Proper Eyelash Curling Techniques
- Most of us have seen the classic eyelash curler sold in department and drug stores. It looks like something used to pinch off small pieces of dough. But if used correctly, it can be your best weapon in your beauty arsenal. The classic has a small piece of plastic between the two sides of the crimper. First, make sure that plastic is there and in the slot securely. Place the curler against your eye and place the lash between the two sides. Check to make sure you have no eyelid skin in the way, then squeeze the handles together. The lashes are gently caught between the sides and squeezed to make them curl up toward your eyebrow. You can continue squeezing down your lashes and away from your face to get a more intense curl. If you wear mascara, put it on your curled lashes as soon as possible.
- You can intensify the standard curling technique with heat by using your hairdryer. Turn the heat to low and let it blow directly on the curler to heat it. Test it against your hand to make sure it's not too hot, then curl as before. You also can use hot water to heat the curler. Or you can choose a heated lash curler, available in most beauty supply stores. This device heats itself with the use of a standard AAA battery. The wand you apply to your lashes looks exactly like a mascara wand, and it gently heats up when turned on. Then you wisp the wand over your lashes, bending them slightly upward to curl.
- No time or money to buy a curler? Go to your cutlery drawer and get a spoon. Make sure it is clean, then place one edge of the spoon's rounded bowl against the underneath edge of your lashes, then turn the spoon over toward your eye. The spoon pushes the lashes up and creates a gentle curl. You can heat the spoon for more effect. Or, for a very slight uplift, apply mascara, let it dry, then take your clean finger and gently push the lashes up from the underside with the edge of your finger. The mascara will act as a fixative, and the gentle pressure curls your lashes lightly.