How to Use a Lash Curler

Co-authored by Christin Birckhead

Last Updated: January 12, 2024 Fact Checked

Full, thick eyelashes are a very desirable trait. You can make your eyelashes look longer, fuller, and thicker by using an eyelash curler. These are typically metal tools that have clamps. The clamps squeeze down and help to curl your eyelashes upwards. The key to using these is to get a good quality eyelash curler. After curling your lashes, you can do pretty much any makeup effect you want.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Curling Your Lashes

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1
Get a high quality eyelash curler. There are many brands, but some are better quality than others.
- Use a metal curler rather than a plastic or rubber one.
- A high quality curler will be made of sturdy metal with rubber pads on the clamps.
- Plastic or rubber curlers don't get a good enough grip to curl eyelashes well. These also break more easily.
- Even some metal curlers can be flimsy. Cheaper products won't last as long.
- Good brands of curlers include Shiseido, Shu Uemura, or Tarte.
- Whatever brand you choose, make sure your eyelash curler is clean before use.
2
Hold the eyelash curler up to your eye. It might feel cold at first, but you will get used to it.
- Some people recommend heating the curler with a hair dryer ahead of time. However, you should avoid doing this.
- A hot eyelash curler can sting or burn sensitive skin around the eyes.
- There really isn't much benefit to heating the curler. You can get the same effects without doing so.
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3
Open the eyelash clamps. You will want to put your lashes between them.
- Get as much of the lashes as you can between the clamps, getting down to the base of each eyelash.
- Don't get to close to your skin or you will pinch yourself.
- If you have lots of eyelashes already, you might have to do this in sections.
4
Close the clamp on the eyelashes. Hold it down for 3 seconds.
- Hold the curler shut for 20-30 seconds. If your lashes are really straight, aim for 45 seconds to a minute.^{[1]
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- Take care not to squeeze your skin.
- Make sure you are getting the clamp as close to the base of the lashes as possible.
5
Curl your lashes in 3 sections. This will make sure you get all of them and that they will look as full and thick as possible.
- Start with the base of the lashes, taking care not to pinch the skin.
- Repeat this with the middle portion of the lashes.
- Curl the lashes one last time at the tips to put the final curl on them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Different Effects

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1
Curl your lashes following the first method. You don't have to put any make-up on them for a natural look.
- With this look, your lashes will look very natural but slightly thicker and fuller than normal.
- This can help you achieve a fuller, thicker lash line without using makeup.
- This can be especially helpful if you have an allergy or sensitivity to eye makeup.
2
Apply vaseline to your eyelashes. This will create a dewy look. ^{[2]
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- Clean your eyelid and lashes, making sure they are free of any debris or dead skin. Apply a thin coat of vaseline to your lashline along the eyelid using a q-tip. You can also put some vaseline between your thumb and forefinger and apply it to the ends of your lashes.
- Use your eyelash curler as directed to curl the lashes. Both the curler and the vaseline will help your lashes look longer and thicker.
- You can also use lash primer on your lashes. It will help lift and curl your lashes, even if you aren't using an eyelash curler.^{[3]
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3
Apply mascara after curling. Curl your eyelashes as directed using an eyelash curler, then apply 1 to 2 more coats of mascara after curling. Start at the base of your lashes and swipe the brush up to the ends of your lashes. Let this coat of mascara dry for several seconds. This will give your lashes a very dramatic, full look.
- Do the bottom lashes. Try holding a spoon under your eye lashes to prevent mascara from getting on your skin.^{[4]
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- To get a fuller look, dust some baby powder over your eyelashes between coats of mascara. ^{[5]
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4
Try using a glittery mascara after curling for a dramatic effect. You apply these on top of black mascara.
- First, curl your eyelashes. Start at the base of your lashes and curl in three sections: the middle and both sides of the eye.
- Apply a coat of black mascara. Let this dry.
- Apply a coat of glitter mascara, such as E.L.F. glitter mascara.
- You can use two coats of the glitter mascara for a subtle look, but up to 4-5 coats can be used for bright flashy eyelashes.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How long do you clamp eyelashes with an eyelash curler?

Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Christin Birckhead

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

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Question

If I'm using a lash curler, how long should I clamp my eyelashes for?

Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist
Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Christin Birckhead

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

That really depends on how straight your lashes are. A 20-30 second hold is usually good, but if your lashes are really straight, aim for 45-60 seconds. It sounds like a long time, but your lashes will get used to it, and then you won't have to do it as long.

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Do I have to use mascara when I use a lash curler?

Community Answer

No, you don't. But if you do, put mascara on after using it so that it doesn't pull your eyelashes.

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Tips

Curl your eyelashes before you put mascara on too!

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Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
Don't put on mascara before even though it says so. It damages your eyelashes.

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Helpful 11 Not Helpful 2
Buy a good, high quality mascara. Cheap ones usually contain chemicals that make your lashes really unhealthy and brittle.

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Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0