Ever bought an eyeshadow palette? Then you know exactly the colour I'm talking about - the bright, vivid one that's oh-so-pretty and vivid but you're just too afraid to use? Well, with the grey days of winter (possibly... dare we hope?) coming to a close and spring on the horizon, I’m daring you to go bold. From pretty pinks and corals to vibrant greens and blues bold colours feature big in this spring’s makeup looks. But while it’s a look we may admire on the runway or red carpet, some of us (and by “some of us” I mean me) lack the balls to try out those bold colours ourselves.

Enter Maybelline New York’s global makeup artist, Charlotte Willer, with some tips for getting over being timid.

If you are in the market for a little pre-spring pick me up, do I have just the ticket for you! From March 11th to early May, MAC Cosmetics is offering one of the most wearable bold colour collections that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Infused with popping pinks (my favourite product is the Petals & Peacock lipstick—so Malibu Barbie chic!), juicy corals and saturated purples and teals the Liberty of London collection strikes the perfect balance between the grit and glam of Londontown. See for yourself after the jump.

Spring may still be a distant dream, but there is no time like the present to start with the spring-cleaning of your makeup bag (or bags, if you are a beauty junkie like me). Out with the old and in with the new is my motto when it comes to spring’s new makeup lines. Sometimes, however, there are those products that are just too hard to part with—unless you have a guaranteed great replacement lined up! 

I'm fresh home from an event for Maybelline New York (more to come... lots of great tips for actually wearing the season's bold colours for cheeks, lips and eyes), but I have on tip that's too good to wait.

As you've likely noticed, one of the big makeup trends heading into Spring is the bold red lip (it continues into Fall too). The problem is finding the "right" red. Well, makeup artist Charlotte Willer, has a foolproof tip for finding the right red (or any lipstick colour).

Whether you’re spending the night with your beau or going on the prowl with your lady friends to find Mr. Rightnow, you’re likely feeling the pressure to amp-up your regular look for Valentine’s Day weekend. At styleswept, we are equal opportunists when it comes to makeup. In fact, I bet I could form a strong debate on the merits of almost any beauty product on the market. My love and adoration for all things beauty, however, has left me unable to decide which is the sexier look this V-day: the smoky eye or the bold lip? It's the most epic battle of hotness to date. Give us your take after the jump.

It used to be that we only had one Olsen to worry about; Mary-Kate was clearly the wild child, dressing like a bag lady, battling eating disorders and generally not giving a flying hoot what anyone thought about it. Ashley, on the other hand, could usually be counted on to bring a little refinement, stability and class to the pair. Lately, though, it’s Ashley that has been causing me distress on the red carpet. Sure, Mary-Kate still looks a hot-mess most of the time, but I have come to expect/accept it as part of her charm. Ashley, unfortunately, just doesn't pull off the avant-garde crazy look quite as well....

Last week I showed you Murale makeup artist, Emily Benson’s, method for creating the ultimate smoky eye, but in all honesty, it was a rather involved process. Thank goodness that two of my favourite cosmetic companies have come up with pretty and perfect packages that provide us with everything we need—including step-by-step instructions—to master the look on our own. Check out my picks for the best kits after the jump.

Creating a smoky eye is likely one of the most intimidating makeup missions a girl can tackle. The results of a successfully accomplishing the look, however, are undeniably sexy and well worth a bit of extra effort. According to Murale makeup artist, Emily Benson, the smoky look may seem daunting, but can easily be achieved with her simple tips and tricks. I recently visited Benson at one of Murale’s Calgary locations for a tutorial in smoky sex appeal. Check out the results and get a how-to lesson after the jump.

Foundation is undoubtedly the key to achieving a flawless face, yet it is also the culprit responsible for some of the biggest beauty faux pas out there. To be perfectly honest, I’m still not entirely sure how to apply the traditional liquid formulas. With so many different formulas available these days, the methods for applying base abound...

It seems to me that for the last few years designers and style watchers alike have been looking to the same group of ladies for style inspiration. Come winter and spring, there these ladies are sitting in the front row of every pivotal show, simultaneously being influenced by the clothes walking the runway and influencing the designer that created them with their own unique styling abilities. I won’t say that I am tired of this crew, but I will say that a bit of new blood in the world of style muses is never a bad thing. Especially if the newbie has the quirky vintage style of Zooey Deschanel, the rebellious vibe of Megan Fox and the classic beauty of Gwyneth….