The Best Eyelash Curler for 2021

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The perfect eyelash curler is comfortable, straightforward, budget-friendly, and most of all, effective. That’s exactly what this industry favorite from Shiseido is all about. You don’t have to drop a pretty penny on this one, either. 

Makeup artists love it because its wide base makes it suitable for all eye shapes. If you’re someone new to using this beauty tool, you’ll find that it’s less scary due to the shape that is flatter than most, ensuring your lids won’t get pinched.

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When it comes to consumers’ favorite eyelash curler, Shiseido is the one. It’s generally well-loved among both makeup artists and non-professional users, and we can guess why: the design is straightforward, compatible with almost anyone, and effectively gives a nice curl without crimping or tearing the lashes. It’s also affordable.

The structure makes it so that the eye area is in no danger of getting pinched or teared at; an ideal distinction for newbies who might be a little terrified of trying such an item. It’s similar to another bestseller: the Sephora curler.

PROS AND CONS OF THE SHISEIDO

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Whether you have straight lashes or wide eyes, or simply want to splurge on a new beauty item, then consider buying this lash curler from Kevyn Aucoin. It’s a little higher priced than others on this list, but for its durable material and prominent curvature, it’s worth the buy.

Unlike other brands, this one boasts a silicone pad that allows it to gently curve and lift eyelashes without breaking them. The curve gives an eye-opening effect similar to doll eyes. It’s also highly compatible with most types of mascara for added longevity.

PROS AND CONS OF THE KA EYELASH CURLER

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We know how disheartening it can be when influencers, beauty gurus, and makeup editors recommend horrifyingly expensive products that seem to be all hype. However, this particular brand has been creating so many incredible items that we were sure this one is no exception. 

The Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler is our beauty editor pick for when you’re ready to splurge. From the appearance, you can tell this is almost a luxury product. It’s encased in a matte black finish that feels sleek and smooth to the touch. 

It doesn’t take much pressure to get a nice curl because the mechanism is so smooth — perfect if you want to curl your falsies without accidentally being too harsh. Overall, buy this if you have the money. If you don’t, stick around for our best budget picks later on in the list!

PROS AND CONS OF THE RELEVÉE

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This is another favorite in the beauty sphere. The Shu Uemura seems to be the blueprint for any good curling item. Ask any celebrity makeup artist or makeup lover and they seem to point you to this particular item when talking about lashes. It’s icon status has only been cemented by a name drop on The Devil Wears Prada.

While it looks like every other lash-curling item out there, there are some pretty cool and subtle advantages to this particular brand. For one, it only takes about 1-2 presses to give straight lashes a really nice, soft curl. The handles are easy to grip, making it easy to maneuver. The curl is even and doesn’t endanger the eyelids. Plus, the pad is easy to clean and lasts a long time.

PROS AND CONS OF THE SHU UEMURA

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Shu knows how to keep up with the times. It doesn’t settle for having already made one of the most iconic products in the industry, and instead gives us a new generation half-lash curling product.

It’s smaller than an inch and appears more like a nail clipper than something in your makeup bag. But this design has plenty of advantages. Have you ever tried to get the inner corner to curve perfectly, but just couldn’t do it with an inch-wide apparatus? 

That’s what this baby is for: making inner corners, outer corners, and even the tiniest parts of your lashes to look just the way you want. If you’re particular about those things, this one’s for you.

PROS AND CONS OF THE SHU UEMURA NEW GENERATION S

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If you find the previous item to be a little out of the budget, then this Tweezerman is the perfect substitute. Like the Shu Uemura S, Tweezerman’s Every Lash is a less-than-an-inch wide curling apparatus for lifting small portions without crimping the other parts. Among the many editions from the brand, this one is our favorite.

This item features a curved handle for better grip, which we love, seeing that a smaller tool can often be harder to maneuver and result in finger cramps. The latter is particularly common, especially if you spend a lot of time perfecting your lashes. The pad is also incredibly soft and gentle.

PROS AND CONS OF THE TWEEZERMAN EVERY LASH CURLER

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You don’t have to search for Sephora or fancy retailer sites to get the best product. In fact, this next one can be found at just about any beauty store in the malls. Nichido is one of our favorite local brands for their accessible pricing and quality beauty tools. 

This one is the perfect dupe for a Laura Mercier curler and at a fraction of the price. The angle is designed to suit Filipino eye shapes, while the soft padding ensures that your lash line and eyelid is safe from pinching. The metal body is durable and sleek so your fingers don’t feel tired. 

PROS AND CONS OF THE NICHIDO PROFESSIONAL

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Want to get your hands on a Shu Uemera, but don’t want to spend thousands on one item? Features & Shades is hailed as a solid dupe for the iconic brand. It has the classic body with a gentle padding that curls in just a few presses, and it links functionality with affordability.

The minimal curvature of this item makes it perfect for shorter hairs that find that other ones dig too deep into the skin to feel comfortable. The mechanism is not as smooth and requires a little more pressure, but the results are quick and guaranteed every time.

PROS AND CONS OF THE FS

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Second to the last is a heated curling wand from Panasonic. We’ve talked about the advantages of heated options vs. traditional ones, and this brand is a good example.

Putting heat on one of the most sensitive parts of our face might not sound like the best idea, but the Panasonic uses a gentle warmth to slowly lift up the eyelashes and provide a fun eye-opening look. 

This particular style of curling is helpful if you have shorter lashes or prefer to have a nice curl after just one swoop. It links the convenience of a traditional apparatus with the novelty of a heated tip.

PROS AND CONS OF THE PANASONIC EYELASH CURLER

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Curling tools are small, but they aren’t the most portable if you’re trying to pack a ton of items in a small makeup kit. For one, their shape and structure makes them a little hard to squish into a bag of lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes.

If you’ve been struggling with this, it’s best to buy the MINISO curling eyelash instrument for your travel needs. 

It comes in a convenient rectangular box that makes it easy to fit into any bag among your other beauty must-haves. However, this might mean you’ll have to put the item closer to your eyes to achieve the best curling effect. 

PROS AND CONS OF THE MINISO PORTABLE CURLING EYELASH