How to Curl False Lashes and Your Natural Lashes Together

Let's be honest about the moment: you've got the mascara on, you're pressing that lash curler, and instead of a perfect upward swoop, your lashes go straight, then droop. You try again, pinch harder, and end up with that weird right-angle bend. I've been there. And the real question is not how hard you clamp, but whether you're curling the false lash and your natural lash as a unit — or fighting them against each other. The answer? Yes, you can curl them together. But only if you do it in the right order, at the right time, with the right tools.

THE RIGHT WAY TO CURL FALSE AND NATURAL LASHES TOGETHER

Put your falsies on first. Full stop. The strip lash needs to be on your lash line before the curler touches anything. If you curl your natural lashes first, the false lash will lie on top of a curved base, then flop back down over it. That's why so many people think curling falsies doesn't work. It doesn't — when you do it backwards.

1. Warm your curler with your body heat. Stick it in your bra, under your thigh, or in your armpit for 30 seconds. Cold metal kinks instead of curls. Warmth helps the strip mold to the curve of your lash line.
2. Close the curler around the whole set — false and natural together — as close to the base as you can without grabbing skin. Hold for 10 seconds. Not a quick pump. A long, steady press.
3. Release slowly, then gently run your finger under the lash to lift and set the curl. If you still feel resistance, wait 30 seconds and repeat. Heat plus time, not force, is the secret.
4. If you wear a dramatic wispy strip, curl in sections: inner, middle, outer. That keeps the band flat while the ends get the lift.

WHY YOUR LASHES WON'T HOLD THE CURL (AND HOW TO FIX IT)

• Wet mascara. You can't curl wet lashes. They'll dry in the shape you pushed them into, which is usually a flat line. Curl first, then mascara, and only a waterproof mascara when humidity is a factor.
• The wrong curler shape. Straight edges vs curved edges? If your eye is rounder than your curler, you're only grabbing the middle lashes. Look for a curler with a curved edge that matches your eye shape.
• The band is too thick. A thick, stiff strip lash won't mold to your eye. It stays straight, so it fights your natural curl. When you shop, pinch the band. If it springs back fast, it's not curving.
• Using old, hard adhesive. If your lash glue is dry or tacky, it locks the lash in the wrong position. Re-apply fresh adhesive or use a thin layer and let it get slightly tacky before placing.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN LASHES THAT CURL WITH YOU

Not every material curls the same. Here's what I tell readers who are tired of wrestling with their falsies:

So when you're picking a false lash, the band is everything. You want a lash that's light enough to forget, curved enough to follow your eye, and strong enough to hold the curl without clamping.

That's exactly why I switched to PHANSTA LASHES for my own daily sets. They're made with a flexible, featherlight band that mimics your natural lash line — and the first time I curled them together, I nearly stopped breathing. No kinks, no droop, no re-pinching. Just your real lash plus the lash you want, sweeping upward like they always intended to.

Shop PHANSTA LASHES and feel the curl

CAN I CURL FALSE LASHES WITH A REGULAR EYELASH CURLER?

Yes, if the lash band is flexible enough. A thin nylon or cotton band will mold to the curler. Thick plastic bands won't.

SHOULD I CURL BEFORE OR AFTER APPLYING MASCARA?

Always curl before mascara. Mascara locks in the curl, but if you curl after applying, you'll break the lashes and make them clump.

DO I NEED TO WARM THE CURLER?

Yes, a little warmth works better than cold metal. It's the heat that shapes the band.

HOW OFTEN CAN I CURL FALSE LASHES?

If the band is high quality, you can curl them daily without damage. If you see the lash losing its shape after multiple curls, it's time for a new pair.

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