FRESH from sculpting the faces of the rich and famous, a make-up technician to the stars paid a one-stop visit to Rossendale yesterday to pioneer the latest cosmetics craze.

After landing in Manchester fresh from working in the luxury Spanish resort of Marbella with the world's elite, Louise Walsh turned her hands to the beautiful people of the Rossendale Valley.

She was at Gemma's Tanning and Beauty Salon, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, were she demonstrated the art of semi-permanent make-up.

Not only used for cosmetic vanity, the pain-free procedures are used help camouflage scars, as part of reconstructive surgery and to help mask the effects of balding.

Thought to have been first pioneered by the likes of Cleopatra in the Egyptian era the 'tattooed' look has made a recent comeback in the quest for 24-hour perfection.

When the procedure first came to the surface more than a decade ago in the UK it hit controversy amid claim's that it was unsafe.

Since then the procedure has been regulated by the beauty industry.

Louise, 38, revealed her face is covered in the cosmetic tattoos, which to most people looks like normal make-up.

She said: "At one time there was speculation about it being unsafe but that is not the case. As in any industry you get cowboys.

"But as long as the procedure is carried out by a professional who has undergone the relevant training and uses the right equipment it is completely safe."

Louise, who has also made-up people live on Channel Four's hit reality show The Salon, was on hand in the Valley to transform people from all walks of life.

After setting up the company Wake Up to Make-Up, which has training centres in Liverpool and London, Louise won contracts to work her magic in London's prestigious Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Debenhams and House of Fraser.

The permanent make-up look, which has been adopted by many top stars, from Coronation Street celebrities to royalty, stays put for around three to five years.

Angela Collier, 33, who has two children, took advantage of the procedure yesterday, said: "I chose to have my eyebrows done because they highlight your face. Some people think it's being vain, but in my opinion it's not. I think it's just making the best of what you have got with the help of a professional who has many celebrity clients."

Still a well-kept Hollywood secret, semi-permanent make-up involves the technician using a fine needle to implant a mineral colour pigment into the skin.

In less than an hour of treatment water and smudge-proof eyeliner, lipliner, lipstick or brow imitation can be achieved.

Amy White, 22, from Rawtenstall, also opted for fuller eyebrows, she added: "I was apprehensive about having it done at first. But it didn't hurt and it was good to know that it was a professional."