How much does it REALLY cost to get red carpet ready?

FROM hair and makeup to limos and Botox ... Getting red carpet ready for an event during Hollywood's award season is outrageously expensive. But just HOW much does it cost?

SINCE screen siren Sharon Stone daringly donned a Gap turtleneck to the Oscars in 1996, and then infamously wore that crisp white Gap shirt on the same red carpet in 1998 we've become obsessed with what it costs to be red carpet ready.

In a kooky way, Ms Stone's relaxed and affordable fashion statements made us think we could ALL afford to make it onto an awards season ruby rug.

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With the Golden Globes about to kick off in LA, you or I would have to be prepared to spend a few bucks if you ever plan on hitting a Globes, BAFTAs, SAGs or an Oscars red carpet.

Unless you are fortunate enough to be on the freebie/gratis/PR list of acclaimed names who will actually bring serious media and consumer recognition to the brands you're wearing, you are going to have to pay. And usually, it's big time.

This daring frock worn by Angelina Jolie at the Academy Awards became an internet meme.

According to Vogue editor-in-chief Edwina McCann, most of the red carpet gowns that will walk down the Golden Globes carpet today are couture.

"Most are custom made so think couture - made exactly to your specifications - with prices that could start at around $30,000," says Ms McCann.

"But ready to wear pieces are more like $10,000 or sometimes $5000."

But as the fashion guru adds, "that kind of price would be very rare!"

Sharon Stone at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2003.

For a 'real' person to make their way to the Golden Globes take down the following notes.

"On average hair can cost between $500 to $1500 and the same with stylist as well," says LA based hair guru David Keough.

"As for a limo driver I would say maybe around $500, so all of that is up around the high end of $5000."

The more budget-conscious may opt for Blushingtons on Sunset Boulevard, where $40 for a fully made-up face and an extra 10 bucks for lashes is the norm.

The Ten Network's Angela Bishop has become a recent convert.

The Blo Me blow dry bars are a very affordable $35 for a quick wash and blow-dry but that's before you've had your $500 cut and colour a few days prior to the awards night.

The word 'Uber' is on everyone's lips in LA - it's the car booking service available via an app, with serious limos available so you can still look like a star arriving in style. Albeit on an über budget.

Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts arrive on the red carpet for the Academy Awards in 2013.

As for shoes, and from somewhere like Cosmopolitan Shoes in Double Bay or Miss Louise boutique in Melbourne, a serious designer pair - Renee Caovilla, Gucci, Alaia, YSL, Prada, Charlotte Olympia or Balenciaga - will set you back an easy $2000 to $3000.

Oh, and don't forget that little piece of facial work a week or two before. Maybe a smidge of Botox to calm and smooth down a worried brow at around $500 a pop.

And maybe some microdermabrasion and intense light treatments so your skin has that dewy, fresh and youthful look.

The team at leading Sydney cosmedical salon, Zecca, reckon around $1500 will have you red carpet ready.

House of K'Dor jewels in Sydney say they have anything from a $5k diamond bangle to $100,000 necklaces and deco-inspired earrings.

But if your penchant is Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co, Theo Fennel or closer to home, Cerrone or Stefano Canturi, the hundreds of thousands of dollars mark can be the limit.

Oh, and don't forget the light spray tan, the mani and pedi and some pre-awards soothing massages? A grand there at least.

And the world's smallest evening purse to accommodate your lippie, iPhone and credit card? An incredibly chic, bejewelled bag will set you back anything from $500 to $5000.

Yes, red carpet maintenance is a pricey and big buck world, so let's be happy it doesn't come around too often for any of us mere mortals.

Roll out the red carpet ...