Eyelash curlers are indispensable tools for many, designed to bend and shape upper lashes so they look lifted, which can also make eyes look bigger and less tired. The Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Eyelash Curler is a popular choice, with fans appreciating the red silicone pad that allows you to see your lashes as you position the jaw and squeeze. Like any frequently used tool, certain parts may require replacement over time to maintain optimal performance. In the case of eyelash curlers, the pad is the component most often needing replacement.
Professional makeup artists may swap out pads every few weeks (after using the tool many times a day, every single day), but you can probably get away with less-frequent replacement. When a pad stiffens, flattens, or simply doesn’t curl lashes as much as it used to, change it out.
When it comes to replacement pads, compatibility is key. While universal pads might seem appealing, the best approach is to opt for pads specifically designed for your particular curler model. Using the wrong size or shape of pad can compromise the curler's effectiveness and potentially damage your lashes.
Some panelists found the Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Eyelash Curler to be too narrow and rounded for their eyes, however, and they preferred the Shiseido curler, which cost about $5 less.
Replacing the pads on your Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler is generally a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:
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Remove the Old Pad: Gently pull out the old pad from its slot. You may need to use a small tool, like a tweezer or the end of a small brush, to dislodge it.
Insert the New Pad: Take the new replacement pad and align it with the slot. Gently push it in until it sits snugly in place. Ensure that the pad is correctly positioned and doesn't protrude unevenly.
Test the Curler: Before using the curler, test the new pad by squeezing the handles a few times. Check that the pad compresses evenly and that the upper clamp aligns properly with the pad.
While focusing on the Kevyn Aucoin curler, it's worth noting some highly-regarded alternatives and their pad features:
Every time we’ve tested eyelash curlers, the Shiseido Eyelash Curler has come out on top. Testers with all different eye shapes and lid types (including round, deep-set eyes, almond-shaped eyes, hooded lids, and monolids) appreciated the comfortable fit of this curler’s wide, shallow curved opening. Panelists also loved how effectively it worked, leaving lashes fully fanned out. It easily fits many different eye shapes. So many eyelash curlers look nearly indistinguishable - their merits are truly separated by a hair. But as much as this model’s double-barrel design resembles that of the Tweezerman and the more-affordable Revlon curlers, when testers used the Shiseido curler, they noted a significant improvement in the Shiseido’s fit and performance: “This is very effective and the most comfortable due to the shallow depth,” said one panelist with monolids and short, straight 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. The Shiseido curler costs almost $30, so it was on the higher end of all the tools we tried, but it lasts 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. That said, one tester noted that “mine doesn’t feel quite as good as this brand-spankin’-new one, since I’ve never changed the pads.” The Shiseido curler comes with a single replacement pad, and new pads are sold separately for about $7.
Compared with many other options we tested, the Shisiedo Eyelash Curler doesn’t have an especially big mouth: The opening is about 7 millimeters (3 millimeters smaller than the opening of our budget pick, the Kaasage curler). Some testers found it easier to position and maneuver eyelash curlers that had wider openings.
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. Still, this curler’s performance was polarizing: Testers either adored the slight resistance they felt while squeezing it or were nervous about the springy sensation.
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. Many other contenders (the Tarte, E.L.F., Sally Hansen, and Tower 28 curlers) also have spring-loaded hinges, but they were overwhelmingly deemed too snappy and pinchy. 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. Of all the curlers we tested, Sally Hansen’s was the only other model with a finger rest - and that one was tiny.
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.” Several testers disliked the high-contrast matte-black-and-hot-pink color scheme, with one noting that they found it to be “childish.”
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tags: #kevyn #aucoin #eyelash #curler #replacement #pads
