If you’re on a mission to achieve eyelashes that are not only sky-high but also curly and full, you’ll need one of the best eyelash curlers. After all, every make-up maven knows that, regardless of the mascara you use, it’s the eyelash curler that makes the biggest difference. “Eyelash curlers are actually such a game changer,” says make-up artist Courtney Housner. “They help to create length, volume, as well as give you a much more open-eye look.”
The Best Eyelash Curlers:
- For a heated lash curler: Lash Star Heated Curler, £35
- For almond-shaped eyes: Shiseido Eyelash Curler, £20
- For precision: Revitalash Signature Eyelash Curler, £19
- For round eyes: Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler, £22
- For short lashes: Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler, £26
- For most eye shapes: Surratt Beauty RelevéeLash Curler, £32
While you may think of this beauty tool as something to be reserved for special events or full glam looks, many people, including celebrities like Kate Moss, Marisa Tomei, and Emmy Rossum, consider curling an essential step in their daily routine. “Every eye shape can benefit from an eyelash curler,” notes make-up artist Alexx Mayo. “Lifting the lashes will give you the appearance of longer lashes but also help you look more awake and expressive.” What’s more, celebrity make-up artist Wendi Miyake notes a curler helps your mascara or false lashes blend and hold a curl.
To help you choose the best eyelash curler for your lashes, I consulted nine professional make-up artists, reviewed a slew of celebrity beauty secrets videos, and combed through Vogue’s beauty closet to curate this edit. Read on to discover the top-rated eyelash curlers to consider.
For Almond-Shaped Eyes: Shiseido Eyelash Curler
Shiseido
Eyelash Curler
£26 £20
Seophora
- Why We Love It: “This tool was a revelation when it was launched,” explains Reiss-Andersen. “All customers with an almond-shaped eye or flatter eye felt they finally had a curler designed for them. It’s still a favorite.”
- Who It’s For: In their trials with Shiseido’s eyelash curler, Reiss-Andersen, pro make-up artists Dillon Peña and Allan Avendaño, feel this is best for flat or almond-shaped eyes.
- More to Know: It uses an edge-free design to reach lashes from the inner to the outer corner, using silicone rubber pads to volumize without pinching.
For Precision: Revitalash Signature Eyelash Curler
Revitalash
Signature Eyelash Curler
£19
Revitalash
- Why We Love It: “[This is] well-made and weighted, which feels easier to handle and has lasted a good amount of time in my kit,” says make-up artist Taylour Chanel of this curler by Revitalash.
- Who It’s For: This is for a precise lift without crimping.
- More to Know: Crafted from carbon steel with rounded silicone pads, this creates a natural-looking curl without creasing, tugging, or breakage.
For a Heated Lash Curler: Lash Star Heated Lash Curler
Lash Star
Heated Lash Curler
£35
Fenwick
- Why We Love It: Housner is a fan of Lash Star’s heated tool for its clamp-free design, meaning “there’s no opportunity to crimp the lashes accidentally. And also, the curl can tend to last a bit longer with a heated curler.”
- Who It’s For: Those with flat lashes who want a long-lasting curl.
- More to Know: The curler is essentially a sleek, heated wand that combs lashes into a natural-looking curl in less than a minute.
For Round Eyes: Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler
Tweezerman
ProMaster Lash Curler
£22
LookFantastic
- Why We Love It: “This is really a precision tool I work with often,” says Reiss-Andersen. “It gives a subtle, natural curl that holds for hours on end.”
- Who It’s For: She continues that “even though they say it works best on almond-shaped or deep-set eyes, I find it works on everyone.” Peña, on the other hand, would reach for the Tweezerman ProMaster for rounded eyes.
- More to Know: This lash curler is crafted at a 38-degree angle to work effectively on almond and deep-set eyes to curl each lash, using rounded hypoallergenic silicone pads for comfort sans creasing.
For Short Lashes: Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura
Iconic Eyelash Curler
£26
Amazon
- Why We Love It: “This was one of my first curlers when I started doing make-up and still another go-to,” says Sesnek. “It has a few safeguards, including shape and length, to prevent pinching or pulling out lashes, which makes it very user-friendly. A true classic!” The model is also endorsed by Miyake and Avendaño, who calls it “revolutionary.”
- Who It’s For: According to Sesnek, “this is perfect for smaller eye shapes and can get the tiniest of hairs.”
- More to Know: “It is smaller, so you can get every angle and stubborn hairs,” says Avendaño. “It doesn’t have a top bar, so you can really pull up your lash curler upwards.” The silicone pad is molded to a curved angle, what the brand calls a mushroom shape, to reach each lash with precision and adequate pressure without pinching the skin.
For Precision: Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler
Kevyn Aucoin
The Eyelash Curler
£22 £19
Sephora
- Why We Love It: “The Kevyn Aucoin lash curler has always been a go-to,” says Mayo. “The width and curve of the design can flatter any eye shape and has great resistance when clamping.” Sesnek explains that this model is especially user-friendly and makes for quick curling.
- Who It’s For: “This is great for a variety of eye shapes,” Sesnek continues. “Great for soft natural looking curls.”
- More to Know: The stainless steel tool’s distinguishable red cushion is designed to curl bottom lashes too without pinching.
For Most Eye Shapes: Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler
Surratt
Relevée Lash Curler
£32
Cult Beauty
- Why We Love It: Sesnek dubs Surratt’s model as his absolute favorite, hands down. “The curve shape, the weight, and performance of this cannot be beaten. I can use this on all eye shapes and its clamp makes it easy to get all the lashes. I tend to stockpile a few times a year.” Mayo is also a frequent user of this curler from Troy Surratt’s collection.
- Who It’s For: “[This] has a unique design; even smaller eye shapes can really benefit from this curler,” Mayo notes. Conversely, make-up artist Matin Maulawizada prefers this for wider, almond-shaped eyes.
- More to Know: The Japanese-made tool features an ergonomic curler and silicone pads to elongate and fan lashes with ease.
For a High-Street Pick: e.l.f. Pro Eyelash Curler
e.l.f.
Pro Eyelash Curler
£5
e.l.f.
- Why We Love It: “[This] is the perfect tool for a round eye,” says Reiss-Andersen. “It adapts perfectly to the shape of the lid.”
- Who It’s For: Per the make-up pro, this is best for round eyes – or for a quick curl.
- More to Know: The contoured curve and ergonomic handles and strong spring will deliver a long-lasting curl while the ergonomic handle mean it’s comfortable to use, too.
For Falsies: Velour Too Extra Lash Curler
Velour
Lash Curler
£18 £17
Sephora
- Why We Love It: “The Velour lash curler is a great general lash curler and has a very good torque but also feels like it’s a soft touch,” Sesnek details. “Gives great results in one curl.”
- Who It’s For: This is best for those with fluffy lashes, glam, or for use with falsies.
- More to Know: Crafted with natural and false lashes in mind, Velour’s gold-plated titanium model features an extra-wide opening to fit any lash style. Also, its white silicone pad allows you to see your lashes while curling.
For a Padded Clamp: Dior Backstage Eyelash Curler
Dior
Backstage Eyelash Curler
£23
Dior
- Why We Love It: “I’m a sucker for the padded clamp as well as the definition it gives,” says Housner of Dior’s lash enhancer. A top recommendation of Chanel, too, this is designed with all eye shapes in mind for effortless use.
- Who It’s For: This is best for someone looking for a comfortable squeeze, thanks to the aforementioned clamps and soft pads.
- More to Know: Designed for an effortless curl, this seeks to awaken the eyes by reaching every lash without pinching.
What to Look for in an Eyelash Curler
“You want to choose a curler that works with the shape of your eye,” says make-up artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen, explaining that a round shape would suit a rounder eye, while a straight curl might suit a flatter eye. “The wrong tool shape might pinch the ends of your eyelids (that hurts!) or leave some lashes out of the curl.” Pro Robert Sesnek furthers that the lash curler design makes all the difference in performance. “Always check the thickness of the silicone pads or rubber cushion on the curler; fluffy and supple is best and what you want for a safe curl when curling your eyelashes.” You want to avoid devices that are too sharp or thin to avoid damaging your lashes.
If you’re looking to really up the ante or find that traditional eyelash curlers don’t hold a curl (my lashes, for one, are stick straight), heated lash curlers are a great option. They provide a more long-lasting curl and work on even the straightest lashes, as the heat helps set everything in place, similar to how your curling wand works on your hair. And if you’re someone who is scared to use an eyelash curler for fear of pinching or tugging at your lashes, heated curlers, when used properly, are often less harsh on your lashes.
How to Use an Eyelash Curler
Ready to try for yourself? Experts emphasise using an eyelash curler to prep lashes. “Lash curlers should always be used on mascara-free lashes due to the potential of your lashes being ripped out if you have mascara on,” says Housner. She explains the process like this. “How I like to approach curling lashes, open up the curler fully and look down with your eyes [to] comfortably set your lashes into the curler as close to the root as possible – making sure that all of your lashes are in but not close enough to pinch.”
How long you hold the clamp closed will surely be a personal preference, but a few seconds is key – even repeating the motion on the middle and ends of your lashes for added lift. “Follow this with a lash primer and mascara, and if you really want to lock it in, use a heated lash curler at the end,” explains Chanel. “This warms the mascara, and as it cools, it holds the curled shape.” Just be sure to clean your eyelash curler after each use to remove any bacteria.