It's a fact: more and more ethnic minorities in America are choosing to have plastic surgery than ever before. Research has shown that from 2000 to 2005 there has been a 65 percent increase in the number of people from ethnic minority groups going under the knife for cosmetic reasons, and that statistic is steadily growing.

It is estimated that about 50 percent of all people of Asian descent have what is known as a "single fold" eye or mono-lid, with the existence of the crease often dependent on the country of origin. In Asia, double eyelid surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure, although it takes third place among Asian-Americans in the US, just behind nose and boob jobs.

However, an increasing number of minorities are opting to have "ethnic plastic surgery", or procedures which some people see as being done solely to erase ethnic characteristics and make them conform more closely to the perceived white ideal. From nose jobs to narrow an African nose to eyelid operations to make an Asian eye appear more rounded, these procedures are gaining in popularity - although they are widely contested.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the following operations are the most popular among ethnic minority groups:

* Nose-reshaping: the most common op among African-Americans and Hispanics

* Breast augmentation: the second most popular procedure among Hispanics

* Breast reduction: the second most popular among Africa-Americans

* Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery: the second most popular cosmetic operation among Asians

Asian Double Eyelid Surgery

It is estimated that about 50 percent of all people of Asian descent have what is known as a "single fold" eye or mono-lid, with the existence of the crease often dependent on the country of origin. In Asia, double eyelid surgery is the most popular cosmetic procedure, although it takes third place among Asian-Americans in the US, just behind nose and boob jobs.

Several tried-and-tested techniques are used to achieve this double eyelid, including:

Suture method. A series of tiny incisions along the crease line, and then tight sutures under the skin. When the skin is lifted and folded back a not completely natural-looking crease is made. Although this method is cheap and has good results, they are not permanent.

Full incision method. The surgeon makes an incision in a the shape of a half moon along the incision line, then strips of muscle, orbital septum and occasionally fat are taken out (these are also removed in traditional eyelid surgery). The two sides are then sewn permanently together, so the result is long-lasting and looks more natural, especially when the patient blinks.

Double Standard Twist (DST) method. Best of both worlds (in the immortal words of Hannah Montana). Fat is removed through incisions while sutures lift the lid. Less-invasive and can results can last as long as a decade.

Laser Surgery. Sutures create a new crease but lasers are used to take away excess fat, tissue and muscle. No cutting required and less bruising than with other methods.

Please note that there are risks and side-effects no matter what type of procedure you choose. These include infection, initial bruising and swelling, itching, eye gumminess and light sensitivity. Scarring can take up to six months to disappear - or more.

Why Do It?

Plastic surgeons who advertise double eyelid surgery are often quick to point out that they are not helping their patients look more Caucasian, but helping them to feel more confident and create a better personal look for them as individuals. Typically, they say that Asians approach them because they want to look more "bright-eyed", with eyes that appear wider.

According to some plastic surgeons, a single crease means the eye appears to be "taut and heavy", making the person appear older than they really are - even if they are in their twenties. They also say that having a single-fold eye means that make-up is more difficult to apply, and that it makes the eyelashes less visible.

"Many prospective patients say a single eyelid makes them look sleepy or tired and that it makes their eyes look too small," according to PlasticSurgery.com, which claims the first operation of the kind took place in Japan way back in 1896. "Most Asian patients don't want to change the natural almond shape of their eyes, but just have eyelids that are less heavy looking, with brighter eyes."

People who are opposed to double eyelid surgery, however, say that the goal is to make one's ethnicity appear less obvious. "Double eyelid surgery is unnatural and people who do it are buying into a beauty myth that is not Asian-based," says Martin Wong, editor of Asian art and culture magazine Giant Robot.

"It's really just self-mutilation and a lot of it sadly is interjected by parents and their ideas. It's heartbreaking that these young girls don't have cultural pride; that they're ashamed of who they are and how they look."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1832119

Here I am going to explain in simple steps how to apply eye makeup that will stay on for many hours and the look we are going to create is called "Smokey Eyes"

First cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin following your normal skin care routine

Allow fifteen minutes for your skin to neutralise (in simple terms -sink in) once you have applied your moisturiser

Smokey Eyes. Using powder eye shadows.

You will need the following.

Concealer brush. Eyeshadow brush. Dome shaped brush. Eyeliner brush.

Select three shades of eyeshadow, a base colour, a mid colour and a more defining colour. Eyeliner or very dark eye shadow. Mascara.

Apply a concealer all over the eye area from the lash line of the upper eye lid to the eye brows and going beneath the lower lashes, and into the corner of the eye. This gives your eye shadow a sound base to adhere to and evens out the skin tone.

Now apply using your eye shadow brush apply the base colour,use small circular movements working in from the outer corner, over the eye socket and into the corner of the eye. Repeat this clouds and rainbows technique (the name for the small circular movements) two or three times until the area is soundly covered.

Using the same brush now apply the mid tone you have selected, being sure to shake any excess of powder away from your brush. Start once more at the outer corner of the eye and using clouds and rainbows technique work above the eye socket in to the inner corner and back across the eyelid. As before repeat enough times to ensure sufficient coverage.

Now for the definition of the eye.take your brush and apply the darkest shade (shaking away excess as before)Starting at the outer corner, trace the outline of your eyeball to half way across the eyelid going back and forth blending this colour into the mid tone. Now take your dome shaped brush and apply to this the darker shade and apply beneath the lower lashes, stopping where the natural lash line ends.

Using your eyeliner brush apply to this either your eyeliner or a dark eye shadow and starting at the outer corner apply by using a sweeping technique directly above the lash line, you can sweep this right the way along into the inner most corner of the eye to create a lovely almond shaped eye.