Dear LMM,
What is the best way to curl eyelashes? Should I use an eyelash curler or a curling mascara? And, what are the benefits?
Thank you, Hannah.
Dear Hannah,
An eyelash curler is the best way to curl your eyelashes. Then, to set the curl in place, follow up with a coat or two of mascara. An eyelash curler lifts the lashes, making them look longer, prettier and curvier, and this in turn makes the eyes appear bigger and more wide awake.
I use my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler on almost every makeup job I do, with very few exceptions. I don’t use it if the model has naturally curly lashes (on the odd occasion I meet someone who has been blessed by the Curvy Lash God), or if girly lashes don’t work with the job brief. For instance, in a lot of last season’s looks, lashes weren’t high on the agenda because androgyny was a key trend. To help give the models’ faces a more masculine feel, the lashes were left uncurled and in some cases mascara free.
The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is available online at: Shu Uemura-USA.com and Shu Uemura.co.uk, or visit Shu Uemura.com to find your nearest stockist.
Top curling tips!
- Always curl bare eyelashes and then apply mascara. If you try to curl mascara-laden lashes (which tend to be brittle), they will be more inclined to break.
- For celebrity-like lash curvature, position the clamp of the eyelash curler as close to the roots of the lashes as possible without squeezing the skin on your eyelid, and pump the handle three to five times.
- Make sure you’re using a lash curler that’s wide enough to cover the entire lash line. If you find your curler misses the lashes at the outer corner of your eye, you may want to consider investing in a mini eyelash curler especially for this tiny (but important) task. I’ve heard whispers that my favorite one (by Shu Uemura) has been discontinued. Big sob! I got mine years ago; I found it in a suburban drugstore (pharmacy) in Hong Kong, and it has been my secret weapon ever since! As the name suggests, it is smaller than the standard full-size version (think little sister) and has a straighter edge, so even the most non-compliant, hard-to-reach lashes can’t escape.
- If you are using the proper technique, curling your eyelashes should not be painful. Make sure you have a firm grip, and if you feel any pain, stop, reposition the lash curler and try again!
- Ensure the rubber pads (on the clamp) are clean, in good condition and securely held in place. These prevent any damage to the lashes and leave them with a natural-looking curve (so upkeep is critical).
Curling mascaras certainly have their place and are effective to a point, but the results are nowhere near as dramatic as what you can achieve with an eyelash curler. If you’re a dead-set lash curler-phobe, use a curling mascara to give your lashes a little bit of lift. My current favorites include: Sublime de Chanel, Diorshow Iconic and Le 2 de Guerlain.
Hope this helps.
Love lots and pink polka dots, LMM.
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Tags: curl eyelashes, Dear LMM . . ., eyelash curler for asian eyes
