Curled, Romantic Lashes Are Our Specialty: 9 Curlers for Falsies-Level Flutters
From Tweezerman to Chanel, starting at just $5.
Alyssa Brascia
For the longest time, I didn't curl my lashes. In fact, I was under the impression eyelash curlers were a scam. They never really worked that well, and when they did, the curl would fall faster than I could swipe on a couple of coats of mascara. As I got older, I realized the error in my ways—and after conversing with other editors, influencers, and makeup artists, I realized that maybe not all eyelash curlers were failing me, just an ineffective few.
I embarked on a mission to try as many eyelash curlers as I could get my hands on and found that there were multiple that met—nay, exceeded—my expectations. They did the job of curling, lifting, and fanning out my lashes dramatically. Thanks to the *right* tools, my fringes have been looking so fluttery that I’ve been skipping mascara altogether—embracing the trendy no-mascara look that arrived just as I refined my curler collection.
Ahead, see the nine best eyelash curlers that made my fellow beauty editors and I forget about falsies and volumizing mascaras. These won't fail you—trust me.
The Best Eyelash Curlers of 2026, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
- Best Drugstore: Revlon Natural Lash Lift Curler
- Best for Short Lashes: Brilliant Beauty Eyelash Curler
- Best for Straight Lashes: Shiseido Eyelash Curler
- Best Heated: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-Lift Heated Lash Curler
Best Overall: Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
Pros: Smooth opening-and-closing action, rounded shape, won’t crimp lashes
Cons: None
Material: Stainless Steel | Refillable pads: Yes, three
This eyelash curler is the best one I've ever tried. It has smooth opening-and-closing action, a rounded shape that gets every itty-bitty lash, and a rounded curling pad that never crimps my lashes. It's the eyelash curler that made me an eyelash-curler person. Because of this, I never skip curling my lashes every morning, even if I'm not wearing mascara. It even includes three replacement curling pads—which the brand recommends you clean regularly and swap after three months—for an easy and hygienic user experience.
The curler lifted my lashes, taking them from pin-straight to full and fluttery. It even curled the teeny lashes near the inner corners of my eyes, which is impressive. The curl lasts all day, too. I don't have to constantly recurl my lashes to keep them looking like this. Success.
Customer review: “I’ve tried a bunch of eyelash curlers over the years, but the Tweezerman eyelash curler is hands down the best. It gives me that perfect, natural-looking curl without pinching or tugging, which used to be a problem with other brands… If you're looking for a reliable, easy-to-use curler that actually works and doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device, this is it. Total game changer in my makeup bag!”
Before Using the Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
After Using the Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
Best Drugstore: Revlon Natural Lash Lift Curler
Pros: Affordable price; soft, grippy handles
Cons: Some reviewers report a broad curve that might not fit all eye shapes
Material: Stainless steel, silicone | Refillable pads: Yes, one
All I can say about this is that it's a solid, standard eyelash curler. You'll love this one if you don't want any fuss, frills, or an unnecessarily high price tag. It curls the lashes softly yet effectively, offers shape that lasts for hours, and the grippy handles make it ergonomic and easy for beginners to use. (Reviewers agree.)
Customer review: “The handle on this is sooo great! It makes my lashes curled and it definitely does adjust to your eye shape. You don’t need to use too much pressure to curl the lashes. I would recommend this product!”
Best for Beginners: e.l.f. Cosmetics Pro Eyelash Curler
Pros: Comfortable grip, low price, ergonomic handles
Cons: Some reviewers say it can crimp lashes if you apply too much pressure
Material: Plastic | Refillable pads: Yes, one
Eyelash curlers can be intimidating at first glance—I mean, look at the shape. You mean I need to put that by my eye? But for only $6, you can't get much better (or easier to use) than this drugstore lash curler. The padded handles make it easy for amateur hands to hold and help make the curling process smoother, allowing for a firm grip to prevent slipping and pulling.
Customer review: “I had to repeatedly curl my lashes with other eyelash curlers. This one does the curl on the first try. It does not link the lash but makes a nice sweep up. Will never use another eyelash curler again. Thank you, Elf, for a great product!”
Best Heated: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash-Lift Heated Lash Curler
Pros: Heats quickly, curls effectively, comfortably warm temperature
Cons: On the expensive side
Material: Plastic | Refillable pads: N/A
You know metal lash curlers, but have you ever heard of heated versions? Much like with a curling iron or hair dryer, strands of hair are best molded by heat—and your eyelashes are no different. However, the best heated lash curlers need to strike the right balance of safety, low heat, and curl-preserving magic, and we found that this option from Grande Cosmetics was the best on the market. It took just about a minute for the tool to reach a subtle warmth, which felt comfortable near the eye thanks to its curved wand that you use like mascara. After holding it in a curled position for 10 seconds, our tester’s straight lashes were swoopy and fluttery in just one swipe.
Customer review: “I bought it thinking, hey, it might not work at all. As someone with straight lashes for whom a regular eyelash curler has never really worked, I had to give this a go… I’ve used this several times now since receiving it. Without mascara, the hold doesn’t last very long. But with mascara, my eyes look bigger and brighter, and the lashes stay curled up. I can’t give it a better review than that! Definitely recommend.”
Best for Short Lashes: Brilliant Beauty Eyelash Curler
Pros: Grips small lashes, doesn’t pinch, low price
Cons: Some reviewers say this tool requires more pressure
Material: Stainless steel | Refillable pads: Yes, two
This eyelash curler is underrated. With uniform pressure and a curved shape, it curls every lash dramatically, which makes it especially effective for short lashes. I especially like that its hinges are spring-free, which reduces the anxiety-inducing likelihood of your tool pinching or jerking mid-curl. Plus, it comes with a nice satin storage bag and two replacement pads.
Customer review: “So I've had a Tweezerman curler for years—it seems to always have really high reviews online on different sites. The thing is, it always pinches the skin around my eyes, and it never gets all the lashes at once. I felt it was time to get a new one, and I found this one with really, really high reviews online… I use it every day, it literally has not pinched my skin once, and it gets all my lashes. All this time I thought maybe I was just curling wrong, but dang, this one takes almost no effort, and my lashes look gorgeous!”
Best for Straight Lashes: Shiseido Eyelash Curler
Pros: Flatter shape to curl lashes more effectively, comfortable pad
Cons: On the expensive side
Material: Metal, silicone | Refillable pads: Yes, one
The wide curl of this one grabs every lash without pinching the skin or leaving a dreaded crimped look behind. The flatter lip of the curler is especially great for almond-shaped eyes, and its nickel-coated metal makeup is effortlessly chic. It’s a classic for a reason.
Customer review: “I didn’t know there was a difference in quality of eyelash curler until my 30’s and tried a quality name brand one. I lost that one and started my hunt for a new one. You definitely get what you pay for with this. Don’t let the price intimidate you. It’s worth it!”
Best for Almond-Shaped Eyes: Chanel Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel Eyelash Curler
Pros: Flatter lip design, anti-pinch curve, ergonomic handle
Cons: Quite pricey
Material: Stainless steel, silicone | Refillable pads: Yes, two
You know Chanel is going to deliver, even on something as seemingly small and overlooked as an eyelash curler. This one has a broad curve that works for all eye shapes, though reviewers say it works especially well for almond-shaped eyes. Its svelte shape makes it both easy to use and visually attractive, plus it comes with two replacement silicone pads.
Customer review: “This eyelash curler holds curl, unlike other curlers. My eyelashes are naturally very straight, and I have had a rough time finding a good eyelash curler. I recommend [this] to those who have straight eyelashes.”
Best for Volume: Dior Backstage Lash Curler
Pros: Feels high-quality, ergonomic design, easy-to-grip handles
Cons: Pricey, some reviewers report that it can tug on lashes
Material: Stainless steel, silicone | Refillable pads: Not listed
If you’re looking for va-va-voom volume that you can’t achieve solely from mascara, I recommend this luxury curler from Dior. It has padded handles, which make it easier to maneuver, and the universal curling lip makes it easy to use on a handful of eye shapes and lash lengths.
Customer review: “So good I gave this to my mom for Mother’s Day. She loved it, and [my] lashes are looking longer than ever. I recommend this product‚ so good. I tried it out, and it made my lashes [go] to my eyebrows.”
Best for Fanned Lashes: Surratt Relevee Lash Curler
Pros: Wide, arched pad that doesn't crimp or damage lashes
Cons: None I can think of
Material: Nickel-free, surgical-grade steel | Refillable pads: Yes, one
If you want a full, fanned-out effect (think the viral TikTok doe-eye trend), this one will be your BFF. It's an iconic lash curler that fans out lashes in a wide, lifted arc. Trust me—it's good.
Customer review: “Totally amazing! Where has this eyelash curler been all my life? No pain. I have never created huge eyelashes with [any] other eyelash curlers that I tried. Easy and lightweight, does not pinch my eyelids as popular eyelash brands do."
Best for Long-Lasting Curl: Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler
Pros: Uniform pressure and curl for a full, fluttery look
Cons: Some reviewers think it’s hard to grip corner lashes
Material: Alloy steel | Refillable pads: Yes, one
Another classic, this one is just as good as the Shiseido curler (at least in my opinion). However, this style is more curved than the Shiseido tool, so some reviewers say it's a bit more difficult to target tiny lashes on the inner corners of the eyes. It curls all of my lashes evenly and gives them a lift, and the result is a full and fluttery look.
Customer review: “I have used eyelash curlers before and was curious at what makes this curler better than others. The fit of this curler fit my eyelid better. It fit flush against my eyelid. There is no pinching or pulling of the few, short eyelashes I have. I had given up on mascara for years, but thanks to this curler, my eyes have opened!”
What to Look For in a Lash Curler
- Material: It’s important to consider the material of your curler before you hit purchase. Most curlers are made from a variant of steel—whether it be stainless, alloy, or another—while other models, like heated lash curlers, are often plastic. However, for a normal curler, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking for a sturdy steel design that can bend the lashes efficiently without needing to go over the same fringe several times (potentially causing breakage).
- Curler pads: Silicone pads are important when choosing your next curler. Most come with the same kind of washable pad, which you can cleanse with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. However, it’s recommended to replace your curling pads after three months, which means that your curler should include at least one replacement pad with the initial purchase.
How Do You Use a Lash Curler?
While it may seem like an obvious process, the act of curling lashes can be very intimidating to beginners. I prefer to press down on the base of my lashes, at the middle, and at the very top to get the most noticeable curl. I find that softly pressing them three times creates the most dramatic effect. It also makes my normally stick-straight lashes hold a curl for hours at a time, even without mascara.
Should You Use a Lash Curler Before or After Mascara?
I prefer to use my lash curler before I apply mascara. This allows me to curl my natural lashes and put them in the preferred position before adding mascara as a sort of sealant. In my experience, it also prevents accidental damage to the lashes and keeps the curler clean. (If you use a curler after applying mascara, it can get pretty unhygienic if you don't clean it after every use.)
Are Eyelash Curlers Safe?
The answer to this question is yes, if you're using them correctly. Ensure you're always curling your lashes while looking in a mirror and moving slowly and intentionally. Otherwise, you can run the risk of pulling precious lashes out, or worse, poking your eye. I find it helps to curl my lashes while looking slightly downward toward a handheld mirror. This helps me grasp every single tiny lash in between the pads without pinching my eyelid or causing damage.
How We Chose
I chose the best eyelash curlers by testing a handful of the internet’s most popular choices myself, including the Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler and Surratt Relevee Lash Curler. My fellow beauty editors weighed in on their personal preferences, and we did our due diligence by researching the most expert-loved curlers on the market today. Since first publishing our list of favorites in 2020, we have routinely updated our picks to keep our recommendations fresh, ensuring you get the most recent information for the best (read: curliest!) results.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
