Makeup follows trends just like fashion does. While fashion people study the runways for new influences, beauty pros study hair, makeup, and nails for information on what’s new in color, application, and style.

To an untrained eye, something might look bizarre enough to beg the question, “Who wears this?” But what appears to be outrageous, holds clues industry professionals  “read” to glean what’s coming next.

Here’s what the Fall 2011 face looks like and some suggested DOs and DON’Ts.

Bold Brows
For the last few seasons there’s been a mandate on a no-brow look, possibly influenced by fashion’s fascination with Tilda Swinton, who pulls off browlessness beautifully. I don’t recall any other woman taking this look seriously. Brows are important focal points of a face. The 3 things to get right are arch, color, and application. DO have them done once by a pro to learn how to make the most of what you’ve got.

Neutral Colors
“Natural” faces and nails always look good, especially when they’re a little (ahem) enhanced by the right makeup colors. DON’T go completely nude. If you’re wearing neutrals, don’t do neutral makeup too. Add some color somewhere (lips maybe?). Too much beige is BORING!

NOTE: Make your best feature the focal point on your face. If you have beautiful eyes, make them stand out. If you have nice full lips, go for a strong lip color. Don’t do both. It’ll date you.

RED!
Statement making scarlet lips are a fall “accessory.” Pure reds can be harsh. DO find a red that’s been softened with brown or rose tones. DON’T do very dark lips; you’ll look like an aging vampire, especially if you’re fair skinned.

“Rouge”
The word itself sounds quaint. Our mothers wore it, which is one reason to tread lightly. The more “rouge” you wear the zanier you’ll look. Designers painted swathes of bright red across models  faces in what looked like a mocking nod to the wacky aunt we all had who was a victim of rouge abuse. Instead DO a skin-enhancing blush that’s blended into your foundation.

Spidery Eyelashes
They’re calling it a “new” look because the people who adopted this trend are too young to remember Twiggy. We’re not. DON’T do it.

Heavy Eyeliner
Another Twiggy influence! Thick eyeliner is pretty much all for show, literally. Here’s the way Style.com put i: “At Marc Jacobs, François Nars etched a “droopy” black stroke, like “a grandmother who’s a bit eccentric that puts on her eyeliner wrong.”  DO eyeliner in a very thin line at the base of the lashes.

Metallics
It’s going to be a flashy fall. Clothing and accessories are going to show up in metallic shades and so are eyes, cheeks and lips. DON’T go full metallic on the face, the light-reflecting properties make lines and wrinkles more noticeable. DO a lip color with flecks of shimmer. DO metallic nail colors, shoes, handbag or accessories. DON’T overdo it, one or two shots of metal is all you need.