Still, we advise using a proper lash curler if you can (and if you’re in the market for a new one, check out these gentle tools), but in a pinch, these tricks will give you the bend you’re looking for: “If you’re looking for curl, you want a mascara wand that is dense with a lot of bristles,” says makeup artist Jude Andam. “Similar to a round brush for your hair, this mascara brush will grab lashes and gently pull them up as you apply to create a lifted look.” Graylane Beauty’s Curling Mascara and Kosas’ The Big Clean Mascara both fit the bill. Your mascara application can make all the difference, too: “Building a heavy layer of mascara at the base of your lashes can help give them some lift,” says Patinkin. “Go in with a densely bristled applicator and press and lift into the base of your lashes while making a gentle back-and-forth motion. Don’t take too much [product] all the way up to the tips, but do hold your lashes up with the applicator while the base dries, and then repeat once or twice more.” By holding the lashes up as the mascara dries at the base, they should stay lifted. Just don’t pack on pigment at the tips of the lashes, as you can weigh them back down. If that doesn’t work, “Another way to curl your lashes is to take a thickening mascara, lay it on top of the lashes, and twist the wand as you apply in an outward and upward direction,” suggests Dorman. “This will catch your lashes as you twist and pull them up into a curl.” Full disclosure: This trick takes some practice, as you can easily smudge mascara onto your lids the first couple of tries. This probably goes without saying, but make sure you always use a brand-new toothbrush. “I wouldn’t want to put all those germs close to my eyes,” says Patinkin, and we wholeheartedly agree. Essentially, it’s easier to manipulate the hairs when they’re wet, either with mascara or oil. Plus, castor oil is full of fatty acids that effectively moisturize the lash hairs, and keeping eyelashes hydrated helps them stay full and lifted over time—so you’ll achieve immediate and long-term curl. For example, you may have come across a tip to heat a spoon before using the old-school technique we described above, but celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, founder of Blighlighter, says it’s best to avoid the heated trick. “Do yourself a favor and skip over the heated spoon trick (you can burn yourself easily),” she notes. Patinkin agrees: “If you heat a spoon too much, like with a blow dryer, it can actually singe your lids.” Similarly, people might heat a metal makeup brush and wrap their lashes around it (sort of like a makeshift curling iron), which sounds compelling in theory but can easily go awry. “I think getting too much heat too close to the delicate skin on the eyes is pretty risky,” notes Patinkin.
