Every time I read a book on makeup or watch makeover shows on TV, the makeup artists rave about the benefits of eyelash curling. I’ve tried the traditional eyelash curlers in the past, and the effect was nice enough, but I found the apparatus difficult to use. I have trouble getting all of my lashes in the gripper, and sometimes my lower lashes get caught in there too, which leaves them looking a bit awkward. And also, it never failed, but on one side I couldn’t seem to get my hand in the right position, and the portion of lashes near the outside of my eye always ended up curled more sideways than up.
When I watch What Not To Wear, Carmindy usually uses a different kind of eyelash curler — a little pincher doohickey that looks like it would be easier to use and more effective. But when I looked online and asked at Sephora, no one seemed to know what I was talking about.
THEN I read Robert Jones’ book, Looking Younger, where he described 3 kinds of eyelash curlers — the classic crimp curler, the precision-detailed curler, and the heated curler (which he highly recommends, by the way). With photos of each, I quickly located the eyelash curler I’d been looking for — the precision-detailed curler — and I went right to my friend, the Google, and ordered this.
I was eager to try it out, and I’ve been using it on and off for several weeks now. I wish I could tell you that it’s changed my life, but I can’t. What I DO like about it is that it IS easier to use. Although it requires crimping my lashes in several “batches” because it’s so small, it is easier to grip the top lashes without accidentally grabbing some of the lower lashes. And it’s easier to get my hand at the right angle to turn my upper lashes up and not sideways. HOWEVER. It doesn’t curl them very well, and when I apply mascara, any curl they did have seems to be taken right out. It’s very frustrating because it wasn’t exactly a cheap purchase.
I would love to invest in the heated curler, but there are so many to choose from and varied reviews, it will take some time to select one. I know the better ones are quite pricey. I sure wish I had that $38 I spent on the Japonesque one to put towards one of the heated variety. Anyone got a good one to recommend?
About Jo-Lynne
Yeow – $38 bucks for that?!?! I’d wish I had my $38 back if I knew it wasn’t going to work that well… heck, for that price I’d expect miracles!!
I have no big suggestions for you, although I have always wanted a precision curler vs. the big old clunky one I have that rips out my eyelashes for sport. Hope that somebody else has a miracle suggestion because I do love the look of curled lashes.
Also, have you tried blasting these with the blow dryer to heat them up to see if the curl holds better? Just a suggestion…
I have an eyelash curler, but I have NO idea how to use it! I guess I need to Google some instructions….
Here’s a question for you – I have to draw part of my eyebrows in because they are blonde. Do any of you know of a really good brow pencil for blondes?
A nearby salon is doing perms for eyelashes. They say it works. $45.00. Anyone heard of this? Should I bite?
Kristin, I’m dark, so I don’t know of one, but someone else on CC might know. Perhaps Sarah??
Carrie, I haven’t heard of it, but I’m curious!
Kristin – I have blonde brows too and I use and love the eyebrow pencil reviewed here by Moriah awhile back. It’s very very fine and goes on so smoothly and evenly. Love it!
http://www.chic-critique.com/2009/03/the-eyebrows-have-it.html
Oh and I use the pencil made for blondes. 🙂
Let’s see – Jo-Lynne I bought my oldest dd a heated eyelash curler for Christmas a few years ago, she said it was a waste of money – she still just uses the cheapo $12 curler (the kind most of us have) – she holds the hair dryer on it for a few seconds before curling – but be careful, it does get very hot quick and you can burn your eyelid when you touch with hot metal curler.
as for eyelash “perms” I’ve never had one, but had a friend who did years ago and loved it.
As for as brows – I haven’t purchased this, but they used it on me in the store and I loved it! – and I’ve heard great things about it – Anastasia brow express http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=5746&searchString=anastasia
~TidyMom
Actually, I’m a fan of my heated eyelash curler. I bought it for under $15 at WalMart a few years ago. (Sorry! I don’t know the brand at the top of my head.) Jolynne, I’d give it another shot.
I cannot live without mine! I have used them for years but never spent more than $5 on one. The heat is key but you don’t need to spend money for that. Here is what I do, when I put on make up the first thing I do is grab my eyelash curler and put it under my arm (no, not all the way just enough so i can move my arm to apply makeup) By the time I get to my eyelashes, it is toasty warm and ready to work. Maybe one day i will try a heated one but right now I don’t have $40 for an eyelash curler so my arm works fine. Hope it helps!
I’ve always wondered about those heated eyelash curlers as I have one side that just doesn’t curl very well. I curl, put on mascara, then curl again and that works pretty well.
I spend more than $38 on a heated eyelash curler and it sucked! Total gimmick as far as I’m concerned. I invested in a Shu Emura metal curler and it rocks – truly a girl’s best friend!
I’m always looking at my lashes and wanting something to boost them up a notch, but I CANNOT justify spending $38 towards my eyelashes!!
I’m sorry that the product didn’t deliver.
I’ve given up on eyelash curlers…the curls isn’t worth the work and it doesn’t last. Sorry you were disappointed, though, and that it cost you $38.
Robert Jones really does not have great advice. I’ve been to a live training of his where he was independently working for a cosmetic company that I was in contract with and he advised them to put out some of the WORST colors in the history of that company. And THAT is saying a lot… considering.
He also recommends a lot of products that are SPENDY and not worth the price tag.
/end Robert Jones rant 😀