Are you looking for ways to maintain that sunkissed summer glow? How about faking a summer tan? My summer makeup look for 2015 is all about that! With the aid of a reliable bronzer and a really good highlighter, it's so easy to look like a summer goddess. It's very easy and I'll show you how. Watch my video below and check out the makeup products and tools that I used.



Next up are the products I used in the video. I highly recommend these for people who want waterproof/sweatproof/long-lasting makeup. Even those with normal skin can benefit from these because it's really hot and humid this season and honestly, who doesn't want to stay fresh-looking all day?

• Olay Total Effects Pore Minimizing CC Cream in Medium 
• Naturactor Cover Face concealer in 171 and 151
• Pixy UV Whitening Compact Powder Coverlast in Natural
• Pixy Eye shadow in Sorrel Brown
• Heroine Make Long & Curl mascara
• Victoria's Secret bronzer 
• Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rosy Glow
• Revlon Ultra HD lipstick in Geranium
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti
• Etude House Color My Brows in Blonde
• Ben Nye Banana and Neutral Set Powder
• Monomola 7days Eyebrow Tattoo

I'm also taking this opportunity to review the Ecotools brushes I got from SissyShoppe. Basically, it's all you need to recreate that sunkissed summer look.


First of all, I prefer using synthetic brushes. I have oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin (IKR!) and my skin seems to react when I'm using brushes made from animal hair. Maybe it's just me and it doesn't hold true for you. Since the bristles of these Ecotools brushes are made from soft, synthetic material plus recycled bamboo handles (hurray for Mother Earth!), I really love them to bits!


My favorite is the Sheer Finish Kabuki brush. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry, I tend to take so much product than I intended to. I love using this with my finishing powders and of course, highlighters. My next choice would be the Airbrush Concealer brush. This one is also pretty flexible because you can use this as a fluffy eyeshadow brush. As you can see in the video, my concealer application was a breeze using this brush. The Custom Buffing Coverage brush is also really good because it picks up just the right amount of powder foundation. It also blends powder products well on my face and it feels super soft that I didn't want to stop buffing my face! LOL! I have yet to try this with liquid foundation though. The Bronzer Brush is really huge so I'm not sure it's the right size for my face. Nevertheless, I also love that it picked up the right amount of bronzer so I didn't turn Oompa Loompa even at first try. The Flat Foundation Brush which is actually meant to be used with liquid foundation is something I prefer to use for setting my under eye with finishing powder. Since it's summer, I'm not really into using liquid foundations because of the extreme heat.

You can get these awesome Ecotools brushes from SissyShoppe. Check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts where you can browse their offerings for affordable beauty products and tools.


If you would like to see more makeup looks or for any YouTube video requests, please do leave a comment below and let me know what you like to see next. Thanks for watching my video and dropping by my blog!

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!)

I apologize for taking forever to publish my makeup tutorial for the Vintage Glam look I pulled off last Christmas. I know this is way, way overdue but I hope you'll still watch, like, rate, comment, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel.



Featuring products I came to love and are now my favorites from 2014:

From Happy Hauler Ph: (http://happyhaulerph.biz)
- LittleBaby Blossom Baby Base
- Chifure UV Bi-Cake Foundation with SPF33
- Naturactor 151 & 171
Review: http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2013/07/naturactor-review-how-to-cover-up-acne-blemishes-concealer-foundation.html

By Benefit:
- Stay Don't Stray
- Fake Up
Review: http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2014/12/sweet-shoppe-november-2014-bdj-box-7-day-challenge.html

By Heroine Make:
- Volume & Curl mascara
- Heavy Rotation Shiny Jewel eyeliner
Review: http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2014/07/bdj-box-elite-be-your-own-heroine.html

Fanny Serrano Two-Way Cake Foundation - http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2014/10/mac-studio-fix-powder-plus-vs-fanny-serrano-two-way-cake-foundation.html

Pixy blush - http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2014/05/april-2014-bdj-box-pixy-exclusive.html
Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade / Etude House Color My Brows - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5Zo1-HXWWo

Colour Collection High Definition Lipstick - https://instagram.com/p/wnnvPzFSoi

Naturactor Silky Lucent loose powder - https://instagram.com/p/vYQBpUFSrN

3S Pre-glued Lashes - https://instagram.com/p/w-0sgNFSvc

Lucido-L Styling Milk (Curl) - http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2015/01/blonde-ambition-how-to-maintain-bleached-blonde-hair.html

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder
Urban Decay Naked 3 palette
Nyx Wonder Pencil

Favorite Brushes from Sigma:
Sigma P88 flat angled brush - Click HERE!
Sigma F80 flat kabuki brush - Click HERE!
Sigma E45 Small Tapered Blending brush - Click HERE!
Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush - Click HERE!

A photo posted by ✨✨✨✨💖💜MyMaria💜💖✨✨✨✨ (@bastaigat_sikat) on Feb 22, 2015 at 7:49pm PST

“Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give.”

As promised, here I am hosting another giveaway for my birthday! Whopeeeee! And this time I put together a beauty box containing 11 beauty items for one lucky Basta Igat, Sikat! reader. Check out this video below below to find out what's inside the box.



Excited to be the lucky winner? Please join via rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This contest will end on May 31, 2014. Open to my international readers as long as you have a valid PHILIPPINE address to join the contest so I can ship your prize if you are unable to pick it up. The name of the winner will be announced on my social media accounts. Be sure to follow me on FB, Twitter, and Instagram!


Good luck!


TWITTER ★ http://twitter.com/bastaigat_sikat
FACEBOOK ★ http://facebook.com/bastaigatsikat
INSTAGRAM ★ http://instagram.com/bastaigat_sikat
PINTEREST ★ http://pinterest.com/mrsnoodleboy
YOUTUBE ★ http://youtube.com/mymaria
BLOG ★ http://www.bastaigatsikat.com

I've been getting a lot of questions about this one so I want to show you guys how I cover up my acne and blemishes using the famous Naturactor Cover Face from Meiko Cosmetics, Inc. in Japan. This is gaining popularity due to celebrities here in the Philippines promoting this product. This concealer-slash-foundation comes in various shades for different skintones but I personally use Naturactor #140 and #171. I have medium to fair skin with yellow undertone.

Naturactor #140 and #171

What is Naturactor Cover Face for?

• To cover pigmentation, scars, blemishes, acne, and eye bags. It covers up my tattoos, too!
• To protect the skin from UV rays which can cause pigmentation.
• To make skin feel soft, smooth, and beautiful.

What it claims...

• Easy to use and non-sticky.
• Holds up to 8-12 hours (case-to-case basis)
• Does not clog pores.
• Used by professional makeup artists.
• Suitable for shows, weddings, photoshoot, etc. for natural and flawless makeup.

Single swipe, amazing coverage by Naturactor

After moisturizing my face, I used a Beauty Blender to apply Naturactor #140 and #171 to my blemishes and acne scars. You can still see some blemishes as I only applied it thinly. If you layer it some more, I believe you can get FULL coverage. IMHO, that is ideal for photoshoots. It really doesn't feel heavy on the face, that much is true.

I used a bronzer to contour my face and for shading because the concealer/foundation makes my face rather white. Maybe I should get Naturactor #151 for shading, huh? Anyway, I'll continue to use this and update this post if I get any breakouts or other undesirable effects. As of now, I'm truly happy with it and it is one of the best purchases I've made as far as beauty is concerned.



OVERALL RATING: 






I can't give it 5 stars because it's not available locally and the cost of buying varies from seller to seller. Have you used Naturactor or are you planning to buy it? Please share your experience with me and if you have any other recommendations or suggestions on how to cover up acne scars and blemishes, do leave a comment below. Thanks for visiting my blog!

Naturactor Cover Face

P.S. I buy my own products for review and pay for them with hard earned money unless otherwise stated. THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST.

UPDATE!!!

151 is perfect for blemishes!

I realized that the 151 is better at covering up blemishes. So now I'm using the 3 shades. First, I use the green concealer (171) to cover up redness and active acne, then I apply the darker concealer which is the 151 over the acne and blemishes as well as my under eye. I also use it as contour and the 140 I use as a highlighter and put it also over my blemishes. It looks way much better this way. See photo below:


SEPTEMBER 2013: I broke out like a mofo thanks to PMS and chocolates. So here's an updated post using Naturactor concealers to hide my pimples.


and the result... TA DAH!

Oh, Naturactor... what will I do without you? Tee hee!

A photo posted by ✨✨✨✨💖💜MyMaria💜💖✨✨✨✨ (@bastaigat_sikat) on Apr 3, 2015 at 7:43pm PDT

Still trying to get rid of acne scars? Don't fret. There's always Naturactor Coverface to the rescue. It works for me!


MARCH 2014 - UPDATED BLOG POST ON NATURACTOR WITH VIDEO: 
http://www.bastaigatsikat.com/2014/04/how-to-cover-conceal-acne-blemishes-naturactor-review.html