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Rant & Rave: Eyelash Curlers
This Week’s Topic: EYELASH CURLERS!
Your Mission: Tell us what you love, hate, or are otherwise indifferent to about eyelash curlers and all that those entail.
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I love the way it curls my eyelashes.
But I hate how hard is to make it take aaaall the lashes =S
Yep, that’s the main gripe with eyelash curlers.
eyelash curlers don’t work on me! so I never use them.
It seems like a myth that these work! It has no effect on mine either.
UGH i love and hate this contraption!
First i love it becuase it does really curl my lashes, makes them look a lot more visible and adds some volume…
BUT i have to say i hate when it pinches my skin, and/or pulls my lashes if i hold it the wrong way.
We have a love hate relationship seriously.
I have one, but I don’t use it. I actually have curly lashes by nature, but they’re short and stubbly. I’m still on the hunt for the most perfect mascara!
LOVE them for the first hour but then my eyelashes go back to normal…maybe my mascara weighs it down! LOL
ughh, that happens to me too! I just started using one and I thought it was operator error 🙂
Mascara is what’s weighing down the curl, but you can kind of fix this by applying a very light coat of mascara after curling your lashes, then allowing that coat to dry completely before applying any more coats x
Also, try blasting the metal eyelash curler VERY QUICKLY. Do a test on your wrist to make sure it isn’t too hot, then curl! Heated curling irons heat hair. Eyelashes are hair too.
Hope it works.
Otherwise, I find WATERPROOF mascara holds curls VERY WELL for me.
I think it’s just a matter of finding the perfect mascara that holds the curl. I used to think that I was just cursed with stick-straight lashes that would curl, but only stay curled for an hour. Then, I tried a few Asian drugstore brand mascaras, and they all seemed to hold the curl all day–a feat that even the priciest of mascaras couldn’t accomplish for me.
I then came to the theory that the difference in formula was probably because Asian brands design their mascaras for their target audience: Asian women who weren’t born with beautiful camel-like lashes. And therefore, their mascaras would have to include a more powerful curl-holding quality.
It’s worth a try, the next time you swap up your mascara. Good luck!
Personally I would love to find one that really does what I need it to do. It’s so confusing when I read people using one type of curler and I try it and I don’t get the same results. I almost feel like I’m too dumb to know how to work it. Any tips out there?
Are you crimping for long enough?
I find if I do 15-20 seconds per eye, it looks fine but then half an hour later the curl drops out. At first I blamed in on the mascara but it turned out that I need to hold the curler shut on my lashes for a good 30 seconds at least (plus I warm it up a bit by tucking it under my arm while I do my eye makeup) before the curl will last all day.
You don’t have to squeeze super hard or anything (or you might end up with right angled eyelashes, nooo… that’s never happened to me, why do you ask?, LOL) just hold the curlers in for longer than you think you need. And time yourself if you have to, it seems to take ages while you’re standing there doing nothing…
(oh, and try to resist the temptation to do something else or get distracted… one little bump on your curler wielding arm can yank your lashes and hurt like a mofo!)
I love my eye lash curler! It’s one of the cheapest ones in the country (about 3 euros I think) but it works wonders. My lashes are long, but completely straight so curling them works amazing!
I have super long, super straight lashes (like my regular hair) and the only way I can get my lashes to hold a curl is to use an eyelash curler before and after mascara. I also have to wait about.. 10-20 minutes for my mascara to fully dry and harden enough that the curl will hold and sometimes still have to refresh my curl and add a coat during the day. Tried an eyelash perm not too long ago but it didn’t work, but I think that’s just my hair’s nature.
Mine are not long but they are super straight like my hair doesn’t hold curl 🙁 I use the shu curler (can’t repurchase the pads ugh) and also have to curl before n after mascara. I do have a nifty portable curler from sass but it’s difficult to use!
Have you tried heating up your lash curler with a blow dryer for about 10 seconds and then curling and/or using waterproof mascara? I find only waterproof mascara can hold my curled lashes.
I LOVE the effect, like FIVE MINUTES after doing it.
I hate the fact that my lashes NEVER keep the curl. Seriously. Today, I did my makeup, alternating putting sections of my hair in hot rollers.
By the time I had removed the full head of hot rollers and gone to take pictures, the lash curl was GONE, and the lashes at the outer corner of my eye were back to curling DOWN. sigh.
can’t imagine make-up without eyelash curlers. though I don’t get the hype about the shu uemera one, had it wasn’t any better or worse than others i had by the bodyshop, sephora or mac.
I love my Shu lash curler. I have very average lashes and by using this curler and then following up with L’Oreal Voluminous waterproof mascara, I’m able to get a nice curl that lasts all day. I can tell when I need to change the rubber pad when the outer lashes on my left eye start sticking downward when I curl.
My lashes are naturally curled up (not super curled, but not straight in any way) and I find that curlers just leave them looking weird. Plus, my lashes don’t look that much different in terms of the amount of curl I have when I leave them uncurled as to when I curl them. And they always pinch my eyes, don’t fit my eye shape properly and seem to miss some hairs.
I can’t live without my eyelash curler! I heat it up with my blow dryer before using it though (only for a few seconds, i don’t want to burn my eyes lol)and that makes the curl last forever:)
good idea, I am gonna try that tomorrow morning! thanks!! 🙂
I hope that will work for you, too!:)
I like the effect I get from them, but I’m often too lazy in the morning to use one.
Also, once a girl came into my work, she had been curling her lashes and accidentally jerked her hand for some reason or another, and COMPLETELY RIPPED OUT ALL THE LASHES ON THAT EYE. She was buying false lashes to cover up the problem until they grew back in. It scared me off curling my lashes at all for some time afterward. D:
Not sure if it’s a requirement for me. Used to use it all the time then stopped for almost a year but I just started using it again! Almost got the one from Shu but couldn’t see myself spending $16+ on a eyelash curler of all things. So I got a $4 from Target and it does the job!
well i only had 2 so far.
a sephora one, which was pretty good. unfortunately i lost it ¬¬
and a klass vough one, but i don’t really like it, with the pad it came i end up with ‘L’ lashes, i traded it but still the results are not so good and it takes some time to really curl your lashes and when i put on mascara the lashes come down, even if i curl after mascara (i don’t even use much mascara. but maybe it’s not the curler’s fault)
I faithfully use onw everu morning. I just wish hate that it doesnt grab all the lashes at one time. Wish I could find one that was smaller that allowed me to do in sections. I saw a.video by Michelle Pham once that was like that by Lancome but when I tried to look for it they didn’t have it on their site anymore : (
I saw this, I’m not sure if they still sell it, I’m still looking http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=7053/Preo-Individual-Eyelash-Curler/Japonesque/Other
Ok, tweezerman used to do a mini eyelash curler that’s been discontinued but some internet sites still sell it. Japonesque do the precision eyelash curler that does small sections, as does the Seki spot curler.
Shu Uemura and E.L.F both carry mini eyelash curlers!!
the Shu would be the pricier one while the elf one is only ~ $1-3?
I think they can both be found online….
Hope this helps!! 🙂
I gave up using eyelash curlers long ago. They pulled out one-too-many lashes. I can’t have that. I need all the lashes I can get! So, instead, I switched my mascara to one with the curved wand, which seems to curl the lashes enough that I don’t miss the curling apparatus.
i love, love, love eyelash curlers! shu uemura was my holy grail until they pulled out of the us! i had to stock up like crazy. they are foolproof!!
LOVE! I’ve only tried a couple but my Tweezerman Pocket Lash curler is my favourite. It is a good bit wider than any of the metal “scissor handle” type ones I’ve used and gives a more natural curl instead of a hard angled crimp. Nice soft cushiony bit too.
Hate it when they pinch (or worse, break while you’re using it – aaargh flinging metal bits near my eye, awesome!) and some days my lashes just don’t behave and won’t hold the curl. Not sure why.
Never used one, but luckily don’t need one anyway. My lashes are naturally curly and look fine with mascara on.
I love my shu uemura curler. It’s really curls my straight lashes. My lashes are an average length, but not other lash curler has given me such great results!
I hate that you can’t buy replacement pads. I still have a refill though.
I think you can buy replacement pads for the Shiseido curler that fit into the Shu curler. I’m not sure if they’re the same material/have the same give/curl the same way, but you can always try that out (it IS probably less expensive than buying a curler again just for the pad and throwing out your old one…)
Hope this helps! 🙂
Eyelash curlers are absolutely essential to me. My lashes are long but they point down (I’m asian) and an eyelash curler completely transforms my look. I do find it necessary to follow up with a waterproof mascara or Shiseido Mascara Base followed by a non-waterproof to hold the curl.
I love them so much that I use 2. Shiseido for my right and Shu Uemura’s for my left – I have wonky eyes.
Love them!! They make my eyelashes look 10x better!
I’ve never bought an eyelash curler in my life, mostly because my eyelashes are long and curly already… but I’ve used one on my friend before and it really does do miracles to girls who have short, straight eyelashes. 🙂
I ALWAYS curl my lashes. I need a new curler and have heard tons of wonderful stuff about the Shu Uemera curler and will probably buy that one next. I have a Blinc heated lash curler which I don’t find very useful. It doesn’t cutl. I’d rather use my nonheated Revlon that I currently have!
I used one all my life and hated it.They always pinch my eye and I’ve tried the famous Shu and Shisedo curlers…
For the past year, I’ve been using Latisse and have been able to kiss my eyelash curler goodbye! Not only did Latisse make my lashes longer but it made them curl too!
YEAH! Sorry, got excited. I’m on week 7 of Latisse! The lashes get so long that they naturally curl…I’m starting to see definitely length and volume (all subtle) and just the beginning of a small curl. So psyched!
I used to have a no-name curler that either made my lashes bent or left them looking the same as they did uncurled. However I found a Maybelline lash curler in my house, and that gives a small, but uniform lift and curl to my lashes. I don’t think lash curlers are super important (for my lashes), but the one I have does make a bit of difference. I want to try the Shu Uemura one!
I only curl it on special occasions because I think they make my lashes fall off 🙁
I love the effect that it gives but I HATE it when I my several eyelashes just fall off when I clip it! perhaps I’m pulling the eyelashes too hard when I do it
The only one that I think truly works (no wonder it is the HG with makeup artists) is the Shu Umera. All others just don’t hold and truly curl it for crap. Also heat it with your blow dryer for a couple of seconds, let it cool enough to be able to use on your eyes, and use it warmed. It will hold the curl.
indifferent with the blasted implement. did it once and then got an ingrown hair which really hurt and i have an expensive curler. supposedly with deep set eyes it is imperative to curl the lashes and the same goes for close set eyes. my lashes are very brittle also.
I have a Shu, and to be honest, it’s overrated. Not saying it’s good, it obviously does its job.. but that’s just like any other curler for $2 you can get at Daiso!
I love my eyelash curlers…have tried several over the years but always go back to a cheap pair I bought 15 years ago!!!!!! So long ago I cannot remember where and how much but they were cheap as I was still a teenager LOL
What I hate is when it curls them too high – I have really long lashes and can sometimes end up with mascara dot’s all over my upper eye above the crease after curling and mascara
luckily i was blessed with long and naturally curved lashes so i don’t need eyelash curlers… they look like torture tools to me!
Shu Uemura…they improved the design last year or within the last two years, and it is so much better. I’ve also used the old Shu Uemura, and the Shisheido one…
old Shu<Shisheido<new Shu
I'm Asian so I have short lashes…the new Shu Uemura curler is really good, heated ones don't work for me. The curl lasts with a light gel-based mascara (I use Shu Uemura's mascara basic).
I’ve got small eyes with short, stubby lashes. No matter how much I heat up the Shu curler and pull my lid for it to fit, it just pinches my eyes and won’t hold a curl for more than ten minutes (it could be the mascara) or just gets this 90 degree angle. I just give up on it all together in the morning and use mascara alone. Sigh.
I love my eyelash curler. I use a heated one from ModelCo (australia)
No gripping your little eyelashes in that metal contraption. Just heat it up and brush up against your lashes. Does a better job than the manual one too.
http://www.modelco.com.au/PRODUCTS/EYES.aspx?ProductID=117
Can someone let me know if I’ve been tricked?!
I went to go pick up a Shu Uemora curler from Sephora and the MA told me they didn’t carry it but they DID have the Tweezerman pair, which she told me was based off of the Shu Uemora. I was desperate and went for it! It pinches my lashes and it seems to do an OKAY job …nothing magnificent!
Has anyone used both? Can they tell me if the Shu Uemora is TOTALLY all that and a bag of chips? 🙂
I do like them, but I hate it when I am curling my lash and I unexpectedly get a little piece of skin in the little hole on the bottom slider. It hurts! However, I will take the pain. I would rather live with the pain than live without the eyelash curler.
I don not need an eyelash curler because I have naturally curly lashes that look like they are trying to make a u-turn and i hate it! It makes me look like I have short lashes and It’s so hard to put on any fake lashes.
I didn’t realize how curly my lashes were until i went to a make up artist when I was younger and she was about to curl them but stop abruptly saying “oh wow your lashes are sooo curly. I won’t be needing these.” I don’t know why people want curly lashes because I hate mine . :-\
Eyelash curlers are scary looking!! I’ve never used or owned one. I think I tried using my mom’s once when I was a kid, haha. Luckily, my eyelashes seem to curl up naturally, and mascara alone has always been fine.
Don’t like them at all. Whenever I use one, I automatically think of “A Clockwork Orange”. And when I do use them, my eyelashes look the exact same as they did before. I guess I’m lucky that I don’t need to use one, though.
My mom and older sister aren’t as lucky; they always need to use one before mascara, since their lashes are stick-straight and won’t curl otherwise.
I’ve tried many different eyelash curlers. I honestly don’t see much differens between them. And I don’t see any difference if I use curler or not. So I don’t use it at all 🙂
I have a shu uemura lash curler and with heat from a blow dryer it works well but. . . I just started using a Go Curl Pocket Curler by Japonesque I was really impressed. The curl I get is unbelievable (WITHOUT the addition of heat)and it takes in all my lashes!!! I know Asian eyelashes are really straight and this must be the inspiration for this product =)
I use shu emura(sp?) and I love it, I just wish my lashes were naturally that curled and lovely!
I do own a lash curler. But I dont really use it. I like clinque’s mascara beacuse they dont flake. Plus when the mascara is half dry I like to use my finger to give my lashes a nautral cuarl. I looks fantastic! So I would have to say I dont use lash curlers very much.
Those scare me. I never use them. I think I tried to once and pinched my lid. Ouch. Never again. Don’t need it.
I can’t live without one but I have a nickel allergy, so sometimes my eyelid gets very red and irritated.. 🙁 Also, I can never seem to find one that fits my eye shape perfectly. I can never get my outermost lashes curled!
But still, can’t live without one 😛
Try the “Go Curl Pocket Curler by Japonesque”. It’s not made of metal and has a large base for many eye shapes and curling the complete eye!
I hate it when they bend the lashes to a 90° angle at the first crimp. Looks so horrible. I have one from the dollar store and one from the ELF brand. They’re ok for special occasions or when i am going for a neutral face with maxed out lashes. Otherwise, I can skip it.
Have you tried the heated curlers, Christine? Would you do a review on them? Please?! 😀
Anyone know where I can find pad refills for the Shu Uemura eyelash curler? I know there are some trade secrets out there.
I don’t use them, they usually make my lashes look shorter. My lashes are pretty long naturally and curl slightly up so just regular mascara usually does the trick for enhancement.
I love my eyelash curler! I used the Revlon gold one for a very long time and then I switched to the Shishedo one. I actually switched back to my cheapie Revlon one! I find that it pinched less!
Christine (and other Temptalia lovelies), I have an eye related question. What MAC shades do you suggest for building a neutral collection? I like a little shimmer. I actually have the UD Naked palette but I find some the shades are too bronze-y and Virgin, while pretty is too frosty for a highlight. Thanks for your help!! For reference, I’m asian and I have medium skin.
The weird thing is that for many years I relied on my eyelash curler. I don’t know what happened, but I stopped using it a few years ago and never looked back! I have average lashes and I guess I just started to use the right kind of mascara (don’t know what mascara brand stopped me from curling my lashes, as I have used MANY!!). I look at old pics of myself from my FOTDs and curling my lashes only made them look weird and that I DID actually curl them. Now I’m just going with the natural curl of my lashes. I do wish they were longer, but I wear glasses and when I do use a lengthening mascara they always touch the lenses! Maybe one day when I do contacts!
They pinch and are never the right width or curve. Oh, and I haven’t found one that really gives a nice curl – they just crimp my lashes 90 degrees and makes them look shorter.
Haven’t gone a day without one since high school. Revlon’s has always worked great for me.
If I do nothing else before leaving the house — I curl my eyelashes. It makes me look awake! 😛
I’m lucky because I got blessed with nice lashes – curly, thick and long. So I just stick with mascaras. Honestly, I don’t think I would have gotten far in life if I had to curl my lashes because I’m the least coordinated person ever, especially in the morning, and I would have caused so much damage lol.
I use one everyday!
Firstly I put on a very thin coat of mascara, then I warm it up with my hair dryer, curl the lashes and wait till they are cooled down before applying the next coat. That makes a huge difference and it keeps a nice curl for the rest of the day.
I love my curlers. They do wonders for the appearance of my eyes. 🙂
I ALWAYS use an eyelash curler before my mascara when I do my makeup, my lashes are completely straight without it. My fav so far is the Sephora, I’m saving up to try the famous Shu Uemura one, but for now the Sephora one does it fine. I was always wondering Christine, in your review of the Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara did you use a curler?
I love my eyelash curler!!! I use it pretty much everyday, I’d die without it lol! Nah but seriously, you need it for gorgeous lashes unless your blessed….
My fav curler: Revlon, it’s gold with black grips and a spring. My least fav: Shu Uemura, hate that thing, the curl sucks and I can’t get my lashes in it without crimping them badly or pulling them out, never had this problem with any other curler.
I have stubborn Asian lashes that point straight down so eyelash curlers are a must for me.
Gotta love Shu Uemura or the Shiseido Curlers.
I bought the Revlon eyelash curler and it cut the middle portion of my eyelashes out. This happened to me twice! The first time I didn’t realize it was the curler until it happened the second time. I am still waiting for my eyelashes to grow back…
I hate that I can never find one that properly fits the curve of my eye. I can never curl my inner lashes because of that! I just haven’t found one I love yet! >_<
Eyelash curlers are a god send. They make my eyelashes all full and even longer! I just use a cheap $1 ELF one that I got at Target – It doesn’t pinch and it fits my almond eye shape perfectly to get all the lashes in one curl!
I put Estee Lauder Lash Primer on BEFORE I curl. Curl lashes while it’s still wet. Then apply waterproof Mascara – this routine holds the curl for me. HTH.
Curcling is needed to give me that wide-eyed, alert look. I use the blinc curler and it’s very effective (once i figured out I had to remove the battery cover – lol)! What really helps in keeping my lashes curled is blinc mascara (yes…love the brand) because the tubes that form hold my curls in place like a cast would (as opposed to weighing them down like most mascaras). This combo works best for me, and I can also curl throughout the day since the mascara doesn’t budge!
Because my eyelashes grow basically straight, eyelash curlers are a must for me especially when I use a blow dryer to heat the metal a bit.
I like the tweezerman brand curlers 🙂
I think all my fellow asian ladies can relate.
EYELASH CURLERS ARE A STAPLE.
My favorite is Shu Uemura is my favorite. Fits my eye shape nicely and gives me the perfect curl that lasts all day even without mascara.
You have to use waterproof to keep the curl. I just use a really light sweep of Cover Girl’s LashBlast waterproof just to hold it and then any other mascara. The best combination!
Love heated eyelash curlers and/or heating up my metal curlers. Gripe with heated eyelash curlers is battery power (can’t curl your lashes if your batteries run out).
Love my Shiseido eyelash curler in particular (I have two–one for on the go & one to use at home). Don’t like that Shu Uemura’s curlers have no refill pads (main reason I primarily use Shiseido’s curler).
My all time favorite eyelash curler is the Hot Lashes heated curler. Best I have ever tried~!
Uses a metal curler like the Shu uemerua one and comes with a small heater base.
I just place the curler in this little thingy and it heats just the pad in the curler.
Love love mine~! I got at HotLashes.com and also read reviews on Amazon.
Best eyelash curler I have ever used! my lashes are super straight and they stayed super curly..
hth~
I can’t live without eyelash curler. If I’m on a beach vacation, I don’t wear m/u to the beach, but I must curl my eyelashes. It makes all the difference! I have both the old and new curlers by Shiseido, they’re my favourites. They never pinch and are so comfortable to use.
Never used one. My eyelashes hit my eyebrows, though. When I wear mascara, I have to hold my eyes open in the perfect position until it dries, or I’ll get mascara marks above my eye.
I have naturally long eyelashes but, they don’t curve. So Shu Umera does the trick!
I love the curve it gives!
Usually forget to curl them until I’m in the middle of applying mascara. But my lashes are pretty long and not straight AT ALL. So, then I usually just shrug my shoulders and go about my day.
I have this electric eye lash curler from Revlon that I bought probably 5-7 years ago from Walgreens… It gets the job done every time plus not lash fall out and it is exceptionally great when blended you lash with false eye lashes… I don’t even know if they make/sell that thin any more but I love it!