”: Because it is so potent, it stains almost instantly. You must blend it “one dot at a time” to avoid leaving permanent “speckles” on your cheeks. There is a learning curve here—don’t use it for the first time when you’re running late for work.

• Brand Price: ~$28.00 (Benefit Benetint).

$1.50 Homebright Stain Remover (Shout Advanced Dupe)

This is a SKIP. While it’s cheap, the performance gap between this and the name brand is noticeable enough to justify the extra two dollars for the original.

• Why to Skip: The packaging is the biggest fail; the bottle leaks as soon as you turn it over to scrub. The scrubber brush is smaller than Shout’s, providing less coverage. In head-to-head tests with ketchup, the name brand left fabrics “crispier white,” while the dupe struggled with total removal.

• The “Deal”: You’re getting 5 oz for $1.50, whereas Shout provides 8.7 oz for around $3.84. When you do the math on the volume and the mess factor, the savings are negligible.

• Brand Price: ~$3.84 (Shout Advanced).

$1.25 B-Pure Vitamin C & Turmeric Skincare (Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Dupe)

This is a BUY for the Eye Cream and Moisturizer, but a SKIP for the Cleansing Balm.

• Why to Buy: The Vitamin C glow shimmering moisturizer is a gel-based formula that smells like orange juice and absorbs beautifully. The eye cream is lightweight, water-based, and doesn’t feel greasy. Reddit users often compare the “glow” factor to high-end serums.

• Why to Skip: The Cleansing Balm is a dud. It fails to melt makeup—even after multiple applications—and behaves more like a thick wax than an oil-based cleanser.

• The “Deal”: The Sunday Riley set is famously expensive. By swapping the moisturizer and eye cream, you’re looking at a $80+ saving.

• Brand Price: ~$84.00 (Sunday Riley full size).

$1.25 Beauty Intuition Lip Gloss (Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Dupe)

This is a MAJOR BUY. This is arguably the “find of the week” for beauty enthusiasts.

• Why to Buy: The packaging and the applicator tip are nearly identical to Summer Fridays. The formula is highly moisturizing and doesn’t have the “cheap” sticky feel of typical budget glosses. The “Pinky Nude” shade is a community favorite for being a “your lips but better” color.

• The “Deal”: Many users on TikTok and YouTube claim they cannot tell the difference once it’s on the lips. It’s a $23 saving for a product you’ll likely use daily.

• Brand Price: ~$24.00 (Summer Fridays).

$1.25 Be Pure Strawberry Lip Mask (Pixi Lip Mask Dupe)

This is a PASS on both the brand and the dupe.

• Why to Skip: The Dollar Tree version feels like a “13-year-old’s first lipstick.” It has a plastic applicator (the brand has silicone) and provides no color tint. User feedback suggests it’s too small and unremarkable.

• The “Deal”: Even the name-brand version is considered “boring” by reviewers. There are better lip treatments at Dollar Tree (like the B-Pure line) that offer more hydration.

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• Brand Price: ~$12.00 (Pixi).

$1.25 Checkered Dinnerware (MacKenzie-Childs Dupe)

This is a MAJOR BUY for home decor bloggers.

• Why to Buy: These ceramic plates and mugs capture the “Courtly Check” aesthetic perfectly. They are sturdy and available in pink and blue.

• The “Deal”: To make these look truly “luxury,” users recommend painting the rim with metallic gold paint (found in the craft aisle). It elevates the plate from “discount” to “boutique.”

• Brand Price: ~$60.00 per plate / ~$300.00 for a 4-pack.

$1.50 Gibson Home Diamond Glassware (Wayfair/Walmart Dupe)

This is a BUY. This isn’t just a dupe; it’s a name-brand product sold at a deep discount.

• Why to Buy: These are heavy, high-quality glasses sold under the “Gibson Home” label. They feature a sophisticated diamond-cut pattern that catches the light, making them perfect for “expensive-looking” tablescapes or parfaits.

• The “Deal”: These exact glasses retail in 4-packs elsewhere. You are saving roughly $2.50 per glass by buying them individually at Dollar Tree.

• Brand Price: ~$16.99 for a 4-pack on Wayfair.

$1.50 Snackle Boxes (Target “Bullseye’s Playground” Dupe)

This is a BUY. These are a viral sensation for a reason.

• Why to Buy: You get a 2-pack for $1.50. They are perfect for travel snacks, “Easter Baskets,” or organizing small craft supplies. They feel just as sturdy as the versions found in Target’s dollar section.

• The “Deal”: Target usually sells a single box for $5.00. You are getting two for less than half the price of one.

• Brand Price: ~$5.00 each at Target.

$1.25 Brazilian Sol Line (Sol de Janeiro Dupe)

This is a MIXED BUY. Buy the wipes; skip the laundry products.

• Why to Buy: The Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes are the winner here. They have the strongest “Cheirosa ’62” (pistachio/caramel) scent that actually lingers after cleaning.

• Why to Skip: The Dryer Sheets and Fabric Boosters are weak. Reviewers note the scent disappears almost immediately once the clothes are dry.

• The “Deal”: It’s a cheap way to get that “expensive spa” smell in your kitchen without the Sol de Janeiro price tag.

• Brand Price: ~$20.00 – $40.00 (Sol de Janeiro body/home products).

$6.00 Character Sandals (Croc Dupes)

This is a BUY for kids, but a SKIP for adults.

• Why to Buy: For $6, these are excellent for kids who outgrow shoes every few months. They come in popular licenses like Bluey, Stitch, and Spider-Man. You can add the $1.25 shoe charms to make them look authentic.

• Why to Skip: Adults find them significantly less comfortable than real Crocs. They lack the “cushion” and arch support of the original.

• Brand Price: ~$30.00 – $50.00 (Licensed Crocs).