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Even if you already swear by your trusty drugstore mascara, makeup artists say an eyelash curler makes a huge difference—as long as you know what you’re doing.
First, no matter what eyelash curler you use (no, they’re not all the same), always clean your tool with a couple sprays of alcohol to get rid of any lingering bacteria from your makeup bag (these are your eyes, after all), says Sebastien Tardif, celebrity makeup artist and cofounder of Veil Cosmetics. Then, double check that the little silicone sponge is perfectly secured in place, as it protects your lashes. (Pro tip: Replace your sponge every three to four weeks, says Tardif.)
Ideally, curl lashes prior to mascara to avoid clumping and sticking, which can damage smaller, more fragile lashes in particular. If you’re not using a heated eyelash curler, there’s no need to heat the tool up first, says Tardif. Instead, the safest way to curl lashes is to hold your curler with a steady grip as close as possible to the root for 15 to 20 seconds. If you have very straight lashes, though, you may get better results by slowly snapping from bottom to top repeatedly to create a natural curve within the entire lash line.
Have we opened your eyes to the power of the humble eyelash curler? Makeup artists say these tools yield the best results.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
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