Aussie Curves - Blue (with a hooded eye make up tutorial)

Neither of us wear much of the colour blue. It isn't that we have anything against it, it's just not a colour that we gravitate towards very much. We do have a little bit of is royal blue, mainly due to the current colour blocking trend. For this weeks challenge we are not only showing off our outfits, but are also showing a great blue eyeshadow look that is especially great for the 'hooded eyelid' such as ours.

Janna  says:

 I have one to die for dress in a royal blue. It is from one of my most lust after plus size designer brands, Igigi. I bought this dress for two weddings that I attended a few months after I had my daughter. I wanted something that was colourful, but still flattering. I wanted something that didn't cling too much, but didn't look like a sack either. I tried on many dresses but kept looking at this one dress on styleandsubstance (An Australian stockist of Igigi and Kiyonna, although currently on a hiatus).

It was called 'So Pretty!' and it so was! I was unsure about buying off the Internet without trying on but I took the plunge and went for it.

Dress- Igigi

Shoes - Spendless Shoes

Earrings - Diva

Bracelets - Mix of Diva, Lovisa & Equip

I am so glad I did. The dress is all kinds of lovely. The fabric is a thick, silky stretch. It is lined with a thick stretch material too so it really does smooth you out. The one shoulder gives me a bit of gathering at the bust, which I really need. Being a pear shape I am much smaller on top than on bottom. I need to balance out my shape a bit, so I find ruching or gathering at the bust (plus a very good padded bra) helps balance out my wider hips.

For this look I kept it simple. Glitter heels, sparkly earrings and bangles. I had read that when you do one shoulder it is best to have your hair up rather than down. It allows your shoulders to feature.

I am not a huge fan of my arms, and if I were going out I would most likely have a wrap to just drape over my arms. However in this dress I feel like it is so pretty, no one would be looking at my arms anyway!

Nerida says:

I went for a more casual look. You have seen this cardigan before in other photos. I do wear it a lot because it is a really light weight stretch fabric. It is great to wear in the warmer weather. I really don't like to show my arms very much so I prefer to wear cardigans such as these. Besides, they add a nice pop of colour.

 Cardigan - SES

Dress - Best & Less 'Lily & Lou'

Shoes - Big W

Necklace - Market stall

The dress is a new purchase from Best & Less 'Lily & Lou' range. I just love it. The top part is just flowy enough to skim over my curves but not too loose either. The angled cut actually creates a bit of shape. They have a striped top version, and apparently an orange one but I couldn't find the orange at my local Best & Less.

What I really wanted to share with you was my makeup look. I am currently at Tafe studying Beauty Therapy. I completed a make up course at Tafe at the start of the year. This is a step towards a new career for me, where hopefully I can provide for my Son, while enjoying what I do.

Both Janna and I have what is called 'hooded eyelids'. This is common in Caucasian women, and it is basically where the eyelid is mostly covered when the eyes are open. This can make your eyes look smaller in your face, and also create shadowing under your eyes. This means that not all make up looks work on our eyes. I am starting to learn some really great tips at Tafe that have helped us get the most out of our makeup.

To do my makeup I started with my primer and foundation. However after I apply my foundation I now use a darker concealer or bronzer to contour my face. I put the bronzer under my cheekbone and under my chin along the jaw, and then blend it in well . This actually creates a bit of shadowing, which make you face appear thinner. Set the makeup with a bit of powder.

I then used a white shadow all over my eyelid, right up to my brow. I  added a bit of blue just in the corner of my eyes, and blended it into and just above the crease. The white eyeshadow makes the eyelid appear larger and reduces shadowing. I only apply blue to the corner and crease so it doesn't make my eyes look too dark, and therefore small.

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Eyeshadow & Lipstick - Inglot

Mascara - Falsies Maybelline

Finally I add a thin line of eyeliner and mascara. Pop on a bit of pink lippy, some blush on my cheekbones and I am done.

There you go, A simple blue eyeshadow look for the hooded eye!

Are you feeling 'blue'? Check out the other ladies