Tag: Mascara

Curling lashes can work wonders for lifting and opening up the eye and making lashes look longer. Plus they can encourage lashes to hold a curl longer once you apply mascara. “They open up the eyes,” confirms Naoko. And they’re not just great for when you want to look glam, they’re an MVP for everyday and off-duty looks. “On my days off I only use skincare, a little bit of concealer and lash curlers to improve my appearance. Curling the lashes makes you look more awake and is the quickest thing to beautify,” she says.

For best results, start with clean, dry lashes. “I always do this after skincare and before any makeup,” says Naoko. Working with clean lashes will give the best result.

Position the curler at the base of your upper lashes, being careful not to pinch your eyelid. Gently press and hold for about five seconds. For a more natural curl, move the curler slightly up the lashes and press again. Always curl before applying mascara to avoid breakage and ensure a smooth, lifted finish. With just a few squeezes, your lashes can go from flat to fabulously fluttery.

If you’re wary of eyelash curlers because you’re worried about damage, don’t be. “They are safe and the most effective item in my makeup kit,” says Naoko. It comes down to choosing, maintaining and using the tool correctly. For starters, make sure you choose a curler that’s wide enough to fit all of your lashes without pinching or placing pressure on the ends or leaving lashes out. Make sure the rubber bumper along the bottom is still bouncy and in good shape (which means replacing them once they start to look dented and thin). And make sure that you slowly wiggle the curler in position close to the root, ensuring all the lashes are correctly in before squeezing gently to ensure you don’t pinch your lid or cause breakage. Finally? Ensure the tool is clean and free from last-time’s mascara each time you use it.

Using eyelash curlers on top of mascara is a little trickier as the mascara can make lashes sticky and more likely to adhere to the curler, generally it’s best to avoid but “you can do it – and I do so when needed – you just have to be gentle when curling as you don’t want the lashes to get stuck to the curlers. A few light and even presses on the curlers is all you need,” says Naoko.

Your curler is only good if its kept in good condition, so if the rubber bumper at the bottom of your curler is looking a little sketchy, it’s time to change it. “I like to buy the refills from Muji and replace them as soon as the curlers start to cut in to the bumper,” says Naoko. “This ensures you never damage your lashes,” she adds. Pick up a few replacements, so you can refill your lash curlers all the time.

When shopping for an eyelash curler, the most important thing is finding a shape that suits your eyes – a wider curve works best for round eyes, while a flatter design hugs almond or smaller lids. Soft silicone pads are a must for creating a smooth bend without damaging lashes, and a comfortable grip will make all the difference if you’re using it every day. Look for a tool that gives long-lasting lift rather than a temporary kink, and consider extras like refill pads or even a heated option if you want to take things up a notch.

As for Naoko’s top pick? “Shiseido lash curlers are my number one.”

When it comes to lash care, there are few brands more suitable than Uklash. Created to give your natural lashes the flutter they deserve, this device comes with flexible silicone pads that provide a gentle and crimp-free finish. It offers high performance and comes in at just over £10.

The curl can drop faster than pricier tools, and the fit may feel a little wide on smaller eye shapes.

Metal frame with silicone pad.

It’s a solid classic, but I’ve noticed that if you have smaller or deep-set eyes, you have to angle it just right to get all your lashes. Not the quickest for a morning rush, but perfect if you’re taking your time for a precise curl.

Stainless steel frame with rounded silicone pad; includes three replacement pads.

Considering it’s medium price point, Sephora’s lash curlers offer a pinch-free lift that grabs every lash. I found it sleek, comfortable to use, and loved how it curled my flat, stubborn lashes. It feels sturdy in the hand and creates an instant eye-opening lift that holds well under mascara.

The curve is quite wide, which works brilliantly on bigger eyes but might feel a little awkward if your eyes are smaller or more almond-shaped.

Stainless-steel frame with two replaceable silicone pads.

Made with an edge-free design that prevents pinching, this iconic eyelash curler from Shiseido is guaranteed to leave you impressed. Its rubber pads help create a glamorous curl from the outer corner to the inner edge of your eye. There’s a reason why it’s such a cult favourite among top makeup artists.

This beauty tool is a splurge compared to the other options in this edit, so make sure the flat curve suits your eye shape before committing. A few Glamour testers noted that these curlers might not work as well for deeper-set or smaller eyes, so it might not be as universally flattering as the hype suggests.

Stainless-nickel frame with flexible silicone rubber pads – one replacement included.

What makes this curler unique is that it comes with bright red silicone pads, which use colour contrast to make it easier to see your lash line as you squeeze. “Not all eyelash curlers are the same,” celebrity makeup artist Janine Holmes told her TikTok followers. “A regular eyelash curler usually has a bumper that’s black, and the problem with that is that your eyelashes are dark and it’s hard to see, so you might not get all your lashes in the curler.” For this reason, Kevyn Aucoin’s are her favourite. Plus they “get in nice and close to the root of the lash,” she says.

It’s worth noting that it doesn’t come with replacement pads, so you’ll need to buy those separately. Also, at £36, it’s a splurge – so make sure its wider shape fits your eye before you commit.

Stainless-steel frame with a high-contrast red silicone pad.

This Dior eyelash curler is a firm favourite among celebrity makeup artists. Thanks to its rounded soft pads, this product is both comfortable and easy to use, creating curled lashes that last all day long. Great for those of us with deep-set eyes and/or short lashes.

The price is steep for a curler – so only worth it if you’re committed to that perfect, Dior-worthy lift.

Polished stainless steel frame with a soft, rounded silicone pad and ergonomic handles for a comfortable, precise grip.

Made specifically to complement every eye shape, this sleek product delivers impressive staying power and stunning lift, plus it looks like a little work of art.

I love how gently it lifts lashes, but the smaller clamp can feel fiddly if you have very long or thick lashes. It’s a luxe option, so if you’re on a budget, this might not be your daily go-to.

Sleek stainless-steel frame with a soft, precision silicone pad.

This full-sized, professional-grade lash curler is pretty much an essential for any beauty enthusiast. The lash lift it provides can only be described as gravity-defying. You can pair it with your favourite mascara after curling to dramatically improve the volume too.

This might be a cult classic, but some users have reported that it requires multiple squeezes to achieve the desired curl.

Durable stainless steel frame with a sleek black finish; features a soft silicone pad for gentle curling.

If you have really stubborn lashes that don’t hold a curl, adding a little heat can work wonders for even the straightest lashes. These heated lash curlers are ultra-compact, meaning they make the perfect travel companion.

This isn’t your typical eyelash curler, so perfecting the technique – and practicing to avoid burning yourself – can take time.

Lightweight plastic body with a heat-sensitive silicone pad that changes colour when ready for use. Operates on two included AAA batteries.

This premium curler may come with a slightly higher price point, but it’s designed to perfectly adhere to the contour of your eye, which helps create reliable, fanned lashes. “I get questions about this eyelash curler every day, so let’s talk about it,” beauty influencer, Karla Celis said on TikTok. “It is the best eyelash curler you’ll ever use. The amount of times that I’ve been asked if I have an eyelash lift because of this eyelash curler, my lashes just look insane every time I use this. It opens up so much wider than all the others and I think it fits eyes so much better so it grabs every single lash and it just gives you the most beautiful fanned-out lashes ever. Plus, this curl will last,” she says.

Priced at approximately £32, it’s a higher-end option and doesn’t come with replacement pads.

Nickel-free steel frame with a bouncy silicone pad.

If you often find you can comfortably fit all your lashes in your curler, this wide-angle rendition deserves a spot on your wishlist. There’s extra space to ensure no nipping at the edges and the rose gold colour looks luxe.

Despite having a wider frame to fit more eye shapes, some of our testers reported pinching on the inner corners – particularly if you have rounder eyes.

Carbon-plated steel frame and silicone pad; includes one replacement pad.