In this issue of the Frugal Fashionista, we’ve asked DC- and New York-based celebrity makeup artist Kathy Aragon to come up with a fresh-faced new look that would work for most Washington women. But instead of using her preferred high-end products, she was left with a budget of only $50.

Aragon, who co-owns the Lorton fashion-photography studio Fashion400 with her husband, Luis, says that her favored look for clients is “clean yet strong.” Her number-one priority in a makeup application is to make the skin appear to be glowing from within. “Once the canvas of the face is correct,” she says, “the rest is easy.”

Aragon has worked with CNN, HBO, the BBC, the NFL, Glamour, People, DC Modern Luxury, and the Washington Post as well as high-profile and celebrity clientele from Larry King to Kimberly Peirce, director of Boys Don’t Cry.

What she chose:

Stylishly dressed ladies gathered on the eve of the inauguration for an exclusive spring fashion preview emceed by Neiman Marcus Global Fashion Director Ken Downing and InStyle magazine’s Hal Rubenstein.

Cohost Ali Wentworth, wife of George Stephanopoulos and frequent Oprah contributor, introduced the event along with General Manager of Neiman Marcus, Martha Slade.

Downing and Rubenstein commented on the nine top trends for spring while a bevy of couture-clad females walked the hot-pink carpet.

“2008 sucked, let’s face it,” said Downing, laughing.

“If you put yourself together better and go out with a happy attitude, it’s infectious,” said Rubenstein, expressing hope that even when dressing on a budget, women manifest a cheerful demeanor in their clothing choices.

The inauguration is fast approaching, and Michelle Obama isn’t the only one who wants to wear a beautiful dress to the ball. We’ve combed stores for the best gowns for all figures, occasions, and budgets and come up with several great options. Whether you’re headed to an official ball, a gala, or just a great party in your friend’s backyard (heated, we hope!), you’re sure to find something fabulous in our list.

If you’re headed to an inaugural event, chances are your outfit is a significant portion of your budget. After all, you want to remember the historic occasion with a similarly historic wardrobe choice.

>> See our Frugal Fashionista: Inauguration Outfit for Under $200

For those still in search of the perfect look, we asked Alison Lukes, fashion consultant and the force behind Alison Lukes et Cie, about the do’s and don’ts of this inaugural season.

Kou Moore, fashion writer, 28
Web site: peppersoup.info - coming soon (an Africa-centered fashion blog)

What she’s wearing:
The dress is the refashioned top half of her mother’s boubou bought in Monrovia, Liberia; her coat is by View and from Nordstrom.com, the belt is her mother’s, her tights are Wolford’s satin opaque 50, her shoes are Christian Louboutin’s red suede Orlan, and her bag is Louis Vuitton’s 2005 Murakami cherry pochette.

Tell me about your style.
“I enjoy mixing flattering colors, patterns, and proportions that nod at my Liberian heritage without being obvious or over the top. I’m all about accessories—coats, belts, purses, and shoes in particular.”

What designers do you love, and where are you willing to drop your cash?
“I like Korto Momolu, Christian Louboutin, Lara Akinsaya’s L-Shandi line, Diane von Furstenburg, Biribelle, Nanette Lepore, and Marc Jacobs. I shop at Caramel, Cusp, African fabric and thrift stores, Nordstrom, Lettie Gooch, Zawadi, Saks 5th Avenue, and Louis Vuitton.”

If there’s one thing we’ve all resolved to do in the New Year, it’s to save money. But a true fashionista not only wants more dough in her Fendi, she wants to look stylish while doing it. Lucky for us, several DC-based Web sites and e-newsletters have sprung up in recent months, offering exclusive savings, promotions, and discounts—all for free. Here are our favorites:

CityShopGirl

Former National Jean Company publicist Kelly Collis Fredrick founded CityShopGirl in October 2008 and already has several thousand subscribers on her daily e-mail digest. Every day, the free e-mail showcases a different promotion or deal at area boutiques, restaurants, and spas, often available throughout the month. Recent promotions have included a buy-three-get-one-free discount at just-opened Red Velvet Cupcakery, a VIP table and bottle of free Champagne at the popular club Shadow Room, and 20 percent off tee-shirts by LA designer LNA.

The site’s motto, “Shop, eat, and treat yourself,” rings true for almost any stylish young female, and Fredrick aims to keep the promotions accessible to her audience. While the site is pay-for-play in terms of content, Fredrick does exercise some overarching judgment about what types of items she’ll feature—she understands that her audience isn’t likely to drop $1,000 on a single pair of shoes or one night in a hotel.

Fredrick hopes to expand to at least one other city later this year, likely on the East Coast.