Shu Uemura's lash curler has a serious cult following with its unique shape and patented hinge, and it's a top pick among professionals.
There is a scene in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" where Gisele Büdchen, playing a snobby fashion editor, berates the main character for not knowing what the Shu Uemura eyelash curler is. That's some pretty incredible praise for a beauty tool that plenty of folks don't have in their makeup kits. But Shu's gorgeous silver curler more than deserves the cult-following — and the mention in a Meryl Streep movie.
Shu's lash curler is a winner for a bunch of reasons. The first is its shape. Instead of a typical U-curve, this lash curler has a more mushroom curve to it. That means you get a closer hug against your lids than other curlers might provide, which lessens the chances of pinching and pulling — especially for those with smaller, rounder eyes. Shu's mushroom shape also holds your lashes in place as you curl, ensuring no wayward lashes accidentally get snagged in the metal. Ouch.
But the best part about Shu's curler is something you might not even notice because it's more technical than aesthetic. This curler has a patented hinge that actually works to ensure you can't press too hard mid-pulse. It's like a mini failsafe. No matter how hard you press, that hinge is going to make sure the pressure is evenly distributed, which cuts down on your chances of pinching.
Because of all of this, Shu's curler regularly winds up in the kits of makeup artists, beauty editors, and cosmetics pros across the country. One editor from InStyle has been using this guy for years, claiming that "one or two pumps followed by a coat of mascara kept the curl in place until I washed my face at the end of the day." Buyers agree, too, with one Amazon reviewer raving that "the reviews are NOT wrong. This little gem is amazing."
One little snag, though — Shu Uemura has discontinued refills on the silicone pad. And even though this curler's pad is a bit more resilient than others, it does need to be replaced every six months or so, which means you might need to buy a completely new curler. But since the price is right on this tool, that won't hurt all that much.
Pros: Patented hinge that distributes pressure, meaning you get gorgeously fanned-out lashes every time.
Cons: No refills available on the silicone pads
Buy the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler on Amazon for $18.50 (originally $16.91)