It sounded like mission impossible when my editor gave me this task: put together a complete (and she did mean complete) makeup look -- without spending more than $5 on any one product. As in, no luxe lipsticks, no life-changing (but $60) foundations, and no looking like a clown (or this celeb) when finished.

I was all set to abort, but then I found these products. All of them are loved by our readers and editors and all are super-cheap. Put them together and you have a red carpet look on a golden arches budget. Mission accomplished.

• Got a slightly bigger budget? Check out these other top drugstore finds.

• Looking for one or two (or 20) good beauty splurges? Try these.

• You can forget scrimping and saving if you win this $5,000 Sephora shopping spree.