How to Curl Your Lashes and Get Them to Stay Curled

What you will need:
1. Eyelash Dryer (originally designed to dry false eyelashes). If you don't have one , a hairdryer with different heat settings will be fine.
2. Your favourite mascara
3. Eyelash curler
4. Metal Eyelash comb
5. Flat base eyeshadow applicator
6. Beeswax-based lip balm

1. Ensure the lashes are clear of any previous lash makeup residue. Make sure lashes are clean and dry.

2. It is normally good practice to apply your eye makeup before curling your lashes.

3. Apply some beeswax-based lip balm to the flat-base eyeshadow applicator.

Gently run the applicator along the pad of the eyelash curler. Remember: do not apply too much. Just a faint (almost invisible) and thin layer. Ensure the lip balm you choose is reasonably 'firm' and 'candle-wax-like' in texture. I tried Vaseline and it ended up looking 'teary' and much harder to work with since my lashes became slippery.

4. Using either a lash dryer or your hairdryer (use at a medium heat); heat your eyelash curler (pad) for a few seconds.

The lash dryer was originally designed to dry fake lashes but I use it to heat the lash curler pad. I liked the compact size and it gave me more control over where I applied the lash dryer.

Remember: Do not heat the curler for more than a few seconds otherwise it will be too hot (and painful!) to place on your lashes.

5. Gently lift your eyebrow with index finger (obviously using the hand that is not holding the eyelash curler!). This will make it easier to grasp your eyelashes with the eyelash curler.

6. Open the eyelash curler as far as you can and insert your lashes through the curler. Make sure your lashes are inserted evenly across the eyelash curler pad. Don't close the curler yet! Make sure that when you close the curler 1/2 way down you can see your lashes starting to (evenly) "fan out" against the top part of the curler. If you close the curler further and you can start to feel pinching, then gently raise your eyebrow with your index finger and try to reinsert the curler between your lashes again. Again, make sure the lashes have 'fanned out' across the entire upper part of the eyelash curler.

7 Hold the curler down and gently press down for a few seconds. Don't press too hard - you don't want to damage or pull out your lashes!

Tip: Make sure your eyelash curler pad gently rests at the base of your eyelids. This step will take some practice, which you will eventually perfect! Try not to ruin your eye shadow in the process!

Tip: I did not find the heated eyelash curler's very effective. I found them very hard to use to effectively control the curl. Sometimes the heat would get uncomfortably high. I found it a lot more effective to just heat the eyelash curler pad. The heat helps the curl hold (think hair-straightening iron - though not as hot!)!

Apply mascara

8. Before applying any mascara, make sure that you wrap the wand in a tissue and press gently. This gets rid of excess product (which makes your application susceptible to lumps!). This step also helps minimize the impact of excess mascara application, should you 'over-apply' the mascara. When applying the mascara, POSITION the mascara wand near the root of the lashes. Apply your mascara starting at the root of the lash and gently working your way outwards, rocking the wand side to side as you make your way towards the ends of your eyelash. This will remove excess product and assist in lash separation and curl definition.

Recommended Product:

MAYBELLINE Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara. Why? This product is clean and easy to apply. There is also minimal clumping. The brush has quite widely spaced spikes, so there is even more control over the curl. One could almost describe it as providing a 'lash conditioner' effect. Incredibly easy to apply!
Tidy with an eyelash comb.

9. Once mascara application is complete, but still wet, comb out any clumps with the eyelash comb to further define your curl and assist in lash separation (especially if you are after an even more dramatic evening look). The TWEEZERMAN Folding iLashcomb helps to get rid of excess lumps and gives you more control over lash separation. You can also use the lash comb to assist you to turn the side lashes out even further (which complements the 'winged' eyeliner look.

Recommended Product:

The TWEEZERMAN Folding Ilash Comb. This product not only effectively separates lashes and removes clumps with its fine tooth combs, but it is also a must-have in our purses since it is so compact and lightweight!

Tip: Although metal eyelash combs are superior to the plastic types; the teeth on the metal eyelash combs can be very sharp. Please proceed carefully and slowly.

TIP: Optional Step (recommended to me by a qualified makeup artist) .

Once you've done all these steps, get the lash dryer (or hair dryer on a low setting) and very briefly 'dry' your eyelashes. WARNING: Make sure the air from the hair dryer is not hot and ensure your eyes are downcast. This SETS your lashes for a very long time but perform this step with caution please!

Now last but not least, if you want to see how your lashes actually look to others; face the mirror, turn your head to the side (left first, then right later on!) and cast your eyes towards the mirror (in a sideways glance), you should be able to see your lashes curled out at the sides if you did it right!

Tip: Don't forget about your lower lashes. We recommend tidying them with an eyelash comb with either minimal or no product applied.

So there you have it. These are the steps I take to ensure my lashes look full, curled and voluminous and what I do to keep them looking like that for as long as I require! I will define the intensity of my lash curl (using these steps) depending on whether I am heading out for the evening or for a less defined and casual look for work.

Because I am a full-time working Mum, I found it easier to combine this eyelash curling process with minimal other makeup for my work day. I found it especially suitable because I am not a huge fan of wearing heavy makeup (foundation, eyeshadow, concealer etc) every single day. Because I know my eyes are looking good, together with lightly applied lipstick and a small amount of colour for my cheeks - it works for me and I really hope it works for you!

It is not necessary to only use the products I have recommended, however these are the products I believe gave me the optimum level of results.

Thanks for your time and love your lashes!