I'd seen eyes framed by lashes that suddenly looked wonderfully fluffy. Eyes that suddenly popped! The lashes looked so real and, according to the wearer, had no awning effect. Those words became the jolt. I still, however, had to negotiate two hours. You heard me - the procedure takes two hours.

Xtreme lashes are the current Hollywood must-haves, and after lying in the comfortable setting afforded by Marie Simone Hall-Smith, proprietor of The Face Place, and leaving my lashes in the gentle, professional hands of certified lash stylist Renee Harper for two hours, l truly emerged with gorgeous eyelash extensions that certainly didn't feel as if I'd pulled down the awnings.

Certified lash stylist Renee Harper. (Photos: Lionel Rookwood)

But first things first! The actual prep makes you feel like it's a plastic surgery procedure. Harper covers the lower lids with cotton gauze after they have been cleaned and then dried. And with careful attention, using a puff to lift and separate, commences the procedure of adding Xtreme lashes, one lash to one lash at a time.

There are various colours to choose from including black, dark brown, golden brown, auburn, blue, red, green, pink and purple. We chose black. My fear of burning eyes as well as the safety factor were quickly allayed. The primary ingredient used in the adhesives is the same ingredient used by plastic surgeons in the United States for suture-less wound closure (where adhesive is inserted into an open wound). The procedure is pain-free and Xtreme lashes are never applied directly to your eyelids.

Time certainly flies when you're having fun or thinking of fluttering fabulous, light, synthetic lashes. The fun part, of course, came when Harper presented a mirror. The finished look exceeded my expectations. They looked fab, but then the usual panic kicked in: I mean, how long would they last? "They last up to two months," explained Harper, "with touch-ups done every two to four weeks.a natural lash typically falls out every 60 to 90 days and is replaced with the growth of a new eyelash.At any given moment, each of your natural eyelashes is at a different stage of its life cycle. Touch-ups will replace the lashes that have completed their life cycle." There'd be more to learn to ensure optimum appearance and to extend the life of my lashes. There was relief but there were a few warnings.

I could not for the first 24 hours get my lashes wet (this allows the adhesive to dry thoroughly).

I slept on my back (well, at least for part of the night) as this prevents lashes tangling while drying. I received a brush (a mascara wand to gently separate and groom my Xtreme lashes).

I was told to avoid hot steam from the shower and sauna as well as swimming for the first 48 hours in order to prevent the bond from weakening.

Having survived the first 48 hours I was able to relax a little bit more. Mind you, I have to make a conscious effort not to rub my eyes first thing in the morning and washing my face is done ever so carefully, but it's almost a week and my lashes are still on and looking naturally fab. It's a good thing, for the procedure is far from cheap.

Up close with Heineken Green Synergy finalists

Merritone looks to the future

Beenie Man arrives late for function to honour athletes; apologises