I Tested 4 Ways To Curl Lashes Without A Curler

One of my makeup must-haves is a good eyelash curler. The fact of the matter is my lashes are just too straight, and they need a little help if I want to look more wide-eyed and awake. But because I sometimes forget to bring an eyelash curler when I travel, I needed to know if you can curl eyelashes without an eyelash curler. I mean, I can deal if I forget to bring along mascara, but having curled lashes is a necessity. So if you too occasionally forget to pack your trusty curler when you travel, or have sworn off the things for good (hopefully not because you had some sort of mishap), no worries. It turns out that there are a couple of ways to make your lashes perk up sans curler.

After doing a little research on different eyelash-curling techniques, I put a few of them to the test. And while I'm happy to report that a couple of them did work, there were also a couple that turned out to be more trouble than they're worth. But hey, in a pinch, any of these will do. Here are four different ways to curl your lashes when you don't have a proper curler on hand.

1. With Your Finger

The first tip I tried is to rub your hands together to make them warmer. Then, use a finger to hold your lashes up for 10-20 seconds. Unfortunately, even after a couple of tries, my lashes didn't stay as curled as I would have liked. At least there's a slight difference.

2. With A Mascara Wand

Using a waterproof or curling and lifting mascara formula, coat your lashes, and then press them up at the base with the wand. Hold this for about 10 seconds. Like me, you may be surprised at what a difference this technique makes.

Boots Dramatic Lift Mascara, $10, Target

3. With A Spoon

This method can be dangerous, so proceed with caution if you decide to try it. Heat up a metal spoon by holding it under warm water for a few seconds. (Make sure the water is warm, not hot, and test the spoon on the back of your hand before proceeding to make sure that it is not too hot.) Then, press the convex side up and against your lashes for 10-20 seconds. Perhaps you'll have more luck with this method than I did, but it turned out mostly the same as using a finger.

4. With A Cotton Swab

For me, this was the most successful technique. Start by coating your lashes with a waterproof or curling and lifting mascara formula. Then immediately use the length of a cotton swab (not the actual ends with the cotton) to press your lashes up while they are still wet. Hold this for 10-20 seconds or until your mascara dries. While this method is similar to using a mascara wand, I think that it works slightly better. This is because it allows the mascara to set while your lashes are being pushed up, rather than keeping the mascara wet like the wand would.

Out of all four techniques, the swap will prevent your lashes from drooping the most, and keep your lashes looking like you actually used a curler. Still, I don't think I'll be tossing my actual lash curler anytime soon.

Want more beauty tips? Check out the videos below and subscribe to Bustle on YouTube!

Images: Miki Hayes