Lashes of glamour

MADONNA'S BEEN BUYING diamonds again, but she's not wearing them on her fingers. She's said to have spent US$10,000 on diamond-studded eyelash extensions. From jewel-encrusted, mink and metallic to plain, old dark and natural - eyelash extensions are the newest beauty must have. Celebrities such as Madonna, J-Lo, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell and Jessica Simpson have all bought into the trend that originated in Asia.

Extensions are individual lash-like fibres attached millimetres above your eyelashes, where you'd usually apply eyeliner. Experts say they're becoming more popular because, in most cultures, long lashes are a sign of femininity. Lashes also open up the eyes, and make women look and feel years younger, they say.

'Eyelash extensions give the face a fresh appearance,' says Elaine Chui, spokeswoman for Hong Kong's spa consultancy Paua Group. 'When applied by an expert, the effect is subtle. The extensions can be trimmed to achieve a natural look. Full, long lashes help to round the eyes. Individual lashes - which are usually applied on the outer eye area - give a glamorous look and add instant drama to any face.'

Frederique Spa make-up artist Ruby Wan agrees. 'The impact eyelash extensions have on the face is to give you a wide-eyed, sparkly look - and they emphasise eye make-up,' she says. 'Clients often request extensions on special occasions to thicken sparse eyelashes or to add length to short ones.'

Tracey Chung, 33, had semi-permanent eyelash extensions for a friend's wedding. 'I have very straight, short lashes,' she says. 'I wanted to look glamorous on the night, and someone told me semi-permanent extensions were a fast way to achieve this.

'I chose to have them at the outer end of my eye, and they were individually glued on, above my outer lashes. They only put in three or four; it was really quick. It looked amazing from the front, but a bit weird from the side. Only two people noticed I'd had it done.'