Im new at this and im wondering how often plugins are used compared to designing the effects.

Use of plug-ins are ok but never as convincing as creating it yourself. Most of the folks here know a plug-in when they see it so you will probably lose points for that. You want people to say "how did they do that?". You don't want them to say "oh, that is the flood filter."

Just download the ReyRey plugin and install it and you will be as good as he is, guaranteed!