Kailey Strachan for E! OnlineDon't let the smoke and mirrors fool you—celebs did not wake up like this.
When the cameras are rolling, whether it is on set or on the red carpet, you are seeing A-listers on their A-game. Weeks before a big event or film, many stars will invest a lot of time and thousands of dollars into looking their best.
We're not talking about any day at the beauty parlor either; some celebs stop short of alien abduction in the pursuit of using the most advanced (and most expensive) beauty methods.
You, on the other hand, don't have to keep up with the Joneses. There are less expensive ways to amp up your beauty routine. We've taken some of the most popular celebrity beauty treatments and products and found their less-expensive counterparts!
Laser hair removal works wonders, but it isn't just a one-time procedure. Many stars have depended on the process to keep their legs, bikini line and underarms under control months before an event.
The medical procedure uses a laser to damage the hair follicle, thus removing unwanted hair and inhibiting future growth.
The process can cost around $250 per treatment and take about three to seven sessions before you see any permanent hair loss. That can add up to some big bucks, but if you're hard pressed to get hair removal for less, here is another option.
At-home hair removal systems like the Braun EpiSilk Hair Removal System, can retail upwards of around $80. Products like these are effective at hair removal and inhibiting hair growth. The major difference however, is that they can be more time consuming than laser.
We have all at one time or another been drawn in by the price tag of expensive skin care. Some fancy creams like La Prairie Cellular Cream Platinum Rare can cost upwards of $1,000. This particular moisturizer uses platinum to help replenish moisture and skin's ability to receive nutrients.
If you'd prefer not to dip into your savings when buying your face cream, feel free to head on over to your local drug store to find the No. 1 selling anti-aging moisturizer on the market, Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream. You would be hard pressed to find a face cream that helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles with amino-peptides, collagen and elastin for under $30. This moisturizer rivals its more expensive counterparts with its ability to penetrate 10 layers below the skin's surface to deliver notable results within five days of any big event.
Microdermabrasion is another treatment that many celebs flock to during awards season. About a week prior to a show, you can pay anywhere from $100 to $200 to spray microcrystals on your face. This will help remove the outermost layer of your dry, dead skin cells.
We won't lie to you: This procedure can be super effective for someone who doesn't mind spending their grocery money to have it. The cheaper alternative, however, might be found in your kitchen.
The texture and formulation of brown sugar can be just as effective as the upscale treatment. Brown sugar contains glycolic acid, which helps to strip away dead layers of the skin. It's also a humectant, which means it can draw moisture from the air into the skin to help hydrate—this is not something you get from microdermabrasion. Mix and massage the granules with aloe vera or avocado oil to physically slough off your dead skin cells.
OK, so this next one isn't necessarily something that a lot of stars do for red carpet prep, but we just had to mention it because of its pure grandiosity.
If you can afford $6,000 for a one night stay at Hotel Victor in Miami Beach, you are more than welcome to give them another $5,000 to take a bath in 1,000 liters of Evian Natural Spring water. Très chic!
However, if you actually want to take a bath in something that will help work toward getting red carpet skin for less, look no further than your own tub and Epsom salt.
Epsom salt is actually a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate that you can find at the drugstore for around $5. Add a half-cup to a standard-size bath and soak for about 40 minutes to help remove toxins and absorb the minerals. This process helps to detox, calm and sooth your skin for amazing results.
Having red carpet worthy skin doesn't always mean having to go along with high-priced hijinks. True, if money were no object, we'd love to try some of these high-end procedures. But no matter how much money you have, the benefits of some of these cheaper alternatives are definitely worth their weight in gold.