I first encountered an eyelash curler when I was 10, maybe 11 years old. I had snuck into my mother’s room to rummage through some of her things. It was such an unusual object that I had to find out what it did.
After discovering what it was online, I immediately started using it to give my eyelashes more curl and definition.
That doesn’t mean I knew what I was doing. There were many things I needed to find out, like how long and hard to squeeze the curler to get the results I wanted. Should I apply the mascara before or after I was done?
It doesn’t feel good to pull out the hair. That’s why I came up with this guide – to share with you the information I’ve learned since that time.
Is Curling Your Eyelashes Bad?
When lash curlers are used correctly, they will not damage your hair follicles or eyelids. Feeling a slight tug at the roots is expected when using this equipment. Anyone who feels pain should not consider that experience part of the usual routine. Curlers must be cleaned with alcohol between uses.
The reason why curling your eyelashes can be painful involves hand movements that happen while working. If you can keep your hand still, you’ll pull out fewer hairs.
Here are the mistakes I’ve made while learning how to use an eyelash curler. If you can avoid my errors, you’ll find that this little tool can deliver significant results when you want to emphasize your eyes a bit more.
You’re Not Using a High-Quality Curler
Stay away from cheap tools when you want to try curling your eyelashes. Anything that comes with a slippery grip is a product you want to avoid. It should have a matte finish with a structure that fits your lash line perfectly.
The best curlers grab the entire width of your lash line. Some designs are more curved, which means they’ll miss the outer sections.
You’ll end up with a nice curve in the middle and flatter ends, with the ends making your eyes look more like balloons underneath that profile.
You Don’t Hold the Curler Correctly in Your Hand
The best way to grab most eyelash curlers is to use your thumb and index fingers at the designated grip positions. Open the product wide enough to fit the top lashes between the cushion and the metal top.
The goal should be to get as close to your roots as possible without touching the eyelid. Squeeze tightly and close the curler.
You Aren’t Using the Correct Pressing Technique
It took me a long time to figure out that I needed to pump the eyelash curler five or six times at the root to get a decent curl going. My mom needs to do it eight times.
Once you’ve taken that step, keep pumping up along the lashes until reaching the tips to deliver a fantastic final curl.
When you use that methodology, you’ll get less of a crimped look around the eyes. It takes about five seconds with a tight hold to build the curling definition.
You Apply Too Much Force
I made this mistake for about two years before I figured out that I didn’t need to be She-Ra on my eyelashes to make them look beautiful. A gentle squeeze prevents crimping or pulling the lashes outward.
If you squeeze your eyelashes too hard, the follicles can snap. Trust me – you don’t want that to happen across your entire lash line!
You Didn’t Heat the Eyelash Curler Before Starting
Thankfully, I only made this mistake once with my mother’s advice. After she figured out that I was the one who stole her curler, she made sure that I knew to use a blow dryer to heat the metal before gently squeezing the shape for a nice curl.
You don’t want to make the metal so hot that you’d burn your eyelid. If it gets overheated, you can blow on it to cool it down or let it sit on the counter for a couple of minutes.
There is also an option to purchase a heated lash curler. That option works well for those who have coarse lashes.
You Applied the Mascara First
This mistake is the one that I’ve found almost everyone makes at least once. Instead of giving these tiny hairs more lift or volume, the makeup makes them stickier. You’re more likely to pull them out with the curler if you apply it first.
If you apply mascara AFTER the curling process, you’ll provide the shape with more support so that you can achieve all-day wear.
Apply a volumizing product to achieve the best results, but make sure you’re using a lightweight formulation to prevent the curl from going straight because of the extra weight.
You Forgot to Curl All the Lashes
Yep. Guilty here still. When I’m in a hurry, it’s pretty easy to miss the edges of my lash line when trying to get a great curl. I’ve even managed to miss a few of them in the middle when I’m trying to clamp and go.
Even when you go slow, there can be a few lashes that don’t fit in the grip of your curler, especially along the inner and outer corners. That’s when a half-curler or an individual lash curler can help things out.
You Forgot to Clean the Curler
Dirty eyelash curlers are a recipe for a day of discomfort. You can put crusted mascara in your eye, scratch a cornea, or put bacteria in there that leads to a puffy infection that feels totes bad.
I disinfect my eyelash curler daily. Can’t be too careful! The rubber cushion requires a thorough cleaning with a makeup wipe.
If deep cleaning is necessary, I’ll wash the curler with a bit of dish soap and let it dry while I’m sleeping.
You Haven’t Replaced the Insert
Whether you’ve got a rubber or silicone insert for your eyelash curler doesn’t matter. It starts wearing down with every use, eventually requiring a replacement after 90 days or so. If you’re using it daily, it might only last six to eight weeks.
I’d recommend swapping out the rubber inserts for silicone when you need to replace them the next time. They last longer while providing the same support levels for the beautiful look you’re achieving each day.
You Apply Strip Lashes After Curling
Mom and I differ on this bit of advice. She likes to apply the strip lashes before curling because, in her words, “it gives her a consistent look.”
Although I don’t sport falsies often, I’ve found that curling them with your natural lashes can cause them to indent in unpredictable ways.
When you are using semi-permanent lash extensions, I’d probably avoid using a curler entirely. The last thing you need is for people to see that you’ve got two separate lash rows happening!
You Worry About Daily Use
Is it bad to curl your eyelashes every day? Not if you’re holding the curler correctly.
Using clean equipment and focusing on getting a curl instead of crimping or pulling, it is 100% safe to use your curler daily.
What Are the Best Eyelash Curlers to Use?
When you want to curl your eyelashes, you’ll find that some products are brilliant and others are trash. Rather than trying to sort out the good stuff from the rest, here are the items I’ve come to trust when I’m ready to create a look that’s mighty fine.
1. Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
I love the Tweezerman Classic 1034-R Lash Curler because of its thick and rounded silicone pads. They don’t stick to my lashes like some of the competitive products= out there, which means there’s a lot less irritation when using the tool.
The handle fits my hand like a pair of cuticle scissors. You have plenty of control over the squeeze, ensuring that you get the proper pressure and hold for each process step. It does take a firm hold to get results, but it’s not going to leave you feeling winded or tired.
Three replacement pads come in the box with the curler. That should get most people through an entire year of using the product before needing to invest in more.
If you’re interested in precision, you’ll love how the Tweezerman Classic 1034-R Lash Curler works.
A few other options are also available from Tweezerman that follow the same design. It just depends on the color and curve you prefer. Here are the others I recommend using.
- Tweezerman Merry Berry Lash Set
- Tweezerman 38-inch Lash Curler
- Tweezerman 60-inch Lash Curler
- Tweezerman Bell Bottom Blue Classic Lash Curler
2. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
There are so many fake Shu Uemura eyelash curlers out there today that you’ve got to shop super carefully to avoid getting ripped off.
When you can get the real deal, you’ll find out pretty quickly why this product consistently receives Top 150 Beauty Product awards from numerous publications.
The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler uses a slightly arced curve more than other designs while having a thinner profile.
That makes it suitable for most eyelid shapes, although it isn’t big enough to use for some people.
The silicone pad releases the right amount of pressure, delivering a forgiving experience for those who are trying this tool for the first time.
With Shu Uemura, you’ve got to know how to use the tool correctly to get the best results. The cheaper brands promote themselves as a plug-and-play option, allowing you to clamp and go with some curl.
You need more of a delicate touch with this one, and I’ve always found that I need to heat the metal a bit to get the results I want.
3. Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
I like the Kevyn Aucoin Professional Eyelash Curler because it’s such a lightweight product. It only weighs 0.3 ounces, which means you get absolute control over the shape and pressure you’re creating when using the product.
The slim profile also makes it easy to care for and store when you’re not getting ready for the day.
The reason why it doesn’t receive a top recommendation is the included rubber pads. Although you can use the tool upside-down to curl your bottom lashes relatively easily, I get about a month’s worth of use before replacements are necessary.
With a silicone-based pad, I get about three months – and more if I’m not using the curler each day.
If you don’t like the feel of silicone pads on your lashes, I’d recommend trying this design. You’ll get one replacement pad to use in the box. Be careful about the pressure you apply to avoid pinching.
4. MuiSci Heated Eyelash Curler
If you’re allergic to nickel, you won’t want to invest in this eyelash curler. For everyone else, you can get a quick curl with minimal effort by using this unique technology. It heats in ten seconds to ensure that you can get the right lift for your look each day.
This product comes with four different temperature settings. I don’t recommend using the highest one because at 194°F (90°C), you can give your eye a pretty significant burn. You can track the temp setting with the LED display on the front of the unit.
The MuiSci Heated Eyelash Curler uses USB charging for convenience. It takes about two hours to get a full charge, although the battery life does start fading after the first six months or so. If you forget to turn off the power, it’ll automatically shut off after five minutes.
The manufacturer says that you can use the product with mascara already applied, although you need to wait for the makeup to dry first.
If you have sparse lashes, it might make sense to go in this direction until you can get enough fill for a more traditional curler. Be really careful and practice without it on first to get the knack of how it functions.
5. Lash Next Door Professional Eyelash Curler
If you have eyelashes that tend to be narrow or broad, the Lash Next Door Eyelash Curler does a great job of giving you a result that holds most of the day. It even delivers an outcome without needing heat in the equation.
The one issue I’ve had with this particular curler is that it isn’t always easy to find your lashes with the black-on-black combination it creates.
I like how it feels, especially with the pressure control you receive. It might be a little clunkier than some other models, which makes it heavier than some other brands, but it does get the job done.
I highly recommend using gentle pressure at first until you get used to the weight of the curler in your hand. The tool is a bit tricky to use, especially with damp or sweaty hands, but it’s certainly capable of doing everything that it claims.
6. Shiseido Eyelash Curler
Some people prefer to get their eyelash curlers from Japan. The original imports from overseas to Europe and the Americas introduced this beauty concept, and sometimes you want to stick with what works. Like Mom says – if the wheel ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The Shiseido Eyelash Curler is a little flat for my taste, but they’re the right width for what I need. If I’m looking for something a bit subtle or feel like letting the mascara do more of the work because I’m in a hurry, it does a great job. The hold is definitely better than what I’ve found with some other products.
You can put too much pressure on the curler without realizing that you’re doing it, so be conscious of any pinching you experience.
Back off immediately to avoid damage or lash loss. In return, you’ll have a great tool to add to your collection!
What Are the Benefits of Curling My Eyelashes?
Curling eyelashes give the illusion that a person has more prominent and brighter eyes. It keeps the hairs from creating interactions with the cornea that can lead to scratching, burning, or discomfort. Although it can be combined with mascara, curlers achieve a similar look without any makeup.
I’ve loved curling my lashes for a long time. Whether other people notice what I’m doing or not doesn’t matter because I love how I look in the mirror – and that’s what matters.
Eyelashes curlers have helped me to recognize my body positivity. It gives me a slight touch that allows me to be more expressive without feeling like I need to spend an hour in front of the mirror to get ready each day.
I know this option isn’t right for everyone. You’ve got to do you. When you want to give this tool a try, I highly recommend using the Tweezerman Classic. If that’s not a suitable solution for your lashes, the other products here work almost as well.
If you give things I try, I’m sure you’ll come away from the experience feeling happy about the results.
