Overview

The development of the TAD 3D Memory Flex Technology was a key innovation in the new line of lashes introduced by TAD Beauty. This feature emerged as a critical component during the collaboration between TAD and OPT, aimed at creating a truly transformative lash product.

The Challenge

Initially, TAD Beauty did not specify the need for a memory effect in the lashes. However, as the development progressed, it became clear that to meet both the operational needs of the production process and the high expectations of their target consumers—who desired lashes that would withstand various everyday conditions—the product needed to address several key issues:

• Flexibility and Resilience: The lashes needed to exhibit the right balance of softness and flexibility to mimic the natural feel of traditional lashes, allowing them to bend and move comfortably without compromising their performance.
• Endurance During Wear (Consumer Perspective): The lashes had to maintain their shape and comfort over multiple uses, despite being subjected to activities such as sleeping or exposure to various environmental conditions. This required a material that could return to its original shape after deformation.
• Stability During Storage and Transport (Customer Perspective): The lashes needed to retain their shape and integrity during storage, packaging, and shipping. This included resilience to heat, cold, and humidity, which are common challenges faced during the supply chain process.

Traditional false lashes, typically made from synthetic PBT fibers, faced limitations in these areas, as they would frequently lose their shape after being bent or exposed to environmental factors.

Approach

1. Initial Exploration:
   1. OPT began by attempting to replicate the properties of traditional materials. However, the inherent differences in additive manufacturing materials necessitated a novel approach.
2. Material Development:
   1. Our material experts pivoted to focus on the unique properties of materials suitable for additive manufacturing.
   2. A custom blend was developed that balances flexibility, ability to return to the intended shape, and mimicking the softness of human hair without feeling rubbery or synthetic.
   3. Extensive testing was conducted, including over 100 iterations of material formulations, to identify the optimal blend for achieving the desired lash rebound effect.
3. Optimization:
   1. The new material was engineered to withstand high temperatures and humidity, addressing common issues faced by traditional synthetic lashes.
   2. The final formulation exceeded initial expectations, with lashes demonstrating the ability to quickly bounce back to their original shape within seconds.

Results

• TAD 3D Memory Flex Technology: Lashes maintained their shape even after being deformed, with a rapid bounce-back time of just a few seconds.
• Enhanced Performance: The new material’s resilience to heat and humidity far surpassed traditional synthetic lashes, offering superior durability and comfort.
• Storage and Transport: The lashes remained stable and undamaged during storage, handling, and shipping, with no deformation caused by environmental factors.
• Market Impact: The innovative TAD 3D Memory Flex Technology became a standout aspect of the new product line, allowing TAD Beauty to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

Client Feedback

• “The achieved TAD 3D Memory Flex Technology not only met but exceeded our expectations. The ability of our lashes to return to their original shape quickly has truly set us apart from the competition.” — Michelle Nguyen, CEO of TAD