Beauty: Flash those lashes

There aren't many places on the body where it's positively encouraged to get a little plump. The lips are one. So, too are the lashes. Why, Nicole Richie's lashes probably account for a substantial part of her overall weight.

1. Chanel Violine Extreme Cils Intense
$57 for 6g

This mascara from the spectacular Pink Lame colour story gives intense volume and separates the lashes as it does so. Does just about everything except curl them. The idea of a coloured mascara can be frightening especially when recalling Princess Di's hideous electric blue lash phase. But Chanel don't do naff. This is essentially a dark mascara with a violet reflection for interest. Very modern.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

2. Yves Saint Laurent 1 Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils
$59 for 7.5ml

A luxurious mascara for a false lash effect. Excellent at giving volume, insane length and curl, too. It also goes in for a bit of lash conditioning.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

3. Tweezerman Eyelash Curler
$18

Tweezerman make the tweezers makeup artists rave about. So you'd expect the lash curlers to be pretty decent, too. And they are. They're your classic curler with a back-up refill pad attached - for rapid reloading. Now that I've finally got the hang of lash curlers I can see why people rate them.
From Glamorpuss Newmarket.

4. M.A.C False Eyelashes
$22

You could go the whole hog and try false eyelashes. These aren't as hard-core as the ones everyone wore in the 60s.

Instead, these natural black falsies can either be used as is or cut up and used as individual lashes and are designed to give a voluptuous look vital for red carpet events.

And they're a bit of fun once you've got the hang of gluing them on.

From Smith & Caughey's Newmarket and M.A.C Chancery.

5. Bobbi Brown Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover
$60 for 100ml

Mascara can be stubborn to remove - especially the waterproof variety. That's why it's always a good idea to deal with it separately.

This makeup remover does a brilliant job and is safe for contact lens-wearers. It's like calling in the exterminators for mascara and long-lasting lipstick.

Cracking it open can be challenging though with the child-proof lid foiling some grown-ups. It does get easier with practice.

From Smith & Caughey's from September.