Do You Have a Phobia of Lash Curlers

 

So what if it looks more like a medieval torture device than the ultimate eye-enhancing tool? If you want flirty, fluttery lashes (and who doesn’t?), you’ll have to make fast friends with your eyelash curler. But don’t worry—it’s not nearly as intimidating as it seems. San Francisco-based makeup artist Emily Kate Warren tells us how to master this must-have in minutes.

Get squeaky clean. Always start with freshly-washed lashes. Using a curler after applying mascara makes it easier to break or tear off lashes.

Don’t be shy. Clamp the curler close to the base of your lashes. Load your lashes, squeeze for a few seconds, and gently open.

Stare at yourself. Maintain eye contact with yourself in the mirror, so you’re not blindly squeezing. If you close your eye, you may find that you pull your own lashes out.

Protect your eyelid. Lift your brows slightly when clamping to make sure no excess eyelid skin finds its way into the curler.

Try before you buy. Experiment with different shapes of curlers before buying one. Some have a flatter shape, while others are more curved and round. The right fit for you depends on your eye shape.

Never heat up your lash curler. It heats up superfast, making it too easy to scald your fragile skin and lashes. Ouch!

Article Written By: Karina Giglio
For Makeup.com

Brighten Your Eyes, Fast!

Chill out

“One way we pay for late nights is with swollen lids and undereye puffiness,” says Christina Zilber, Founder and Creative Director of Jouer Cosmetics. When you wake up, soak a washcloth in icy cold water and rest it over your eyes for a few minutes. “The chill will reduce any inflammation,” Ziber says. 

Use a dream cream
Using the tip of your ring finger, gently pat a rich eye cream all around the orbital area. This will minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines (“Without irritating or causing more redness,” Ziber says), and provide a smoother canvas for concealer. Try L’Oréal Age Perfect Eye Ultra-Hydrating Cream. 

Turn on the lights
To combat dark undereye circles, “Layer your daily concealer with a light-reflective product,” says Kate McCarthy, a makeup artist for glōminerals. “I prefer a pink or peach tone for the most natural effect.” Try Anastasia Beverly Hills Cooling Eye Brightener, $21, sephora.com.

Reduce redness
Neutralize redness with a thin layer of concealer on your upper lids. “A red eyelid can be a late-night giveaway,” Ziber says. Follow with a sheer layer of shimmery cream shadow in a natural hue to hydrate eyes while making them seem more alert. We like Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Shadow in Sable.

Get in line
For an instant waker-upper, line the inner rims of your upper and lower lashlines with a peach or nude pencil (We like Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte). “This will really bring out the whites of your eyes,” McCarthy says.

Highlight strategically
A favorite makeup artist trick used on everyone from runway models to Hollywood startlet is to dab a shimmery white eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes and just under the browbone with your pinky finger or a small soft-bristled brush. “It instantly makes you seem refreshed,” McCarthy says. (Try: Jouer Camellia Highlighter.)

Lash out
“Nothing wakes up your eyes more than long, curled lashes!” Slightly warm up your curler with hot air from your hair dryer, then press and hold lashes for about 30 seconds. Finish with a coat of dark black mascara.

How do you fake a full night’s sleep?

Article Written By: Roopika Malhotra
For Makeup.com