The Challenge

TAD Beauty required a lash segment that would securely sit on the natural lash, even when applied by end consumers with minimal experience. As their product was designed for DIY applications, it was crucial that the lash segments could be easily and accurately positioned without extensive learning or practice.

• Precise Application for DIY Users: Traditional lash segments often shift during application due to the glossy material of the lash band and the glue's setting time. This movement can result in lashes sitting incorrectly, causing discomfort or an unattractive appearance. The straight nature of traditional lash bands further exacerbates this issue, making it difficult for everyday consumers to achieve a precise application without professional skills.
• Comfort and Safety: Incorrect placement of lash segments can lead to irritation or even burning if the glue comes into contact with the eye. The need to avoid these issues was critical to ensuring a comfortable and safe experience for TAD Beauty's end customers.
• Stability During Wear: Beyond initial application, TAD Beauty required a solution that would keep the lashes securely in place throughout daily activities, including sleeping, without the need for constant adjustments.

Traditional DIY lashes with a standard base often lack the necessary retention and comfort, leading to issues such as shifting, discomfort, and an inconsistent appearance during wear.

Solution

In collaboration with TAD Beauty, the OPT Industries team developed a unique microstructure solution designed to enhance the stability and ease of application for the DIY lash segments. The process included:

• Innovative Design Concept: TAD’s idea of adding "hooks" to the lash segment emerged during discussions, aiming to keep the lash securely in place during application. However, the initial design concept proved to be too bulky for precision printing.
• Refined Microstructure: Drawing inspiration from natural topologies, OPT’s expert team explored various microstructure designs, ultimately settling on a tapered fiber structure that could be printed at the necessary scale. This design was optimized to offer the desired "grabbing force" without compromising the lash's aesthetic appeal.
• Optimization and Testing: The team meticulously tested different configurations, including fiber placement and density, to ensure the microstructures provided optimal performance. This iterative process involved numerous design alterations and extensive testing by both OPT Industries and TAD Beauty

Results

• Enhanced Comfort and Retention: The microstructures act as a bridge between professional eyelash extensions and traditional DIY/strip lashes by allowing TAD lash segments to be applied underneath and in between natural lashes. This design ensures the lash segments wrap around the natural lashes, improving retention, preventing base lifting, and providing ultimate comfort. Unlike other lashes that can separate from the base during blinking, TAD’s microstructure maintains a secure, comfortable fit throughout wear.
• Ease of Application: The microstructures made the application process significantly easier for end consumers, reducing the learning curve and enhancing the overall user experience.
• Unique Market Differentiation: The microstructures became a key feature of TAD Beauty's lash segments, offering a level of precision and stability not found in competing products. This innovation enabled TAD Beauty to differentiate its product in a crowded market, providing a unique value proposition that does not exist elsewhere in the market.

Client Feedback

"We came to OPT Industries with a concept for enhancing our lash segments, and they transformed our idea into something truly exceptional. Their expertise and dedication turned our vision of precise, easy-to-apply lashes into a reality, making it a standout feature that our customers love." – Michelle Nguyen, CEO of TAD