Have you ever scrolled through social media and seen a stunning makeup look, only to find out the products used cost more than your weekly food shop?
We’ve all been there. The world of high-end beauty can feel out of reach. But what if you could get that glamorous, high-quality look without the scary price tag?
This is the promise of MCo Beauty. You’ve probably seen their products in Tesco, on Amazon, or all over Instagram. They’re an Australian brand that has taken the UK by storm, offering “dupes” (incredibly similar alternatives) for luxury products at a fraction of the cost.
Also Read: A Deep Dive into Modern Chinese Beauty Standards
But with so many products, where do you even start? Are they really as good as everyone says?
I’ve tested the most famous MCo Beauty products to separate the hype from the heroes. This starter guide will walk you through exactly which ones are worth adding to your cart, and which you might want to skip.
First, What is MCo Beauty All About?
In simple terms, MCo Beauty is all about affordable luxury. They look at the most popular, high-end makeup and skincare products and create their own amazing versions.
Their products are:
- Cruelty-Free: They don’t test on animals.
- Affordable: Most products are under £20, and many are under £15.
- Accessible: You can find them in Tesco, on the MCo Beauty Amazon UK page, and on other online beauty sites.
They’ve built a reputation for having some of the best “dupes” on the high street. But let’s see if they live up to it.
Also Read: A Deep Dive into the REM Beauty Wicked Collection
The Undisputed Hero: The MCo Beauty XtendLash Mascara
If you only buy one thing from MCo Beauty, make it this. This mascara is a legend for a reason.
- The Hype: It’s famous for being a near-perfect dupe for the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. It comes in a similar pink tube and promises huge volume and length.
- The Reality: Does it deliver? Yes. The wand is a fluffy, hourglass shape that grabs every lash. The formula is buildable, meaning you can apply one coat for a daytime look or two or three for dramatic, false-lash effect. It doesn’t feel clumpy or sticky.
- Who It’s For: Anyone who wants big, voluminous lashes without spending £25 on a mascara.
- Pro Tip: Let the first coat dry for about 30 seconds before applying the second. This helps to build volume without the lashes sticking together.
Verdict: 10/10. An absolute must-try.
The “Your Skin But Better” Base: MCo Beauty Foundation & Concealer
A good base is the foundation (pun intended!) of any great makeup look. MCo Beauty offers some great options here.
The MCo Beauty Hydra Full Coverage Foundation
- The Hype: A lightweight but full-coverage foundation that feels like a second skin.
- The Reality: This is a solid, reliable foundation. It’s not overly thick or cakey. It blends out nicely with a brush or a sponge and gives a natural matte finish. It covers redness and blemishes well. The shade range is decent for a drugstore brand, but always check online swatches to find your perfect match.
- Who It’s For: Those with normal to combination skin looking for medium to full coverage.
The MCo Beauty Concealer
- The Hype: A high-coverage, creamy concealer that doesn’t crease.
- The Reality: This is a great everyday concealer. It’s creamy enough that it doesn’t look dry under the eyes, and it has good pigmentation to cover dark circles. For very severe blemishes, you might need a second layer, but for most people, it works perfectly.
- Who It’s For: Anyone needing a reliable, affordable concealer for under-eyes and spot concealing.
Verdict: 8/10. A fantastic, budget-friendly base duo.
The Brows That Wow: MCo Beauty Brow Gel & Pencil
Great brows can frame your entire face. MCo Beauty has two main products for this.
The MCo Beauty Brow Gel
This is a tinted gel that you comb through your brows to add colour and hold them in place all day.
- The Hype: A dupe for the famous Benefit Gimme Brow+ Gel. It has tiny fibres that stick to your brow hairs to make them look thicker.
- The Reality: It’s very good! It gives a natural, fluffy look to your brows and the hold is strong without being crunchy. The colour range is good for most natural shades.
- Who It’s For: Anyone who wants quick, easy, and natural-looking brows in 30 seconds.
The MCo Beauty Brow Pencil
This is a fine-tipped pencil for drawing in individual brow hairs.
- The Hype: A precise pencil that doesn’t break easily.
- The Reality: It’s a good, basic brow pencil. The tip is fine enough to create hair-like strokes, and the formula isn’t too waxy or too soft. It’s not the most long-wearing pencil on the market, but for the price, it does the job very well.
- Who It’s For: Those who like to define their brow shape and fill in sparse areas with precision.
Verdict: Brow Gel 9/10, Brow Pencil 7/10. The gel is the real star here.
The Glow Getters: MCo Beauty Highlighters & Blush
Adding a glow is how you make your makeup look alive and healthy.
The MCo Beauty Highlighter Stick
- The Hype: An easy-to-use cream highlighter stick that gives a dewy, lit-from-within glow.
- The Reality: This is brilliantly beginner-friendly. You just swipe it on the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow—and blend with your fingers. It gives a wet-look shine that is very modern and pretty. It’s not glittery, just glowy.
- Who It’s For: Makeup newbies and glow-lovers who want an effortless, natural highlight.
The MCo Beauty Powder Blush
- The Hype: A soft, pigmented powder blush that blends easily.
- The Reality: The blushes are lovely. They are soft to the touch and have good colour payoff, so you don’t need to dig your brush in. They blend out smoothly on the skin for a flush of colour that looks natural.
- Who It’s For: Anyone looking to add a healthy, natural-looking colour to their cheeks.
Verdict: Highlighter Stick 9/10, Powder Blush 8/10. Both are excellent value.
The Lip Favourites: MCo Beauty Lip Products
From matte to glossy, MCo has your lips covered.
The MCo Beauty Matte Lipstick
- The Hype: A comfortable, non-drying matte lipstick.
- The Reality: These are surprisingly comfortable for a matte formula. They aren’t completely transfer-proof, but they don’t dry your lips out and feel lightweight. The colour range is great, with lots of wearable everyday shades.
- Who It’s For: Those who love a matte lip but hate the dry, tight feeling.
The MCo Beauty Lip Gloss
- The Hype: A non-sticky, shiny lip gloss.
- The Reality: This is a classic, great lip gloss. It’s shiny, feels comfortable on the lips, and isn’t overly sticky. It comes in clear and tinted shades.
- Who It’s For: Anyone wanting a quick, easy lip shine.
Verdict: Both 8/10. Solid, reliable lip products that do what they say.
The Tools: MCo Beauty Makeup Brushes & Sponges
You can have the best makeup in the world, but you need the right tools to apply it.
The MCo Beauty Makeup Sponge
- The Hype: A dupe for the famous Beautyblender.
- The Reality: This is one of the best beauty dupes out there. When damp, it softens and expands, and it bounces foundation onto your skin for a flawless, airbrushed finish. It’s soft, doesn’t absorb too much product, and is a fraction of the price.
- Who It’s For: Everyone. Seriously, just buy it.
The MCo Beauty Makeup Brushes
- The Hype: Soft, durable brushes that don’t shed.
- The Reality: The brushes are excellent for the price. They are soft on the skin, pick up product well, and don’t shed hairs all over your face. A great set of these brushes is a perfect way to build your collection without spending a fortune.
- Who It’s For: Beginners building a brush collection or anyone needing to replace old brushes on a budget.
Verdict: Sponge 10/10, Brushes 9/10. Exceptional quality for the price.
The Final Verdict: Is MCo Beauty Worth It?
After testing all these products, the answer is a clear yes.
MCo Beauty is not a gimmick. The quality is consistently high, and the prices are unbelievable. Are they exactly the same as the £50 products they dupe? In some cases, very nearly. In all cases, they are far, far better than their price tag suggests.
Your Starter Shopping List:
If you’re new to the brand, here’s what to buy first:
- XtendLash Mascara: The undisputed champion.
- Makeup Sponge: For a perfect base application.
- Brow Gel: For quick, easy brows.
- Highlighter Stick: For a gorgeous, easy glow.
You can find these, and the rest of the range, at Tesco (both in-store and online) and on Amazon UK.
MCo Beauty proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to look and feel a million dollars. So go on, treat yourself—your wallet will thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How does the MCo Beauty XtendLash Mascara truly compare to high-end alternatives like Too Faced Better Than Sex?
The comparison is justified in terms of initial impact and wand design. Both feature a similar plush, hourglass-shaped brush that effectively coats every lash for dramatic volume. Where they differ is in longevity and finish. The XtendLash can sometimes require a second coat after a few hours on very straight lashes, whereas the high-end option may hold a curl slightly better. However, for over £20 less, the MCo Beauty version delivers 90% of the effect, making it one of the most impressive and accessible dupes in the drugstore market.
2. I have very sensitive/acne-prone skin. Are MCo Beauty foundations and concealers non-comedogenic?
While MCo Beauty products are generally formulated to be skin-friendly, the term “non-comedogenic” is not a regulated guarantee. The foundations and concealers are oil-free, which is a positive sign for acne-prone skin, but they do contain common cosmetic ingredients like silicones (e.g., Dimethicone) which help with smooth application. If you have known sensitivities, it’s always best to patch-test a product on your jawline for 24-48 hours before applying it to your entire face. The brand is cruelty-free, which often aligns with gentler formulations, but individual reactions can vary.
3. What is the best application technique for the MCo Beauty Makeup Sponge to achieve a flawless base?
The key is in the preparation. First, fully saturate the sponge with water until it expands, then squeeze out all the excess moisture in a clean towel. A damp sponge won’t absorb your precious foundation and will help sheer it out for a natural finish. Use a bouncing or stippling motion to press and bounce the sponge over your skin; never drag or wipe, as this will streak the product. Use the pointed end for hard-to-reach areas like around the nose and under the eyes. This technique creates an airbrushed, seamless finish.
4. For someone with mature skin, which MCo Beauty base products are most flattering?
Mature skin tends to benefit from hydrating and light-reflecting formulas that don’t settle into fine lines. The MCo Beauty Highlighter Stick is excellent for adding a dewy, non-glittery glow to the high points of the face. For foundation, a lighter coverage option like a tinted moisturizer (if available) or a very sheer application of their foundation is best. Avoid heavy layers of matte powder products, as these can be aging. The cream-based blushes and highlighters will be more flattering than their powder counterparts, blending seamlessly over texture and lines.
5. How does the staying power of MCo Beauty lip products compare to high-end, long-wearing formulas?
MCo Beauty’s matte lipsticks offer comfortable wear but are not designed to be fully transfer-proof or to survive a large meal like some high-end, liquid, long-wear lipsticks. They will gently fade over 4-6 hours with normal drinking and talking, requiring a light touch-up. This is a trade-off for their comfortable, non-drying feel. If you require absolute, all-day longevity for an event, a dedicated liquid lipstick might be better. For everyday, comfortable wear, the MCo Beauty formulas are outstanding.
6. Is the MCo Beauty Brow Gel a true dupe for the Benefit Gimme Brow?
It is a functional and aesthetic dupe that delivers a remarkably similar result. Both use a tiny, fibre-filled wand to deposit colour and tiny fibres that cling to brow hairs, creating a fuller, feathered look. The main difference often lies in the shade range precision and the hold strength. Benefit may offer more nuanced shades and a slightly stronger, more flexible hold. However, for creating the popular “fluffy brow” look at a fraction of the cost, the MCo Beauty version is exceptionally effective and arguably the best in its price category.
7. What is the best way to sanitize and care for MCo Beauty makeup brushes and sponges?
Proper care is essential for product performance and skin health. For the makeup sponge, wash it after every use with a gentle soap (like baby shampoo or a dedicated solid cleanser) until the water runs clear, then let it air-dry completely away from direct heat. For brushes, a monthly deep clean with the same soap is recommended. For a quick clean between colours, use a spray-on brush cleaner and wipe the bristles on a paper towel. Never let damp tools sit in a closed bag, as this breeds bacteria and ruins the materials.
8. Can I build a complete, cohesive makeup look using only MCo Beauty products?
Absolutely, and this is one of the brand’s greatest strengths. You can create a full, professional-looking face with:
- Base: MCo Beauty Foundation & Concealer.
- Complexion: MCo Beauty Powder Blush and Highlighter Stick.
- Eyes: MCo Beauty Eyeshadow Palette, XtendLash Mascara, and Brow Gel.
- Lips: MCo Beauty Matte Lipstick or Lip Gloss.
- Tools: MCo Beauty Makeup Sponge and Brushes.
The colour stories across their range are designed to be cohesive, allowing for easy matching and a harmonious final look.
9. Where does MCo Beauty stand in terms of ethical and sustainable practices?
MCo Beauty is certified cruelty-free by PETA, a significant ethical commitment. In terms of sustainability, like many affordable brands, there is a focus on accessible packaging, which often involves plastics. They have not made prominent, large-scale claims about using recycled materials or carbon-neutral shipping. The brand’s primary ethical appeal is its strong cruelty-free stance, while its environmental footprint is typical for a mass-market cosmetics company.
10. If I have a limited budget, what is the absolute can’t-miss product that offers the most value?
Without a doubt, the MCo Beauty XtendLash Mascara. It delivers a high-impact, dramatic result that is immediately noticeable and rivals products three times its price. A great mascara can elevate an entire makeup look, making lashes appear longer and eyes more open. For its transformative power, performance, and accessibility, it represents the single best value and the most compelling reason to try the brand. It’s the product that consistently turns first-time buyers into loyal fans.
