NewsBite

Better than the real thing? How beauty dupe culture took over

Better than the real thing? How beauty dupe culture took over

Social media and young people hungry for luxurious cosmetics have led to a boom in cheap versions of expensive products. Companies are cashing in on the trend.

Lauren SamsFashion editor

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Iris Smit has spent more than $50,000 patenting and protecting her beauty product, The Quick Flick. Sold at major retailers including The Iconic and Priceline, Smit’s product, which makes it easier to apply eyeliner, should be an Australian success story. But despite her efforts, it hasn’t stopped other companies copying her and passing off her eyeliner stamp as their own idea.

“The first time I was copied, it was by someone in my friendship group,” Smit says. “That was seven months into the business. She had copied the entire concept of the eyeliner stamp.” That was in 2020, and four years later, Smit says her product has been imitated so often that she has lost count. She is reluctant to name the larger companies she alleges have copied her for fear of defamation and further legal costs.

Loading...

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Read More

Lauren Sams
Lauren SamsFashion editorLauren Sams is the fashion editor, based in Sydney. She writes about lifestyle including the arts, entertainment, fashion and travel. Lauren has worked as a features editor and fashion journalist for ELLE, marie claire and more. Email Lauren at lauren.sams@afr.com

Latest In Fashion & style

Fetching latest articles

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/fashion-and-style/better-than-the-real-thing-how-beauty-dupe-culture-took-over-20240526-p5jgsb