Instant Eye Lift: Contouring Patches For Hooded Eyes
Do you ever feel like your eyes appear small, tired or even droopy? As we age, the skin around our eyes loses elasticity causing the upper eyelids to sag. This can make the eyes seem hooded. Luckily, there is a quick fix to get an instant eye lift without surgery. Eye contouring patches provide an easy way to lift and open up the eyes. Read on to learn all about this anti-aging eye treatment and how to get a brighter, more youthful eye appearance in minutes.
What Causes Hooded Eyes?
Hooded eyes form when there is an excess of skin and fat resting on the eyelids. As the muscles weaken and skin loses its elasticity, the upper eyelids stretch out and the extra tissue falls over your natural crease line. This causes a drooping appearance where the eyelid hides part of the eyes, making them seem smaller.
Several factors can contribute to hooded eyelids, like:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Loss of facial volume
- Allergies or medical conditions
- Excess skin above the eyes
While more prevalent as we get older, some people are just born with eyes that naturally have more overhanging skin above them.
Benefits of Eye Contouring Patches
Specialized contouring patches provide instant results by actually lifting the skin up and away from the eyes. When properly positioned, the adhesive pulls the skin taught so it does not droop down. The effects are temporary, but eye patches have many desirable benefits:
- Instant “eye lift” effect
- Reduce appearance of hooded eyes
- More open and awake eye appearance
- Brightening effect
- Non-invasive and easy to apply
- Affordable alternative to surgery
- Reusable in many cases
Since surgery like blepharoplasty has risks and downtime, eye contouring patches offer a way to test out an eye lift with no commitment.
How Do Eye Lift Patches Work?
The patches utilize medical-grade adhesive, similar to surgical tape, to literally hold your skin up. The adhesion is extremely effective at resisting gravity’s pull on delicate eye skin over long periods.
Most styles use a special lightweight, hypoallergenic material that flexes with your skin. Some varieties contain micro-dots or designs to help reflect light and visually lift the eyes by creating shadows and contours.
When properly positioned just above your natural crease line, eye lift tapes smooth out wrinkles and keep excess lid skin from resting on top of your eyes. You peel off the backing and press onto thoroughly cleansed and dry skin for best hold.
Choosing the Best Contouring Eye Patches
With this anti-aging beauty trend gaining mainstream popularity, there are now many eye contouring patch options to suit different needs and budgets. Consider these factors when selecting eye lift tape:
- Coverage Area – Choose shape and size to match your eye dimensions
- Skin type – Irritation-free for sensitive skin? Extra strength adhesive?
- Style – Some have light-reflecting properties for added brightening
- Price – From affordable drugstore to high-end cosmetic brands
- Reviews – Check for real before and after photos if possible
- Purpose – Temporary lift or long-term collagen building treatment
Medical-grade eye tapes tend to use the highest quality adhesives that can last 10+ hours. Cosmetic-style patches may rely on silicone or primer-like textures.
Applying Eye Lift Patches
Getting the instant eye lift patches to adhere properly is the key to dramatic, visible results. Take the time to carefully apply eye contour strips by following these steps:
- Thoroughly cleanse eye area skin and dry well
- Apply any serums, creams, oils before adhering patches
- Determine proper positioning above natural crease
- Slowly peel translucent film off adhesive side
- Press onto skin from inner to outer corner
- Ensure edges get good contact and seal
- Finish with light powder to help it stay put!
Pay attention to comfort level and always remove the adhesive slowly and gently without pulling at delicate skin. Apply a rich eye cream after taking them off.
Caring For Delicate Eye Skin
The skin around our eyes tends to be thinner and more sensitive. Take proper precautions to nourish this area:
- Always be very gentle when removing eye tapes or masks
- Use your ring fingers when applying products
- Apply hydrating eye creams morning and night
- Protect from sun exposure by wearing UV blocking sunglasses outside
- Blink frequently when looking at screens to replenish moisture
- See a dermatologist if irritation occurs from any eye product
Beyond Eye Patches: Alternative Treatments
While instant fixes have their purpose, you can utilize other methods for improving the long-term look of hooded eyes:
- Eye Exercises – Techniques to build muscle strength in eyelids
- Laser Resurfacing – Skin tightening and collagen rebuilding
- Blepharoplasty – Cosmetic eyelid lift surgery to remove excess skin
- Makeup Tips – Shading, liner, highlighting to create illusion of lifted eyes
An eyelid lift procedure performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon will yield the most dramatic and lasting results. But non-surgical options like laser skin tightening can also be effective when addressing age-related eyelid laxity.
For special events when you want bright wide-awake eyes free of hooding, eye contouring patches offer an easy way to cheat an instant eye lift!
Our Top Picks for Eye Lift Tapes
Best for Sensitive Skin: SiO Beauty EyeLift Silicon Pads
- Soothing and hydrating
- Medical-grade adhesive
- Crescent shape fits eyes nicely
Most Natural Look: Face Gym Eye Workout Patches
- Ultra-thin translucent PET plastic
- Flexes and moves with your skin
- Can be worn under makeup
Highest-Tech: D.REAM Eye Wearable
- Micro-vibration massage mode
- Remote mobile app control
- Reusable and rechargeable
Most Affordable: Cloré Beauty Magic Strips
- At-home wax strip style application
- Includes smoothing eye balm
- $8 for pack of 30 pairs
Celebrity Favorite: Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Gold Foil Masks
- Gold foil aids in depuffing
- Hydrating serum-soaked pads
- As seen on Shay Mitchell and Ireland Baldwin
We hope this guide helps you discover the eye opening secret of contouring eye patches. No need to wish for a Blepharoplasty when instant eye lifts are just a stick away! Have you tried any eye lifting treatments? Share your experiences with us below.