SHE spends hours in front of the mirror, pursing her glossy lips and flashing her pearly whites.

While others fuss over her hemline and high-heeled shoes, she worries about her painted nails and braided hair.

When her appearance is flawless, she takes to the catwalk with an air of confidence.

She hopes to win a coveted crown. She wants to be a beauty queen. She's desired it for months.
And now that this babe is 10 years old, she's finally got a shot.

Over the past couple of years, more and more Malaysian children are being trained to sway their hips and give "Miss Universe answers" at beauty contests and talent competitions.

As parents drag their young ones from one audition to the next, live shows, TV or print castings, state beauty pageants for children are just a hop, skip and jump away.

But are our children ready for the land of the bold and beautiful? The jury is still out.

Are parents living out their dreams through their children? Are they doing it for money? Or are they just hoping to have some fun and bonding time with their children?

Two-year-old Lucy has posed and smiled for the camera for over a year. She models baby clothes, shoes and accessories, whatever the job calls for.

Her mother says there's nothing that gives Lucy as much pleasure as seeing herself in a fashion catalogue. And that's as good a reason as any for her.

"When we were first approached in a shopping mall, I was hesitant. I didn't know how Lucy would handle the long hours of modelling. But now that we have done many shoots, both Lucy and I are loving it.

"There have been times when she gets cranky. That's when sweets, toys and games really help. It can be tiring for her. Sometimes she has to model up to 30 outfits," says Lindsay Raj (not her real name).

Having a professional team to work with the children, she says, is one of the main deciding factors in accepting or rejecting a gig.

"It's important to have order and discipline on site. Parents should not settle for less. When you're dealing with a team that doesn't know what they're doing, the shoot can drag on for hours and hours."

Lindsay says either she or her husband is always present throughout the shoot. "It's important for parents to see exactly what goes on. Even with small things, like hair and makeup. I'm thankful that they don't use much make-up on Lucy, usually it's just a little lip gloss."

So, how much is her "precious" earning?

Lucy earns up to RM500 per shoot. Apparently that's the going rate. A half-day shoot can fetch up to RM300. And films pay up to RM1,000 per day.

"No doubt children enjoy earning their own money. My kids would spend it all on toys if they could. But we allow Lucy to buy just one toy with her wages. The rest goes into her savings account," says Lindsay.

But it's not about the money, she says. It's about having fun and creating memories that children will be able to look back on fondly.

Lindsay may be game for the modelling world, but not all parents are as excited about it.

For instance, Camelia Soon's two beautiful toddlers will never learn the art of posing for the commercial camera.

"It takes a lot of work, too much for my liking. It's an actual occupation for the kids. I have friends who send their kids for auditions and the whole process can take hours, sometimes even the whole day.

"With all the other activities kids are involved in, like ballet and piano lessons, every available second is precious," says Camelia, 32.

But she does admit the whole idea is quite glamorous and the monetary benefits are tempting.

"My friend's baby won RM1,800 in a diaper competition recently. That's good money. But not everyone is going to be so lucky.

"I've known people who have wasted a lot of time and money going from one casting to the next. Sometimes all the hard work amounts to nothing."

But the long hours and hard work, Soon says, is just too much to handle.

"I know for a fact that my kids would get temperamental. I doubt they'd ever enjoy it.

"In any case, how can they feel glamorous at such a young age? When I play back videos of my kids to them, they don't seem all that excited. It doesn't make a difference to them."

Soon says the fact that bogus modelling companies might scam her is also a deterring factor.

"Some of my friends have paid RM2,000 to create modelling portfolios for their children, but it amounts to nothing in the end.

"A lot of false hope is given to 'glamour crazy' parents, who are willing to do whatever it takes to see their children on TV or in a magazine."

These bogus companies, she says, send their agents to scout for "talent" at shopping malls before luring them into paying for professional pictures and catwalk classes.

"But after a week of training, you don't hear from them. Their usual excuse is that advertising agencies are going for a 'different look' these days."

It's clear that the "parents-next-door" have conflicting opinions, but what about celebrity parents?

After years of basking in the limelight, would they encourage their toddlers to do the same?

Enjoying her first year of motherhood, TV host Daphne Iking says she has few qualms about sending her baby girl for beauty and talent auditions.

"As long as little Isobel is up for it, why not? But only if she is keen and has the knack for it.

"I think the whole experience builds confidence and improves speech. I'm sure it also exposes the child to a social setting unlike the norm. It may better enable them to interact with other people."

But she does stress the fact that she would be a supportive mum and not a pushy one.

Singer and entertainer, Reshmonu, a father of two, could not agree more.

"I would be very selective with how my children are portrayed. I won't object to them taking part in beauty or talent auditions, but I would be very selective."

But one thing's for sure, Reshmonu would never leave his children alone on location.

"As for the option of accepting a gig or not, I would discuss that with the kids. I would never push them to it.

"But if they have made a commitment to be a talent or take part in a beauty competition, I would want them to see it through."