Hundreds came to the Vietnamese Beauty Expo

SNIP AND TUCK: Jason Lee demonstrates a hair-cutting technique on model Yen Nguyen. Some beauty-school students showed off up-dos on fair attendees, and others learned about how to use hair for eyelash extensions. ANDY TEMPLETON, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER   MORE PHOTOS

GARDEN GROVE – In the middle of Little Saigon, between pho restaurants and a busy Vietnamese supermarket, about 1,800 people on Sunday attended the second annual Vietnamese Beauty Expo.

Nail technicians showcased the latest trends, such as gel polish, a one-step polish that stays on for a month. Students from local beauty schools created snazzy up-dos for willing participants. The work of Vietnamese fashion designer Calvyn Hyp took to the catwalk, infusing traditional Vietnamese costumes with flowers and gem-covered mandarin collars.

The event was exactly what Tham Nguyen and Tyrone Nguyen, creators of the Vietnamese Expo, had envisioned.

"There is a huge percentage of Vietnamese in the beauty industry," Tyrone Nguyen said. "In nails alone, they have over 50 percent of that share. And we wanted to build an event that will be a brand in this community. And that they could come to."

Here were some of the highlights:

Konad Stamping Nail Art

The Gardena-based retail company Konad is bringing nail-stamp art to the masses. There are 322 designs, including Hawaiian flowers and horoscope signs. The stamping nail kits come with nail polishes manufactured by the company, a stamp, a scraper and image plates with seven designs.

Here's how it works: Place a layer of nail polish on the design plate and then scrape it off. Press the stamp onto the design plate, and then press the coated stamp onto your nail.

"You stamp it on, put on a clear coat of nail polish and you're done," said Jennifer Lee, 20, who has a penchant for the leopard print.

Eyelashes and Eyebrows

Mascara and fake eyelashes have competition with the growing trend of eyelash extensions.

Brett Baker of NaturalLash, a Colorado-based company, says the market for big flapping eyelashes is hot.

Eyelash extensions involve isolating each eyelash and adding to its length individually by weaving in small hairs. It's a tedious process, Baker said, but "They look good, and it really accentuates the eye."

The NaturalLash company has recently introduced Natural Brow, or eyebrow extensions. They were originally created for cancer patients who lost their hair. Now mainstream consumers also can add texture, arches and color to their brows.