This is everyone’s go-to cotton pad for a reason. These are known for being super soft yet durable, and at the same time loved for being versatile enough to perform multiple duties from removing makeup and nail polishes to applying skincare products. I was going to make this post a “journey of discovery” and keep it a mystery on whether the MUJI is a dupe or not for the Shiseido, but I’m just going to come out and tell you that YES, the MUJI Cut Cotton in WHITE is indeed a viable DUPE to the cult favourite – and pricey – Shiseido Facial Cotton.

Most cotton pads on the market are designed for single use. Though they're usually not exorbitantly expensive, using one or more a day can add up. With larger pads, Dr. Engelman says you can "cut each square in half to make them last longer."

I got my mom to do a blind test to see which one she likes. She preferred the Quo ones because they were softer (and also they were fatter – more layers). I tested them out and agree that the Quo ones are actually softer, but the Shiseido ones are stronger. When you try to tear them, it takes more force to pull the Shiseido ones apart and are therefore better to use for eye makeup (especially waterproof makeup). If you’re only wearing face makeup, the Quo ones are a great way to save some money. You can use the Quo ones for toner and removing face makeup, and buy the Shiseido ones for eye makeup. First, let’s explain what a “dupe” is in the beauty world. A dupe is a product that replicates another product in terms of colour, finish, texture, longevity, performance etc. A mimic, if you will. A dupe is helpful when: Home to holy-grail status skincare products, Shiseido has fervent fans of its cotton pads. Boasting a 4.6/5 score on Makeupalley, it is loved by reviewers for its soft and non-shedding texture that is perfect for removing makeup, applying toner, as well as micellar water. Sephora Organic Cotton Pads retails at SGD5 for a bag of 50, and is available at Sephora. 11. Albion Facial Cotton When I was scrutinizing the two cottons side by side, I’d say that the Shiseido is ever so slightly softer. But it’s not apparent while I was using them on even the delicate eye area. Honestly – saving 68% allows me to ignore this tiny, almost undetectable discrepancy.

Despite its too-good-to-be-true price point, buyers on this Reddit thread recommend Daiso’s square shaped cotton pads because of its softness and no-frills approach to skincare. For a quality cotton pad option that won’t cost you a pretty penny, Daiso remains a forerunner so you can indulge in your routine and not feel bad about wasting cotton pads that cost way too much per piece. Unfortunately for us, Chanel’s cotton pads are unavailable in Singapore, so grab a box during your next vacation overseas at USD20! 7. Dear Dahlia 5 Layer Soft Cotton Pad I did my usual physical, observable comparisons between MUJI and Shiseido. The size of the MUJI is slightly smaller, measuring 65 x 50mm whereas Shiseido’s is 65 x 55mm.I’ve been using both MUJI and Shiseido cottons interchangeably for the past month to get a true sense of how similar or dissimilar they are to each other. Today, I’m comparing two facial cotton pads: Shiseido’s cult fave vs. Quo Luxury Facial Cotton Pads (the dupe). Quo is the brand by Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada. Did you know that everyone’s favourite “everything” store has cotton pads that have a serious cult following? These cotton pads are much raved about on Reddit because it has great value for money. dear, Klair’s Toner Mate 2 in 1 Cotton Pad retails at USD6.50, available at Wishtrend. 3. Muji peelable cotton pads

Dear Dahlia 5 Layer Soft Cotton Pad retails at SGD9 for 70 pieces, and is available at Sephora. 8. Swisspers Cotton Wool Squares Some cotton pads are smooth on both sides, which is ideal for everyday use and for anyone with sensitive skin. Other options are smooth on one side and slightly textured on the other. The textured side can be used for exfoliation or removing stubborn nail polish, and the smooth side can be used for removing eye makeup and applying various skincare products.If you wear eye makeup and use micellar water instead of cleansing oils/balms, you will probably prefer the Shiseido ones since they are harder to rip and less likely to curl up on you. If you love the Shiseido ones and you live in Canada, I think it’s worth it to give the Quo ones a shot. Then I did a blind test. I placed both Shiseido and MUJI in my cotton dispenser, randomly alternating them. And I could not tell the difference! 😮 As with the Shiseido, MUJI instructs that you can peel the cotton apart and use them as spot “mask” treatments when soaked with toner / essence. DHC Silky Cotton Cosmetic Pads retails at SGD7.50 on Lookfantastic. 10. Sephora Organic Cotton Pads They’re both very soft and the cotton sheets don’t fall apart in use. There’s no linting at all. I dialed up the contrast to show the difference in surface texture between the two – Shiseido has a slight ribbed texture whereas MUJI does not. It doesn’t make any difference in performance though.