The ultimate guide to curling your eyelashes

We all reach for mascaras that promise “longer” and “fuller” eyelashes, but don’t underestimate the power of curling products. Curled lashes create the illusion of larger, more awake-looking eyes – what’s not to love about that? If you’re on a quest for perfectly curled lashes, there’s more than one way to get them.

Master the eyelash curler

It can be an intimidating tool, but if used correctly, an eyelash curler will be your lashes’ new BFF. To start, invest in a good quality curler with clamps that have rubber pads to grip your lashes securely. “Don’t bother blasting it with a hairdryer to heat it up beforehand,” says makeup artist Tamryn Jefferies. “You can curl just as well without heat and you won’t run the risk of burning your skin.” 

Apply your curler to mascara-free lashes, clamping it as close to the lash line as possible while being careful not to pinch your eyelids. “Hold down for about ten seconds, then move your curler to the middle of your lashes and repeat. Finally, move your curler to the tips of your lashes and clamp those too. This creates a natural-looking curve as opposed to a 90-degree flip,” she says.

To finish up, Tamryn suggests you apply a curling mascara. “They have a curved wand that helps push your lashes up while the mascara itself contracts as it dries to create a slight curl,” she says. 

Fake it till you make it 

Perhaps you don’t have enough lashes to curl or maybe you just want more drama, either way, a pair of pre-curled falsies is a brilliant way to get a doll-eyed look in a flash. 

“Trim the false lash to fit the length of your real lash line and apply your glue to the lash, not your skin,” says Tamryn, adding that you should wait a few seconds for the glue to dry. Ideally, you want it to be tacky, not wet.

“The part women struggle with the most is positioning the falsie on their eye. My best tip is to do it over a mirror, not in front of one,” she says. “If you lay a mirror flat on your dressing table and peer over it while looking down, you’ll have a better view of your lash line. You can do this using either your fingers or a pair of tweezers. Many find one method easier than the other, so do what suits you best.”

Once the glue is dry and your new lashes are fixed in place, Tamryn says you can use eyeliner to “blend” your work. 

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com