Curled Lashes in a Blink With These Top-Tested Eyelash Curlers (2024)

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TL;DR

Our favorite eyelash curler is the Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler thanks to how comfortable it is to use and how well it curls the lashes and gives them a natural-looking flutter. For a more wallet-friendly option, we recommend the Kaasage Eyelash Curler with silicone pad refills.

Our Top Picks

Material: Stainless steel frame, rubber pads

There’s little debate when it comes to the gold standard in eyelash curlers. After testing dozens of them ourselves, there’s no doubt that this Kevyn Aucoin eyelash curler reigns supreme. The classic stainless steel curler and bright red pad are a recognizable staple in any professional makeup artist's kit and with good reason. Comfort was a top priority when constructing this curler.It features large enough slots for your fingers, a soft rubber pad to prevent slippage without pulling out any lashes, and a wide enough surface for securing all of your lashes in one fell swoop.“Kevyn Aucoin’s lash curler has a flatter shape so it’s more universal than a curler that is more round,” notes Ciucci. The result is a natural-looking curl and impressive lift that lasts all day—even on straight lashes (the true test). “Also, Kevyn is an icon so anything he touched turned to gold,” Ciucci adds.

Karla, tester with straight lashes: “The eyelash curler performs beautifully, delivering a natural yet noticeable lift to my lashes. After consistent use, I noticed an improvement in the curl of my lashes, making them appear longer and more defined than when I use other eyelash curlers.”

Material: Metal frame, silicone pads

For anyone new to curling their lashes, this affordable favorite is just as effective as many high-end options we tried. “I favor a metal curler as they give a firmer curl and are more durable,” notes Ciucci. This metal curler is the perfect wallet-friendly option for those who don’t want to splurge on makeup tools but want to see if the curl is worth the squeeze. It curls and lifts pin-straight lashes with ease, even on those with small or narrow-set eyes. We also appreciate the gentle press, which never caught or tugged on our lashes to cause discomfort. This option even comes with replacement pads, so you won’t have to purchase those separately once yours wears down, making it even better bang for your buck.

Mandy, tester: “This did an excellent job curling my lashes. There was a very noticeable curl and volumizing effect compared to my pre-curled eyelashes. I also appreciate that the package includes silicone pad refills.”

Material: Metal frame, silicone pads

If you’re new to curling your lashes, clamping a metal tool around the delicate eye area can seem intimidating. Luckily, this option makes the process easy for beginners thanks to its unique handle shape designed to accommodate fingers of all sizes for added control and a precise pinch-free squeeze. The wide opening acts to easily grip all lashes at once, and the soft silicone pads won’t tug the delicate area around your eyes—a necessity when you’re first attempting to use a curler. We’re also fans of the gold design as it adds a luxe touch to your makeup tools and the additional silicone pad it comes with as a replacement when the first (inevitably) wears out.

Bianca, tester with no eyelash curler experience: “Even with long nails, I found this super easy to use. My fingers fit comfortably through the slots, and the curler easily captured all of my lashes. As someone who's never used an eyelash curler, this one was easy to work with, even as I tried to get the hang of curling my lashes.”

Material: Matte black metal, silicone pads

It’s hard to talk about high-quality eyelash curlers without mention of this sleek black one. This option from Surratt is ergonomic and sturdy in your hand and adds an impressive curl thanks to the thicker silicone pads. The sturdier design won’t budge when pressing down on lashes, ensuring the proper curl while preventing any discomfort in the curling process. During testing, we found that this curler provided a natural look that lasted most of the day, thanks to its strong spring that left our lashes with the utmost volume.

Aamina, tester with tons of experience using eyelash curlers: “I think it's a great curler, and I do really appreciate the thickness and sturdiness of the silicone pad because I have had some that are flimsier. I also appreciate that it comes with a fabric pouch to safely take it places when I travel.”

Material: Metal frame, silicone pads

If adding lift to straight lashes is your main concern, the Shiseido Eyelash Curler will deliver your desired results. The intentional design makes it easy to nuzzle the curler super close to the lash line so you can capture all your lashes in one gentle press, resulting in a noticeable lift. Despite this extra oomph, our lashes still looked perfectly natural and lasted for the better part of the day. The pad was also softer than most other eyelash curlers we tested, so there wasn’t a moment during the curling process where we felt any tugging or discomfort.

Taylore, tester with straight lashes: “This curler gave me a more lifted curve in my lashes that appeared naturally pretty yet still noticeable.”

Material: Metal frame, hypoallergenic silicone pads

While eyelash curlers are not technically made exclusively for righties, we’ve found that most options are objectively more comfortable for them. Luckily, Tweezerman’s curler was a win for our lefty testers, easily fitting between their fingers for a seamless curl that remained all day. The longer pad and larger frame make this eyelash curler ideal for deeper-set eyes, with an arch that best matches those with almond shapes, so keep that in mind if your eye shape falls into a different category. The silicone pad gently grips and curls—without tugging—thin lashes that typically fall flat, giving lashes a noticeable swoop that lasts all day.

Saleam, left-handed tester with almond-shaped eyes: “I love that this curler is designed specifically for my eye shape and works well for left-handed use. It gave a nice natural curl and the appearance of longer lashes and held up throughout the day as well. It gave my usually almost invisible lashes a needed lift.”

Material: Metal, silicone pads

Almond-shaped eyes have more surface area to cover, so it’s crucial to find an eyelash curler that is wide enough to grab all your lashes at once. Enter this wallet-friendly option from Revlon, which delivers a comfortable, one-clamp grasp and impressive curl and lift. This eyelash curler has a wider tiered design with interlocking upper and lower pads that gently press along three points to deliver a supremely lifted and curled lash. This unique curling method ensures that no lash gets left behind along rounder almond-shaped eyes. Despite this curler’s innovative design, using it is straightforward: nestle the pads up to the lash line, then one gentle clamp and your lashes will be beautifully lifted for the day. Top with a coat of mascara, and that glam flutter will last all night, too.

Lauren, tester with almond-shaped eyes: “I really liked the C-shape curl it created, and I noticed it lasted longer and for more hours than the more expensive (similar) lash curler I had been using previously. I was happy with these results since my lashes typically fall flat after a few hours—this was definitely more long-wear.”

Material: Metal, pad material unknown

Curling thin eyelashes is not always the easiest task—or so we originally thought before using this Trish McEvoy eyelash curler. This option is unique because it doesn’t require too much of a squeeze to get results, making for an exceptionally gentle clamp that results in a perfect, evenly-spaced curl rather than a lackluster lift. While some eyelash curlers tend to cause thin lashes to clump together, this one left a more natural-looking curl and flare, making thin lashes appear fuller. While this eyelash curler is great for thin lashes, it offers an impressive lift to thicker ones. Just be mindful that a gentle squeeze of the clamp goes a long way in achieving dramatic results; if you clamp too hard, you may get more kink than curl.

Ashley, tester with thin lashes: “Before this test, I never thought there was much difference in eyelash curler performance, but this one proved me wrong. When I squeezed with just a little bit of pressure it left my lashes looking beautiful. When I applied my mascara after using the curler, it looked so good, making my eyes look bigger and my lashes longer.”

FAQ

• How do you use an eyelash curler?

  When it comes to using an eyelash curler, it’s all about technique. “A common misstep is hitting your lashes with one curl, only at the base,” notes Ciucci. “This gives your lashes a hard 90-degree angle from the side, and they look flat from the front. Instead, start with a curl at the base, walk the curler out a bit, and curl again and again until you reach the tips. This way, you’re getting a proper curl from root to tip,” Ciucci recommends. Brown recommends starting with clean lashes and moving the curler towards the base of the lash line, clamping slowly to not pinch or pull out any hairs. “Once it’s tight, use a gentle pumping motion to open and close the curler around the lashes while simultaneously moving the curler outwards. Once you get to the center of the lashes, stop and go straight in with mascara to lock in the curl.”

• Are eyelash curlers safe?

  Brown explains that if you use the curler correctly, it’s completely safe. “Just be sure not to pull or tug at the lash,” he adds. If you’re a beginner, go slowly on your first go-around to prevent any accidents.

• Should you use an eyelash curler before or after mascara?

  Brown suggests using an eyelash curler before applying mascara. If you use it after, the tool can stick to the mascara, increasing your chances of damaging or pulling out your lashes. “If your lashes have a tough time holding curl even with the boost of a lash curler, pair with waterproof mascara,” recommends Ciucci. “This formula tends to dry and hold in place, so it’s the perfect one-two punch. Just make sure you curl first, and mascara second; otherwise, your lashes can stick to the curler and break! Eep!” she adds.

• How do you clean an eyelash curler?

  Regular cleaning of your eyelash curler is extremely important to avoid infections in the eye area. Some eyelash curlers have removable pads that can be replaced when they get grubby. Use a cotton bud soaked in micellar water or makeup remover and gently sweep it across each pad as a quick cleaning regimen, or remove the pads and wash them in warm, soapy water for a deeper clean.