By Lauren La Rose, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic didn't want to do a run-of-the-mill makeover program - they wanted to break the mould.

So their new series, "Anna and Kristina's Beauty Call," fuses the pair's personal interests in fashion and beauty with their expertise in researching and testing out products as demonstrated on their popular series "The Shopping Bags."

"We thought, 'Let's see if we can meld the two genres and do something a little different, a little unique,"' Matisic said in an interview from Los Angeles, where she and Wallner were filming segments for the new show.

The half-hour series, premiering Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET and PT on W Network, is jam-packed with product reviews, how-tos and tips for both budget and style-conscious fashionistas and beauty buffs.

The series also features fashion industry heavy-hitters from both sides of the border including A-list designer Carolina Herrera, Canada's Kimberley Newport-Mimran, designer of Pink Tartan, and Flare editor-in-chief Lisa Tant, who critiques the makeover look in the debut episode.

The show's premiere offers tips on eyebrow grooming, how to best fit a stiletto, and wearing the right accessories for your body type.

The advice segments are interwoven throughout the program as Wallner and Matisic help piece together ensembles for the series' style-challenged participants.

It's not always smooth sailing. As they attempt to carve out polished but casual looks for lawyer Tracey in the debut, they often get sidetracked checking out items for themselves.

"We're a little better now, and each outing has its own challenges, but we're definitely controlling our own desires to shop for ourselves," Matisic said. "Now we're more focused on the task."

In line with their style-on-a-budget philosophy, the duo is limited to spending only $500 on each participant.

"We're playing around with what amount would get the job done but would still be challenging for us," said Matisic.

Their cost-conscious approach was partly influenced by today's challenging economic times and the fact that few people have limitless funds for clothes, she added.

"There are a lot of more important things: the roof over our heads, education, health," she said.

"Most of us only have a small amount set aside for fashion and beauty, so we really want to take that into account when we were making the show."

The hosts look to find value rather than just seeking out the cheapest options, she added.

"If you are going to spend a little bit more, what should you spend it on? Know why you're spending more. That's been part of the Anna and Kristina approach from the beginning."

While gathering fashion and beauty tips for the series, Mitisic said she and Wallner have gained a little more personal insight about style in the process.

"A big one that we're talking a lot about with our experts is not to be afraid of colour," she said. "It doesn't mean you need to go in bright yellow or hot pink.... Go in the darker tones and gradually make your way into colour."

Individuals can also add a little extra to ensembles by changing up accessories purchased from inexpensive stores, which can be changed every season or two without breaking the bank, she noted.

Matisic said they also learned the importance of how good undergarments can be as key to a look as what's going on on the outside.

"A lot of our celebrity stylists and experts (said) 'Wear the Spanx, get the right bra, nipple covers,"' she said.

"All those little secrets that everybody should have in their lingerie drawer can really make a difference in how things look and fit."