As any makeup artist might tell you, adding an eyelash curler can work wonders for the overall effect of your mascara! And in fact, while a good mascara needs no assistance, you can unlock even more benefits by learning how to curl eyelashes beforehand.
But pros tell us that the eyelash curler is one of the most overlooked makeup tools in our arsenal. Curlers can actually make a huge difference in the look of our lashes, drawing the eye upward and creating length and volume, without adding six coats of mascara — that is, if we use the right one.
Eyelash curlers are often overlooked when it comes to makeup application, but the truth is that they're an amazing tool for opening up the eyes and enhancing the effects of mascara. And yes, it's yet another step in your routine, but we promise you with the right curler, the results are 100% worth it.
Are eyelash curlers damaging? "Lash curlers, when used correctly, aren't damaging," says Katey Denno, celebrity makeup artist. "A slight tug feeling on your lash roots is normal; pain is not." Be sure to keep your hand still when curling as to not pull out lashes, and clean your curler with alcohol between uses.
Are expensive lash curlers really necessary? That's a question I hear a lot and I say the answer is pretty definitive: no. Absolutely not. Getting Lash Fills instead is so much better and you'll realize that you even save so much money and time than with eyelash curlers and mascara.
Hold the curler shut for 20-30 seconds. If your lashes are really straight, aim for 45 seconds to a minute. Take care not to squeeze your skin. Make sure you are getting the clamp as close to the base of the lashes as possible.
How long should you hold the curler on your lashes? Giglio recommends clamping down and holding tight for about five seconds.
But for the most natural-looking lash curl possible, Baker recommends taking the curl through the entire length of your eyelash: “Turn your head to the side to better see your lashes in the curler, and lightly pulse the lash curler down the length of your lashes.
When you have excess mascara on your skin, take a cotton pad and remove it. Additionally, having straight lashes makes it harder to hold a curl because they want to go back to their original shape. So you really gotta think with your head what type of mascara you need.
Well, you should always curl your lashes prior to applying mascara — not after.
You want to curl your lashes after applying the false lashes, but before applying mascara. Once you have applied your false lashes, open the lash curler and position your lashes between the two sides of the curler.
To heat your traditional metal eyelash curler, hold the end of the curler under a hair dryer for 10-20 seconds. Alternatively, run your curler under hot water for 10-20 seconds to heat it. Whichever method you use, let your curler cool briefly so you don't burn yourself when you use it.
Vaseline is an occlusive moisturizer that can be used effectively on dry skin and eyelashes. It can't make eyelashes grow faster or longer, but it can moisturize them, making them look fuller and lusher.
Eyelash Curler replacement pads typically last six months before wearing down so your next replacement pad should be within that time frame. Most curlers are sold with two replacement pads one of which is already in the curler when you buy it that means within a year you'll need to be shop a new Eyelash Curler.
A bit of heat can help to better shape your lashes for a long-lasting curled appearance. Unlike a traditional eyelash curler it's shaped like a wand with a heated comb-tip. Since there's no clamp, this also means no pinching or crimping will occur when using one.
But applying eyeshadows, mascara and eyeliner to the inside of the lid and using eyelash curlers can contribute to blocking the glands that provide our eyes with a healthy tear film. In turn, this can lead to dry eye, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid), eye infections or an irritating stye.
Not cleaning your curler
Just like your makeup brushes and other beauty tools, your eyelash curler needs to be cleaned on a weekly basis too. Why, you ask? The product residue, bacteria and dirt accumulate on the pad insert which can cause styes aka eyelid pimples.
Whatever you do, do not place your eyelash curler in a bowl of water or disinfect and leave to clean. This will cause your eyelash curler to rust.
Eyelash curlers help bend the lashes upwards. Buying eyelash curler refills is an inevitable part of using an eyelash curler to curl your lashes.
A permanent curl, also called an eyelash perm, is very popular because it looks more natural than mascara, lasts two to three months, depending on the lashes and the natural span of your lashes, as they fall out naturally and are replaced by new, uncurled eyelashes.