Check out this easy beginners eyeshadow hack that just went viral

I am in my 40s and lately, I've been trying to 'get my make up game on'. I have never worn a lot of makeup but as I grow older I have realized that my skin texture etc is starting to change. While I do spend more on skincare products, I have also started to add a bit of makeup into my collection. I have realized that makeup has changed a bit in this 'selfie' world and I am slowly trying to update myself. There is so much now on the internet to help. But my general philosophy towards it is - natural, quick, and uncomplicated. So I have been scouring the internet to find make tutorials that are not too intimidating and perfect for busy mums. I love Ashna @klumsyclosett on Instagram, she does some great tutorials that are just right for me. Here are 3 of my favorites. 

1. Glossy Nude

This is a mix of your favorite lip balm and go-to nude lipstick. So easy right!!! I have dark lips so this is my favorite quick fix for a quick, natural day time look. You can use your sheer nude and earth tone lip colors and add your favorite lip balm on up for an almost glossy finish. I also use my matte lip pencils to get this look and just add a touch of lip balm on top. 

Image via @nikkideroest

2. No More Wild Brows No more 'I got up like this brows'. Here is in Sri Lanka we have brow threading...yep painful but it gives a long-lasting neat brow. I do this once a month...I tried waxing my bows, shaving them but prefer this combination of threading and trimming. It is not the best method but it is the method I love for my self. So I only recommend it to brave of heart.  But you really don't need to go as far as I do to keep your brows neat. One thing I do to my brows every day is brushing them with a small eyebrow brush or even a small toothbrush with very soft bristles would do, it just keeps them in place. Adding a little brow gel also helps in keeping them in place.

Benefit GIMME BROW + VOLUMIZING EYEBROW GEL

3. Barely there Lip Stain It gets easier and easier. One of the 2020 makeup trends is a barely-there lip stain. Lip stains give that touch of color and are super low maintenance. Perfect when you have got 10 minutes to get ready and go out the door. 

Image via @zhannamua in Instagram

benefit LIP AND CHEEK TINT

BURT'S BEES 100% NATURAL ALL AGLOW LIP & CHEEK STICK 8.5G (VARIOUS SHADES)

4. Inner glow

Manifest your inner glow with glowy, dewy skin. *wink. Glowy skin is in. One way to get a lovely highlight in your skin is to wear your LIQUID highlighter before your foundation. After your moisturizer, add a liquid highlighter onto your cheekbones, forehead, and down the nose. Once you add your foundation over this, your skin looks radiant as a glow comes through the foundation. 
Image via @jilliandempsey on Instagram

Overstock.com- GlamGlow GlowStarter 1.7-ounce Mega Illuminating Moisturizer Nude 5. Less is more, Skin is in Over the past years we have seen more opaque, ultra-matte coverage, in 2020 the trend is towards a more natural, sheer coverage. This works out so well for me because I don't wear foundation daily. My morning routine most days is cleansing, tone and use a moisturizer with an SPF, so I try to take care of my skin better. So the way to go in 2020 is the lighter the better,  with sheer, more natural products. Let your skin your stand out feature. Use a tinted hydrating moisturizer or a water-tint foundation as a base that adds a glow to your skin. You can add a dab of blush onto the apples of your cheeks for colors.  And for a more glam look use a brow pen to highlight your eyebrows, a clear brow gel to keep them in place,  add your favorite mascara, use an eyeliner to create those wings and a nude, glossy lip.

Image via Pop  Sugar

6. Pops of colors 

Pops of color everywhere, from your eyeshadow to your lipsticks.  Yellows, purples, rainbow shades, mismatched colors in everything from eyeliners, eyeshadows and lipsticks...oh my. Which one is right for you is the fun part. 

Image via ILLAMASQUA - ARTISTRY PALETTE - EXPERIMENTAL

7.  Sparkly Eyes

Sparkly glitter eyeshadow in shades of lilac, pink, purple...To be honest glitter eyes are a trend almost every year. It is just too much fun and fabulous. Yes, you are a mum but isn't this a super trend to try for a girl's night out? 

Image via NIP+FAB created using MAKE UP EYE SHADOW PALETTE - WONDERLAND

NIP+FAB MAKE UP EYE SHADOW PALETTE - WONDERLAND

Orglamix Cosmetic Grade, 5Pk Glitter Powder Kit on Etsy

8. Shades of blue 

Pantone's 2020 color of the year is Classic Blue so if there is one color that we will be seeing a lot if this year is blue. I love this jewel-tone eyeshadow in 'sapphire' worn on the models at the spring 2020 LaQuan Smith show. 

Image via Cosmopolitan

Image via @spryormakeup on Instagram created using Illamasqua Expressionist Artistry Palette

9. Bold Lips

I am so glad that bold lips are still in. In 2019, I really came out of my neutral and pink lipstick shell and started wearing bold colors like red. The 2020 way to wear your favorite bold lip is with a neutral face - with brushed-up brows, natural eye makeup, and a bold lip, which makes life much easier for me.  My current favorite bold lipstick is Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in midnightIllamasqua antimatter lipstick.  I was never a red lipstick fan but this red color really suited my dark Asian skin tone. 

Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in Midnight

Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in Energy

10. Bold red on the Eyes

You know black smokey eyes but have you seen red smokey eyes?  If there is one look I would like to try this year is this red smokey eye look.  Take a look at the gorgeous ruby-red smokey eye below? Doesn't it look amazing? 

Image via @kilprity Guardian of Sunset — The Sunset Desert, SIGIL inspired Tammy Tanuka Loose Eyeshadow Sigilinspired on Etsy - The Wild Empress — The Castle of Night, Loose Eyeshadow

Sigilinspired on Etsy - Loose Eyeshadow "Hardhead" - The Everblooming Lands

Something I  love to do on a weekends is put on a face mask and watch my current favorite K drama. Yes! I have recently become hooked on K dramas, K food and I am currently trying out K beauty. And if you don't know - that K stands for, it's all things Korean.  To be honest I am not interested in 'glass skin' or having skin that looks like a Instagram filter. I would rather use the filter. What I would like to do is bring the best out of my skin. I live in Sri Lanka so when I came across a site called stylekorean.com it was like a k beauty produt wonderland for me. The first thing I looked up was shipping and they ship all globally so I decided to order 4 masks ( to use one a week, that would last me a month). I really liked the fact that the site was geared for international customers and all the information was in English. I chose masks that helped me minimize my pores and brighten my skin. I have dark South Asian combination skin.  I would like to do more detailed reviews of each mask but here is what I got: 1. [THE FACE SHOP] The Solution Pore Care Face Mask - US$2.20  

This is a sheet mask that has a brightening, hydrating, moisturizing, and radiance focus. 2.[So natural] Design Deep Black Clay Mask -US$4 at 50% off

This mask was helps exfoliate dead skin cells and clean pores.  3. [Mediheal] H.D.P Pore Stamping Charcoal Mineral Mask  - US$3.30

This is a pore tightening and sebum control mask , which I hope will be perfect for my combination skin.  4. [Innisfree] Second Skin Mask Sheet Brightening 20g -US$5.99

This is probably the most expensive of the masks I got and the one with the best reviews.  With these masks I got some free sachets of products to try which was fun though they were small. Who doesn't like free stuff.  So here in summary here are the pros and cons of shopping online at Style Korean. Pros:  Value for Money: Good ( got all this for US$22 with shipping) Shipping Cost: Great - US$7.50 ro my home by post Ships to: Globally and to Sri Lanka  Shipping Time: Excellent - got products within 10 days Cons: Some of the masks do not have English translations, so you have to keep referring the site for instructions.