This article was co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo. Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.
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Eyelash curlers can pull out or damage your lashes, so you might be ready for a new way to add some pretty curl. The good news is you don't need a fancy tool to get long-lasting curl that helps your eyes pop. Try curling your eyelashes with a spoon, with mascara or using all-natural aloe-vera gel. No matter what method you use, applying heat helps the curl last longer.
Steps
Curling Eyelashes with a Spoon
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1Grab a clean spoon. Use a regular teaspoon-sized spoon, and not a large one. You want it to fit neatly over your eye, so that the curve of the spoon will match the curve of your eyelid.
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2Run it under hot water. Warming up the metal will create a better curl by transferring heat to your eyelash hairs. It will have a curling iron-like effect on your lashes. Dry the spoon once it's warmed up.Advertisement
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3Hold the spoon against your eyelid. Position it horizontally and rest it gently against your lid. You want the bottom of the spoon to be against your eyelid, with the bowl of the spoon facing out. Align the edge of the spoon with your upper lash line.[1]
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4Press your lashes against the curve of the spoon. Use your finger to press them over the edge of the spoon and into the bowl. Hold them there against the warm metal for thirty seconds.
- Do the same to the lashes on your other eye. You may need to warm up the spoon again before starting.
Tip: Check out the curl you created. If you want a more defined curl, repeat the process for another thirty seconds. You can also use this method to curl your bottom lashes.
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5Apply mascara to set the curl. Using either clear or black mascara will help the curl stay in place for the rest of the day.
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6Carefully comb your lashes while mascara is still wet. Only use an eyelash comb to separate and define your lashes if there is clumping. Don't comb too much, or you'll lose the curl.[2]
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7Finished.
Using a Cotton Swab and Mascara
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1Apply mascara as you would normally. Use one or two coats, depending on your preference. Don't wait until the mascara is dry to continue; it needs to be wet for the curl to hold.[3]
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2Use the plastic part of a cotton swab to push your lashes upward. Hold it horizontally along your lash line and use it to push your lashes into a tight curl. You can also use a cuticle pusher or orange wood stick or another long, thin instrument to curl your lashes upward.
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3Hold the position for at least thirty seconds. During this time your mascara will dry, helping your lashes maintain a curled shape.[4]
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4Pass over your lashes with a hair dryer. Using the warm or low setting, move the dryer gently up and down and be sure to hold the hair dryer at least six inches from your face. Gently heating and drying the mascara will help the curl stay in place longer.
- Don't use the hottest setting on your hair dryer. The hot air could hurt your eyes.
- You can skip this step if you're happy with the curl you achieve without using a hair dryer.
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5Repeat with the lower lashes and your other eye. Be patient as you hold the cotton swab in place. Don't release the lashes until the mascara has fully dried and the curl is set in place.
Using Your Fingers
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1Start without mascara on your eyelashes. Using clean eyelashes to start makes this method less messy.
- Be warned that this method is not very effective and tends not to hold its shape when mascara is applied.
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2Warm your fingers up. You can run them under warm water for a few minutes or just rub them together to heat them up.
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3Push up your eyelashes. Wet your eyelashes with a little water, then take your pointer finger and push your eyelashes up against the top of your eye.[5] Hold the position for at least thirty seconds. Repeat with your lower lashes and your other eye.
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4Apply two coats of mascara to set the curl. Once your lashes are dry, apply your mascara, and use the wand to lift your lashes until the mascara is fully dry. You can even place the wand on the top side of your lashes and twist the spoolie to curl your lashes back further.[6] If you need to comb your lashes, do so gently so you don't lose your curl.
Holding the Curl With Aloe Vera Gel
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1Pump a small blob of aloe vera gel onto your middle finger. Rub your thumb and finger together a bit to distribute the gel and warm it up.
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2Apply the gel to your eyelashes. Hold your thumb under your eyelashes and slowly close your eye over your thumb. Lightly hold your lashes and slide your fingers over them. Repeat a couple of times to make sure the gel is thoroughly applied.
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3Push up your eyelashes to curl them. Place your forefinger horizontally under your eyelashes and push them up against your lid. Hold the position for at least thirty seconds while the aloe vera gel dries. Repeat with the lower lashes and on your other eye.
- The curl will last longer if you gently pass a warm hair dryer over your lashes as you hold them in place. Be sure to use the warm setting, not the hot.
- After the aloe dries, you can apply mascara or leave if off.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs it okay to curl your eyelashes?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYes, as long as you do it carefully with a clean curler that is in good working order. Sometimes old curlers will become misaligned or have loose parts that can pinch or damage lashes.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionWhich eyelash curler is the best?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistI like the Shiseido curler because it's wide and grabs even the tiny lashes. Depending on your eye shape you may prefer a different one.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionCan I apply mascara after applying aloe vera gel?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistYes, but make sure to let the gel dry thoroughly. You will also want to scrape excess mascara off of the brush, leaving a thin coating so that it won't appear clumpy atop the gel.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Warnings
- Always wash your hands before you touch any part of your eyes. Germs can go in and cause an infection.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/curl-eyelashes-without-curler-photos_n_2909467.html
- ↑ http://thebeautydepartment.com/2013/06/diy-lash-curling-with-a-spoon/
- ↑ Alicia D'Angelo. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Alicia D'Angelo. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Alicia D'Angelo. Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
- ↑ Alicia D'Angelo. Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
About This Article
If you want to curl your eyelashes without an eyelash curler, try using a spoon! Hold a regular-sized teaspoon under hot running water until it becomes warm, then dry it off with a clean towel. Hold the spoon against your eye so the bowl of the spoon is against your eyelid and the bottom edge of the spoon lines up with your lashes. Use your finger to press your eyelashes against the curve of the spoon, and hold them there for about 30 seconds. Repeat on the other eye, then apply mascara to set the curl. Keep reading for tips from our cosmetology reviewer on how to use a cotton swab and mascara to curl your lashes!
