These were the first eyelash curler I ever purchased. In fact my only one I've ever purchased. My experience with this curler has been enough for me to not re purchase an eyelash curler
The Curler is quite light not made from a heavy material. Bringing this contraption towards your eye is a scary concept! But once you have your lashes between the contraption squeeze the handle together and hope for the best! Pulling away I noticed my lashes indeed had been perfectly curled and looked stunning however I found on the outer side of my lashes they looked like they had gone through a crimper and looked crimped not curled.
My first experience wasn't to bad, however the more I used them I noticed the pining of the skin on my eyelid. Not a fault of the curler but more I had the curler to close to my eyelid so be careful of this. But no matter how often I used the curler I could never get the kink look from the outer eyelashes. They never looked curled like the rest of my eyelashes.
Oh and always, always, always use these before you apply mascara! I in a rush one day forgot to curl my lashes before the mascara and though 'Meh, I'll just curl them anyway' bad, bad, bad idea! See you later eyelashes. I lost a good chunk of the inner of my eyelashes. They just broke off because the mascara had made my lashes brittle.
If these gave me perfect curls everytime I used them I'd give them higher stars. But for me personally I didn't like them too much.
I first tried this eyelash curler at a friends house when I was a young teen and have had one ever since.
I have only tried the manicare brand (think I've had 2 in like 12 years - they last ages) as I find it does what I need it to do, I would be open to try others yet there hasn't been any that have caught my eye.
Its an easy to hold device, similar to that of holding scissors. For a novice it can seem scary at first putting something so close up to your eye but you get use to it. I have found both my curlers to be sturdy and last well, with no defects to them. I remember when I first meet Mr Rosie and he was like 'What the heck are doing to your eye?! was rather funny - boys aye!
I use mine every time prior to mascara application. Never after. I also use it (if I remember) when I go makeup free as you can still get the curled effect, especially if you tint your lashes.
As the tip above states you can walk the curler up your lashes which is what I do and I really love the result. I really think it makes mascara application that much more easier. You don't need to press too firm either, start by pushing down slowly until you see the lashes curl up the curler, if you do it to hard in the wrong place it will end up pulling and curl your lashes in the wrong place.
I guess nowadays there are more lash products on the market (like falsies and more improved mascaras, as well as growth serums) so lash curlers are prob not as much a necessity as they once were but you will always find one in with my makeup stash.
Tips: Start at the lid and 'walk' your way to the tips, and be GENTLE - don't press too hard.