Judie: The other day, Evelinda dropped her credit card in a rush to get to a dressing room. I picked it up and noticed that on the signature space, she had signed "See Picture." Are you that vain that you want people to look at your picture?

Evelinda: No, it's because I was once a victim of identity theft. I was told never to sign the back of a credit card, but instead to show my driver's license. And I must say, the photo of me on my license is quite spectacular.

Judie: Could it be because it was taken in 1995? If you're like the rest of us, driver's license photos can be unflattering. Here are some tips, courtesy of InStyle magazine, on how to take a good snapshot at the DMV.

• Wear more makeup than usual to prevent the flash from giving you a washed-out look.

• Powder your face to avoid excessive shine.

• Tilt your chin down a bit; if you have a long nose, face the camera head-on.

• Stand up straight, set feet hip-width apart, place hands palms up on your backside and drop your shoulders.

Evelinda: I didn't follow any of this advice, and my photo is great!

Judie: Can we move on now? What other advice do you have that doesn't involve you?

Evelinda: Here's a great cheap tip: Use sunless tanning lotion on the scalp to make thinning hair look thicker. The lotion covers up the white scalp showing through the hair.

Judie: Here's another one: You know those trapeze dresses and tops that have been so hot this summer? They will continue to be shown in the stores for fall. A cheap way of changing the look is to gather the dress in the front or at the side to create some nipped-in ruching or pleating. Then take a favorite large brooch and pin the folds in place. You'll love how cute the dress looks.

Evelinda: I love trapeze tops but hate spaghetti-strap tops. A cute way to eliminate those unsightly straps is to wear inexpensive bras in different colors. It'll look like you're wearing a camisole underneath that skinny strap. It looks much cleaner and more stylish that a white bra strap, which is tacky-y-y.

Judie: Stylish reader, send us your cheap tips. Evelinda might read them if she ever puts her driver's license down.

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