Our favorite celebrities always seem so put together—perfect hair and glowing, flawless complexions. We’d all like to replicate their look but most of us aren’t willing to shell out the big bucks that they do to look that good.  How can you be red-carpet worthy without spending a fortune on spa treatments and blowouts at the salon?  We’ve picked out a few celebrity make-up artist tips that won’t break the bank.  In fact, these items can all be purchased at your local drugstore.  No need for a shopping trip to Rodeo Drive!

Five Inexpensive Hollywood Beauty Tricks:

1. Primer: Okay, some stars really are born with perfect skin.  But most of them have a little secret called skin primer.  Most skin primers are silicone-based and act as a thin layer that fills in fine lines, large pores and acne scars. The result? A smooth, flawless complexion! Give skin primer a try and you’ll understand why Hollywood make-up artists call it the under-make-up make-up.

2. Skin Illuminator: Where do all the stars get their glow? Skin illuminators!  Most skin illuminators are pearlized shimmer creams that you put under your foundation or mix with your foundation for a fresh, glowing complexion.   Celebrity make-up artists warn that skin illuminators should not be confused with shimmery powder, which can end up looking like a sparkle-overdose.

3. Fast Lash by Tweezerman: Medication to make your eyelashes grow? Expensive.  Fake eyelashes? Messy and inconvenient.  The trick to get quick Hollywood lashes?  A secret to the stars—Fast Lash by Tweezerman.  In fact, it’s one of the most requested products for celebrity photo shoots and special events.  You first coat your lashes with regular mascara, then use Fast Lash which looks like a normal mascara tube but really contains dry white flakes.  These pieces of harmless polyester fiber act as a lash builder when you add another coat of regular mascara.  You’ll end up with thick, luscious lashes!

4. Blue, Yellow or Orange Concealer: You may not believe us, but putting these colors of concealer under your eyes will actually make them look better– trust us!  Blue-based concealer helps reflect light and makes eyes look brighter.  For even darker under-eye circles use yellow or orange concealer which will neutralize the darkness beneath the eyes.

5. Shampoo With Dimethicone Copolyol: Ya, we can’t pronounce it either. What we do know though is that shampoo that contains this ingredient has a little extra “oomph!”  Next time you need to purchase shampoo, make sure it has this volume booster in it.

Love makeup beyond just reading about it. Consider going to a makeup artist school and becoming certified.

So you are applying to cosmetology school and as stated by the State Cosmetology License Requirements, you need a high school diploma or GED equivalent in order to be accepted into school. All cosmetology schools – esthetician schools, makeup artist schools, hair designs schools, require this component. But what if you were accepted based on a lie?

The cosmetology schools in Florida are finding many of their students producing fake diplomas. Over a decade ago, making a fake diploma was unheard of but as the internet has grown, so has the resources available to fabricate forms. Cosmetology schools are taking a stance and formalizing the procedures so the risk lies in the hands of the individual.

Some of the tactics cosmetology schools are now doing to combat this problem is using attorneys to certify documents. Cosmetology students are also required to take an oath by signing a form that states they have completed high school and the documentation (high school diploma or GED) that they are presenting is real. Finally, cosmetology schools get the document notarized.

Really to say the least, it is sad how far someone would go to obtain an education and build a future cosmetology career through fabricating lies.

If you missed this week’s episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey and the ever-growing dramatic scandals between the housewives and Danielle Staub, then you missed a great episode. The “hold onto your seat ending” where Teresa decides to be cordial toward Danielle after all this time did not go over so well (surprise), prepping us with police cars and the girls fleeing in next week’s episode.

But aside from all the sticks and stones being thrown, Caroline’s daughter, Lauren Manzo, celebrated an accomplishment of graduating from cosmetology school in New York. Make-Up Designory, the professional makeup artisan school, was featured in the week’s episode showing Lauren applying costume-like makeup in Jennifer Suarez’s Beauty Make-Up Artistry course. Cosmetology grad Manzo received an “A” in the class if you were wondering. Watching her put makeup on other students, I have to admit made me sit back and open up the jar of unfilled dreams. Getting a degree in cosmetology school and practicing makeup designs sounded marvelous. Afterall, there’s no place like New York for beginning a career in beauty. Note to self: Look at these makeup artist schools in New York!