Makeup Brushes & Tools & Eye Reviews

The Shu Uemura Iconic Eyelash Curler remains one of the most quietly transformative tools in a makeup bag — when you get a good one that suits your eye shape. In our testing, its genius lies in the curve: a graceful arc that hugs the lash line, coaxing lashes into a lifted, fanned-out shape that looks like your lashes, but rested and refined. We reached for it on bare-face days as often as with full glam because the effect is brightening without screaming, “I curled my lashes.”

There are trade-offs to this level of precision. The silicone pad is beautifully cushioned but finite, and sourcing authentic replacements is frustrating. Not every unit felt identical in build, and not every eye shape found a perfect match. Still, for those whose lashes and lids click with this design, it becomes a non-negotiable — the tool you panic about misplacing. If you’re willing to treat it as a luxury staple rather than a throwaway gadget, the daily return in open, awake eyes is substantial.

The Shiseido Eyelash Curler is a prestige tool that earns its cult status for many — but not all — lash types. In our hands, it excelled on straight, stubborn lashes and almond or hooded eyes, creating a smooth, lifted curl that genuinely lasted the day with a good mascara. The metal body feels reassuringly solid, and the silicone pad cushions each squeeze in a way that’s noticeably kinder than most drugstore options.

This isn’t a universal fit, though. Rounder or very small eyes may find the wide, flatter curve awkward, and the value proposition will feel thin if your current curler already works beautifully. Where it shines is as a daily, long-term workhorse for those who rely on a curler as much as they do on mascara. If you’ve struggled to get a true, eye-opening curl — especially on straight or Asian lashes — this is one of the few tools we’d genuinely recommend auditioning for your makeup bag, with the clear caveat that technique and eye shape matter as much as the logo.

Kevyn Aucoin The Eyelash Curler is one of those rare tools that actually lives up to its pro‑artist pedigree—for the right lashes. In our testing, it transformed long, straight, or downward‑pointing lashes into lifted fans that stayed curled long past lunch, often even without mascara. The wide opening and flatter arc make it kinder to lids and more inclusive of different eye shapes than the average curler, and the red silicone pad adds both precision and a plush, non‑snagging cushion.

This is not a magic wand; extremely short or ultra‑stubborn lashes may still need mascara, waterproof formulas, or heat to maintain lift. And the lack of replacement pads plus the prestige price are real trade‑offs. But if curling is a non‑negotiable step in your routine and you’re tired of pinching, crimping, or losing lashes, this feels less like another gadget and more like a long‑term beauty ally.