Style Matters: Beauty, fashion on the cheap

Published June 7, 2007 at midnight

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Judie and Evelinda: Nothing's changed since the last time we wrote a cheap-tips column. We are still on a budget. Bummer. So here's another installment of inexpensive beauty and fashion tips. Some will cost you nothing! Others come with a small price tag.

1. Keep your store receipts and product tags for at least two months. You never know when you might want to return something because your tastes have changed, you have found a defect in the garment or the color is all wrong. Most chain stores have very forgiving return policies. Of course, if you have worn it, don't be a chiseler: It's yours.

2. Take a strapless dress or tunic and wear it over a turtleneck for winter or over a T-shirt or thin blouse in warm weather. You get two looks for the price of one, and when traveling, packing these items can double your wardrobe.

3. Wearing mule-style shoes this summer? Try a spritz of hair spray on the inner sole so your feet don't slip.

4. Are your shoes scuffed? Dab the spot with a small dollop of Vaseline and blend into the entire shoe for instant shine. Or, polish the shoes with a little hand cream poured onto a paper towel.

5. For dry cuticles, rub either Vaseline or A&D ointment into each cuticle. On top of this slather your hands with your favorite hand lotion. Your hands and nails will stay moisturized for hours.

6. To dry nail polish quickly, dip hands into ice-cold water or spray nails with a cooking oil such as Pam.

7. Stop paying top dollar for makeup removal pads. Try generic baby wipes to take off makeup.

8. If you are a thin, petite-size woman, don't overlook the children's department for casual clothing such as shorts, capris, cargo pants, denim jackets and basics such as T-shirts.

9. This is the season of fake tans. Try using Nair or other hair removal creams to remove any self-tanner streaks on the sides of your feet, palms, elbow and knees. Rub it on, then immediately wipe it off with a washcloth or tissue.

10. To create the illusion of cleavage, apply a bit of dark-colored bronzing cream to the area between your breasts where the cleavage is supposed to be. Another technique: Try bronzing blush powder and apply with a brush. This sure beats the tip we learned that beauty pageant contestants use: applying masking tape under the breasts for a quick lift.

J&E: Ouch! The removal of that tape must hurt worse than getting your nose hair waxed. Stylish reader, send us your cheap tips. We might use them in a future column.

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