Why You Should Only Curl Your Lashes Before Applying Mascara

July 13, 2022

By: Marisa Petrarca | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

If you love the look of long, voluminous lashes and are willing to work to achieve them, chances are you’ve wondered the following: Do I curl my lashes before or after applying 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 straightforward. Plenty of makeup wearers curl their lashes before applying mascara for lashes that look like falsies, while others swear by curling lashes after swiping on mascara for a stronger hold. So is there a “right” way to do it? To get a definitive answer, we reached out to several beauty pros for their expert opinions.

Do You Curl Eyelashes Before or After Mascara?

You should curl your lashes before you put on mascara, according to beauty influencer Marwah Khamas. “I used to make the mistake of curling them afterward, but that tends to make lashes look clumpy,” she says.

Beyond clumpy lashes, you also run the risk of getting your eyelashes stuck to your curler and causing shedding. Additionally, lashes are more brittle and prone to breakage when coated with dry mascara. Sure, you can work delicately to make sure they don’t come off, but as far as the experts are concerned, curling your lashes before applying mascara is the best move.

“For best results, curl your lashes before and after you apply your eyeshadow,” says makeup artist and lash expert Jillian Jordan. “The first curl will fall slightly 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.”

Holding your lash curler at the base of your lashes and again towards the tips gives them the best curl. Finish with a lifting mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara or the Lancôme Le 8 Hypnôse Mascara. The serum-infused formula conditions and strengthens your lashes as it volumizes.