LOVE 'em or loathe 'em. Envy or desire them – celebrities are always under the spotlight and have to look fantastic on the red carpet - or even when they nip to the shops.

To them looking good is a religion and they are always at the front of the queue trying out new fashionable diets or beauty treatments.

This Christmas, the tool many of our favourite ones have turned to in their pursuit of perfection is semi-permanent make-up.

This is a cosmetic technique, not unlike tattooing, where an ink is used to resemble make-up. The three most popular treatments are used to enhance eyebrows, eyes and lips.

It's not new – it dates back to the start of the 20th century – but over the years there have been huge improvements in both the machines and pigments used and the way therapists apply it.

It's a brilliant procedure for women who use make-up on a daily basis because it accentuates your facial features and makes you look as if you have make-up on all the time. You spend less time in front of the mirror and look younger. Some experts say having your eyebrows done for instance can knock 10 years off your real age.

It is also popular for men and women who lose their eyebrows through old age, cancer or alopecia, and it can be used to disguise scars or marks caused by skin problems like vitiligo.

Calderdale's latest semi-permanant make-up specialist is Dianne Houghton, of Todmorden, who runs a clinic from her home, as well as clinics at beauty salons all over Yorkshire. This month she held her first clinic in Halifax, at VIPs in Westgate.

The 41-year-old mother-of-two – a former fire fighter – decided to take up the art after having her brows, eyes and lips done in Leeds and felt she could do a better job. She's always been artistic and interested in make-up and says her job gives her the chance to combine the two.

She trained in London and uses the latest digital machine on the market with organic pigments from America. According to her the Americans are the leaders in the semi-permanent make-up field and she is planning a trip to the United States next year to do more training.

Dianne, who used to own fashion shops in Hebden Bridge and Leeds and at one time was a property developer says there is a lot more to it than meets the eye and anyone thinking of getting it done should check the credentials and portfolio of the artist doing it.

"You have to make clients feel relaxed and at ease and take time to find out what they are looking for. The design has to be flattering and pleasing to the individual and not too heavy. The last thing you want to do is put them in shock when they look in the mirror."

She says her skill and experience has taught her that while the results may appear harsh at first, they become more natural after a few days when they settle down and the client has had time to get used to them.
The procedure is not dangerous and does not hurt. It's slightly uncomfortable, says Dianne, and results last around one to five years. She calls her business Dianne Ink and has her own website.

To encourage more people to try semi-permanent make-up Dianne has knocked £100 off her normal prices and until the end of February is offering any treatment at £195.

"Semi-permanent make-up is not just for the rich and famous. Everyone can now afford it," says Dianne whose most popular treatment is eyebrows, followed by eye and lip liner.

Her next clinic at VIPs is on Friday November 14. Anyone who would like to attend or simply wants more details can ring 01422 384329 or 07790639878.