I was browsing the Health & Beauty section of Deal Extreme when I came across some eyelid tape. I clicked on it out of curiosity; I was surprised to see something as obscure as eyelid tape on a site known for its discounted electronics.

I read the comments and was amused by the confusion many had about this product, such as:

“Wat?”

“These are false eyelashes…”

“I thought they were little stencils so you can draw the eyebrow”

Someone posted a before and after photo to try to help, but one commenter couldn’t see the difference.

Eyelid tape before and after.

In case you can’t either, eyelid tape is a cosmetic tool popular among some Asians.  It’s a small strip of translucent tape that, when placed on the eyelid, prevents the fatty hood of a typical Asian monolid from coming down normally.  Instead, the lid creases and creates what Asians call a double lid (as opposed to a single lid).

Both the men and women who use eyelid tape cite various reasons why.  Some think that it makes their eyes look bigger and brighter.  Others say it allows them to have more fun with eye makeup since now there is an actual eyelid area to work with.  While it can be pretty commonplace among some groups (such as young Japanese girls), others will criticize those who use eyelid tape for “wanting to look White” or “hating their Asianess.”  I personally think people should do whatever makes them happy.

I have some eyelid tape that I use occasionally on one eye.  Though I was born with single lids, occasionally one of my lids will crease on its own and I end up having very mismatched eyes.  When my eye “gets a lid,” my lashes are no longer hooded and the eye does look bigger and noticeably different from the other.  This usually happens during allergy season, however for the past 2 months or so, my left eye now seems to stay permanently double-lidded.  I have no idea why this has happen, but if I’m going out someplace nice, I will make my eyes match by using tape on the other.  Plus, it is true that you have more freedom with eye makeup when you have an actual lid area visible.  Most of the time though, it’s not worth the bother.

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