PRESS RELEASE

ADVERTORIAL


Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, the Belo Authority releases and offers us the additional intensive whitening body cream and face and neck cream to their already proven and highly effective Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid Intensive Whitening soap bar that I first tried back in July of last year. I just finished trying this set for 2 weeks, so read on for my review.

BELO INTENSIVE WHITENING KOJIC ACID + TRANEXAMIC ACID SOAP BAR (SRP PHP 59.75)


It comes as no surprise that there is magic happening here. This Belo Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar alone can lighten your skin as fast as a week. (See my before and after photos in HERE.) We know that the magical combination of kojic acid + tranexamic acid works because it is very effective in inhibiting both the production of melanin (you know, the substance that's responsible for dark skin pigments) and tyrosinase (the enzyme that controls melanin production). The 65g soap bar lasts about 2 weeks of use. So I suggest cutting it in half to get more out of it.


The Belo Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar exfoliates skin like no other. In fact, I was using an exfoliating body wash prior to using this soap . Even after first using it, I found that I still had dead skin and the soap was able to exfoliate some more! Wow! Now some people, especially those with sensitive skin, might find this soap strong and I did find that it does sting a little bit as it gets rid of my dead skin. The good thing is that it isn't drying compared to other kojic soaps I've used in the past.

BELO INTENSIVE WHITENING KOJIC ACID + TRANEXAMIC ACID BODY CREAM with SPF 30 (SRP PHP 199.75)


You see, this is why I said things just got better. Because now we can be further protected from the sun's harmful rays with the SPF 30 of Belo Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid body cream. It's essentially a moisturizing lotion that is easily absorbed by the skin and keeps it moisturized throughout the day.


The product is pretty thick like regular sunblock but without the greasy feel. It has the same scent as the bar soap which is actually quite strong as I would have liked. The fragrance does not stay long, however, to my relief.

BELO INTENSIVE WHITENING KOJIC ACID + TRANEXAMIC ACID FACE & NECK CREAM (SRP PHP 249.75)


Of all the facial creams I've tried, this is the most hygienic one! Why? Because, look! It comes with a spatula and you don't have to dip and re-dip your fingers all the time. We all know bacteria breeds like there's no tomorrow on moist environment, so this is quite a lovely surprise from Belo Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid face and neck cream. Again, the scent is pretty much the same as their body cream which is quite strong for my liking but it eventually goes away. It is a rich cream that is absorbed by my skin quicker than I anticipated and leaves my skin really, really moisturized. I could skip my BB creams or foundations with this. And what's even better? The SPF 30 has got you covered... like literally, from the sun. Woot!


And now to the fun part... let's take a look at my BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS of using the Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar, body cream, and face & neck cream.

Before and After using Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar and body cream

Ta-dah! On my arms, it may not look super substantial compared to my old blog post but since I hadn't been under the sun lately, my skin color isn't as dark as it was prior. Also you can notice that the yellowish pigment of my skin seems to have lessened. It is a subtle but still obvious effect.

Before and After using Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar, body cream, and face & neck cream

On my back, it still has the same effect. I didn't turn into an albino (thank goodness!) but if you click on the photo to make it larger, you can see that my skin's pores have tightened and it looks more radiant than it was and with less yellow pigment. Take note that this is only with 2 weeks of use; now imagine doing this for a month or more. That's definitely going to do a lot of skin whitening!

Before and After using Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid soap bar and face & neck cream

The photo above shows how significantly it managed to lighten my neck area. You know I never really paid much attention to it before and I just realized that my neck is the area that gets exposed a lot. And again, it is the yellow pigment that seems to have been targeted by these products and now I have a lighter and more radiant skin after using Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid.


I can only imagine how fast skin whitening can be after all the summer fun in the sun. If you're looking for ways to fade that summer tan quickly later on or even just to lighten any dark spots, remember that Belo Intensive Whitening Kojic Acid + Tranexamic Acid can surely help you with that.

You can get this set in all Watsons, Mercury Drug, department stores, groceries, Amazon and even from Lazada.com!

I've been getting a lot of questions about my dream hair that I am proud to have achieved. So to answer all of you, this is a blog post dedicated to just that. Let's get started because I know a lot of you are eager to know the details, assuming of course that's why you're here reading my blog, right?


I'll do a Q&A style for this post to try and be concise about how to do a colorful ombré / mermaid or unicorn hair / pastel or rainbow head style. I hope you'll find this informative and if you still have any questions, feel free to comment below and I'll do my best to update this blog regularly to answer your queries. Please do understand that I am no expert and you can take my advice with a grain of salt.


HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

First of all, you'll need to bleach your hair. There are no shortcuts. If you want awesome colored hair, you have to get rid of the dark pigment first in order for the colors to show. I already wrote a post about going blonde and some instructions on how to bleach your hair at home. You can check that out by CLICKING HERE. If you're not confident to do it yourself, you can always get a pro to do it for you, but I must say this, why spend all that money when you can just do it yourself? Just remember one important thing: DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!




WHAT HAIR DYE DO YOU USE?

Right now I'm all about semi-permanent hair dyes. It's safe to use and is actually made from vegetable dyes so the colors last only for a couple of weeks because it gradually fades. I like it that way because I can start with really dark colors and it eventually fades into pastel shades. It's awesome! TIP: Stay away from dandruff shampoo and hot water because it will fade the colors away faster than you'd want it to. I personally prefer the ones from Manic Panic because they have a million (okay, exag!) colors to choose from. There's also Punky Colour, Pravana, Adore, Sparks, Special Effects, and La Riche Directions. That's a multitude of semi-permanent hair colors if you ask me! For people in the Philippines, you can buy it from Funky Streaks or Rainbow Head.


HOW DO YOU DO IT, LIKE GET ALL THOSE COLORS IN YOUR HAIR?

It is actually the same concept as the DIY ombré hair that I did before when my hair was longer. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to do it. All it takes is guts... well, no guts, no glory! Anyhow, you have to do it by sections at a time. Do not mix all the colors! Depending on what style you're aiming for, you can do the dark colors first then the light ones or vice-versa. As for me, I did the tips of my hair first. Then slowly worked my way up. For more details, you can read about it in my previous blog post by going HERE.


CAN YOU LIST WHAT YOU *REALLY* NEED TO COLOR YOUR HAIR?

You'll need colorful dyes of course and you'll need conditioners (a lot of it!), keratin or any treatment oil (I still find Argan oil the best for my hair!), a mixing bowl and comb, gloves, an old shirt and towel, and a lot of guts. Tee hee! I think there are some semi-permanent hair dyes that don't require you to bleach your hair first, but those are some pretty dark colors. If you want to obtain a bright colorful hair, then bleached blonde hair is A MUST! (How do I even stress this enough?) Also these dyes can stain so be ready to do massive clean-up if you're not too careful. I personally like darker shades of colors because I can always mix it with a conditioner to make it lighter and it's more cost-effective that way. The conditioners and treatment oils keep your hair healthy. Also I refrain from shampooing my hair so the colors last longer. I only shampoo my hair when I really have to, i.e. when it's really dirty or when it stinks! Otherwise, just use conditioner every day and you're okay. It will be oily and heavy at first but your hair will understand and will adjust in time so it won't produce much oil to weigh down your crowning glory.


IS YOUR HAIR DEAD? HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF IT?

Bleached hair equals dead hair basically. But there are ways to revive it and even though it involves a lot of products, you don't have to sell an arm and a leg to keep your hair alive. It boils down to choosing the right hair products and finding the ones that work for your hair. Different folks, different strokes. In most cases, you'll only need a wee bit of hair product. You can find a list of products I use to maintain bleached hair and how to keep a healthy and shiny mane by clicking HERE.


WHAT IF YOU MESS IT UP?

The good news is you can just color it black or brown and forget it. But with perseverance, you can do... anything. It's just hair. It will grow, but if it doesn't then you're screwed. LOL. I'm just kidding! Of course, you can always run to the nearest hair salon to get it fixed or you can wear a hat. But what can possibly go wrong with trying to do a mermaid hair or a colorful ombré? If you follow instructions carefully, read blogs and reviews, then prepare yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, you're gonna be okay. Di gani, pwede raka mo hilak ug colored! Hehe. Seriously though, don't think too much of it. Don't stress. Just have fun! Don't worry about your hair... for now. I mean, sooner or later we'll grow old and we'll lose our hair. That's for sure. So when will you play with it? When it's gone? Are you afraid of losing hair and getting bald? There are safe and natural solutions like a hair restoration surgery. Maxim Hair Restoration is a hair transplant clinic in the Philippines that provides proven and effective hair transplant surgeries. Check out their website at www.maximhairrestoration.com for more details.


HOW MUCH DO YOU SPEND FOR YOUR HAIR? WHERE TO BUY HAIR PRODUCTS?

Honestly, I don't know. I never counted and even if I did, I'd imagine I have saved a ton considering I do everything at our house and you know I always look for creative ways to save on products. All my hair experiments take place at home so I don't have to pay any professional fees. I buy hair products when they are on sale, some are gifts, and others are freebies. A lot of my hair products can be bought at department stores, drugstores, and online shops. It's just a matter of looking for ones with the best deals. Can you imagine if we had coupons here in the Philippines?!?


WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON HAIR CHALKS/SPRAYS AND FOOD COLORING OR CREPE PAPER (yes, FYI, you can use that for hair coloring too!)?

If it works for you, then why not, chocnut? In fact, I have used them before and it works for both dark and blonde hair. But the guarantee is pretty slim and if you're not mentally-prepared, you could be in for a disappointment. It is also VERY temporary, meaning it's gone in a day or two. You'll have to keep reapplying and I don't have the luxury of time to do that. Also you can take note that my home-made purple shampoo/DIY hair toner is actually made with food coloring and you can check that out HERE.


WHAT ABOUT ATTENTION? PEOPLE *WILL* LOOK AT YOU!

I'm an only child so there's nothing new with getting all the attention. Plus, my hair deserves it! Many people don't know what it takes to get it to look this way! When I see someone with colored hair, I don't stare. That's just rude. I would compliment that person and give my biggest and most genuine smile because I know the story... so, R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Also, my husband says I'm the most oblivious person in the world with absolutely no peripheral vision, so there. Most of the time, it's not that I don't care, but it's just that I don't see people looking at me. If you don't like the attention, sorry folks, but if you live here in the Philippines, you better get used to it! :)


WHAT DOES COLORED HAIR SAY ABOUT YOU?

If employment is what concerns you most then you'll have to take that up with management or your company's policies. Since I work at home, I just couldn't care less about the criticisms I get for being different. I mean, come on. Aren't people being judgmental idiots for thinking that just because your hair is different, you're automatically like a rebel or a bad person or something? It's friggin' 2015. Deviating from the norms is, well, normal. My hair does not define me as a person or affect my attitude in any way. It simply means I like colored hair because I'm bored of black and brown. End of story.


So go ahead! Spring is in the air and summer will be here in no time. This means that for students, now's a great time to do some hair experiments with reckless abandon! If you're someone who's been told to get a life, well, here's your solution! If you're bored beyond belief with the usual hair color offerings, now you have endless choices to make! But if you're simply looking for some change, then your hair is sitting right there on top of your head. Join me! A whole new world of colors awaits!

Press PLAY ▶️ for mermaid hair. I think the pink parts hardly show at all because I put too much purple. 😁 Still lovin' it though... 💙💜💗#bastaigatsikat #hair #instahair #manicpanic #AtomicTurquoise #CottonCandy #PurpleHaze #rainbowhead #hairstyle #unicornhair #colorful #mermaidhair #BeautyBloggersPh #beauty #instabeauty #instahair #bblogger #beautyblogger

A video posted by ✨✨✨✨💖💜MyMaria💜💖✨✨✨✨ (@bastaigat_sikat) on Feb 25, 2015 at 4:23am PST

Good luck, guys! Please do tag me when you've finally taken the colorful plunge! Follow me on Instagram: @bastaigat_sikat or use my hashtag (#bastaigatsikat) so I can find you wherever you are on social media. So excited to see all your creations!

PRESS SAMPLE

At last! After two months of officially using this daily, I think I've had enough time to test the product out to finally write my full unbiased review of Octard Cover Foundation by the Japanese-made beauty brand, Meiko Cosmetics, who are the makers of the famous Naturactor Cover Face. This particular product is hard to come by but I finally got to score some from PrettyAngelShoppe. So what is this Octard Cover Foundation and what's the difference between this and Naturactor Cover Face? Lemme show you.


They are both 20g and physically, the only difference is the color of the container. Naturactor in white and the Octard in salmon. Judging by experience, the Naturactor Cover Face product which I had used almost daily has lasted me more than a year. It's super sulit!


The formulation between the two, however, is very different. You've probably heard about it so I'm going to confirm it yet again. Octard will give you a matte finish, while Naturactor Cover Face will give you that dewy, soft focus finish. Frankly speaking, I prefer a matte finish because I have oily skin so I'm not fond of dewy looks.

Octard Cover Foundation S52

I got the Octard S52 shade because it's darker than my Naturactor 151 and I was initially planning to use it for contour. But it's actually just a little bit darker than the Naturactor 151, so on some days I can even get away with using it on my entire face then just setting it with a light powder. The actual equivalent of Naturactor 151 is S51 for the Octard line. It is creamy, just like Naturactor, however, it dries fast! So you need to speed up your application plus using your fingers is a pretty good idea because it will warm the product up. Once it sets, it would be hard to move it (and remove it!). Is that good or bad? For me, it's a good thing because just like the MUFE Aquabrow, once it sets, it will really stay there. With that said, make sure to use makeup remover or wash your face thoroughly at night.

Octard Cover Foundation S71

I also got the Octard yellow concealer in the shade S71. Now you've seen the 171 green concealer from Naturactor that I use for my acne and red blemishes. So this yellow concealer, on the other hand, is meant for brightening up dark under eye areas as well as for highlighting the face. Think: Ben Nye Banana Powder. What I did before was use the Naturactor 151 and set it with the banana powder (which is yellow). This time, I don't have to do that because the Octard S71 does exactly that. Now I only need a colorless or translucent powder to set it. Take note: Concealers need to be set with powder.

Using Octard S71 for dark under eye circles in an inverted triangle technique.

For a more detailed and step-by-step process, play video/see photos below.

PRESS PLAY ▶️ // I wish I always wake up looking like a million bucks but alas, sleepless nights are here to stay. Now that I subsist on heavy doses of caffeine and energy drinks, there's nothing like a hot damn foundation-concealer routine to keep my sanity further intact and make me look like a normal human being. 😋 tee hee! For anti-zombie effect and to banish dark circles, I highly recommend #Octard by the makers of the famous #naturactor cover face. I got these Japanese goodies from my favorite IG seller @prettyangelshoppe. 👍👍 The S71 yellow concealer is for highlighting and I use it to hide Panda eyes then the S52 is perfect for my blemishes. Et voila! Instant perk me up, absolutely no caffeine needed! 😊 For someone with oily/combination skin, I'm very happy with Octard because it leaves a matte effect versus the dewiness of Naturactor. Full review and comparison between the two will be featured on my blog soon. So stay tuned! ✨ #bastaigatsikat #makeup #instamakeup #asian #look #meiko #fresh #face #nomakeupmakeup #beauty #bbloggers #beautyblogger #cosmetics #review #demo #prettyangelshoppe #feedback #fotd #eotd #muotd #motd #lotd

A video posted by ✨✨✨✨💖💜MyMaria💜💖✨✨✨✨ (@bastaigat_sikat) on Jan 17, 2015 at 1:13am PST

See? It's super easy to use with guaranteed amazing results!


Most of the time, I simply set it using the Naturactor Silky Lucent loose powder, but you can use any powder you like. Other times I will use a powder foundation over it if I will be out for long. To be honest, without primer and setting powder, both Naturactor and Octard will not last very long. Although Octard does last quite longer due to its matte properties. But when primed and set properly, you can get a full day's use without hardly re-touching it, just simply blotting oils if you have oily skin like me but absolutely no need to add more products on your face. It's that convenient, I tell you!

Say hello to my 5-hectare forehead. 😂 I used to be so insecure about this and wore bangs a lot back then but fuck that, I conclude bangs give me pimples. The more I keep my hair away from my face, well, apparently no acne!!! So I'm gonna stick to the belief that a high forehead indicates intelligence and portends good luck. ☺️ Office #FOTD for today's travel training session. Using @revlonph Colorstay foundation, #Naturactor and #Octard concealers from @prettyangelshoppe, @anastasiabeverlyhills dipbrow pomade in blonde, @urbandecaycosmetics eyeshadows, @heroinemakeph mascara, @nyxcosmeticsph soft matte lip cream and wonder pencil, @pixyphilippines blush, and #FannySerrano two-way cake for contour. #bastaigatsikat #muotd #motd #lotd #eotd #makeup #instamakeup #beauty #bbloggers #instabeauty #beautyblogger #pinay #nyx #revlon #pixy #heroinemake

A photo posted by ✨✨✨✨💖💜MyMaria💜💖✨✨✨✨ (@bastaigat_sikat) on Jan 26, 2015 at 6:57pm PST

TIP: Whether you have normal, dry, or oily skin, it is wise to moisturize first before applying makeup products. If you have eye creams, use that!


And you know something else? This is probably the best thing about Octard Cover Foundation for me. After 2 months of using it, I DID NOT HAVE ANY ACNE FLARE-UPS! Yessssssss!!! Automatic HG product! *cartwheels*


If you pay really close attention, you can see the yellow highlight using Octard S71 under the eyes and on my T-zone. You can also spot my contoured nose on the sides and my cheekbones with the Octard S52. But who does that? Would you really stare at someone's face to see if she used any highlighter or contouring product? No, don't do that! That's just rude. Tee hee! But seriously, at first glace, it really does give the first impression of just having a really nice and bright face. I mean, as a highlighter, the Octard S71 does a really effective job at it and as a concealer for blemishes and/or contour, the Octard S52 simply excels! Hands down.


With Octard, it's so effortless to look flawless from all angles! I can't get enough of its matte effect! Now I resemble a human being and not a zombie anymore! ^_^ If you're a fan of Naturactor, you're gonna love Octard! And if you have oily/combination skin, you are going to dance for joy! ^_^

To sum up this review, go for Naturactor Cover Face if you're happy with a dewy skin effect or if you have normal or dry skin. But if you have oily/combination skin and want to steer clear from looking like a grease-ball, then by all means get OCTARD COVER FOUNDATION! The active ingredients are hyaluronic acid, royal jelly extract preparation, and honey. I don't know anyone who might be allergic to those things, but just FYI. By the way, Octard is fragrance-free so not to worry, it is really non-irritating. Trust me, I would know. :) In comparison, the ingredients of Naturactor are listed as jojoba oil, mica, and Tocopherol (Vitamin E).


You can get your own Octard Cover Foundation from Pretty Angel Shoppe under their current promo for only PHP 700 with FREE SHIPPING! (Click links to inquire on Instagram & Facebook!)