5 Ways to Naturally Curl Your Lashes Without a Curler

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Lift & curl your lashes with your fingers, a spoon & more

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Fingers

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Spoon

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Mascara

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Cotton Swabs

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Spoolie & Aloe Vera

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

Curling your eyelashes gives you the appearance of longer, fuller lashes as well as brightening your eyes and making you look more awake. If you don’t have an eyelash curler or you simply don’t want to use one, you’re in luck. Simple household products like spoons and cotton swabs, as well as your very own fingers, easily give your lashes a long-lasting curl. Follow along with us as we show you several different ways to safely curl your eyelashes with step-by-step instructions!

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Curling Your Eyelashes with Your Fingers

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With this simple method, your eyelashes tend to hold their shape and curl better when they’re clean and bare rather than coated with mascara.
2
Warm your pointer fingers by blowing on them or rubbing them together. Applying a little heat to your eyelashes helps them maintain their shape throughout the day. Just warm up your fingertips by blowing on them, rubbing them together, or running them under warm water for 1 minute.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Wash your hands before you begin to ensure your fingers are free from germs. Touching your eyes with dirty fingers can irritate your eyes or cause an infection.
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3
Push your eyelashes up and hold them for 30 seconds. Use your pointer finger to lift your eyelashes up at the base of your water line and push them against the top of your eye. Just hold them there for at least 30 seconds. Then, repeat the motions along the inner and outer corners of your eye.^{[2]XExpert SourceAlicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair StylistExpert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- Curl your lower lashes using the same method, too! Simply push your lower lashes down against your lower eyelid.
4
Apply 1 to 2 coats of mascara to set the curl, if desired. Place the mascara wand at the base of your lashes. Then, brush up your lashes, using a slight zig-zag or wiggling motion to coat and curl each lash.^{[3]XExpert SourceAlicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair StylistExpert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- If your eyelashes get stuck together, gently comb them out with an eyelash comb so they don’t fall or lose their shape.
- For an extra volumizing boost, place the wand behind your lashes and twist the brush up to curl your lashes back further.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using a Spoon to Curl Your Eyelashes

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1
Set a clean spoon in warm water for 2-3 minutes to heat it up. Grab a clean, regular-sized dinner spoon and set it inside a cup of warm water. Then, let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes to heat up. Warming up the metal helps create a better eyelash curl, giving your lashes a curling iron-like effect.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Do not use a large spoon, like a serving spoon. The spoon needs to fit neatly over your eye so the curve of the spoon matches the curve of your eyelid.
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot. A very hot spoon can potentially burn your lashes or eyelids.
Wipe off the spoon with a towel so it’s completely dry. Then, hold it horizontally and set the concave side, or side that curves inward, gently against your eyelid. Just align the edge of the spoon so it rests against your upper lash line.^{[5]XResearch source}
3
Press your lashes against the spoon and hold them for 30 seconds. Use your finger to push your eyelashes against the outward curve of the spoon, or the convex side. Simply hold them to the warm metal for 30 seconds. Then, repeat with the lashes along the inner and outer corners of your eye.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Repeat the process with the eyelashes on your other eye. If your spoon gets cool, simply heat it up in warm water.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your eyes.
Tip: If you want a more defined curl, repeat the process for another 30 seconds. Then, use this method to curl your bottom lashes.
4
Apply mascara to set the curl, if desired. Brush up your lashes with your favorite mascara to hold the curl in place for the rest of the day. If you want a more natural look, apply a clear mascara to set the curl.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If your lashes clump together, comb them with an eyelash comb while the mascara is still wet. Just give them a quick brush, as too much combing can lose the curl.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Curling Your Lashes with Mascara

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1
Apply mascara, holding the wand at your eyelash tips for 10 seconds. Brush your eyelashes with your mascara, starting at the base of your lash and zig-zagging the wand up to the tips. When you get to the top of your lashes, curl the wand up and hold it in place for 10 seconds. This gives your eyelashes an extra boost that helps hold the curl.^{[8]XExpert SourceAlicia D'Angelo
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- Apply 1 to 2 coats of mascara depending on the look you’re going for.
- Do not wait to let your mascara dry before moving on to the next step. Your mascara still needs to be wet for the curl to hold.
2
Use a cotton swab’s plastic handle to push your lashes upward. Hold the plastic handle of a cotton swab horizontally along your upper lash line. Then, push it upwards to curl your eyelashes against your eyelid.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Use any long, thin instrument to curl your lashes upward, like a makeup brush handle, cuticle pusher, or chopstick.
- Or, hold your lashes up with the side of your finger.^{[10]XResearch source}
3
Hold your lashes against your eyelid for at least 30 seconds. Continue pushing your eyelashes into a curl with the cotton swab for 30 seconds. This ensures that your mascara dries in the shape of the curl, helping your eyelashes maintain their shape for the entire day.^{[11]XExpert SourceAlicia D'Angelo
Makeup ArtistExpert Interview. 10 April 2020.}
- Repeat the process with the lashes along your inner and outer corners, as well as your lower lashes. Then, move on to your other eye.
4
Set your eyelashes with a hair dryer, if desired. Hold your hair dryer at least 6 inches (15 cm) below your face and turn it on to its lowest setting. Then, aim it upwards to blow your lashes back and set them in their curl. Just move the dryer slowly back and forth so each lash gets heated and dried.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Gently heating and drying the mascara helps the curl stay in place longer.
- Don't use the hottest setting on your hair dryer. The hot air can hurt your eyes and damage your lashes.
- This step is optional, so feel free to skip it if you're happy with your curl!

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Cotton Swabs to Curl Your Lashes

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Take the plastic handle of a cotton swab and hold it horizontally behind your upper eyelashes. Then, grab another cotton swab and press it in front of your lashes, just at the base of your lash line.^{[13]XResearch source}
Use the cotton swab in front of your eyelashes to press them upwards against the cotton swab behind your eyelashes. Then, slightly roll the front cotton swab at the tips of your lashes to curl them.^{[14]XResearch source}
3
Hold your lashes in place for 30 seconds. Continue pressing your eyelashes against the cotton swab behind your lashes for at least 30 seconds. Holding the swabs in place helps your lashes stay curled throughout the day.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Repeat the process to curl the lashes along the inner and outer corners of your eye.
To set your curl, glide 1 to 2 coats of your favorite mascara onto your lashes. Or, go for a natural look and rock your curled lashes without mascara.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Curling Your Lashes with a Spoolie and Aloe Vera

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1
Dip a spoolie in aloe vera gel and wipe off the excess. Grab a clean mascara spoolie brush and coat in a dollop of aloe vera. Then, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe off the excess aloe vera so the spoolie is thinly saturated with the gel.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Or, dip your spoolie in castor oil. Like aloe vera, castor oil helps set and hold your eyelashes’ curl.
- Alternatively, use a clean, unused toothbrush in place of a spoolie.^{[17]XResearch source}
2
Brush your lashes with the spoolie, holding it at the tips for 30 seconds. Work the spoolie through your lashes like a regular mascara wand. Simply start at the base of your lashes and comb the spoolie through them using a zig-zag or wiggling motion. At the tips of your lashes, curl the spoolie upwards and hold it in place for 30 seconds.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Repeat these steps for the lashes on your other eye.
3
Apply aloe vera to your eyelashes with your thumb as an alternative. If you don’t want to use a spoolie, simply pump a small dollop of aloe vera onto your thumb. Hold your thumb at the base of your eyelashes and slowly close your eye to distribute the aloe along your lashes. Then, push your lashes against your eyelid and hold them for 30 seconds to curl them.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Repeat this process along the lashes at the inner and outer corners of your eye.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before applying the aloe vera and touching your eyes.
Applying mascara on top of the aloe vera might cause your mascara to flake, so it’s best to keep your lashes bare with this method. With the spoolie’s curling action and the aloe vera’s ability to hold the curl all day, you likely won’t need mascara anyways!

Expert Q&A

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Question
Is it okay to curl your eyelashes?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
Yes, as long as you do it carefully with a clean curler that is in good working order. Sometimes old curlers will become misaligned or have loose parts that can pinch or damage lashes.
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Question
Which eyelash curler is the best?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
I like the Shiseido curler because it's wide and grabs even the tiny lashes. Depending on your eye shape you may prefer a different one.
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Question
Can I apply mascara after applying aloe vera gel?
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Answer
Yes, but make sure to let the gel dry thoroughly. You will also want to scrape excess mascara off of the brush, leaving a thin coating so that it won't appear clumpy atop the gel.
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Tips

For a more permanent curl, get a professional eyelash lift. Many med spas and salons offer this procedure, where an experienced technician applies serums to lift, curl, and hold your lashes in place. The curl typically lasts for 8 to 12 weeks.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
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Wiggle your mascara wand back and forth to evenly coat and spread your lashes.
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For a cat-eye look, concentrate your curl and mascara application towards the lashes on the outer corner of your eye.
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Warnings

Always wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before you touch any part of your eyes. Germs on your fingers and hands can enter your eye and potentially cause an infection.
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Only apply warm heat onto your lashes to curl them. Avoid heating any tools in the microwave or with a hair dryer as high heat can damage your lashes or burn your skin.
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