Top 5 compared
The best eyelash curlers
A few seconds with a curler lifts the lashes and opens up the eyes before mascara.
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The top 5 at a glance
An eyelash curler presses the lashes between a curved metal frame and a soft pad for a few seconds to lift them into a curl. Every one here is a steel clamp with a silicone or rubber pad; they differ mostly in the shape of the curve.
The pad is the part that wears: swap it once it goes soft and loses its bounce. Tweezerman recommends a new one every three months with daily use and a new curler after a year. Curl clean, dry lashes before mascara, as the makers advise, and wipe the pads afterwards; Tweezerman suggests an alcohol wipe.
What matters
- A curve that follows the eyelid, so it catches every lash without pinching.
- Spare pads in the box, or refills from the maker.
- A steady, comfortable grip for a gentle, even squeeze.
#1e.l.f. Pro Eyelash Curler
Under £10
A gunmetal stainless-steel curler with a contoured curve and a stronger spring, which e.l.f. designed for easier curling and a longer-lasting curl, plus a spare pad for when the first goes soft. Like everything e.l.f. makes, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
What owners say: Owners say it’s simple to handle and gives their lashes a noticeable lift; the common gripe is that the spring feels stiff and it can pinch, especially on deep-set eyes.
A closer look: Centre the lashes between the top and bottom of the curler, squeeze the handles slowly and hold for five to ten seconds, as e.l.f. directs, then add mascara. The spare pad is for when the first one goes soft and loses its bounce, which is e.l.f.’s own cue to swap it.
- Strong spring for easier curling
- Hold for 5–10 seconds
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for: A firm, lasting curl
- Frame
- Stainless steel, gunmetal
- Pad
- Rubber
- Spare pads in the box
- 1
- Curve and fit (maker’s words)
- Contoured curve
#2Tweezerman Classic Lash Curler (with 3 spare pads)
£19.00 RRP
Thick, rounded silicone pads that Tweezerman says won’t crimp or stick to lashes, on a nickel-plated steel frame, with three spare pads in the box. On the maker’s advice of a fresh pad every three months with daily use, that’s a year’s worth, which is when Tweezerman suggests replacing the curler too.
What owners say: Owners find the curl holds all day and makes their mascara stand out more, though a few find it nips the eyelid and some think it pricey.
A closer look: Curl clean, dry lashes before mascara, starting close to the root and easing out towards the tips. Tweezerman’s own advice is to wipe the pads with an alcohol wipe after use, fit a fresh pad every three months with daily use and replace the curler itself after a year.
- Thick, rounded pads
- Won’t crimp or stick
- Fresh pad every three months
- Smooth opening and closing
- Clean pads with alcohol wipes
Best for: A year of fresh pads
- Frame
- Nickel-plated steel, silver
- Pad
- Silicone
- Spare pads in the box
- 3
- Curve and fit (maker’s words)
- Reaches every lash
#3Wet n Wild High On Lash Eyelash Curler
Under £10
A light curler with a bouncy silicone pad that Wet n Wild says grabs all lashes across eye shapes, without snagging or tugging. Small enough to live in a make-up bag, it’s vegan and cruelty-free too.
What owners say: Owners describe it as comfortable and straightforward, and one finds the curl stays put all day, though some get less curl than they hoped and a few find the pad splits.
Heads up: There’s no spare pad in the box, so check the fitted one sits squarely in the frame before each use, as Wet n Wild advises.
A closer look: Use it on dry lashes and curl before mascara rather than after, then let the mascara set the lift. Light and small, it slips into a make-up bag or a coat pocket for a quick touch-up during the day.
- Bouncy pad
- No snagging or tugging
- Slips into a coat pocket
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Best for: Make-up bags and touch-ups
- Frame
- Stainless steel
- Pad
- Silicone
- Spare pads in the box
- None
- Curve and fit (maker’s words)
- All lashes, across eye shapes
#4ZDXY 3-in-1 Eyelash Curler Kit (with 5 spare pads)
Under £10
Five silicone refill pads and three eyebrow brushes come with this light, thin stainless-steel curler, sold as a little kit: more spare pads than any other curler here.
What owners say: Owners say it curls well, find it good value and like the pile of spare pads, though some find it nips the eyelid, a few struggle to curl once mascara is on and opinions on how long it lasts are split.
A closer look: Curl bare lashes, then add mascara: the seller’s own directions are a five-second squeeze before mascara goes on, and owners who tried it over mascara found it struggled. Swap in a fresh pad as soon as the fitted one goes flat, and keep the little brushes in the make-up bag with it.
- 3 eyebrow brushes included
- Scissor handles
- Weighs 30g
- Curl before mascara
Best for: Brows and lashes in one kit
- Frame
- Stainless steel, black and pink
- Pad
- Silicone
- Spare pads in the box
- 5
- Curve and fit (maker’s words)
- Various eye shapes and lash lengths
#5Brushworks Eyelash Curler
£4.99 RRP
From Brushworks, a beauty brand run by Invogue in Ascot, Berkshire: a stainless-steel curler with soft-touch pink handles and a cushioned pad, which the maker says suits all eye shapes and sizes. It’s PETA-approved, vegan and cruelty-free.
What owners say: Plenty of owners say it curls their lashes nicely and some count it a favourite, but others find it barely curls and feels cheap.
Heads up: Brushworks suggests warming the curler with a hairdryer on low for a stronger curl: let it cool for at least 30 seconds and check it isn’t hot to the touch before it goes near the eyes.
A closer look: Brushworks’ method: clean, dry, mascara-free lashes between the curler and the cushion, a gentle squeeze towards the eyelid held for ten to fifteen seconds, then a careful release. Repeat for a more dramatic curl; the soft-touch handles give a steady grip while you do.
- Soft-touch handles
- PETA-approved and vegan
- Hold for 10–15 seconds
Best for: A first go with a lash curler
- Frame
- Stainless steel, pink handles
- Pad
- Silicone, cushioned
- Spare pads in the box
- None
- Curve and fit (maker’s words)
- All eye shapes and sizes
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1e.l.f. Pro | #2Tweezerman Classic | #3Wet n Wild High On Lash | #4ZDXY 3-in-1 kit | #5Brushworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | |||
| Picked Rating | 8.6 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Price | Under £10 | £19.00 RRP | Under £10 | Under £10 | £4.99 RRP |
| Frame | Stainless steel, gunmetal | Nickel-plated steel, silver | Stainless steel | Stainless steel, black and pink | Stainless steel, pink handles |
| Pad | Rubber | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone, cushioned |
| Spare pads in the box | 1 | 3 | None | 5 | None |
| Curve and fit (maker’s words) | Contoured curve | Reaches every lash | All lashes, across eye shapes | Various eye shapes and lash lengths | All eye shapes and sizes |
| Best for | A firm, lasting curl | A year of fresh pads | Make-up bags and touch-ups | Brows and lashes in one kit | A first go with a lash curler |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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