Mottled pins get the best of us. The speediest cure is fake tan. Don't want to do your whole body? Then get Helena Rubinstein's Golden Beauty Summer Legs,£16.95. This tinted, pealised cream enhances legs with a healthy glow in a couple of hours and doesn't leave tide marks.

The most admired celebs are often those who don't feel the need to change their hair and make up every time they venture out. The trick is to tweak your make up subtly every time. If you love brown lipstick, then one night just dab it on as a stain. If you can't go without mascara, then switch the shade (there are some gorgeous khakis and plums around), if you can't go without your Smokey eyes, then add a dab of Vaseline to your shadow for a wet look instead.

When the Spice girls conquered America, I reckon they were storming Greenwich Village, cramming their Louis Vuitton cases with make up between performances. If you get the chance to go to New York, check out Co. Bigelow, one of the trendiest pharmacies and a fave hangout for cosmetic crazed celebrities. Better still, they'll ship products over via their brilliant mail order service. Call 001 212 533 2700 now!

Even the elite can't always play catch up. If you play as hard as you work, you can fake a decent nights sleep with Prescriptive Vibrant, £35. It leaves a pearlised sheen to your skin giving it an instant wake up call.

Ever seen Liz Hurley with spotty shoulders or a break out on the back of her neck? Neither have we. Keep pimples at bay with a back facial by Dermalogica, £30 for 40 minutes (stockiest 0800 591818). This begins with the cleansing of your back to remove excess oil and debris, followed by an exfoliation using Hydro Active Mineral. Always carry some Philosophy Out of Control, £14.95, for quick dabs if you feel a spot brewing. It gently exfoliates the skin while helping reduce the sebum build up that causes spots.

Celebs often scrape their hair of their face, either in a pony tale or slicked with gel, for an instant face lift when there's not a stitch of make up in sight.

If you see a product in a magazine that hasn't reaches your part of the map yet, then place an order at your local department store, so they hold it for you the minute it arrives.

It may take months for the celebs to decide on an Oscars' look and even though the it's out of their hands - celeb make up artists are optioned well in advance. You too can get expert advice at home, thanks to Changes Beauty Studio- an interactive CD Rom which lets you scan in your photo and then tells you how to perfect your look. Its £29.99 from major stores. (Tel. 0845 601 1790)

Why are celebs always tanned? They either have a professional fake weekly, or to have to travel to lots of hot locations and don't work as hard as they'd have us believe! Some celebs resort to sun beds (Tracy Shaw and Denise Van Outen, shame!), but we know you wouldn't do that. The only way to look permanently tanned and healthy is fake. It takes dedication, but if you look better brown, put in the effort. Stars swear by St Tropez fake tan, £37.50

Nails buffed the Parisian way so Hollywood but doesn't need a manicurist. The Edge have a brilliant simple DIY kit. You get a white nail pencil, pastel pink varnish and top coat, £4.99.

Posh, Louise and Patsy Kensit never look bad when out shopping, but their secret is natural camouflage. The best dark circle easier is YSL Touche Eclat, £19.50, and the most foolproof concealer is Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, £15.

Even Posh knows the golden rule. If your clothes are simple, you can afford to push your make up a tad. Glittery eyes or lips add edge to the plainest look. I love Hard Candy's new Supershine Gloss, £8.95.

Ever seen a celeb leaving a plane looking crumpled? Always spritz your face with an Evian brumatiser or dab your skin with Pescriptives Flight Cream, £25, to stop dehydration. Travel in soft comfy clothes, no heels! Pack a 'landing outfit' in your hand luggage and change just before touchdown. Slip on your shades and a dab of lipstick. Perfect.

Now the cloggy mascara look is gone, natural lashes are a hit with celebs. Curlier and longer is the way forward so invest in a posh sweeping mascara like Helena r Vertiginous Mascara, £12.50. The cheapest Rimmel Curly Mascara, £3.99, L'Oriel Le Grand Curl, £6.99, or individual false lashes from Shu Uemra, £6.

OK, so many a celeb has succumbed to the collagen implant for a fleshy pout, but it's safer and cheaper to fake it. For lips like supermodel Esther Canadas, try using BeneFit Lip Plump, £13, under your lipstick. This matt cream instantly adds weight to a shrunken mouth.

Stock up on Nars. Apparently they adore the multiple sticks, blushers and eyeshadows.

2-in-1 powder bases are quick and help makeup stay put. I love Philosophy's Complete me, One step concealer, foundation and powder in one, £22.

How do Geri and Denise Van Outen pull off that wide eye look even after an all night bender? They've mastered the art of eyeliner. Wearing a liquid liner above your lids has a widening effect and notice how they're never without it.

Just as accessories complete an outfit, so does a flash of body make up. Strappy dresses require shimmery shoulders, so make sure you glisten up with BeneFit Lightening Lotion, £15. Sandals beg for painted toenails, this season's scrummy colours is boots No7 Barley Romance,£4.75, and short skirts love glossy sheen so spritz with Origins Birthday suit, £12.50.