Few makeup steps are as simple and effective as curling your lashes. The best eyelash curlers can help draw attention to your eyes in the best way possible, with or without mascara. They’re “like a push-up bra for your lashes,” says makeup artist Aurelia DiLeo. “They instantly lift, add structure, and make your eyes look more open and wide awake in seconds.” Priming your lashes with a lash curler before applying mascara—pro tip— will take your lashes to falsies territory, says Neil Scibelli, a celebrity makeup artist and on-air beauty expert.
Despite the benefits an eyelash curler can offer, the wrong curler can cause more damage than good. From pinching to pulling, a faulty tool or technique can cause lashes to fall out. And depending on your eye shape, you’ll want either a flat or curved tool. That’s why InStyle editors tested dozens of different eyelash curlers in our lab and rated each on ease of use, comfort, and performance. Ahead, we share our results so that you can find the very best one for you.
“I gently pump the curler three times: once at the base, again in the middle, and then at the tip. It creates a soft, natural curve instead of a harsh bend. For extra staying power, I’ll warm the curler slightly with a blow dryer (just always test the heat on your wrist first),” says DiLeo.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best for Straight Lashes:
Best for Short Lashes:
Best for Long Lashes:
Best for Deep-Set Eyes:
Best Heated:
Best for Travel:
Why We Love It: All it takes is one squeeze from this wide curler to get a beautiful curl without missing any lashes. Some lash curlers can’t handle all your lashes simultaneously or maintain the curl throughout the day. But the Laura Mercier Artist Eyelash Curler did both for our testers. We love the silicone pads on the curler that help to grasp each lash hair, ensuring a long-lasting effect with minimal damage, and the metal design that helps to give the curler tension. “I prefer a lash curler with a bit of weight—it gives you more control over the movement,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Danielle Gerkens. Though the finger holes on the curler were a bit close together, there was “absolutely no pinch or pain,” adds our tester.
Who It's For: If you’re crunched for time or want to keep it simple, this is the ultimate squeeze-and-go curler. Expect results in a pinch.
Materials: Metal | Pads: Silicone
Joanna, tester: “This curler gave me a beautiful curl with a very quick and easy squeeze. Just one was all I needed to get the perfect shape. I was able to get all of my lashes in the opening, with no issues.”
Best for Straight Lashes
Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler
Why We Love It: Minimalistic and ergonomic by design, this curler doesn’t require much pressure to achieve the perfect lift and curl. Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler is a pro-favorite: “It’s super gentle, zero pinching, and works beautifully across most eye shapes,” says DiLeo. Not to mention that the thin silicone pad on this product is ideal for giving your lashes three squeezes—one at the base, one in the middle, and one toward the end—for long lashes that gently curl up rather than bend sharply. Our tester says that the results from this curler are similar to those of a heated curler she tried. “My eyelashes are very noticeably curled,” she says. “It works wonders.”
Who It's For: If you want to treat yourself to a curler that gives you similar results to that of a heated option, this luxe curler is it. Also note that this curler feels gentle on lashes, so it’s also a great option if you tend to lose lashes easily. Just make sure you place the curler precisely to grab all your lashes at once.
Materials: Steel | Pads: Silicone
Sam, tester: “The grip is like a normal eyelash curler, the clamp is efficient and works well. The pad is thin, which allows for extra clamping.”
Why We Love It: For a brand associated with timeless style, Chanel’s Eyelash Curlerfollows suit. While it’s pretty much your standard eyelash curler, it still gave us volume and lift for our short lashes, which can be hard for a curler to fully grasp. Our tester noted that it was super comfortable to use and that “it didn’t pinch my eyelids, and my lashes didn’t get stuck on the curler.” She adds, “I was also able to get very close to the bottom of my lashes with ease and felt no pain.” Top it off with our picks for the best mascaras for short lashes, and you’re golden.
Who It's For: The simplicity and classic construction of the curler make it great for beginners. Because of how well it gripped her lashes, we can truly say that this model is ideal for those with shorter lashes who want eye-opening results.
Materials: Metal | Pads: Silicone
Jia, tester: “This eyelash curler does an incredible job at curling my short and thin Asian lashes. There is a noticeable curl and volumizing effect that I get from this curler when comparing my lashes to the other eye.”
Why We Love It: If you’ve been naturally blessed with long lashes or you’re a lash serum enthusiast, you have to try this curler that provides incredible lift. Some tools simply aren’t big enough to grab every lash, and with long lashes, sometimes the curl wilts to its normal shape. Our tester with naturally long lashes loves this curler because of its flat shape. This curler grips the base of lashes so that they fully swoop upwards. We also love how its edge-free design protects the lids from pinching.
Who It's For: If you have long lashes or almond-shaped eyes and want a dramatic lift, this curler does the work for you. It also allows you to customize the curl you want; our tester recommends using three squeezes for a long-lasting curl. Also, if you’re looking to make a solid investment in a curler, this one is durable and lasts, says Scibelli.
Materials: Metal | Pads: Silicone
Jamie, tester: “My eyes definitely look more open, and, depending on how many times I want to press down on the curler, I can get different effects: One press equals a more natural lift, yet three presses give me a dramatic curl.”
Best for Deep-Set Eyes
Tweezerman ProMaster Eyelash Curler
Why We Love It: You can’t go wrong with an eyelash curler from a trusted brand. Known for more than its tweezers and designed specifically for almond and deep-set eyes, this Tweezerman curler follows your eye shape for best results. Set at a 38-degree angle, the wide clamp allows you to get super close to the eyelid to painlessly capture each lash in one seamless clamp. “The grip was strong and results were way better than the heated curler I used,” says our tester. Though our tester felt that the finger holes could be a little larger for added comfort and control, she was unbelievably impressed with her overall results. “It created a really nice lift and overall makes you look more awake,” she says.
Who It's For: This curler is great for any eye shape. At a reliable price point, expect even better results than what you’re paying for. Just note our tester felt that the finger holes could be a little larger for increased comfort and control.
Materials: Metal | Pads: Silicone
Gibreel, tester: “The before and after was really noticeable, and the curl opened up my eye. My lashes are naturally long and do not curl, so it was nice to see this curler enhance the look without using any mascara.”
Why We Love It: Grande Cosmetics Heated Lash Curler stands out on this list because it adds extra oomph to your lashes without clamping or pinching. This model includes temperature control: choose between the high or low setting, both of which our tester described as gentle heat. The curler heats up in less than a minute. To use it, simply and slowly brush through your lashes for a natural-looking curl.
Who It's For: For those whose lashes are sensitive to potential damage from manual eyelash curlers, this heated curler is your new go-to for a touch-up without the squeeze. The curler comes with a USB cord for charging, but it takes about two hours to fully charge, so be sure to charge it regularly between uses so it’s ready to go.
Materials: Plastic | Pads: N/A
Jeanie, tester: “I liked that it didn't give a crimping look but more of a natural lift. It took a few brushes to get the lift I wanted. I also liked how soft my lashes felt.”
Best for Travel
Japonesque Go Curl Eyelash Curler
Why We Love It: Despite its compact design, Japonesque’s curler provides a powerful curl. There’s an extra pad tucked inside, just in case you lose one, so it’s particularly handy on trips. Our tester loves how comfortable the curler is to use and that the natural arch helped to awaken and widen her eyes.
Who It's For: Whether you’re constantly on the go or a frequent flyer, this curler is perfect to toss in your bag. There’s just one caveat to this compact curler: Its plastic construction may not last as long as a metal curler.
Materials: Plastic | Pads: Rubber
Jeanie, tester: “I loved the soft lash pad. I was able to achieve a curl with ease and no tugging of my lashes. The best part was I didn’t lose any lashes.”
Our Testing Process
We tapped testers who were interested in trying eyelash curlers. We gathered dozens of the best-selling options and sent one to each person. Each tester rated each curler after considering its ease of use, results, and comfort. We also spoke with makeup artists to learn more about eyelash curlers and how to shop for the best option for your needs.
What to Keep in Mind
- Size and Shape: If you’ve ever struggled with getting all of your lashes within a curler, it might be because you used the wrong size or shape. For those with almond or deep-set eyes, look for curlers with a wide, oval-shaped clamp. Alternatively, if you have small, round eyes, go for a compact, curved curler that you can easily align next to the base of your lash line.
- Base Material: Celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz prefers using metal curlers since they have a nice weight and are easy to sanitize with rubbing alcohol. However, a lightweight plastic curler is a good option for traveling light.
- Curler Pads: Before swapping your curler for a new one, you might need to replace the curler pads. They can wear down with regular use: usually every three months. The pad can eventually break apart from all the squeezing, losing its efficacy and potentially causing damage to your lashes. Some curlers already come with extras, or you can buy refills from the brand. To prolong the life of your pad, you can clean it by swiping some rubbing alcohol along it after every use.
Your Questions, Answered
Can curling my lashes damage them?
When used incorrectly, eyelash curlers can damage your lashes. Loiz says most of the damage comes from clamping and pulling too hard with the curler, so be gentle. You should never use a curler after applying mascara because your lashes could stick to the tool and rip out, nor should you use a blow dryer to curl them. Instead, use a heat-controlled device to avoid burning your lashes.
How do I use an eyelash curler safely?
Starting with clean, bare lashes, bring the curler to the base of your lashes and close the clamp, making sure not to pinch the skin. Then, squeeze the curler for three to five seconds. Repeat to get your desired curl and then seal it with mascara.
How do I keep my eyelashes curled?
Loiz says it’s important to ensure your lashes are dry and clean before curling because you don’t want anything to weigh them down and make them lose their curl. If you still struggle to hold a curl, Loiz recommends using a heated curler.
Why Shop With Us
Taryn Brooke is a contributor to InStyle and has been using eyelash curlers and mascara since she was in middle school. These days, she is an avid lash serum user and is always on the lookout to lift and curl her lashes even higher. She parsed through the testing results to find the best ones for different eye shapes and lashes.
To get a better understanding of how to shop for and use an eyelash curler, she also interviewed the following experts:
- Neil Scibell is a celebrity makeup artist and on-air beauty expert.
- Aurelia DiLeo is a hair and makeup artist.
- Danielle Gerkens is a makeup artist in Los Angeles.
- Renée Loiz is a celebrity makeup artist.