Technology, Art & Fashion Collide: LED Eyelashes

I was sitting here wondering why I’m just now finding out about these insane little LED eyelashes when they’ve been out for a few years, but then I figured it out. It’s because this is another one of those Japanese inventions that never quite made it over here to the States… yet.

You understand that many women in Asian countries want to have big or bigger eyes, right? It is kind of like how many women here in the States want larger breasts. It’s the same kind of thing. I naturally have large breasts and would like them to be smaller, so I guess I’m in the minority, but the grass is always greener on the other side, right? The standards of beauty that we create around the world seems so silly to me sometimes. Maybe one day we will stop comparing ourselves to others and just be grateful for the body God gave us. But, I’ve digressed.

There is a sensor with mercury inside this contraption that turns the LEDs on and off. If the person wearing them moves his or her head, the LEDs will flicker and follow that movement (but isn’t mercury dangerous? #justsayin). This is all, of course, to make the eyes look larger and more attractive. Soomi Park designed these badboys, and according to her website, as of December 2010, she officially has a patent on this design. You can read a great Q & A with Soomi about using technology in art here. Nice job! I’m inspired by the creativity! However, I probably wouldn’t wear these myself. Call me old-fashioned, but I’m not a fan of putting a flashing LED light that close to my eyeball.

As you see, it’s not just the ladies who wear these!

Soomi Park

These have nothing to do with the LED eyelashes. I just thought these “eyelash curtains” were so bizarre, I had to show you! Some people really know how to get creative with their eyelashes.

[via Inventor Spot, Gigazine, Flickr, AAtheory]