Any firming or lifting products immediately get my attention, and when an invite to try Contours Rx Lids by Design, $99 slipped into my inbox, I was intrigued to find out more. The latest 'it product' for getting red-carpet-ready, the brainchild of in Californian, Britain Todd this new medical-grade corrective tape is designed to perk up droopy eyelids. Britain was tired of looking at “very noticeable facial asymmetry and droopy eyelids," and was not keen to go down the plastic surgery route.
Her inspiration came from mucking around with pieces of Scotch Tape, which ironically is precisely the concept she launched, with some fine tuning of course. Lids by Design are a pack of thin latex-free, medical grade, half-moon-shaped adhesive strips that work by lifting the excess skin up to the natural crease of the lid.
Skin Concierge Christopher Mitchell from The Face Place, explains, "They are as hard to use as mastering the art of applying false lashes. It will take you a few attempts to place them correctly on the lid, just under the crease line, but once they are sitting in the right spot, you will not even feel them on the skin."
The secret as I discovered, once back at home and having a play myself, is placement. They come in different sizes from 4mm to 8mm, are three or four millimeters wide, and an inch long. Depending on the shape of your eye and the amount of lift needed, the correct size makes all the difference. For large eyes, needing a little lift, 5 mm is perfect. I finally found the ideal spot, just under the natural crease line, and Mitchell was bang on, I can not feel them on my skin at all. For best results, remove all makeup, water or oil from the skin. Otherwise, it can affect the stick, and the tiny tweezers that come with the strips are essential to exact placement. Once the strip is in place, you can apply eye makeup over of it, the tape is transparent, but not entirely invisible, however once I had blended a neutral brown shadow into the crease, it was barely there.
I noticed an immediate, albeit tiny lift. However, with the tape, my eyes look symmetrical and wide awake, like they do after a great night's sleep or holiday. But what impressed me the most, was how easy they are to apply, and they don't leave you looking permanently surprised. On my way out of the clinic, I did bump into an old friend, who immediately said: "Wow you look great, no point asking how you are."
So result. I look well-rested, and I have to say, when I trial something that delivers on its promise, I'm very happy.
Before After