Best Eyelash Curler: 7 Picks, Including the Best Heated Eyelash Curler

The best eyelash curler for most people is the Shiseido Eyelash Curler: Allure named it best overall, its broad curve reaches the short lashes in the inner and outer corners, and its edge-free design is made to avoid pinching. If a classic curler never holds a curl on your straight lashes, a heated eyelash curler like Chella's is the next thing to try.

Below are seven picks by eye shape, lash type and budget, plus how to curl without crimping. Curling is the first step of eye makeup, so it pairs naturally with the right eyeshadow brushes.

Quick picks

Classic or heated eyelash curler?

A classic eyelash curler is a clamp with a soft silicone pad that bends bare lashes upward. It's fast and works for most lashes.

A heated eyelash curler (or heated lash curler) is a warm wand with a comb that you brush up through your lashes, usually over mascara. Vogue says heated curlers "provide a more long-lasting curl and work on even the straightest lashes." Makeup artist Courtney Housner told Vogue that a clamp-free wand means "there's no opportunity to crimp the lashes accidentally."

You can use both. Makeup artist Taylour Chanel told Vogue that a heated curler after mascara "warms the mascara, and as it cools, it holds the curled shape."

Shiseido Eyelash Curler

Best for: most eye shapes, especially if your corner lashes get missed, and flatter or almond-shaped eyes.

What we love

• Allure named it best overall. Its editors say the broad curve and flexible pads "catch and curl even the shortest lashes, like the ones nestled along the inner and outer corners."
• Makeup artist Meredith Baraf told Allure it "has an especially good grip" and a curve that suits most eye shapes, "with no worries of pinching the skin on the sides."
• Makeup artist Brigitte Reiss-Andersen told Vogue that people with "an almond-shaped eye or flatter eye felt they finally had a curler designed for them."
• Shiseido says the edge-free design prevents pinching, and it comes with one replacement pad.

Keep in mind

• One spare pad isn't many. Vogue suggests replacing the pad every few months.

Materials: stainless steel, silicone pads.

How to use: Shiseido says to squeeze at the base of your lashes, then again in the middle, then once more near the tips. Wipe the curler and pads with a tissue between uses.

Check price on Amazon

Tweezerman ProMaster Lash Curler

Best for: deep-set or almond-shaped eyes, and anyone who wants plenty of spare pads in the box.

What we love

• Tweezerman says its 38° angle is "designed for almond-shaped and deep-set eyes," and the double handle gives more control and leverage.
• Allure says the wide top bar "is specifically designed to fit deeper-set eyes" and the pad "is plusher than most."
• It comes with three replacement pads, which Reviewed's tester called "more than most other curlers tested."
• Reiss-Andersen told Vogue it gives "a subtle, natural curl that holds for hours on end." Makeup artist Dillon Peña uses it on rounder eyes, too.

Keep in mind

• Reviewed noted a clicking sound with each squeeze.
• We couldn't find Tweezerman refill pads for this curler on the brand's site, and two reviewers on its page say the same. Plan on the three included pads.

How to use: curl before mascara. Tweezerman says not to heat the curler first and suggests a new pad every three months and a new curler after a year of daily use.

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Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler

Best for: short, stubby or very straight lashes that slip out of other curlers.

What we love

• Allure's pick for short lashes. Its editors say the bright red pad "helps the curler align with the roots of stubby lashes for a precise, pinch-free clamp."
• Allure contributor Jennifer Hussein, who has "extremely straight lashes," says a few squeezes give them the lift they need.
• Makeup artist Alexx Mayo told Vogue that "the width and curve of the design can flatter any eye shape."
• Kevyn Aucoin says it's slim, light and made from stainless steel, with a wide opening meant to fit all eye shapes.

Keep in mind

• It's a splurge, and the brand page doesn't say how many spare pads come with it.

How to use: line the red pad up with your lash line, clamp, then follow with mascara, as the brand suggests.

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Revlon Triple-Stepped Eyelash Curler

Best for: a budget-friendly drugstore curler, round eyes, and anyone who wants a quick one-squeeze curl.

What we love

• Vogue's best drugstore pick. Reiss-Andersen called it "the perfect tool for a round eye" because "it adapts perfectly to the shape of the lid."
• Revlon says its three-tiered pads "interlock at 3 points to curl your eyelashes in 3 places at once," so you squeeze once instead of three times.
• The lower pad is soft and latex-free, per Revlon, with a rigid upper pad.

Keep in mind

• Revlon says it "creates a dramatic curl." If you want a soft, natural bend, a classic single-bar curler may suit you better.

How to use: curl bare lashes first. Revlon compares mascara afterward to "hairspray for your lashes."

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Japonesque Go Curl Travel Eyelash Curler

Best for: a mini eyelash curler for your makeup bag, small eyes or tricky corners.

What we love

• Reviewed tester Brigitt Earley tried nine curlers and made this her top pick. She says it "grabs almost all lashes and curls well without tugging."
• It's tiny: about 1.5 inches wide and 2.5 inches long, per Reviewed.
• Japonesque says it's designed to "get super close to the lash line," even on "stubborn, straight lashes," and a spare pad is tucked inside.

Keep in mind

• It's plastic, and Earley says it "feels a little flimsier" than metal curlers.
• It works differently: you press a small lever down instead of squeezing two handles. Expect a short learning curve.
• Reviewed couldn't find replacement pads to buy.

How to use: Japonesque says to flip the easel down and squeeze gently at the base of your lashes for 5 seconds, then repeat at the middle for a deeper curl. On Amazon it's listed as the Japonesque Travel Eyelash Curler.

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Chella Heated Eyelash Curler

Best for: flat, straight lashes that drop by lunchtime, and anyone nervous about clamping.

What we love

• Vogue's best heated lash curler. Housner likes that it's clamp-free and says "the curl can tend to last a bit longer with a heated curler."
• Chella's directions build in a safety check: switch it on, wait 40 to 60 seconds, then test the heat on the back of your hand before it goes near your eyes.

Keep in mind

• The standard version runs on an AAA battery (included, per Chella). If you'd rather recharge, the Chella Deluxe has three heat settings and USB charging, per the brand.
• It's made for use after mascara, so it isn't a fix for bare-lash days.

How to use: apply mascara while it warms up, then hold the comb at the base of your upper lashes for 10 seconds and brush from root to tip, two or three times, Chella says. Let it cool, then wipe it with alcohol.

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Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-LIFT Heated Lash Curler

Best for: a rechargeable heated lash curler with a low and a high setting, for a lifted look.

What we love

• Vogue's pick for a lash lift effect. Taylour Chanel told Vogue she uses it "in my kit often," citing its durability, two heat settings and how easy it is to clean.
• Grande says it has a "grooved safety slot design" to keep heat from touching your eyelid directly.
• It charges by USB, and a small sensor at the tip turns from red to white when it's warm enough, about 30 seconds, per Grande.
• Grande says you can use it with or without mascara; with it, the curl lasts longer.

Keep in mind

• Vogue says there's "a bit of a learning curve" if you've never used a heated curler.

How to use: pick low or high heat, wait for the sensor to turn white, then rest the curler near your lash base and pull it slowly upward for at least 30 seconds, Grande says.

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How to choose an eyelash curler

Makeup artist Ariuna Iakovleva told Allure most curlers have "a large, universal fit," so if one never worked for you, look at the curve and width. Reiss-Andersen told Vogue that "a round shape would suit a rounder eye, while a straight curl might suit a flatter eye."

Whatever you pick, look at the pad. Makeup artist Lisa Aharon told Vogue you want "soft, squishy padding rather than hard edges."

Eyelash curler for hooded eyes or deep-set eyes

If your lid folds over your lashes, start with a curler angled for deep-set eyes, like the Tweezerman ProMaster. A mini curler like the Go Curl lets you work in small sections close to the lash line. Look down into a mirror as you place it.

Best eyelash curler for straight lashes

Straight lashes need a curler that reaches the root and a curl that's set. The Kevyn Aucoin was Allure's pick for short, straight lashes. If the curl still drops, add a heated eyelash curler after mascara. Vogue's heated picks are written for flat lashes that won't hold a curl.

Best drugstore eyelash curler

The Revlon Triple-Stepped is our pick; the Tweezerman ProMaster has the most spare pads in the box.

Eyelash curler for beginners

Pick a curler with a pad you can see against your lash line, like the Kevyn Aucoin's red pad, and practice on bare lashes in good light. A heated wand has nothing to clamp, which some beginners find easier.

Best heated eyelash curler

The Chella is the simple, battery-powered option with a Vogue recommendation behind it. The Grande is rechargeable, with two heat settings and a protective slot. Whichever you choose, follow the warm-up and hand-test steps on the box. Dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara reminded Allure that "eyelid skin is super sensitive, and lashes are fragile."

How to curl your lashes without crimping them

1. Start with clean, bare lashes. Makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy told Allure that curling before mascara keeps it from clumping and avoids pulling on your lashes.
2. Look down into a mirror. Open the curler fully and set it as close to the root as you can without touching skin.
3. Squeeze and hold. Baraf told Allure to keep it clamped "for a good 20 seconds on each eye." Brand directions are shorter (Japonesque says 5 seconds), so find what holds for you.
4. Walk it out. Makeup artist Tommy Napoli, via Allure: firm pressure at the base, less in the middle, a touch at the tips, for a rounded curl.
5. Then mascara. Add a heated curler after mascara if you want the curl to last longer. To keep eye makeup in place all day, finish with a setting spray.

Never warm a regular curler with a hair dryer. Reviewed says "please don't," and Tweezerman's directions say not to heat its curler before use.

Building a kit? See our makeup brush set and foundation brush picks.

Comparison table

FAQs

Should you curl your lashes before or after mascara?

Before, with a classic curler. Hussainy told Allure that curling first keeps mascara from clumping and avoids pulling lashes, and Revlon and Tweezerman both say the same. Heated curlers are the exception: Chella's is designed for use after mascara.

How often should you replace an eyelash curler pad?

Every few months. Tweezerman suggests a new pad every three months with daily use and a new curler after a year. Iakovleva told Allure to change the pad every three to six months, "or as soon as it starts to harden." Reviewed says every two to three months, or when the pad looks cracked or misshapen.

Where can I get Tweezerman eyelash curler refills?

The ProMaster comes with three pads. We couldn't find a Tweezerman refill pack on the brand's site, and reviewers there say the same. Amazon has third-party "compatible" pads; check the size against your curler before you buy.

How do you clean an eyelash curler?

Wipe it after each use. Reviewed suggests a little alcohol on a cotton pad, or soap and water with a thorough dry so it doesn't rust. Shiseido says a tissue or dry cloth is fine between uses.

Do eyelash curlers really work?

For most lashes, yes. Aharon called a lash curler her "desert island makeup tool" in Vogue. Very straight lashes may drop by evening; mascara or a heated curler helps.

Pick a curler that fits your eye shape, curl before mascara, and replace the pad when it stops bouncing back.