Tres cheap! Tres chic!

Uptown/Downtown scours the stores for what’s available on the beauty shelves and gives you the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s not. First to be reviewed are selected products from Ever Bilena and its subsidiary brands Careline and Advance.

Advance Smooth Eyes

With its twist stick and sponge tip applicator, this product delivers smooth continuous luminescent color to your eyelids. The sponge tip is soft and can blend the fluid easily (you can also use the pads of your fingers).

Pros: Easy to use. Inexpensive. Blends easily. • Cons: Presently not a wide range of colors available. • Price: P200 • Verdict: This is an excellent product for its price.• Grade: B+

Advance Smooth Lips

A clone of the more expensive Revlon Lip Glide Color Gloss, the product gives excellent coverage and color on your lips. Twist stick and sponge tip make application easy.

Pros: Great colors and coverage. Easy to use. Inexpensive. Good sheen. • Cons: Presently not a wide range of colors available. • Price: P200 • Verdict: It’s practically like the Revlon version at a fraction of the price. Grab it! • Grade: A

Careline Eyeshadow Shimmer

With a unique container that guarantees non-spillage, the shimmer line gives you the oomph of the Madeleine Mono eyeshades of the ’80s with the freshness and consistency of the new millennium.

Pros: Subtle icy shimmer. Great color range (more colors would be welcomed). • Cons: Applicator is ok but this powder would be better applied with a soft brush. • Price: P48 • Verdict: This is a no-brainer for those who love rich yet subtle colored shimmer for special, sultry events. • Grade: A-

Careline Juicy Fruit Gloss

Available in a clear plastic tube, the fruit-flavored product glides on smoothly and instantly gives high gloss. Your lips feel moistened and coated in laminate.

Pros: Great feel on lips. High gloss appearance is very summery and now. • Cons: The gloss tends to flow quickly so observe caution when tipping the tube. • Price: P40 • Verdict: Tastes good, feels great for less than the price of a tip! Gotta have it! • Grade: A-

Ever Bilena Makeup Foundation

With a net volume of 30 ml., this range of foundation offers lightweight coverage. The powder blend component absorbs excess oil throughout the day.

Pros: Foundation is light on the skin. Adding your favorite moisturizer makes the product glide on better. Gives the face a youthful complexion. • Cons: Because the product has powder component, it sets quickly and so special attention should be given to blending. Plastic container is brittle and breaks off quickly. • Price: P80 • Verdict: This is a dependable foundation for everyday use. Better when blended with a sun block. • Grade: B

Careline Compact Mini Face Powder

Small enough to fit in the smallest purse, Careline’s Compact Mini Face Powder effectively blots off the skin’s mid-day shine.

Pros: Reliable product. Very inexpensive. Powder gives even coverage. • Cons: Powder puff is a tad too thin to withstand constant use. • Price: P40 • Verdict: Practical, dependable and inexpensive. This is a welcome addition to any ladies’ handbag. Just be prepared to buy an extra powder puff. • Grade: B+

Ever Bilena Body Butter

With four fragrant smelling variants, this product comes in 50 ml. container and moisturizes the body without the thick, greasy after feel.

Pros: Container is delightfully reminiscent of The Body Shop products. Price is very attractive. Good feel on skin. • Cons: Can’t think of any. • Price: P50 • Verdict: Unless you are allergic to scents, this product definitely has "Buy Me!" written all over it. • Grade: A

(Note: Although modern-day technology has greatly advanced the quality of skincare and makeup products, there are still many people who are allergic to a variety of ingredients. It is because of this that I urge my readers to exercise a reasonable amount of caution when buying any product that they apply or consume.)

(I want to have your product reviewed? E-mail me at uptowndowntown326@yahoo.com)