I spent £10,000 and 102 hours making an attempt to appear to be Victoria Beckham

Self-described as ‘very, very disciplined’ about food and exercise, VB is just as dedicated with her grooming. When planning her recent half-century party she knew it wouldn’t just be the room’s A-listers scrutinising her look but the world. This meant the careful scheduling of beauty appointments and committing to five-times weekly workouts to ensure she’d be seriously honed and toned under that sheer dress.

With my own upcoming 50th celebrations, I decided to see what it takes to look Posh at a party. I can tell you it’s a full-time job – and not cheap, especially if you go to the celebrity’s favourite people. It’s also not just a question of knowing what appointments to book and where, but, crucially, when.

The dress-ready body

Victoria Beckham To wear a sheer gown takes chutzpah. And a serious exercise plan. To get her party-dress confident, Beckham’s personal trainer Bobby Rich told Vogue she’s ‘trained with weights regularly for four or five years’ and works out ‘five days a week’.

Rosie Green To feel great in my considerably less expensive frock, I ramp up my weight sessions with my friend/PT Jodie. I do those twice weekly plus three runs with my dog.

Who to visit I go to Jodie, but for an A-list experience check out roar-fitness.com.

When to schedule 6-12 weeks before your do.

Time Work out for five hours per week for 12 weeks to get results.

Cost  £4,578 for the 12-week transformational package at Roar Fitness.

The big hair

VB Her hairdresser Ken Pavés is often seen on her social media adding oomph to her fine mane with extensions. For her party, they were long and mermaid-like.

RG My hair has been less lustrous recently so I have extensions with the celebrities’ go-to person Vicky Demetriou – I want volume rather than length. She painstakingly attaches multiple fine sections of Great Lengths hair to deliver a youth boost.

Who to see To book an appointment with Vicky visit larrykinghair.com.

When to schedule Two weeks before your big event is optimum, as the extensions need a chance to settle.

Time Set aside around four hours in the hairdresser’s chair.

Cost £2,500

The brows

VB She has said, ‘David has never seen me without my brows’, so we can conclude that getting them groomed pre-party was non-negotiable. Brow legend Anastasia Soare was a guest at the party – I’m guessing she tinted and shaped them for VB pre-bash.

RG I go for a standard tint and shape that delivers massive bang for buck.

Who to see Expert brow groomers Blink Brow Bar (bbb-london.com).

When to schedule One week before your do in case the tint is initially too dark.

Time Allow 30 minutes for wow brows.

Cost £44

The lash extensions

VB Beckham is unlikely to recommend lash extensions in case it hits sales of her beauty brand’s mascara, but scrutinising the pictures I’d say she’s a fan.

RG I love faux lashes and for my party they need to be dark and full. I go locally to Amy Rose (@lasheswithamyrose).

Who to see For an A-list experience try celeb and royalty favourite Camilla Kirk-Reynolds (camillalashes.com).

When to schedule Within a week of your event if your lashes are to be at their optimum.

Time For a full set you’re looking at up to three hours to apply.

Cost £590

The wrinkle buster

VB The designer was spotted dashing into the clinic of super-facialist Sarah Chapman (sarahchapman.com) a few days pre-party for a longevity facial. Think mini micro-needling, removal of dead skin cells, hydration infusion and a line-plumping face massage. This costs upwards of £525.

RG I fear my sensitive skin will react to a facial, so I go for full-face line-easing Botox.

Who to see The beauty editors’ cosmetic go-to Dr Vicky Dondos (medicetics.com).

When to schedule Allow a few weeks for the Botox to kick in and in case any correction is required.

Time The treatment takes 60 minutes.

Cost £530

The tan

VB Beckham knows the power of a good fake tan and, surprisingly, is a fan of DIY. In a recent interview she said that she does it with Harper ‘when David is away’.

RG This is one time I’m posher than Posh. I go to James Harknett, who has used his spray gun to create bespoke colour and contouring on everyone from Kylie Minogue to Kate Beckinsale.

Who to see James, of course, at jamesharknett.co.uk.

When to schedule One day before.

Time Tanning takes around one hour.

Cost £75

The teeth

VB ‘Her smile is most likely achieved with porcelain veneers,’ says dentist Dr Tom Crawford-Clarke, who estimates the cost at £25,000.

RG For a sparkling smile I use customised trays and bleach and book an air-polishing session with the hygienist (basically a jet wash for your teeth).

Who to see Get Dr Tom to whiten them at luceodental.com.

When to schedule Four weeks before.

Time Cleaning and whitening tray-fitting each take one hour. The trays then need to be worn for two hours a day for two weeks.

Cost £165 for hygiene appointment with air polishing, and £495 for whitening trays plus whitening gels.

Hair colour

VB Beckham is not immune to greys – her one-time colourist Jason Collier said she gets a root touch-up every three weeks. I can see she also gets lighter streaks added, plus a rich gloss.

RG I book in with Cetera Lamb at John Frieda for pretty much the same as Posh.

Who to see For luxe hair colour it has to be Cetera (johnfriedaaldfordst.com).

When to schedule The gloss can make hair heavy so allow time for one wash.

Time Three hours.

Cost £200

Deputy beauty editor: Alice Tobertson

Hair: Kiki Koh at John Frieda salons

Make-up: Caroline Barnes using Victoria Beckham 

Picture editor: Stephanie Belingard 

Styling: Stephanie Sofokleous