How to Curl Eyelashes Without a Curler: 4 Expert Tips

Perfectly curled eyelashes offer an immediate brightening and awakening effect on the eyes that’s capable of tying together virtually any makeup look.

You might think you need a lash curler or a salon treatment to achieve this lifted, volumised look, but with the right mascara – and a handful of curl-promoting techniques – you can learn how to curl straight lashes without any tools.

Whether you’re crafting a full glam aesthetic or using mascara as the focal point of your natural makeup look, we’re going to guide you through our expert tips on how to curl eyelashes without a curler.

Are eyelash curlers damaging to your lashes?

Eyelash curlers alone are not going to outright damage your eyelashes.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that your eyelashes are fine and delicate, which already makes them prone to mechanical damage from excessive eye-rubbing, harsh cleansing, or eyelash extensions. If you’re reaching for an eyelash curler every day or using the tool incorrectly – after mascara, for example – it can weaken your lashes over time.

We reached out to Lara Srokowski, Beauty Director for Lancôme Australia, for her advice:

“Squeezing or tugging your lashes too hard with an eyelash curler can lead to fallout and breakage. This tends to make lashes brittle or sparse, so it becomes much harder to achieve that curled, volumised lift. Instead, I prefer to rely on a curling mascara to do the heavy lifting for me.”

How to curl eyelashes without a curler: 4 simple strategies

Even without an eyelash curler or the help of a cosmetic lash lift, you can still achieve curled, lifted lashes with high-impact results. The key is prepping your lashes with a nourishing serum, priming for smooth, long-lasting application, and choosing the right mascara formula to get eyelashes to stay curled. A little heat and gentle manipulation doesn’t hurt either!

Read on as we dive into these tips on how to curl your eyelashes without an eyelash curler.

1. Invest in lash serum to promote curl and lift

Curled, fanned-out lashes start with the right care, and a lash serum can help encourage growth, curl, lift, and volume.

Eyelashes are fragile and susceptible to damage, but Lancôme’s Lash Revitalizing Serum is formulated with a Kerasolution Complex to help repair eyelash hair fibres and promote denser, thicker, stronger-looking lashes. This nourishing formula has been tested under ophthalmological control and on sensitive eyes, making it suitable for daily use.

Start with a clean eye area and apply the lash serum along the eyelash line, working from root to tip. Wait one-and-a-half minutes before any eye makeup application.

2. Prime your lashes for lasting curve

Like a primer for your foundation, an eyelash primer will help you achieve lasting results with your mascara. So, give your lashes more length, curve, and volume using the Cils Booster XL Lash Primer. With a white mascara base, this lash primer helps protect your lashes, intensify the colour of your mascara, and ensure application is smooth and clump-free.

Similarly to how you would apply your mascara, work your lash primer from base to tip, moving the brush in a zig-zag motion to promote volume and lash separation – crucial prep for how to keep eyelashes curled for longer.

3. Use a curling mascara

Mastering the method of how to curl eyelashes without curlers ultimately comes down to your choice of mascara. The right formula and uniquely tapered wand will help separate and lift lashes.

Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess has been developed to instantly curl and volumise lashes without weighing them down. This innovative formula is powered by our new fast-setting curl complex and 40° twisted brush with 2x micro reservoirs coats each lash for a curl effect of up to 45%* and up to 800% more volume**.

Apply the Lash Idôle Curl Goddess at the base of your lashes, slowly gliding the brush in a zig-zagging motion. This technique will separate and define each lash to promote a curled, fanned-out effect.

*Instrumental test, 32 subjects, after 30 passages.
**Instrumental test, 28 subjects, after 60 passages.

4. Try the warming technique before applying mascara

Part of learning how to curl your eyelashes without an eyelash curler is to discover how to manipulate the shape and curve of your lashes. A small amount of heat can actually stimulate the lashes into a more curled, upright position.

Some people achieve this heat using a clean, warm, dry spoon. To do this, you can place a teaspoon over the eyelid and use your fingertip to gently press the lashes against the rounded side of the spoon.

However, in the spirit of going tool-free, you can also rub your hands together to generate heat, before using the tip of your clean finger to coax your lashes upward. Then, simply follow with your curling mascara.

Now that you’ve mastered the techniques for how to curl eyelashes without a curler, elevate your artistry with our tutorial on nailing the doll eyes makeup look.