Whether planning your look for holidays with family or deciding on makeup for elegant outings, here are two key 2011-2012 trends to keep in mind.

1. there’s a marked tendency toward more NATURAL EYEBROW SHAPES. Forgo waxing and defining in favor of well-trimmed groomed brows.

2. the difference between glamour and casual is less defined. Both emphasize CLEAN complexions, FRESH eyes with long lashes but no heavy shadows / liners, FLESH-TONE colors for cheeks / eyes, and VIBRANT matte lip colors to separate glam from relaxed. Hurray! Learning how to apply makeup for the 2011 – 2012 season has become easier. The key to the hottest looks depend on knowing how to trim eyebrows and know when to wear bright lipstick {30’s glam} and when to use neutral, peach / pastel pinks.

Here’s how to trim eyebrows and apply eye makeup for family gatherings:

1. let brow hair grow out. Don’t wax / tweeze. Take a brow brush and stroke hair upward. Using curved scissors cut longer hairs then brush down and do the same. Don’t worry about a defined edge. Trim eyebrows and only tweeze hairs that are obviously wayward from sides, bridge of the nose and a teeny bit below the arch. The main shaping tool this season are scissors to trim eyebrows.

Here’s how to apply eye makeup that’s SOFT yet NOT INVISIBLE:

2. dust eyelids with pastel pink, café latte, or matte peach shadow. Outline the upper lid with a brown liner, softening edges with powder or a smidge of shadow. Apply a flesh tone color below the eye – no liner. Define lashes with mascara { false eyelashes are acceptable}. Highlight brows – one shade darker for blondes, two shades lighter for brunettes. Apply matte pastel lip color in pink, peach / coral or brush lips with gloss.

Convert into a glam look:

1. trim eyebrows the same way but color them one shade darker

2. apply eye makeup softly with no liner on the bottom, but add a bright lip color – crimson red, vibrant orange, hot pink. Don’t use gloss.