You curl your lashes, step back from the mirror, and by the time you have finished your coffee they are pointing straight ahead again. A heated eyelash curler may be the fix.
Heated curlers work like a tiny hair styler: gentle warmth helps lashes take and hold a shape. Here is exactly how to use one, whether it goes before or after mascara, how long to hold it, and how to stay safe.
Start with clean, dry lashes. Switch the curler on at its lowest setting, test the warmth on the back of your hand, then place it at the lash base without touching the eyelid. Press lashes gently upwards and hold for 5–10 seconds, then move towards the tips. Finish with mascara to help set the curl.
- Curl clean, dry lashes first, then apply mascara. Some people re-touch after mascara for extra lift.
- Always start on the lowest heat and test it on your hand. You can turn it up; you can't undo a burn.
- Hold for 5–10 seconds per section and avoid going over the same spot again and again.
- A wand-style heated curler is easier than a clamp for hooded lids, short lashes and inner corners.
- Keep the heated part off your eyelid and eye, and skip it if your eyes are infected or irritated.
What is a heated eyelash curler?
A heated eyelash curler is a small, rechargeable wand with a warm comb or curved head. Instead of clamping lashes between two metal pads, you press and lift them upwards while the warmth helps set the shape. No clamp means no pinching and no sharp crimp halfway along the lash; the trade-off is a few extra seconds per eye and a battery to charge.
How to use a heated eyelash curler, step by step
- Charge it fully. A low battery can mean weaker, uneven heat.
- Start with clean, dry lashes. Remove old mascara and let lashes dry completely.
- Switch on at the lowest setting and wait a few seconds for it to warm up.
- Test the heat on the back of your hand. It should feel warm, never hot. Do this every time.
- Look down into a mirror with your chin slightly up. This exposes the lash roots without pulling the eyelid.
- Place the head at the lash base. Get close to the roots without touching the eyelid skin.
- Lift and hold for 5–10 seconds. Press lashes gently up towards the brow.
- Move towards the tips. Hold briefly at the middle and the ends for a rounded curl rather than a sharp bend.
- Repeat on the other eye, then apply mascara. Mascara helps the curl hold its shape.
Do a dry run with the curler switched off first, so you learn the angle without heat.
Should you use a heated eyelash curler before or after mascara?
This is the question beauty sites disagree on most. L'Oréal Paris and Into The Gloss both curl clean lashes first, while PureWow prefers curling after mascara for a more dramatic hold. Here is how the two approaches compare:
| Curl before mascara | Curl after mascara | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Natural, lifted curl | Can feel more defined and set |
| Clumping | Less risk | Roots can stick together if mascara is wet |
| Cleaning | Head stays clean | Head needs wiping after every use |
| Best for | Everyday makeup, beginners | Evenings, very straight lashes |
Our advice: curl first, apply mascara, then add a light second pass once it dries if you want more lift. The Rechargeable Heated Eyelash Curler with 2 Heat Modes is designed for use before mascara, while the 3-setting heated curler can be used either way.
Technique for straight, short and hooded lashes
| Lash or eye type | What to do | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Straight or downward lashes | Hold a little longer at the roots, then use a waterproof or tubing mascara to set the curl | Only move up a setting after testing it on your hand |
| Short or sparse lashes | Use the tip of the head to lift small sections, especially the inner and outer corners | Short lashes put the heat closer to skin, so go slowly |
| Hooded lids | Chin up, eyes down; work from underneath the lashes in sections | Don't pull the eyelid; let the angle do the work |
| Fine or fragile lashes | Lowest setting only, one pass per section | Daily high heat can leave lashes brittle |
To finish, run a fine stainless steel eyelash comb through slightly wet mascara to separate lashes and lift away clumps. Puffy-looking eyes in the morning? Our ice roller guide pairs well with this step.
Heated eyelash curler vs traditional clamp curler
Both work; the right one depends on your lashes and eye shape.
| Heated wand curler | Traditional clamp curler | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Warmth plus gentle upward pressure | Squeezes lashes between two pads |
| Pinching | No clamp, so no pinching | Can pinch eyelid skin if positioned badly |
| Curl shape | Softer, rounded curl | Can create a sharp "L" crimp |
| Hold | Warmth usually helps the curl last longer | Straight lashes may drop quickly |
| Eye shapes | Fits hooded, deep-set and small eyes | Fixed curve may not fit every eye shape |
| Speed and power | Warm-up time; needs charging | Instant; no power needed |
| Main risk | Heat close to the skin | Pinching and lash breakage from tugging |
Do heated eyelash curlers damage lashes?
Used on a low setting, with short holds, a heated curler is generally gentle. Damage tends to come from too much heat, too often. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that too much heat around the eye can be dangerous, advises starting with the lowest temperature possible, and says not to go over the same area repeatedly because it can cause heat damage.
Crispy, frizzy-tipped lashes are a sign to turn the heat down and curl less often.
- Test the heat on the back of your hand before every use.
- Keep the heated part off your eyelid, lash line skin and eye.
- Don't use it if your eyes or eyelids are infected, irritated, broken or sunburnt.
- Stop if it stings, and see a pharmacist, optician or GP if irritation persists.
If you have an eye infection, wait until it has fully cleared. The NHS advises not wearing contact lenses while you have conjunctivitis, and not using eye makeup, especially mascara and eyeliner, while you have symptoms of blepharitis. The AAO also suggests throwing away eye makeup used during an infection.
Lash extensions, lash lifts and contact lenses
Can you use a heated curler on lash extensions?
We don't recommend it. Our 2-mode heated curler is designed for natural lashes only, and heat near the bond can affect how extensions sit, so ask your lash technician first. A 2019 review in Medical Hypothesis, Discovery and Innovation in Ophthalmology found allergic reactions were the most commonly reported extension complication, so get advice if your lids feel itchy or swollen.
What about after a lash lift?
A lift already sets a curl, so you usually won't need a curler. Follow your technician's aftercare, which typically asks you to keep lashes away from heat and moisture for the first day or two.
Can you use a heated eyelash curler with contact lenses?
Yes, as long as your eyes feel comfortable and the curler stays on your lashes. Many lens wearers put lenses in before eye makeup. If your eyes feel dry, gritty or sore, skip curling that day.
Which BeautyEssence heated curler suits you?
We stock two heated curlers. Here is an honest side-by-side from each product's specification:
| Rechargeable, 2 Heat Modes | 3 Temperature Settings | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £24.95 | £19.95 |
| Heat settings | 2 (lower for soft lashes, higher for stubborn lashes) | 3 (low, medium, high) |
| Charging | Type-C / USB, cable included | USB, about 2 hours; 280mAh battery |
| Auto-off | Not stated | After 10 minutes |
| Skin guard | Heated head designed for less squeezing | Isolated guide groove to help keep heat off skin |
| Mascara | Use before mascara | Before or after mascara |
| Colours | White, Pink, Purple | Black, White |
| Best for | A simple two-mode routine and a choice of colours | Fine-tuning heat, auto-off peace of mind and a lower price |
In short: for the most temperature control, the 3-setting model gives you an extra step and costs less. For a simple two-mode tool in a softer colour, choose the 2-mode curler. Both are for natural lashes and both should start on their lowest setting.
Heated Eyelash Curler with 3 Temperature Settings
A slim, USB-rechargeable wand with low, medium and high settings, an isolated guide groove and 10-minute auto-off. Use it on clean lashes or after mascara.
£19.95 · Free UK standard delivery
Shop the 3-setting curler
Heated Eyelash Curler – Rechargeable with 2 Heat Modes
A mini handheld curler with two heat modes and Type-C charging that lifts natural lashes, ready for mascara. In white, pink or purple.
£24.95 · Free UK standard delivery
Shop the 2-mode curlerBeauty tools come with a 14-day trial. Pair your curler with an eyelash comb or slanted tweezers and save 10% on any 2 items, or 15% on 3 or more, applied automatically in your bag.
How to clean and store a heated eyelash curler
- Let it cool, then wipe the head with a dry cloth after each use.
- Keep it dry. Neither of our curlers is stated as water-resistant, so never rinse or submerge them.
- Don't share it. The AAO advises never sharing eye makeup, and the same hygiene logic applies to lash tools.
- Store it protected in a makeup bag. A travel makeup bag with an LED mirror keeps tools together and gives you good light for curling away from home.
More lash and brow tools
Finish the look with the rest of our lash and brow tools:
Separates lashes and reduces the look of clumps. £11.99.
An angled tip for stray brow hairs. £6.95.
Quick, precise brow tidying. £12.99.
Three light settings and adjustable dividers. £49.95.
Not sure which tool fits your routine? Our BeautyEssence product guide matches each goal to the product we recommend, or browse all beauty tools and devices.
More beauty-tool guides
- Do LED face masks work? What to expect at home
- How to use a gua sha and face roller
- Ice roller benefits for puffy-looking mornings
- The facial cleansing brush guide
Frequently asked questions
How do you use a heated eyelash curler?
On clean, dry lashes, start on the lowest setting and test the warmth on your hand. Place the head at the lash base without touching the eyelid, lift and hold for 5–10 seconds, move towards the tips, then apply mascara.
Do you use a heated eyelash curler before or after mascara?
Most people curl clean lashes first, then apply mascara to set the curl, with an optional light pass once it dries. Some curlers are designed for use before mascara only, so check the instructions.
How long should you hold a heated eyelash curler?
About 5–10 seconds per section. Avoid going over the same spot repeatedly, as repeated heat can dry lashes out.
Are heated eyelash curlers better than regular ones?
They don't pinch, suit hooded and deep-set eyes, and warmth usually helps the curl last longer. A clamp curler is faster and needs no charging.
Can heated eyelash curlers burn your eyelids?
They can if the heated part touches skin or the setting is too high. Always test on your hand, start low and keep the head on your lashes only.
Can I use a heated curler on lash extensions?
We don't recommend it without your lash technician's approval. Our 2-mode curler is designed for natural lashes only.
Lift lashes without the pinch
Fine-tuned heat or simple two-mode use: pick your curler. Free tracked UK delivery on every order, plus a 14-day trial on beauty tools.
Find your heated curlerBuilding a full routine? Read our morning skincare routine order and night skincare routine guides, including how to remove eye makeup properly.
Sources and further reading
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: Eye makeup safety (including heated eyelash curlers)
- NHS: Conjunctivitis
- NHS: Blepharitis
- Masud M, Moshirfar M et al. Eyelid Cosmetic Enhancements and Their Associated Ocular Adverse Effects. Medical Hypothesis, Discovery and Innovation in Ophthalmology, 2019
- L'Oréal Paris: How to use a heated eyelash curler
- Into The Gloss: Heated eyelash curler trick
- PureWow: Heated eyelash curlers
This guide is for general beauty information and is not medical advice. Follow your curler's instructions, keep heated tools away from the eye and eyelid, and speak to a pharmacist, optician or GP about eye infections, irritation or changes in your vision. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or an implanted electronic device, check with your GP first.
