Long, full, and curled lashes – we all dream of them, and thanks to lash serums like LongLashes and great mascaras like the Volume Mascara with hyaluronic acid, a visit to the beauty salon for lash extensions or fake lashes is no longer necessary.
To get the full potential from your own lashes, don't forget to use an eyelash curler. Admittedly, these tools might seem intimidating, and beginners, understandably, are afraid they might pull out their lashes and make things worse instead of better.
That's why today I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about using an eyelash curler and how to use it to get a great result.
What makes a good eyelash curler
Basically, there are two types of eyelash curlers. The traditional, mechanical eyelash curlers, whose handles resemble those of nail scissors, and where the lashes are pressed between metal and a rubber strip. Then there are the electric, heated eyelash curlers. With these, the lashes are either also pressed into shape in a clamp, but with heat to enhance the effect, or the lashes are carefully curled with a kind of mini curling iron and thus shaped.
Although these types of eyelash curlers differ in appearance and application, both provide a beautiful curl and, with the right mascara, seductive eyes. Especially if you don't use a curler yet and are not familiar with the tool, a small guide can't hurt so that you can make your natural lashes appear longer in no time.
The right model
Whether you get better results with a regular eyelash curler or a heated eyelash curler is something you have to try out and find out for yourself. I personally like to use the simpler eyelash curler without heat. Whether it's a drugstore, perfumery, or online: the selection of different eyelash curler models is huge. Prices start at just a few euros and go up to 30 € and even more. Even if the different eyelash curlers all look the same at first glance, the quality and consequently the result can vary.
Mechanical eyelash curlers are generally available in stainless steel with a silicone, rubber, or velvet pad. This may seem obvious to you, as almost every eyelash curler on the market is equipped with one, but there are indeed models without a padded strip. This can quickly lead to your lashes breaking and becoming severely damaged. Models with a good price-performance ratio are not uncommon, especially when you consider how precious our lashes are. You shouldn't just grab the first or cheapest product.
Plastic eyelash curlers are also not ideal (unless it's a heated eyelash curler), as they are not as robust, stable, and durable as their stainless steel counterparts.
This article today focuses primarily on the classic eyelash curler without a heating function.
Important notes
You should always curl your lashes before applying mascara! You should never try to shape already mascarad lashes with an eyelash curler, as this can cause your lashes to break and there is a risk of pulling out all your lashes. So, curl first, then apply mascara. If for no other reason than to prevent mascara residue from accumulating on the eyelash curler, but more on that later.
Apart from that, you can use the eyelash curler in your make-up routine whenever you want. It's best to curl your lashes after you've applied your eye make-up (eyeshadow and eyeliner) and just before you apply your mascara. Whether you apply your make-up before or after doesn't matter.
What can also be very helpful is a magnifying mirror, because in it you can see exactly where to start and when your lashes are well in the curler. But even if you use a normal mirror or a small hand mirror, you can simply move closer to the mirror or bring the mirror closer to you so you can see well.
5-step guide
- First, hold the eyelash curler with your thumb and index finger like nail scissors and open it all the way. Your lashes should be dry, free of make-up, and not greasy.
- Next, position the upper edge as close as possible above your upper lash line, so that as many lashes as possible are between the metal piece and the silicone pad. Caution: You should, of course, not pinch your eyelid, otherwise it can be quite painful.
- In the next step, gently press the eyelash curler together and wait a few seconds before releasing it. Depending on how easily your lashes curl, you may need less or more time – find out what works best for you. For some, it's ten seconds, for others, thirty, but it's advisable not to go longer than a minute.
- To achieve a voluminous curl and a real curve instead of just a single kink in your lashes, reposition the curler a little further away from the lash line and repeat this process several times. Always move a little further along the lengths towards the tips, but not too close. Here, just a few seconds are enough for the desired shape.
- If you haven't caught all your lashes, you can, of course, repeat the entire process. Especially the fine hairs at both ends cannot be curled immediately. Those with particularly small eyes or a special eye shape should consider a Partial / Half Lash Curler, which, as the name suggests, is half the size. In any case, you should work carefully along the lash line segment by segment so that all lashes are evenly curled.
Important tips
Heated eyelash curlers utilize heat, similar to straighteners and curling irons. But if you don't have such a device, you can quickly warm up your eyelash curler yourself in a few seconds. Simply hold a hairdryer on the normal eyelash curler for a moment. Caution: Do not apply directly to the eye, but always make sure that the metal and rubber pad are not too hot. It is enough to briefly feel with your fingers how hot the eyelash curler still is.
Many rely on waterproof mascara for beautiful lashes that can hold their curl all day long. But even with mascara, such as Dr. Massing's Volume Mascara, your lashes will not lose their shape. Furthermore, many are afraid that aggressive curling will break or damage their lashes. A good mascara should therefore not only make the lashes appear denser, more voluminous, and longer, but also nourish the hairs. That's why the Volume Mascara contains not only hyaluronic acid but also shea butter and beeswax, which additionally nourish, strengthen, and moisturize the lashes.
Another tip, more of a must, is regular cleaning of the eyelash curler. Especially if you use the eyelash curler when your lashes are already coated with mascara, make-up residues and thus bacteria can quickly accumulate. Especially in the eye area, nobody wants unnecessary impurities and dirt particles. Generally, however, I recommend that you only use the eyelash curler on bare lashes. This has the advantage that you don't have to clean the curler as often and your lashes break or fall out less. Depending on how often you use the curler, you should wipe the silicone pad once or twice a week with a damp (make-up remover) cloth or cotton pad and replace the strip completely every month or after a few weeks.
Dare to try
Ultimately, in most cases, it just takes a little practice for everyone to perfectly curl their own lashes. If you have straight and short lashes, in addition to using an eyelash curler and our Hyaluron Mascara, I also recommend the LongLashes eyelash serum, with which you really get long lashes instead of just making them look like it. I personally use the combination of all 3: The LongLashes lash serum for longer lashes, the eyelash curler for more curl, and the VolumeMascara for more volume and care.
If you've tried the tips, please let me know if it worked and how you liked it! Share your experience and maybe even your own advice in the comments.
I look forward to it!
Your Pia ❤️