Makeup

Asian Makeup: How to Combat Straight Eyelashes

Whether you are Asian, Eastern European, or simply have lashes that refuse to curl — these tips will change your life

by Sharon J. Yi

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Tip 4: Walk it out To avoid the L-Shape, "make sure to walk the curler out" by starting at the base and holding it there for 10 seconds, then a shorter hold in the middle and then at the tip. Here's a step-by-step:

Step 1: Make sure your lashes are clean, which means no eye cream or residue from yesterday's mascara.
Step 2: With your chin up, look down in to the mirror so that you can see your lashes.
Step 3: Start at the base of the lash — you want the curler to be against your cheek. Babaian warns to not "lift the tongs of the curler, because that'll pull out your lashes."
Step 4: Hold it for 10 seconds. Remember to be gentle — don't squeeze.
Step 5: Walk up the curler to the midpoint of your lashes, holding it for a shorter period of time (about five seconds).
Step 6: Do another short squeeze at the tips.

Babaian says, "You must curl in that order, because your base is going to push the lashes up and the squeeze in the center is going to make the lashes curl. The lashes taper finer at the tip, so you hold down on them the least."

Image via Imaxtree

SEE NEXT PAGE: Tip 5: Change curlers frequently

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Maybelline New York Lash Discovery Mini-Brush...

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Older comments

Thank you! My biggest complaint about my eyes is that my eyelashes just will not curl. Definitely trying some of these tips!

by schien Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 11:26AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you so much for this! For years, I thought I was a freak because one eye would crease after curling my eyelashes! It's good to know that this is common with monolids :)

by leprix99 Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 05:11PM Report as inappropriate

FINALLY, I goy my lashes to curl. Yay!

by anna_cookie_hwang Monday, October 15, 2012 at 09:04PM Report as inappropriate

great tips!!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 08:22PM Report as inappropriate

I love my Shu Uemera lash curler. I have two of them and bought my sister one too.

by beautybody Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 10:05AM Report as inappropriate

Yayyy thank you for this!

by pink_love Monday, January 30, 2012 at 07:45AM Report as inappropriate

I've also noticed that a mascara with a drier or 'tubing' formula works wonders with these tips, such that my lashes don't start drooping immediately when I apply because of a wet formula!

by theycallmerainbow Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 01:09AM Report as inappropriate

very helpful I will hae to try those lash curler techniques

by LittleBunny Monday, November 7, 2011 at 12:02PM Report as inappropriate

@modernlili shu uemura eyelash curler is a savior for all thin and short eyelashes out there.. its kind of expensive but totally worth it..

by Mssaralee18 Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 01:47PM Report as inappropriate

I'm asian and I have SO many problems with my eyelashes. These tips really help- I will purchase a Shu Uemura eyelash curler sometime soon.

by liliofthevalley Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 10:10AM Report as inappropriate