Beauty Q&A: Should I Curl My Lashes Before or After Applying Mascara?

If you love the look of voluminous lashes and are willing to work with great finesse to achieve them, chances are you’ve wondered the following: Do I curl my lashes before or afterapplying mascara?

For starters, you should know you’re one of many who have struggled with this same exact question (us included!), but in everyone’s defense, the answer isn’t entirely straightforward. Plenty of makeup wearers curl their lashes before applying mascara for clump-free, defined lashes while others swear by curling lashes after for a strong hold. So is there a “right” way to apply mascara? To get a definitive answer once and for all, we reached out to Lancôme’s talented team of beauty advisors individually for their expert opinion.

The When-to-Curl-Lashes Verdict

All four of our trusty Lancôme beauty advisors gave us the same exact answer. Marwah Khamas summed up everyone’s advice: “You should curl your lashes before you put on mascara. I used to make the mistake of curling them afterward, but that tends to make lashes look clumpy.”

But besides just clumpy lashes, you also run the risk of getting your eyelashes stuck to your curler and ripping them off like something straight out of a horror film. They’re also more brittle — and prone to breakage — while coated with dry mascara. Sure, you can work delicately to make sure this doesn’t happen, but as far as the experts are concerned, curling your lashes before applying mascara is the best move.

At What Point In Your Makeup Routine Should You Curl Your Lashes?

So you’ve completed the smoky eyeshadow look that took you nearly two hours, but you’re afraid to curl your lashes in fear you’ll damage your creation. But Lancôme makeup expert Jillian Jordan doesn’t see this as a fear you should have. She explains: “For best results, curl your lashes before and after you apply your eyeshadow. The curl will slightly fall after you complete your eyeshadow and liner look, so the second curl will just give your lashes a little pick me up before you apply your mascara.”

Quick Tips to Perfect Your Look

“Holding your lash curler at the base of your lashes and again towards the tips gives them the best curled effect. Finishing them with lifting and curling mascara like Lancôme Grandiose Mascara will really help lock in curl all day,” explains Olivia Thompson.

“For the best curl, I use the lash curler throughout the lashes,” says Stefanie Lee. “The base, middle and tips of the lashes. Repeat three times to get that hold.”

For visual inspiration about how to make your lashes look as voluminous as every using an eyelash curler, check out the below video from vlogger Zoe Louise.

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