Get the Oscars Look for Less: 5 Backstage Secrets to Look Like a Million Bucks
An Oscar star’s clothes, hair and jewelry can cost nearly $20 million.
— -- intro: More than 40 million people across America are gearing up to watch the biggest awards show of the year: the Oscars. According to Nielsen research, the Academy Awards is the most watched entertainment program on television, and among all programs, second only to the NFL playoff games.
Why is America so obsessed with the Oscars? It’s the shiny, bling, bling that’s the most important part of the show of course and we're not talking about the trophies. It’s all about the red carpet.
A star’s clothes, hair and jewelry can cost nearly $20 million. Yup -- one star.
One of the most memorable Oscars outfits in 2014 was Cate Blanchett decked out in $18 million Chopard earrings with 62 opals and strutting her stuff in a $100,000 gown by Armani Prive.
When it comes to glitz and glamour, you won't catch the Hollywood stars skimping on primping and priming. In an interview with ABC News' chief business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, celebrity colorist Joel Warren confirmed Hollywood stars are willing to pay thousands of dollars for the right look.
“If you need your hair colored, highlights can be anywhere from $500 to $1,500. You've got to look like a million dollars," Warren said.
Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who’s confirmed to work with Sienna Miller again this year, told ABC News that celebrities will go through weeks of pampering and facial treatments to get the right look.
“Red carpet skin is just as important as the makeup because if you don’t have a beautiful canvas you can’t create a beautiful painting," Tilbury said.
The number one trend that Tilbury expects to see on the red carpet this year is gorgeous, glowing, youthful and natural looking skin.
“It’s a bit like your wedding day -- you want to look soft and naturally beautiful,” Tilbury explained.
The number one message on the red carpet this year is: “Look like the best version of you. It’s quite simple,” said Tiara Styles, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Tiara Styles Beauty Mobile Beauty Services.
“One of the biggest mistakes women make today is over doing their makeup,” Styles added.
If you don’t have millions of dollars to spend on your look, as do A-list stars Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore and Rosamund Pike, don’t stress. We’re going to tell you how to look like a million bucks for less.
ABC News talked to the top artists and stylists who are creating these looks.
Here are 5 backstage secrets to look like your best self.
quicklist:title: RED CARPET REMEDY FOR GORGEOUS GLOWING SKINmedia: 28959755text: Goddess Skin Clay mask ($70)
One of the top reasons women don’t use makeup is because they don’t know what to use or how to apply it. Charlotte Tilbury said she realizes most Americans can’t afford to spend thousands on a makeup artist, so she created tutorials on her company website for each product.
Tilbury promises this red carpet mini facial will give you flawless, baby soft skin in just 10 minutes.
"I’m on airplanes, no sleep, I have 2 children, I do everything you shouldn't do. This mask plumps up your skin. If you have any kind of lines it just takes it out,” she said.
The secret ingredient is Spanish clay. “It naturally absorbs surface skin oil, drawing out impurities, while sweet almond and rosehip oil moisturize, soften and nourish skin, delaying the signs of aging," Tilbury said.
quicklist:title: SUPERMODEL BODY IN A BOTTLEmedia: 28959475 text: Supermodel Body ($65)
Not everyone is the ideal supermodel height of 5'8" or 5'11". So how do the stars who are only 5’3” get the sexy supermodel height when they pose on the red carpet?
Kim Kardashian (5’3”) wore it at the Grammy’s and swears the answer is Supermodel Body ($65) by Charlotte Tilbury. According Tilbury, Kardashian told her, "It's legendary, I used it on my legs, OMG!"
The shimmer product is made from a wild shitake extract that protects the collagen fibers in the skin to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette. Tilbury boasts that her unique technique is the ultimate "celebrity limb" trick. It gives the appearance of lengthened limbs by highlighting along the front of arms and down center of the leg.
quicklist:title: FAVORITE AT-HOME REMEDY: THE BUBBLY IS NOT JUST FOR DRINKINGmedia: 28959966 text: You’ve heard the saying "A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away." But did you know Champagne could be the secret ingredient to get your hair red carpet ready?
Founder of the WarrenTricomi salon Joel Warren said simple, chic, beautiful hair will be a big trend at this year’s Oscars and you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the look.
The answer is a simple bottle of bubbly. “Cleansing with champagne can lead to smooth and silky hair, especially for blondes,” Warren explained. "Mix one-half cup of your favorite champagne with one-half cup of hot water and distribute the mix evenly throughout your hair. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing and wash as usual.”
quicklist:title: RED CARPET TRICK FOR WOMEN WITH FINE HAIR media: 28959870text: Condition first. Shampoo second.
"Conditioner provides hair the nutrients and moisture it needs to stay strong and shiny, but often times it can make it less manageable for women whose hair lacks texture -- almost too smooth -- and can result in oil buildup," said celebrity colorist Joel Warren. "When you condition first and shampoo last, you avoid residue and get just enough moisture -- not too much.”
quicklist:title: RED CARPET BLING THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK media: 29025573 text: Unless you're one of the lucky winners of the Powerball lottery, you probably can’t afford to get Reese Witherspoon’s look at the Golden Globes.
Just because you don’t have millions to drop on diamonds, doesn’t mean you can’t have access to the A-Lister’s gorgeous classic look.
Witherspoon was the $1.5 million lady at the Golden Globes, dripping in diamonds from Tiffany.
“She beautifully accented her silver Calvin Klein gown with $600,000 diamond and platinum drop earrings, a diamond and 18 karat gold bracelet valued at $200,000,” Karen Egren, celebrity jewelry stylist and founder of Karen Egren Jewelry, explained on ABC News' Real Biz.
“I love her 6.75 karat diamond center stone ring worn on her index finger. It is one of my favorite looks for rings -- very classic with a twist,” Egren added.
Egren’s number one tip: “Don't be afraid to experiment with looks, but don’t wear too much and over pile it on. Classic is always right.”
If you're trying to achieve Witherspoon’s classic look, ”sterling and cubic jewels” are a dashing alternative, she said.
quicklist:title: CUBIC IS A GIRL’S BEST FRIENDmedia: 28959591 text: Here's how you can get the look for less.
Pave Cuff Sterling Cubic bracelet: Karen Egren, $550.
Sterling and cubic drop earrings: Karen Egren, $88
Round sterling cubic ring: Karen Egren, $95
For more star-studded Oscar looks for less, click on ABC News' Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis Oscar Special.
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