Face taping: What is it, why is it trending and can it really 'snatch' your face?

Once a decades-old beauty secret, face tape has been promoted to front and centre.

Doechii is far from the only starlet to wear face tape. Picture: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Music art or fashion fans will have heard of Doechii. The Grammy-winning Floridian has, in recent years, exploded onto the world stage with her signature bombastic rap style, experimental looks and visible face tape. The latter, however, has caused people to question: Why would someone tape their face? What does it do?

The reason is simple, it snatches.

“Face taping, also known as wrinkle taping, involves taping your skin into a taut position to allegedly improve the appearance of wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles from forming,” Professor Nicola Ralph, consultant dermatologist and co-founder at the Institute of Dermatologists, says. 

“This concept is exactly what the name implies, where a tape or adhesive product is placed on areas where we tend to notice lines, such as the forehead, under the eye, cheeks, and décolletage. It is thought that if you hold your face in place with tape, it will prevent wrinkle formation. However, face taping is more of an immediate short-term effect rather than a long-term fix for wrinkles.”

Nicola Ralph: Face taping is more of an immediate short-term effect rather than a long-term fix for wrinkles.

The tape works by gently lifting the skin, creating a smoother, more defined contour that enhances your facial features. It’s an Old Hollywood trick for achieving a sculpted look without the need for a procedure. And, in fact, Doechii is far from the only starlet to wear it. 

Once a hidden makeup artist trick to create a lifted eye look, high-quality face tape – usually made of latex, silicone, or polyethene plastic – has become a regular fixture in the beauty arsenal of celebrity makeup artists. The only thing they do differently is hide it. 

In fact, most choose to cover up their face tape by positioning it farther back on the sides of their face and letting their hair or wig fall over it to keep it concealed.

How do you do it?

To start, choose a high-quality, hypoallergenic product designed for the skin. Clean and dry your face to ensure proper adhesion, then decide where you want to enhance or lift — common areas include the jawline, cheekbones and eyes. 

Then, cut the tape into small pieces, gently peel off the backing and stick one end to the desired area, pulling the skin in the direction you want it lifted. Press the other end down and repeat on the other side. 

Make sure it’s taut but not overly tight, then blend makeup over it. If it feels too tight or uncomfortable, adjust as needed. 

To remove, peel it off gently, being careful not to tug at the skin. Use a makeup remover to gently clean any residue.

Is it safe?

Using facial tape can be seen as relatively controversial, as most dermatologists and aestheticians agree that tapes, patches, and bandages will a) not effectively reduce, remove, or prevent wrinkles and b) potentially make them worse. Another concern? While rare, some people can have a reaction to the glue.

“People are using anything from classic Scotch tape to more advanced, reusable patches,” Dr Ralph shares.

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (€59, instituteofdermatologists.ie)

“My preference is to use broad-spectrum sunscreen each morning, which I always recommend EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (€59, instituteofdermatologists.ie) and a topical retinoid at night to prevent fine lines and wrinkles rather than relying on cumbersome taping of the face which for some can result in irritation or even allergic contact dermatitis depending on the tape used.”

Effective face tape alternatives

Ella & Jo’s Relax & Renew Night Cream (€50, cloud10beauty.com)

• Skincare: Yes, skincare has its limits, but investing in a quality skincare routine can help you reach your skin goals. Look for products that feature broad-spectrum SPF, collagen and elastin-boosting ingredients like retinol and retinoids. Sensitive skin crew can try retinol plant-alternative bakuchiol, as listed in Ella & Jo’s Relax & Renew Night Cream (€50, cloud10beauty.com). Chemical exfoliating products like lactic acid, glycolic acid and hydroxy acids (i.e. AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) are also helpful.

• Injectables: Once you have your skincare regimen down, you may want to consider professional treatments, if that’s your bag. Botox is tried and tested for limiting muscle contractions and preventing fine lines.

Michelle Ryan: Radiofrequency the perfect option for anyone looking for definition and lifting along the jawline with no needles and no downtime

• Radiofrequency: I just recently tried Inmode Lift (€350 per treatment, 3-6 treatments required), a non-invasive Radiofrequency contouring treatment to tighten, lift and sculpt the lower face and neck. “It uses Forma Radiofrequency to stimulate collagen and tighten and sculpt the jawline and jowls area, then the Minifx treats fatty tissue in the double chin area, and finally a lymphatic drainage massage to boost circulation and lift the jawline,” Michelle Ryan, national training manager for InMode, shares. “This is the perfect option for anyone looking for definition and lifting along the jawline with no needles and no downtime.”