The $19 Eyelash Curler Even Meghan Markle Swears By

Danielle Gonzalez
(Photo: HuffPost)
(Photo: HuffPost)

Whether you want thicker, longer or more natural-looking lashes, giving them a lift and curl before applying mascara is key. Most of us have a lash curler that we snatched up at the drugstore a few years ago that’s been sitting in our makeup bags ever since, which invites the question: Does it really make a difference which eyelash curler you use?

According to users of the Shu Uemura lash curler, the answer is yes. Read through the reviews on any of Sephora’s best-selling mascaras and you’re sure to see someone mention the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. Reviewers swear by it, claiming it’s the only thing that offers a full curl to short, straight lashes. It’s a regular mention of the many “it girls” featured on Into The Gloss, was named-dropped in “The Devils Wears Prada” and even the duchess of Sussex herself, Meghan Markle, dubbed it one of her top five beauty products because “it makes you look instantly awake.”

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So ... what’s the deal with this ethereal eyelash curler? The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is an award-winning product designed by Tokyo makeup artist Shu Uemura to create precise and perfect lash curls. The beauty tool has a patented hinge to provide the right amount of pressure on eyelashes. It also has a curved angle with mushroom-shaped silicone padding to protect lashes and suit all eye shapes, including hooded eyes and almond eyes.

The curler can be found on the Shu Uemura website for $23, where it has a 4.8-star rating and over 1,000 reviews, but it’s also available on Amazon for $19, where it has a 3.7-star rating and over 1,000 reviews. Just be sure you’re buying on Amazon directly from Shu Uemura.

FYI, HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.

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Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 3,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 3 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 70,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2If9pBA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $24 at Sephora.</a>&nbsp;&lt;br&gt;</strong><br />&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: "I've heard wonders about this mascara, I decided to try it (w/ a travel size). It's my first high end mascara and I am quite impressed. I curled my lashes and applied this mascara, and the curl would last all day. No flaking or smudging."

Blinc Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 3,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 10,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2IfpRBG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $26 at Sephora.</a></strong>&lt;br&gt;<br />&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I have been battling mascara&rsquo;s for most of my life due to my oily skin and therefore in the middle of the day having black circles under my eyes. This is THE BEST mascara I have found. It stays absolutely put throughout the day and after a 26 hr call shift of working all night and day (I&rsquo;m a resident doctor). By the morning of my call shift it is still in the same place - clean and proper. I have also noticed my lashes looking fuller and longer with it&rsquo;s use. I&rsquo;m now on my 4th tube and would never change.&ldquo;

Diorshow Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 2,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 20,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2Iel4k1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $30 at Sephora.</a>&lt;br&gt;<br /></strong>&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I have many mascaras but Diorshow is the one I go to when I want to turn up! I love that the formula isn&rsquo;t thick, clumpy or sticky, it&rsquo;s smooth, light-weight and just glides over my lashes. The brush has a million bristles so it literally coats every single lash evenly. Yes the brush is a bit plump. So it may not work so well for those with extremely hooded eyes."

TARTE Lights, Camera, Splashes™ Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 1,000 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4.5 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 20,000 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2G1PpB0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $23 at Sephora.</a>&lt;br&gt;<a href="https://fave.co/2G1PpB0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><br /></a>&lt;br&gt;</strong><br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I bought this mascara by recommendation of the sales person and I&rsquo;m so glad! I LOVE it! I have VERY oily skin, and eye lids and nothing sticks. I just moved to the beach and it my makeup runs even more. With Tarte&rsquo;s mascara the I&rsquo;ve used only twice, I no longer have to worry about raccoon eyes. It stays put, holds a curl, the wand pulls from the base of my lashes creating greath length. Another plus is it doesn&rsquo;t clump."

BUXOM Lash Waterproof Volumizing Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 500&lt;br&gt;<br /> <strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /> <strong>Loves</strong>: 10,000 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2IksYbT" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $22 at Sephora</a>.&lt;br&gt;<br /></strong>&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve tried so many waterproof mascaras that never stood up to my oily eyelids, the wind, rain or unexpected tearing of the eyes. Then came Buxom&rsquo;s waterproof mascara and it was an immediate hit. My eyes get so watery when it&rsquo;s very windy, and it tears up easily as well, and this mascara doesn&rsquo;t budge."

Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 300&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>:&nbsp;8,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2OOnNSu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $19 at Sephora</a>.&lt;br&gt;<a href="https://fave.co/2OOnNSu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><br /></a>&lt;br&gt;</strong><br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;This stuff Does. Not. Budge. Without exaggeration, in one day I cried, sweated, showered, and surfed with this on, and there was still a lot of mascara to be removed at the end of the day. I turned to my man throughout the day and asked him if my undereye was black and he was like, &ldquo;Why are you asking me that?&rdquo; Flaking is very minimal and I&rsquo;ve yet to find a waterproof that does not flake at all. It comes off easily with most removers I have tried."

Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 400&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 6,000&lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2uT1m5n" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $25 at Sephora.</a>&nbsp;&lt;br&gt;<br /></strong>&lt;br&gt;<br /> <strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof mascara is awesome! I wore it yesterday, and spent most of the day outside in extremely high heat and humidity. I was even misted in the face with water! The mascara never budged, flaked, ran or smudged a single time!"

Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 90 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 5,000 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2OTxLCb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $31 at Sephora</a>. &lt;br&gt;<a href="https://fave.co/2OTxLCb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><br /></a>&lt;br&gt;</strong><br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m always skeptical. I have very long lashes and that means that during a workout or on a hot/humid day, I inevitably end up with mascara smudges on my brow bone just below my eyebrows. Decided to give this a try and so far, it&rsquo;s my new favorite mascara. After a 90 minute, high intensity martial arts work out, this stuff has not budged. Goes on a nice dark black and comes off with baby oil or waterproof make up remover. Definitely will purchase this mascara from now on.&ldquo;

Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara

<strong>Reviews</strong>: 815 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Ratings</strong>: 4 stars &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong>Loves</strong>: 10,000 &lt;br&gt;<br /><strong><a href="https://fave.co/2G3fYpa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Find it for $20 at Sephora</a>. &lt;br&gt;<a href="https://fave.co/2G3fYpa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><br /></a></strong>&lt;br&gt;<strong><a href="https://fave.co/2G3fYpa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a></strong><br /><strong>Promising Review</strong>: &ldquo;I bought this mascara to wear in labor (sounds weird, but I have blonde lashes and wanted to at least have some mascara on in my first pictures with baby). I had a drug-free delivery, including laboring in the shower and the tub...and lots of sweating. I was a hot mess when it was over, but my lashes (and baby!) were perfect. The nurses even commented on how good my lashes looked. This stuff does not budge!&ldquo;

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