Beauty Pie Explored: Discovering which of their affordable picks are most similar to Luxe Counterparts

We’ve always loved the concept of Beauty Pie because it is grounded in value for money. We love helping our community of beauty lovers make their beauty buying decisions as rationally as possible. A beloved SKINSKOOL practice among our community is to run an entire brand through our algorithm to discover interesting tidbits like which of their products surface closely as high ingredient list matches to luxury or much hyped alternatives. We’ve had a few requests to do that with Beauty Pie as of late so it made perfect sense given their positioning in the market.

What’s the deal with Beauty Pie?

In 2016, skincare expert and serial entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore launched Beauty Pie, the world’s first luxury beauty buying club. Think of Costco, but for luxury beauty. The membership is available in the US and UK and if you are a member, you are allowed to purchase their products at the member prices which the brand has said are stripped of the normal layers of middleman markup. They claim to have luxury, innovative products for a fraction of the price you’d otherwise pay.

Membership prices range from $4.95/month for an annual membership to $10/month if you pay monthly. Currently, there's an attractive $20 discount on orders over $60, plus enjoy a 60-day free trial using code 20OFF.

Let’s be clear – Beauty Pie's market position is distinct — it's not a brand that creates duplicates, a concept some might associate with brands like let’s say e.l.f. They openly acknowledge that their aim isn't to replicate other brands' formulas. However, given the saturated nature of the beauty industry and their practice of sourcing from well-established labs, it's inevitable that certain industry trends resonate within their product range. For SKINSKOOL enthusiasts, the excitement lies in discovering products from Beauty Pie that not only echo the essence of high-end beauty offerings and match the quality but do so with a more accessible price point.

Here are the 3 Beauty Pie gems we discovered offering a clear price advantage to similar products on the market.

1. Beauty Pie Futurelipstick™ Matte $12 vs. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick $35

Comparison Overview

Did you know that when you enter Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick into the SKINSKOOL search, Beauty Pie Futurelipstick™ Matte comes up as the top ingredient list match? That’s quite something given the number of lipsticks we have in our database. Particularly notable is the Sweet Life color from the Beauty Pie range, which might be the closest match to Charlotte Tilbury's best-selling Pillow Talk shade (brand claims one sold every 2 minutes!).

Ingredient and Claim Similarities

Both lipsticks boast luxurious pigments and softening, conditioning properties. They share key components that contribute to their texture, structure, and matte finish. Overall, the two formulations share a significant number of ingredients, indicating similar textural properties, moisturizing effects, and overall performance on the lips.

Shared Ingredients

1. Base Ingredients: Both lipsticks use Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Dimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Polybutene, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, and Silica as base ingredients, indicating a similar texture and feel.
2. Flavoring: Ethyl Vanillin is used in both, likely for flavor or fragrance.
3. Natural Oils: They both have Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil and Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, which are moisturizing agents.
4. Vitamin E: Tocopheryl Acetate is present in both, acting as an antioxidant.
5. Fruit Extracts: Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract is used in both for its beneficial skin properties.
6. Stabilizers and Preservatives: Dicalcium Phosphate and Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butylhydroxyhydrocinnamate are in both formulas.

Price Comparison

Beauty Pie offers a substantial price benefit, with Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution priced at $35 for 3.5g, and Beauty Pie's Futurelipstick available at $12 for 2.9g.

2. Beauty Pie Wonderfilter™ Brightening Primer $12 vs. Tarte Glowtion Skin Perfector $32

Comparison Overview

In the quest for a flawless base, primers play a pivotal role. Popping the ever popular Tarte Glowtion Skin Perfector into the SKINSKOOL algorithm surfaces the much more affordable Beauty Pie Wonderfilter™ as the highest ingredient match alternative in the database. This matchup is especially relevant since the primer market has absolutely exploded, showcasing Beauty Pie's ability to offer high-quality alternatives that promise similar skin-perfecting results.

Ingredient and Claims similarities

Both formulations incorporate a comprehensive set of ingredients that hydrate, moisturize, and create a smooth, emulsified product that adheres well to the skin. They contain similar active ingredients that can help to restore and maintain the skin barrier, along with colorants and optical diffusers that provide a brightening effect. These shared groups of ingredients suggest that both products aim to deliver a radiant, moisturized complexion suitable as a primer for makeup or for enhancing the skin's natural glow.

Shared Ingredients

1. Hydrators & Humectants: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Betaine
2. Emollients & Moisturizers: Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Triisostearin, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetearyl Alcohol
3. Emulsifiers & Texture Enhancers: Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum
4. Silicones & Synthetic Polymers: Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
5. Active Ingredients: Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol
6. Preservatives & pH Adjusters: 1,2-Hexanediol, Tromethamine
7. Plant Extracts: Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
8. Colorants & Optical Diffusers: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Tin Oxide, Silica

Price Comparison

The Beauty Pie Wonderfilter™ Brightening Primer offers a striking cost advantage at $12 for 30mL, underscoring Beauty Pie's commitment to delivering premium beauty products at accessible prices. In comparison, the Tarte Glowtion Skin Perfector stands at $32 for 40mL, which, while offering 10mL more product, comes at a higher price point. When adjusted for volume, Tarte's primer is effectively double the cost. This price disparity highlights Beauty Pie's value proposition, especially for those seeking to balance quality with budget. It's worth considering for anyone looking to indulge in the luxury of a brightening primer without the associated luxury expense.

3. Beauty Pie Youthbomb™ Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum $49 vs. IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream $69

Comparison Overview

Retinol remains a gold-standard ingredient in the skincare world for its transformative properties. Another noteworthy discovery is the similarity between the IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream and Beauty Pie's Youthbomb™ Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum. This comparison delves into how each product leverages retinol alongside other skin-nurturing ingredients to deliver claims of enhanced skin texture and vitality.

Ingredient and Claims Similarities

The list of shared claims between these 2 products is very long. Both sets of claims tout comprehensive anti-aging benefits, emphasizing retinol's role in improving skin appearance, from reducing wrinkles and fine lines to enhancing skin tone and firmness. They both promise to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin, though they use slightly different language and ingredient highlights to convey these benefits.

Shared Ingredients

1. Hydration and Skin Conditioning: Both formulas include Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, and Butylene Glycol, which help to hydrate and condition the skin.
2. Vitamin B3: Niacinamide, known for its skin-soothing and anti-aging properties, is a featured ingredient in both products.
3. Retinol: The star ingredient in both serums, retinol, is used for its renowned anti-aging effects such as reducing wrinkles and stimulating collagen production. IT Cosmetics utilizes a blend of free and encapsulated retinol, while Beauty Pie includes microencapsulated retinol and a granactive retinoid.
4. Silicone for Texture: Dimethicone provides a smooth, silky texture to both serums.
5. Natural Oils and Extracts: Both serums are enriched with Glycine Soja Oil/Soybean Oil and Opuntia Ficus-Indica extracts for their antioxidant and moisturizing benefits.
6. Preservatives: Phenoxyethanol and Chlorphenesin are included in both formulas to ensure product longevity.
7. Skin-Replenishing: Ceramide NP and Phytosphingosine are present in both, aiding in skin barrier function and moisture retention.
8. Emulsifiers: Polysorbate 20 helps to blend the oil and water components of both serums.
9. Moisture Retention: Sodium Hyaluronate is a powerful humectant included for its ability to bind water and hydrate the skin.

Price Comparison

The Beauty Pie Youthbomb™ Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum presents a remarkable price advantage, especially when compared to its counterpart from IT Cosmetics. Priced at $49 for 50mL, Beauty Pie offers a sophisticated blend of high-quality actives, including a dual retinol complex and niacinamide, at a cost that is $20 less than the IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream, which retails for $69 for the same quantity. This pricing strategy makes the Youthbomb™ serum not only a financially more attractive option but also a competitive alternative for those seeking the transformative benefits of retinol without the premium price tag. The savings here open up the opportunity for consistent use, which is essential for long-term skincare results..

Bonus tidbit.

Not a strict comparison per se, but we discovered something interesting and we couldn’t not mention it.

Beauty Pie Overnight Skin Perfector 2.0 $15 vs. Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream $225

When you enter Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream into the SKINSKOOL search, Beauty Pie's Overnight Skin Perfector 2.0 appears as the top ingredient list match, sharing a high number of ingredients with the well-known celebrity brand. While their intended use differs—Dr. Barbara Sturm's cream is designed for daily application and the Skin Perfector is a treatment meant for 2 to 3 times weekly use—it's noteworthy to note their common foundation of hydrating ingredients, such as Glycerin, Shea Butter, Panthenol, Squalane, and Ascorbyl Palmitate. Dr. Barbara Sturm's formula emphasizes antioxidants for daily skin support, whereas Beauty Pie's arguably more innovative product enhances hydration with the addition of Retinol and skin-renewing agents in this weekly treatment. Despite the differences, the foundational hydrating ingredients remain consistent, meaning the more advanced Beauty Pie product offers a substantial value considering the price disparity.

Conclusion

We loved using the SKINSKOOL search to surface these noteworthy Beauty Pie offerings. With ingredient lists so similar to their luxe counterparts, the Futurelipstick™ Matte, the Wonderfilter™ Brightening Primer, and the Youthbomb™ Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum appear likely positioned to deliver on their promises of offering luxury quality without the steep price tag.

If you’re intrigued but on the fence, now might be a good time to jump. There’s a deal going on currently for an extra discount on your order plus a free trial membership: $10 off your first purchase with a 60-day free trial when you use code BEAUTYPIE10

Click the links below to check out our picks and test out the performance for yourself:

• Check out Beauty Pie Futurelipstick™ Matte
• Check out Beauty Pie Wonderfilter™ Brightening Primer
• Check out Beauty Pie Youthbomb™ Double-Retinol Action Serum

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