Eyelash Curlers: A Guide to Types and Safe Use
Eyelash curlers are tools that lift and bend your lashes to make them look longer and more open. They come in manual, heated and plastic styles. A gentle curl at the base of the lash is the safest approach. Always curl clean lashes before applying mascara.
Types of Eyelash Curlers
Eyelash curlers come in a few main styles. The classic manual curler is a metal clamp with a silicone pad. You squeeze the handles to press your lashes between the pad and the metal edge. This is the most common type and the one most people picture when they think of an eyelash curler.
Heated eyelash curlers use gentle warmth to set the curl. Some look like a small wand or comb, while others are shaped like a traditional clamp but with a heated pad. They are often recommended for people with straight or stubborn lashes that drop quickly after a manual curl. A study in the journal Eye & Contact Lens compared heated and manual curlers and found that heated eyelash curlers were more effective in improving the curl of upper eyelashes than traditional mechanical curlers.
Plastic curlers are a cheaper alternative to metal ones. They can be useful for travel because they are lightweight. However, they may not give the same precise curl as a metal curler. Some people also use corner curlers, which are smaller and designed to reach the inner and outer lashes that a full-size curler can miss.
How to Curl Your Lashes Safely
Start with clean, dry lashes. Make sure there is no mascara on them, because curling mascara can pull lashes out or break them. The easiest way to break or pull out lashes is by applying mascara before you curl, according to beauty insiders.
Open the curler and bring it toward your upper lashes. Look down into a mirror so you can see your lash line. Place the curler at the base of your lashes, as close to the roots as you can without pinching the skin. Gently squeeze the handles. Hold for about five seconds. Then move the curler halfway up the lash and squeeze again. A final light squeeze near the tips can help set the curl. Some people prefer to pulse the curler with gentle pressure a few times instead of holding one long squeeze.
Do not pull or tug at your lashes. If the curler pinches your eyelid, release it and reposition. The best way to use the lash curler is to hold it close enough to the base without pulling on your eye or pinching the skin, according to a professional quoted in Glamour. If you are using a heated curler, let it warm up according to the instructions and test the temperature on the back of your hand before bringing it near your eye.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One common mistake is curling after mascara. Mascara makes lashes stiff, and curling them in this state can cause them to snap or be pulled out. Always curl first, then apply mascara. If you want extra hold, you can apply a light coat of mascara after curling.
Another mistake is clamping too hard or too close to the eyelid. This can pinch the skin and cause discomfort. It can also lead to a broken lash or, in rare cases, an injury. A case report published in 2010 described a 19-year-old woman who accidentally poked herself in the eye when her eyelash curler broke suddenly, causing a penetrating eye injury and a traumatic cataract. This is rare, but it shows why it is worth using a curler in good condition and replacing it if the pad is worn or the mechanism feels loose.
A third mistake is over-curling. If you clamp the same spot repeatedly, you can create a sharp bend in the lash rather than a soft curve. Move the curler up the lash in stages instead of clamping the same place again and again.
Cleaning, Storage and Aftercare
Eyelash curlers need to be cleaned regularly. Bacteria and oils can build up on the pad and the metal frame. A dirty curler can transfer bacteria to your lash line, which may increase the risk of a stye or blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids. A stye is a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or an oil gland in the eyelid, and keeping tools like eyelash curlers clean is one way to help prevent them.
Wipe the curler with an alcohol-soaked cotton pad after each use, or at least once a week. Replace the silicone pad when it becomes cracked or misshapen. A worn pad does not grip the lashes properly and can cause them to slip and break. Most curlers come with replacement pads. Store your curler in a clean, dry place, and do not share it with anyone. Sharing eye tools can spread bacteria and infections.
If you wear mascara, replace it every three months. Old mascara is a common source of eye irritation and infection. Remove eye makeup gently before bed and avoid rubbing your eyes. If you develop redness, itching, swelling or pain around your eye, stop using your curler and speak to a pharmacist or doctor.
This is general educational content, not medical advice, and was not reviewed by a medical professional. Patch test any new product first. Results vary by person, skin type and sensitivity. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or living with a diagnosed skin, allergy or eye condition, check with a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist before starting a new active ingredient. See a licensed provider for a persistent, severe or worsening reaction. Avoid sharing eye and lip products, follow storage and period-after-opening guidance, and be careful with counterfeit makeup.
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