The 9 Best Eyelash Curlers of 2024 for Sky-High Lashes
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Our pick from Tweezerman gave us the most dramatic lashes yet
PEOPLE / Joy Kim
The secret to so many celebs’ flawless red carpet glam is great eyelashes, which is why an eyelash curler is essential in everyone’s makeup stash. Curly, long lashes are a sought-after feature that not even the best mascara on its own can achieve.
Experts Say
“When searching for a good eyelash curler, look for one with metal construction, as the solid material is unlikely to break — which can happen in curlers with plastic parts." — Dani Kimiko Vincent, celebrity makeup artist with clients like Sandra Oh and Kristi Yamaguchi
From eye shape to lash length, there are many factors to keep in mind when looking for that dream curler — and we’ve done the searching for you, testing 29 different types from heated offerings to classic tools to identify the absolute best products that will make your lashes look longer and fuller.
Here are the best eyelash curlers that PEOPLE tested in 2024.
Best Overall: Tweezerman ProMaster Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Easy-to-use clamp
No painful pulling on lashes
Performed better than heated curlers
Red Flags
Finger clamps could be a bit larger
We gave this pick from Tweezerman a perfect five-star rating for its stellar performance in curling, its easy-to-use design, and its comfort. The sleek instrument is expertly designed at a 38-degree angle to ensure optimal lash enhancement, especially for those with deep-set or almond-shaped eyes. This allows the edge to get close to the lash line without pulling, tugging, or pinching while giving your lashes a nice curl from the base. We were pleased with the noticeable results we observed before and after testing, especially on those of us with naturally long (and very straight) lashes that don't typically curl. With this tool, we achieved a lifted and "awake" look without using any mascara.
Using the tool itself was a super easy process, too. The double-body design eliminates the guesswork on how to use the curler, and the few clamps it took to effectively curl the lashes did not cause any hand cramping or painful pinching of the eyelid. Thanks to its strong grip, the hypoallergenic silicone pads delivered results that one of our team members thought were "way better” than the heated tool they tried. The pads are also replaceable (and should be swapped every three months), so luckily, this product comes with three spare silicone pads.
With the stellar results and sleek design that this eyelash curler from Tweezerman offers, it was hard for us to find any fault with this model. We do wish the curler had slightly larger finger clamps for users with larger hands, but we ultimately felt that the price point was well worth it for the value and results.
Material: Metal | Pad: Hypoallergenic silicone, 3 replacements
Best Budget: Kaasage Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Made of sturdy, long-lasting stainless steel
Includes extra pads
Red Flags
Nothing we didn't love
It’s rare to find a beauty tool for under $10 that works well, but that’s exactly what our selection from Kaasage did. Sturdily built with stainless steel and silicone pads, this curler does its job with ease and little to no effort. “One pump was all it took to give me a lift and a curl,” our tester applauded after using it on one eye, observing a “very noticeable change” compared to the other. The light-as-a-feather instrument was pressure-free as the tester gave their lash line a swift pump and had none of the accompanying pain or pulling other curlers can sometimes cause.
Material: Stainless steel | Pad: Silicone, 5 replacements
Best Splurge: Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler
Star Qualities
Ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold
Painless and pinch-free curling
Thin pads for closer curl
Red Flags
Only one replacement pad
The Relevee Lash Curler from Surratt is ergonomically designed with the user’s fingers in mind, resulting in a hand-calibrated model that produces painlessly curled lashes. This instrument was highly effective in its ability to curl well, with our tester noting that it “performed better than the heated one” they’d tried. This can partly be attributed to its thin pad, which allows the curler to clamp right against the lash line directly from the base. And while this may sound daunting, our tester assures us that this instrument was the most comfortable they’ve used yet.
Our tester quickly compared the Relevee to their past experiences with this type of tool, stating that it feels “more comfortable” than the curler they use at home. “I would definitely give this [curler] higher than a five for comfort if I could,” they added. It only comes with one replacement pad (when we would have preferred a few extras), but we still don't think this would hold us back from adding it to our carts.
Material: Steel | Pad: Silicone, 1 replacement
Best Heated: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-LIFT Heated Lash Curler
Star Qualities
Easy to charge with USB port
No-pinch, clamp-free design
Two temperature settings
Red Flags
Requires a few passes to curl
If you’re not a fan of clamping your eyelashes in a metal contraption, then this could be the lash-curling alternative for you. This heated curler from Grande Cosmetics is smartly designed to operate on both a low or high-heat setting to reshape and set your already mascara-coated lashes into the curled form that you’re after. But don’t worry, even the highest heat setting isn’t too warm to apply to your eye area. Its gentle heat is just enough to reshape the natural slope of your lashes once you’ve applied your favorite waterproof mascara and style them in a more curled manner — essentially a low-power curling iron for your eyelashes. “I liked that it didn't give a crimped look, but more of a natural lift,” our tester commented. “I also liked how soft my lashes felt.”
However, you do have to put in the tiniest bit more work with this curler than a traditional clamp style. Our tester noted that “it took a few brushes” to get the lift they wanted, but they preferred those extra swipes in comparison to pinching their lashes in between a metal clamp.
Material: Plastic, silicone | Pad: None
Related: 8 Eyelash Growth Serums That Visibly Lengthened Our Lashes After 10 Weeks
Best for Round Eyes: Covergirl Makeup Masters Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Comfortable to hold
Effective on inner lashes
Sturdy pad and clamp combo
Red Flags
Slightly heavy
People with round eyes will always have a doe-eyed look, but luscious lashes that curl up towards the sky will only enhance that natural beauty. That’s why picking a curler that works perfectly for this eye shape is important, especially when it comes to those inner lashes that can be hard to secure inside the clamp with most instruments. Our tester noted how easy this model from Covergirl was to use, sharing that their lashes “stood fully curled” after pressing the tool together at the lash line just twice. They later added that it was efficient in curling their lashes evenly and made them “look fuller and natural.” With a design that curls just enough to fit comfortably against the eye, this curler is ideal for achieving nicely curled lashes on round eyes.
Material: Metal | Pad: Silicone, no replacements
The More You Know
If you are correctly using and taking care of your eyelash curler, then there shouldn’t be an issue in using the product every day. Vincent assures us that a lash curler will not cause damage to your lashes when used properly, but if it goes uncleaned or develops a buildup of makeup, there can be some breakage that occurs as the hairs “can stick to the curler and get pulled out as the curler is opened.”
Best for Almond Eyes: Shiseido Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Less-curved clamp for different eye shapes
Can achieve natural or dramatic lift
Comfortable grip
Red Flags
Multiple squeezes needed for noticeable curl
Not all eye shapes are made the same, and Shiseido understood this when crafting its eyelash curler. This tool was constructed so that the clamping rim is wider and flatter than the typical semicircle, which doesn’t always work for everyone’s eyes. Our tester says they “struggle with eyelash curlers that are more C-shaped,” which is why it was so beneficial to try this straighter option. “This flatter shape suits my eye shape better and allows me to get the lashes at the far end of my eye,” they said. The results were easily customizable depending on how many times the tester squeezed the tool together — one press being a natural lift, and three being a more dramatic curl.
Material: Nickel coating | Pad: Silicone, 1 replacement
Best for Straight Lashes: Chanel Le Recourbe Cils De Chanel Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Tight curl for short lashes
Easy to achieve a lot of lift
Gives voluminous lashes without mascara
Red Flags
Designer tool price
We all know the effort of trying to give your lashes some shape, but the struggle is much more real for those who have naturally straight lashes. Eyelash curlers are helpful, but it takes a specific model to really turn up the volume on flat lashes. This curler from Chanel did just that thanks to its thin design that is able to get right to the base of the lash and provide a close curl. “This eyelash curler does an incredible job at curling my short and thin lashes,” one of our testers said. They shared how easy it was to use the product and the “noticeable curl and volumizing effect” that this tool produced after using it on one eye and comparing it to the other.
Our tester felt that this instrument would not only be perfect for those with straight lashes, but for anyone who had never tried a curler before. Beginners have it easy with this straightforward model that delivers high volume in mere seconds.
Material: Metal | Pad: Silicone, no replacements
Best for Travel: Japonesque Go Curl Eyelash Curler
Star Qualities
Compact and effective design
Retractable clamp for comfortable curl
Includes plush replaceable pad
Red Flags
Not the standard double-body tool you're used to
This curler from Japonesque is beautifully designed with a compact frame that can be easily stored away in a makeup kit or travel bag. The small curler is shaped similarly to a computer mouse and features a retractable lever that pushes the padded curler up to gently grip and shape the lashes. A smartly designed opening for sight helps you see the lashes for easy use, preventing any painful pinching.
Our tester noted how the tool was easy to grip despite its nontraditional design and the “tension was perfect — no pulling of the eyelashes.” This is due in part to the soft pad that lines the tool, which provides a comfortable base for serious curls. The tester appreciated the natural lift it created and thought the best part was that they “didn’t lose any lashes” — a common fear for lash-lovers.
Material: Metal | Pad: Silicone, no replacements
Best Set: Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler & Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
Star Qualities
Includes curler and mascara
Thick-handled design is easy to use
Silicone pad never pulled or pinched
Red Flags
Wasn't best at inner and outer corners
This set from Tarte is the perfect on-the-go option for someone who wants to get the look completed in one purchase. Testers loved the “user-friendly” coated handles that covered the golden metal, which made the tool easy to grasp and prevented any chance of slipping. They said that their eyelashes were “noticeably curled after using this product,” but with a more natural effect as opposed to a dramatic lift. Another standout aspect was the silicone curling pad, which was pull- and pain-free and didn’t stick to the lashes as they curled.
While this curler was a standout, our tester did feel that it could have been more aptly shaped to capture the inner and outer lashes, which proved to be hard-to-reach spots for this particular tool (and many others on the market). These farther lashes were still curled, just farther towards the end of the hair instead of the base, creating a flatter curl from the center of the eye to the outer lashes.
Material: Metal | Pad: Silicone, no replacements
How to Use Eyelash Curlers
It can be scary to approach your eye with a metal contraption, but Vincent assures us that “using a lash curler is a lot easier than it seems and it will become more intuitive the more you do it.”
She advises to only curl bare lashes with no mascara (unless it's a heated brush — and in that case, mascara is able to be applied before) as the hardened product can result in the lashes cracking off when used in a clamp.
Vincent goes on to say that when you’re using a traditional clamp-style curler, you should align the rim as close to your lash line as you can to get the most out of your curl. “If you have hooded eyes, you can raise your brows to lift the area, or use your other hand to lift the eye to minimize the chance of catching excess eyelid skin,” she suggests.
After this, you can simply press down and squeeze the lashes between the clamps a few times, forming an upturned shape from the root. “Most people stop there, but I highly recommend curling another time just slightly further up the lashes,” Vincent shares. “This will give lashes a really amazing natural-looking curl, versus just a bend at the root.”
What to Know About Eyelash Curlers
Eye Shape
The beauty of the eyes is that no one’s will ever be the exact same color and shape, but this also makes shopping for an eyelash curler slightly difficult. Evaluating the shape of your eyes will help you narrow down your choices and shop for the style that is best suited for you. The most common eye shapes are typically round, almond, deep-set, hooded, and monolid, all of which could benefit from different styles of lash curlers. As we saw with the round eyes winner, the Covergirl curler features a C-shaped rim to capture those corner lashes and mold the lashes, whereas our pick from Shiseido has a flatter rim that works perfectly for those with almond, hooded, or monolid eyelashes.
Lash Hair Type
Your lash hair type is another factor to keep in mind when looking for the perfect curler. Just like the hair on your head, your lashes can be thick, thin, straight or naturally curly — all which require different techniques of curling and different curlers from one another. On straighter lashes that require some serious shaping, a heated curler may do the trick to effectively “style” your lashes like a heat tool for your tresses. On the other hand, shorter lashes will need a thin rim that can get right up to the base of the lashes without pulling on the follicles, requiring a svelte rim like Surratt curler with an equally thin silicone pad.
Material
The makeup of your tool is no joke, especially when it comes to the cushioned pad that is meant to press against your delicate lashes. Vincent stated earlier the importance of a sturdy, metal body, but the quality of the curling pad is just as important. “Ideally it has the right firmness to curl lashes, but isn’t so soft that it breaks down quickly and splits in the middle,” she says, as this degradation could potentially damage or pull out the lashes after some time. “With regular lash pad replacements, a quality curler should last you decades,” she concludes.
Care
Hygiene is the name of the game when it comes to healthy skin and hair, so it’s only natural to wonder how often you should be cleaning your new eyelash curler. “You can’t clean a curler too often, but as a guide, if there is any visible makeup on the curler or pad, it’s time for a quick swipe with some alcohol on a cotton bud or round,” Vincent shares. The description of our Tweezerman ProMaster curler suggests cleaning each curler pad every three months, which simply consists of removing the old pad and inserting a fresh one to avoid bacteria buildup and silicone degradation.
Behind the Scenes
We started with 29 of the best eyelash curlers on the market.
Performance: Our testers came in with fresh faces, no makeup, and definitely no mascara. Each tester used a different curler on each eye to see which performed best and then gave their reasons as to why each tool did (or did not) impress them. From there, they judged each curler based on their attributes, ease of use, curling performance, and comfort.
Number of Presses: One major note our testers made was the number of presses they needed to do to achieve their desired look, from a natural curl to a dramatic lift, and whether or not that result was attained.
Rating: After this, our testers rated each tool with one to five stars based on their results for each category and left extensive notes explaining each score.
PEOPLE / Joy Kim
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Alyssa Brascia is a PEOPLE commerce writer who covers beauty and fashion. Her work has previously appeared in InStyle, Shape, and more. For this piece, she compared the features and benefits of eyelash curlers as well as taking our testers' insights into consideration. We also consulted celebrity makeup artist Dani Kimiko Vincent, who gave tips on how to pick, use, and care for an eyelash curler.
Meet Our Expert
Dani Kimiko Vincent is a celebrity makeup artist who counts stars like Sandra Oh and Kristi Yamaguchi as her clients
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