Contents of the article
The customer’s lower lashes are covered with eye pads or tapes (or both, tape covering the eye pad) for all eyelash extension and Lash Lift treatments to isolate them from the upper lashes and prevent them from being glued together. They are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors: choose the most convenient ones, considering both your own and the customer’s preferences.
What to bear in mind when choosing them?
Most popular eye pads
Super thin eye pads – suitable for most eye shapes and not a lot of gel
Mini eye pads – super thin and smallest of all eye pads = makes lashing easier. Perfect for small eyes and deep-set eyes. Not suitable for very coarse lashes as the bottom lashes can push the tiny eye pad up. Almost no gel.
Most popular tapes (none of them contain any gel)
3M microfoam stretch tape – the only hypoallergenic tape as it was originally created specifically for wound care = no gel = no irritation whatsoever. Upside: it’s super stretchy so can be stretched to fit almost all eye shapes. Downside: quite thick so more difficult to work with + quite sticky so should be de-tacked a bit before using.
3M kind removal tape – Pros: perforated so can be torn instead of cutting, light blue in color so perfect for blonde lashes, not too sticky. Cons: the most expensive of all tapes.
Extra white tape – the whitest of all tapes available! 100% opaque so creates extra contrast for lashes. Not too sticky and can be stretched to fit any eye shape. Super affordable. Cons: none – this is Ruthie Belle’s personal favorite!
Transpore tape soft – NB! not to be confused with regular transpore tape that is very sticky! It’s the least sticky of all tapes available so completely pain free during removal even without de-tacking first. It’s perforated so can be torn instead of cutting and super affordable. Perfect to use on top of gel pads. Cons: If you want to create and X-shape under the eyes, this might not be the best option as it’s not very sticky so the layered part of the X can start lifting; also, it’s not 100% opaque.
3M transpore tape – the only pro: perforated so can be torn instead of cutting. Cons: super sticky so definitely needs to be de-tacked before using; not 100% opaque. It’s a pretty old school product and was popular when lash artists didn’t have much choice to choose from. I’d recommend not using this.
3M micropore tape – the oldest of all tapes available for lash artists. Very sticky with a sharp edge. Can only be used on top of a gel pad and not directly on the skin because removal can be very uncomfortable for the client.
How to apply eye pads & stretchy tape that has been cut in shape
The customer should look straight up (not back at the technician as this would make the lower lid move too much). Press the pad gently in place, only applying pressure onto its center (distance from the wet line should be at least 1 mm). Then ask the customer to close her eyes and shift the gel pad downwards as needed so that it doesn’t touch the eyeball.
How to apply tape in an x-shape
The customer should look straight up (not back at the technician as this would make the lower lid move too much). Place the first tape in the inner corner (distance from the wet line should be at least 1 mm). Hold the second tape in the outer corner and place it while your customer is slowly closing her eyes. This makes it easier to position the tape correctly immediately.
How to apply eye pads with tape
This is the most secure way to isolate bottom lashes. Apply eye pads first, as explained previously, only 2-3 mm from the wet line, and then cover it with tape as explained previously.
After placing eye pads and/or tape, always check with your customer that they do not feel any irritation/itchiness and gently lift the eyelid to check that the pad/tape is NOT on the wet line but just underneath it.
Readjust if necessary! If eye pads/tape are placed too close to the eye, they can cause severe damage to the cornea of the eye, not to mention discomfort to the client during the service.