Are Heated Eyelash Curlers the Secret to Super-Lifted Lashes? (2024)

Grande Cosmetics' top-rated heated curler is all about being safe and efficacious at the same time. It features a grooved safety slot that is designed to protect eyes and skin from direct contact with heat. The curved shape makes sure to reach every lash and it has two heat settings, allowing you to choose which level you are comfortable with.

"It's the best lash lift ever; the ends of my lashes don't get curled so they extend over the eye bone instead of hitting it," says one Ulta reviewer. "I could never achieve this with traditional curlers." Be patient when using — some reviewers felt that it took multiple swipes to see results.

Easy to hold, use and budget-friendly? Yes, really. This pretty pink tool has a curved shape with a flexible silicone pad for comfortable curling. It heats up and works quickly but never gets too hot.

"While it does get warm enough to curl your lashes, it doesn't get hot," says one Walmart reviewer. "I was able to run my finger across the silicone band after it heated up with no problem." While this one was loved by most reviewers, a few said it didn't curl their lashes well.

A top seller on Amazon, this Vyaji heated curler heats up in just five seconds and works its curling magic quickly too, according to reviewers. It features two temperature options, an auto shutoff feature and a comfortable-to-use design.

"I've used different electric lash curlers before and this one seems to be better than the rest," says one Amazon user. "It does not pinch lids which is wonderful." One complaint a reviewer had was that it didn't work well for their big almond-shaped eyes, so it may not be ideal for all eye shapes and sizes.

Easy as 1, 2, 3! This foolproof portable curler has a smart temperature sensor that changes color when it's warm so you know it's ready to go. Just let the tool heat up, place lashes between the silicone pads and gently squeeze.

"It is very easy to hold...it heats up quickly and wow!" says one Amazon reviewer. "The difference it makes on my eye lashes is really noticeable." A few reviewers did comment on the short battery life so you may want to take batteries out in between uses.

Anlan's curler, a Walmart best seller, is compact and customizable, thanks to the two heat setting options. It uses a silicone pad to prevent damage to lashes and has an automatic power-off function after five minutes of non-use. Reviewers say they love it for all types of lashes, but specifically straight, stubborn ones.

"I have very straight, very stiff lashes," shares one Walmart reviewer. "I have used many lash curlers over the years and this is the first one that truly works well." Another comments that "this adds just the right amount of heat to get your eyelashes to curl perfectly but not too much to burn." A few users note that they didn't feel it got sufficiently warm, but our experts note that heat might not be as important a factor with this combo type curler, since you'll theoretically get some added help from the mechanical compression and shaping.

Think of this as your all-in-one eyelash tool set. In addition to a heated curler with three heat settings, it also comes with a lash comb and cleaning brush (just be very careful not to poke your eye with these tools, warn our beauty experts!).

Plus, it works really well on hooded eyes, according to reviewers. "My eye lashes droop down a lot and this kept them up until I washed off my makeup," says one reviewer, while another shares "It’s very easy to use and works with my Asian eyes." One thing to look out for is a few reviewers noted that it only works well with mascara on.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test hundreds of makeup products and beauty tools every year, from mascara to lipsticks to hair dryer brushes and more.

While our experts in the GH Beauty Lab have not yet formally tested heated eyelash curlers, we researched the market to find products from our go-to brands and retailers that are highly reviewed and rated.

Both of our pros shared their top shopping tips to choose the best tool:

✔️ Make sure it has a low heat setting. "Look for one that's lower heat or has multiple temperature settings," says Dr. Brissette.

✔️ Confirm clinical testing. "Check if the brands have been tested clinically under an ophthalmologist's care," says Aral.

✔️ Look for a warranty. "I would only buy those with money-back return warranties," says Aral.

They do work, but you have to decide if using one is worth the risks. "I generally don’t recommend these, as I think it’s safer to curl your lashes with a mechanical curler to avoid any potential risks," says Dr. Brissette.

Aral feels that these tools work better for longer lashes as they "don’t get hot enough to shape shorter lashes," she says. "People with long lashes could perhaps have better luck as the tips of the lashes could be finer and easier to bend."

Heated curlers are sometimes instructed to be used on clean lashes before mascara is applied but Aral finds the ones that can be used with mascara to be the most effective. "The best use I have found for them is after applying mascara to help separate any clumps and then gently curve lashes," says Aral. "The curler gently warms up the waxes and polymers in the formula and then can lock in the shape in the lifted and curled position."

The short answer: yes, but proceed with extreme caution. "Again, there's a rare risk of poking the eye or causing a burn, but you should be extremely careful when using these, especially if you have contact lenses in," says Dr. Brissette. "There is (a small) potential it could damage the lens material on the eye."

Also, check the product's instructions to see if it says anything specific about contact lenses.

Dori Price interviewed two experts for this article and compiled the list of top product picks. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing makeup stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including makeup artists and cosmetic chemists. She is an expert in all makeup product categories including eye, lip and face makeup, tools, professional services and more.

Birnur Aral shared her expertise on heated eyelash curler for the story. In addition to her 15 years of leading clinical and consumer testing in the Beauty Lab, Aral has R&D experience through her seven-year stint at Unilever U.S. She has contributed to content in countless beauty categories ranging from anti-aging products to sunscreen safety. She also has written explainers that tease out the science behind beauty products and debunk misconceptions.