Some makeup looks never go out of style—and that certainly includes the eye-opening look of fully curled eyelashes. These can make your eyes look bigger and your complexion fresher, even when you are feeling less than alert. Not everyone’s lashes hold curl naturally, but there are a few ways to help your eyes look more awake. 

Can I Train My Eyelashes To Curl Naturally?

Before diving into the question of lash training and curling techniques, it’s important to understand the anatomy of our lashes and their function. Your hair's appearance depends on the shape of the hair follicle, which is determined by genetics. An oval follicle produces curly hair, while a round follicle produces straight hair. They may be an integral part of your appearance but they also serve an important purpose: they prevent airborne objects from getting into your eye. 

Like the rest of the hair, your eyelashes grow in cycles. Not every eyelash will be in the same cycle at the same time. This is a good thing, as you wouldn’t want all of your lashes to grow and fall out simultaneously.

The growth, or anagen, phase is when your lashes are actively growing and can last up to 30 days. After this growth spurt, your lashes enter a dormant period called the telogen phase, which can last up to 100 days. Once this is done, your lashes loosen from their follicle and fall out, and are then replaced by a new lash entering the anagen phase. 

Like the rest of your hair, you don’t have any control over how your lashes grow, but you can help encourage them to curl naturally with a few tips and tricks.

Prep Your Lashes

Start with a clean canvas before applying anything to your lashes. Use a gentle cleanser, like our Cleansing Stick, to remove any buildup or debris from your eyelashes. You’ll want to lightly pat your face dry with a soft towel, making sure not to rub your eyes but still applying enough pressure to fully remove any residue—makeup, cleanser, or otherwise.

Like your hair, your eyelashes can get tangled. Use a spoolie brush, like the one found as one half of our Eyebrow Brush, to gently comb and separate your lashes. 

Keep a lookout for any daily behaviors that can damage your lashes. Avoid rubbing your eyes, pulling on your lashes, or using harsh cleansers when removing eye makeup. When you care for your eyelashes, they’ll give you a bright, fresh-faced appearance in return. 

Use an Eyelash Curler

When used with mascara, an eyelash curler is a simple tool to boost natural curl. While some may reach for their curler after applying mascara, we recommend curling your lashes first. Otherwise, the curler may stick to the freshly applied coat of mascara, unintentionally removing lashes or causing them to clump together. 

If you’re using a metal curler, a little warmth can help set your lashes even more. Blast a hair dryer on the curler for a few seconds—check the temperature to make sure it isn’t hot, just warm—and continue with curling. Place the curler as close to the base of your lashes as possible. Gently squeeze the curler closed, hold it in place for a few seconds, and release, taking care not to pull. If you want a more powerful look, move the curler up your lashes, carefully squeezing and holding it until you reach the top. Repeat as you like. 

Apply the Right Mascara

An easy way to achieve naturally curled lashes is to use a mascara specially formulated to enhance curl and volume. 

Our ultra-inky Mascara will give you length, volume, and definition, as well as a dose of vitamin E, which helps support hair growth. The curved wand allows you to reach the shorter lashes in the inner corner of your eye while lengthening your longer outer lashes. Achieve a no-makeup look by swiping on the color once, or go bold by layering on additional coats. 

Hold the wand at the base of your lashes and gently wiggle it back and forth as you move up toward the tips. This will help to curl your lashes and give them a natural lift. If you apply more than one coat, wait 10 to 15 seconds between coats to allow your mascara to dry and set. To leave even more impact, read up on additional techniques about how to give your eyes expert lift.

Look at the Ingredients

At Jones Road Beauty, we use clean ingredients and see the value in their effectiveness. You can also use natural products to enhance your natural lashes. 

Coconut oil is popular as it is ultra-moisturizing and has been found to combat protein loss in hair. When applied to your lashes, coconut oil may help your lashes look thicker and stay put for longer after they have finished growing. Coconut oil also contains fatty acids, like lauric acid, which helps it more easily be absorbed into the hair follicle. 

You can use coconut oil on both your top and bottom lash lines with your fingers or a wand. Just let it sit for a half-hour, and then wipe gently off with a washcloth or cotton pad. And if you get any coconut oil on your skin, you can use a cotton swab or pad to remove it. 

The Bottom Line

No matter what trends come and go, bright, open eyes will always be a coveted look in any makeup routine. Luckily this doesn’t require much time or many products as long as you focus on nourishing your lashes with the right ingredients and techniques to promote lash health and growth.