Eyelash curlers are indispensable tools for many, bending and shaping upper lashes to make eyes look bigger and more awake. They don't add length, darken, or thicken lashes like mascara, but they lift and enhance, adding an instant ooh-la-la factor. The best eyelash curlers achieve this without pinching or pulling.
Eyelash curlers generally have two arms that operate a rounded, jaw-like aperture. This opening tends to have a metal top clamp that lowers onto a bouncy (replaceable) pad when you squeeze the finger loops together. The more pressure you apply, the deeper the bend and curl you get. These tools work especially well on straight or spiky lashes.
You can use a lash curler on naked lashes, but you will likely get the best results when you also use mascara. Some testers brush on mascara and then curl, while others do the opposite. A few makeup artists suggest curling first and then swiping on mascara: This process keeps the tool cleaner, so your lashes are less likely to stick to the clamp.
The Shiseido Eyelash Curler has consistently ranked as a top pick in tests. It easily fits many different eye shapes, including round, deep-set eyes, almond-shaped eyes, hooded lids, and monolids. Testers appreciate the comfortable fit of this curler’s wide, shallow curved opening and how effectively it fans out lashes.
The opening has a flatter curve, so testers were able to get close to lash roots without pinching skin or yanking out hairs. Plus, the top edge of the upper part of the clamp is slightly fluted, so it rests gently against the brow bone.
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With a juicy pad and smooth motion, it amps up the curl. The Shiseido curler opens and closes effortlessly and noiselessly. A panelist with round, hooded eyes was an eyelash-curler skeptic until she tried the Shiseido model: “I’m shocked because it made an actual difference with my lashes,” she said. Another tester loved the high-quality squeeze mechanism and the “juicy soft” pad that facilitated fine-tuned results: “I could clamp down hard for a dramatic bend,” she noted. “When I wanted a gentler curve, I used less pressure.”
The design is durable, lasting a long time. Several staffers have owned and loved this model for multiple years, and they said they’ve had no complaints or problems - despite the day-to-day jangling their Shiseido curlers have endured in cosmetic cases and vanity drawers. The Shiseido curler comes with a single replacement pad, and new pads are sold separately. When a pad stiffens, flattens, or simply doesn’t curl lashes as much as it used to, change it out.
One flaw is that it has a small opening. Compared with many other options, the Shisiedo Eyelash Curler doesn’t have an especially big mouth: The opening is about 7 millimeters. Some testers found it easier to position and maneuver eyelash curlers that had wider openings.
The broad curve and flexible silicone pads make the Shiseido Eyelash Curler catch and curl even the shortest lashes, like the ones nestled along the inner and outer corners of the lash line. "It has an especially good grip and a curved shape that makes it good for most eye shapes, with no worries of pinching the skin on the sides," says New York City-based makeup artist Meredith Baraf. That's made it a staple in actress Isabela Merced's beauty routine. “It feels really sturdy,” she says.
The Kaasage Eyelash Curler has finger loops that are lined with soft silicone, and panelists unanimously appreciated the upgraded handle and bang-for-your-buck extras, such as the included five replacement pads.
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Where the Kaasage curler’s handles hinge, there’s a flexible wire spring that facilitates an easy squeeze: Several testers pointed out that it helped deliver superior curling results. “That gave me a much more dramatic look than the Shiseido,” one tester noted. Another tester said that switching from the Kaasage model to non-spring options, such as the Shiseido, Surratt, and Revlon curlers, reminded her of transitioning from a trampoline to the ground: “Movement feels blunt, heavy, and graceless,” she explained. Granted, getting a controlled and gentle - not jerky - movement requires practice.
The plump pad feels luxe. The Kaasage curler’s 1-centimeter mouth is nice and wide, and the thick, juicy silicone pad creates gentle curves, as opposed to the angled crimps some other models leave on lashes. At about 6 millimeters, the silicone crescent is roughly twice as thick as the Shu Uemura pad, and it’s about 50% wider than pads in the Shiseido and Kevyn Aucoin curlers.
The ergonomic handles are incredibly comfortable. Hands down, the Kaasage curler was the most enjoyable to wield, squeeze, and hold: While some metal curlers dug into our knuckles, the Kaasage curler perfectly accommodated a gentle, four-finger grip.
Some testers found the Kaasage Eyelash Curler tricky to use. “The springy action takes some getting used to,” one tester noted. Another tester added that “it’s scary at first.” Some testers disliked the high-contrast matte-black-and-hot-pink color scheme, with one noting that they found it to be “childish.”
A few panelists with almond-shaped eyes and/or monolids tried the Japonesque Go Curl Travel Lash Curler and the Muji Portable Eyelash Curler, in addition to our top pick, the Shiseido Eyelash Curler. These plastic mini curlers are flat, and they operate with a drop-down lever. Although testers liked how the Muji curler worked, and they loved its tiny size for makeup bags, it was slightly edged out by the Japonesque curler: “Amazing results! This grabs my lashes right from the base and gets a good curl,” said a tester with almond-shaped, hooded eyes. “The Japonesque feels much nicer to use,” another panelist noted.
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Crafted for diverse eye shapes so no lash goes uncurled, the innovative design of the Curl 38° Eyelash Curler has a customized, tailored radius ideal for almond-shaped or deep-set eyes. Always curl lashes before applying mascara. The 38° angled top bar is the perfect fit for curling lashes on almond-shaped or deep-set eyes. Designed with a narrow opening to reach every last lash without pinching skin or bending lashes. Thick, rounded silicone lash pads won’t crimp or stick to lashes, unlike rubber pads that can cause irritation. Clean pads after use with alcohol wipe.
It's impossible to gush about best-in-class lash curlers without mentioning the 2024 Best of Beauty-winning Shu Uemura Iconic Lash Curler. It masterfully grips and lifts for a natural-looking curl. "This favorite has a classic design and soft curve that make it the perfect eyelash curler for all eye shapes," says New York City-based makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci. If you suffer from long-lash envy, this eyelash curler is for you.
The Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler is a Best of Beauty Award winner for a reason. The wide top bar is specifically designed to fit deeper-set eyes, and the silicone pad is plusher than most, making for a more comfortable clamp. The long pad also makes it easy to catch every hair along your lash line, including the teeny-tiny ones along the inner corners, resulting in an elegant, lifted curl that lasts. One quick squeeze, and you've got the kind of lift that makes people wonder if you secretly got extensions.
Treat yourself to the Dior Backstage Eyelash Curler if you're in the mood for luxury. This best-selling option lifts and curls for all eye shapes without pulling out lashes, thanks to its sturdy rubber pads, generously sized, ergonomic padded handles, and large opening.
The Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-Lift Heated Lash Curler brings the heat to set your lashes in place for up to eight hours. This rechargeable gadget cradles lashes while distributing a gentle, even heat to lift and elongate without burning your delicate skin, eyes, and eyelashes.
It's easy to spot this backstage favorite in a lineup, thanks to the cherry red pad, which helps the curler align with the roots of stubby lashes for a precise, pinch-free clamp. A few gentle squeezes will get you beautifully curled, crimp-free lashes. Kevyn Aucoin's Eyelash Curler is also made of durable, rust-resistant stainless steel to ensure that all you'll need to update are new replacement pads occasionally.
The elegant rose gold-and-white design gives the Jenny Patinkin Lazy Perfection Eyelash Curler extra style points. "The carefully calibrated trap opening gives balance and control and accommodates lashes of any length," Feldman explains. "Additionally, the white bumper pad allows for better user visibility and curler positioning, limiting the likelihood of pinching or crimping."
This might look like your run-of-the-mill metal eyelash curler, but the results are anything but average. The silicone pad on Lancôme's Le Curler Eyelash Curler has a no-slip grip that gently cushions lashes as you squeeze to prevent tugging and breakage. After each use, you'll dig the difference: a dramatic, lifted, crease-free curl that'll carry you from conference calls to cocktails.
Anything “Chanel” widens our eyes, but the Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel eyelash curler has proven itself worthy of attention for more than just its label. Start at the base of your lashes and press gently as you work to the tips, followed by a primer and your favorite mascara.
Whether you shop the Tarte Picture Perfect Duo as a dreamy gift for your favorite lash lover or treat yourself to a sweet set just because you can’t go wrong. This two-piecer features a purple and gold, easy-to-grip curler and a mini of the brand’s best-selling, nourishing Lights Camera Lashes Mascara. Used together? Legit unstoppable.
Revlon’s The Designer Collection Lash Curler, a standout drugstore find, never disappoints. The curler delivers gorgeously lifted yet natural-looking results that enhance your lashes without overdoing it. Just give a few firm squeezes, and you’ll see a noticeable lift that lasts all day.
All it takes is a single squeeze of the MAC Full Lash Curler to get that soft, sweet curl we’re all after. You can trust this tool to spare you the pinching and pair perfectly with your favorite mascara. The sturdy build lasts years, never diminishing in performance.
Eyelash curlers can make a significant impact with very little effort. "Besides the fact that a lash curler boosts your lashes for mascara application, it's also really great for making you look more awake when you're going for a no-makeup look," explains Ciucci. Whether going full glam or keeping it minimal, a quick curl can instantly open up your eyes and elevate your entire look.
"Keep the lash curler clamped for a good 20 seconds on each eye," Baraf tells Allure. "If you're not going to hold the curler on each lash for at least 20 seconds, don't even bother."
Makeup artist Tommy Napoli employs a three-part approach to lash curling: start at the base of the lashes using firm pressure before squeezing outward the middle of the lashes-this time, less pressure than is used at the base. Use a touch of pressure at the tips of the lashes to round things out.
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