It’s a pain to curl short, straight eyelashes. As much as I long for luscious lashes, I thought it was impossible without putting on extensions. Then I discovered the best heated eyelash curlers. With one of them, I was able to create a long-lasting curve that made my eyes look bigger and brighter.
As I was gushing over my new toy, someone asked me if a heated eyelash curler was bad for my lashes. Well, yes, it could be, just like a curling iron can be bad for hair. If I planned to curl my lashes with it every day, I would use eyelash conditioner to keep them from drying out.
If you’re looking for the best eyelash curler to buy, here are my suggestions. You can see detailed heated eyelash curler reviews below.
| The best heated eyelash curlers | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Panasonic Heated Eyelash Curler Comb EH2351AC |
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| TOUCHBeauty Heated Eyelash Curler TB-1218A Bidirectional 360° |
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| TOUCHBeauty Heated Eyelash Curler TB-2003A |
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| Ardell Heated Eye Lash Curler |
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Why you need a heated eyelash curler
It’s easier to bend things like plastic or metal when they’re hot, right? Think about a curling iron. The heat breaks down the bonds in the hair so that it can curl. Then, the bonds reform to hold the shape. The same thing happens with a heated eyelash curler. It works faster and the results last longer than using a traditional eyelash curler.
If you’re not convinced, you can experiment with a type of DIY heated lash curler.
Put a metal teaspoon in a mug of hot water and have a clean towel handy. Let the spoon sit until it’s warm to the touch – at least a minute. Dry it on the towel and test it against the back of your hand. If it doesn’t burn, use the spoon to shape your lashes and hold it in position for five seconds (1).
You might get longer-lasting results if you apply a thin coat of waterproof mascara first. You can build another layer after curling.
Another trick is to heat your regular eyelash curler with a blow dryer and crimp as usual, starting at the base of the lashes. Please remember to test the temperature on the back of your hand before putting it close to your eyes – eyelids are sensitive!
Now, instead of the hassle of heating up spoons or metal eyelash curlers, what if your eyelash curler was warm and ready to use in seconds? Check out the options below to see how easy it is.
How to choose the best heated eyelash curler
Here is a quick and dirty buying guide for heated eyelash curlers. As you shop, consider these factors:
Clamp versus wand
A clamp curler is similar to the traditional tool with curved metal bars covered by rubber or silicone pads. Those are convenient if you have medium to large eyes and lashes. But if your eyes are small, less curved, or your lashes are short, clamp curlers are challenging to use. Try a wand curler instead – it’s straight or slightly curved and makes it easy to get into corners.
Battery type and strength
A heated eyelash curler is powered by either rechargeable or alkaline batteries. The rechargeable versions usually say how long the charge lasts in minutes. You’ll have to remember to plug in your curler every so often and you’ll need a spare phone charger or USB port for that. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase batteries for the other kind of curler.
Temperature control and safety
Some heated eyelash curlers have multiple temperature settings and that’s convenient if you’re curling both natural lashes and extensions. In any case, it’s better to have a heated eyelash curler that has overheating protection and that turns off automatically after a few minutes.
Portability and size
Will you be using the heated eyelash curler at home or while you’re traveling? These are typically small devices, but some are more portable than others. Once you get the hang of using a wand curler like the one below, you may prefer it because it fits nicely in a makeup bag.
Best Heated Eyelash Curler in 2024
Panasonic Heated Eyelash Curler Comb, Wand-Style – EH2351AC
This wand curler is our top pick because it’s easy to use, effective, and inexpensive. It runs off a single AAA battery and has a washable brush tip.
How do you use it? It functions better if you apply mascara to the lashes first while it’s heating up. Wait for the purple dot on the back to turn pink, then it’s hot enough to use. (When it has a brand-new battery it gets hotter, so please test it before getting it near your eyes).
Press the comb at the base of the lashes and lift them upwards for at least a couple of seconds. Move towards the tip of the lash and repeat, forming a “C” shape. Some of the mascara may melt off onto the tip, but the tip can be removed and washed. (There’s also a little brush in the kit for cleaning the tip). Apply another coat of mascara and your eyes will look amazing throughout the day.
If you wish to straighten eyelashes, place the heated comb on the top of the lashes pressing downward and move it slowly towards the tips. No matter how you use it, it doesn’t crimp lashes or yank them out like a traditional eyelash curler.
Is there a downside? You’ll probably go through at least one battery a month. The typical battery lasts for forty-two minutes or about twenty-one uses. And if you forget to clean the tip, you’ll notice the wand doesn’t do as good a job because not enough heat is getting through the buildup.
Pros:
- Portable, inexpensive, and effective – curls lashes or straightens them in seconds
- Runs off a single AAA battery
- Removable, washable tip
- Works with or without mascara on the lashes
Cons:
- Battery needs to be replaced after about forty-two minutes of use
- Runs hotter with a fresh battery – be careful
- Needs frequent cleaning if you use it with mascara
TOUCHBeauty Heated Eyelash Curler TB-1218A Bidirectional 360°
You know what’s convenient? A 360-degree eyelash curler that does all the work for you. All you have to do is hold it while the rotating tip heats, spins, and curls each lash.
But instead of spending lots on the Japanese imported version of Panasonic’s rotating eyelash curler, check out this copycat from the UK. It’s like the Panasonic EH-SE60, which you can view in a short demo video online.
Here’s how it works: turn on the wand and let it heat for at least 15 to 30 seconds. It reaches 75°C (167 F), so be careful as this can cause burns. On the bright side, the wand has a protective design with overmolding to keep the heated element from touching the skin.
Place the brush tip at the base of the eyelashes. Choose a rotation – forward for curling upper lashes and backward for lower lashes – and hold the slowly spinning tip in place for at least five seconds. The heated bristles brush the lash, separating and lifting the hairs. Move the wand slowly toward the tip, spending five seconds in the middle and five seconds at the end to finish the curl.
The manufacturer recommends using the wand after applying mascara as it makes the curl hold better and last longer. Plus, the tip can be pulled off and washed.
What’s the con? The wand is arrow straight, not curved, which slows down the process. You’ll have to curl lashes in sections to get to the corners. But it comes with a thirty-day money-back guarantee and the battery is rechargeable, so you’re not out much if you decide to give it a try.
By the way, the battery lasts for about ninety minutes per charge. The package comes with a USB micro-A cable but you’ll still need a spare USB port or phone charger to plug it in.
Pros:
- Rotating heated tip curls and separates lashes for dramatic results
- Two-way rotation works on both upper and lower eyelashes
- Heats up in 15 to 30 seconds
- Protective design prevents burns
- Works well with mascara on the lashes
- Removable, washable tip
- Rechargeable battery lasts for up to ninety minutes
- Comes with a thirty-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- The straight tip means having to move the wand repeatedly to follow curves and reach in the corners
TOUCHBeauty Heated Eyelash Curler TB-2003A
If you prefer a traditional eyelash curler with curves that get all the lashes in one go, check out this heated version. Instead of shifting a wand back and forth, you’ll squeeze this curler at the base, in the middle, on the tip and you’re done. It’s just like old times, only hotter.
They say the shape fits every eye, and we found that to be mostly true. The curler runs on two AA batteries and only takes fifteen seconds to preheat. It has a silicone pad that guards against burns, pinching, and crimping. The pad also changes color from red to clear to show you when the curler is hot enough to use.
Moreover, you can use this curler with or without mascara. Of course, with mascara it works faster, which is a decent trade-off even though you have to clean it more often.
The size is also convenient as it’s not oddly shaped like a regular eyelash curler, but somewhat resembles a compact, curvy remote control. It fits neatly in a makeup bag.
What’s the downside? The manufacturer may or may not have replacement silicone pads in stock, which means having to buy a new eyelash curler about every six months, depending on how often you use it.
Pros:
- Functions like a traditional eyelash curler to reach all or most of the lashes in one go
- Color-changing silicone pad indicates when it’s hot enough to use
- Runs on two AA batteries and fits in a makeup bag
- Works with or without mascara
Cons:
- Difficult or impossible to find replacement silicone pads
Ardell Heated Eye Lash Curler
This heated eyelash curler is similar to the one above with one big difference. You’ll have to hold the lever to turn it on and preheat it. There’s no on/off button. The minute you let go of the slider, it turns off. Now, this could be a good thing for those of us who forget to turn off gadgets, but it’s also a hassle when you’re in a hurry.
On the upside, it works like a traditional eyelash curler, which is something we’re all familiar with using. It’s comfortable to hold and doesn’t feel hot on the eyelids. It has a temperature-sensitive pad that changes from colored to clear when it’s hot enough to use.
Start at the base of the lashes and squeeze it shut. Hold it there for a few seconds then move to the middle and the tip. You may have to repeat the process if you’re not satisfied with the curl, but isn’t that like every other eyelash curler you’ve ever used? It’s just that this one needs two AAA batteries to operate.
Pros:
- Color-changing silicone pad indicates when it’s ready to use
- Automatically turns off when the power button is released
- Functions like a traditional eyelash curler
- Compact size, comfortable to hold
- Runs off 2 AAA batteries
Cons:
- If you let go of the power button, the unit turns off
Conclusion
If you aren’t getting the lift and curve you want from a traditional curler, it’s time to try a heated eyelash curler. The heat helps stubborn, straight lashes curl and retain that beautiful shape for longer.
There are different styles of heated lash curlers to choose from, so we hope our reviews helped you pick the perfect one for your needs. If so, we’d love to hear about your experience with it. We invite you to tell us about it in the comments below.
Sources:
1. https://www.wikihow.com/Curl-Your-Eyelashes Co-authored by Cassandra McClure, Makeup Artist, updated August 10, 2021, accessed August 26, 2021
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFTgNLavL7Y manufacturer video of the Panasonic EH-SE60 curler