5 Eyelash Curler Mistakes That Could Be Ruining Your Lashes

Plenty of us live and die by our eyelash curlers, which is all well and good—until somebody loses an eye. Okay, so that might be a slight exaggeration, but like all beauty tools that resemble torture devices, curling your lashes does come with some risks. With proper usage and the best eyelash curler tips, a good curler can do a world of good. Just avoid these five critical mistakes to keep your lashes in tip-top shape.

Not cleaning your curler can cause bacteria buildup.
Your lash curler needs to be cleaned regularly for the same reason your brushes need to be cleaned regularly: not only do curlers become caked with mascara over time, making them less effective, but they’re also a breeding ground for bacteria from your eyes and the surrounding areas. Cleaning and disinfecting yours weekly will help prevent the spread of bacteria, and it’ll keep it working better for longer, too.

Too-frequent use can start to wear down on lashes.
Give your lashes a rest from time to time. Crimping and clamping each and every day, even if you’re doing it correctly, can take an inevitable toll on your lashes and result in fallout and a thinned out, less full fringe. You don’t have to ditch the curler altogether, of course, but if curling is a regular part of your beauty repertoire, but giving lashes a chance to do their own thing once in a while is your best bet.

Clamping down too hard or for too long can cause breakage.
Perhaps the biggest mistake you can be making without even knowing it is wielding your curler too aggressively. A good curler won’t need to be clamped down for a long time or with a death grip—a quick pulsing motion with a light hand should suffice. If you’re finding that you need to apply lots of pressure or hold for an extended period of time to get a satisfying curl, it may be time to switch out for a new pad or even a new curler altogether.

A worn-down pad can wreak havoc on your lashes.
Because the curler pad is meant to protect your lashes from the sharp metal edges of the curler, a worn-down pad leaves those edges exposed and your lashes more susceptible to being broken or worse, cut by the metal. Yes, that means you could lose your lashes entirely, which is one of the most heartbreaking beauty tragedies we can imagine. If that doesn’t scare you into replacing your pad regularly, we don’t know what will.

Curling lashes after applying mascara is a major don’t.
Mascara gives your lashes a thicker, tackier finish, so curling lashes while they’re sticky is a recipe for disaster—they’ll stick to the curler, and releasing them will cause some to be pulled out. Always, always curl before you put on mascara, lest you risk losing your lashes.

Read more from Daily Makeover: Genius Mascara Tips That Will Change Your Life