This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.?
While some are blessed with naturally long, curled lashes, most of us need some help in that department. That’s why eyelash curlers — the metal contraptions that look far more intimidating than they actually are — have become a makeup bag staple. They help lift and curl the lashes, giving them a more wide-eyed and awake effect.
Among the best eyelash curlers out there, Shu Uemura’s is considered one of the ultimate tools, loved by professionals, celebrities and yours truly. The Japanese eyelash curler famously made a cameo in “The Devil Wears Prada” and has been in the canon of cult-favorite beauty products for decades.
It’s clear that not all eyelash curlers are created equal. While the tool is relatively easy to use, there are a number of variables that can go wrong: pinching, pulling, bending the lashes too much, not curling them enough or even ripping the lashes out (the horror!). Your eye shape and natural eyelash curl and thickness can also affect the outcome.
That’s why Shu Uemura’s product has reigned supreme: It has a universal fit that works for most eye shapes and eyelash types, adding an enhanced curl without damaging the lashes.
But when I stumbled across Ulta’s Japanese Eyelash Curler in the store earlier this year, it piqued my interest. I noticed that it had similar features to the Shu Uemura curler — and is 30% cheaper — so I took it home and have been comparing the two for several months. Testing them side by side, I found out if the name-brand curler still lives up to its holy grail status and if the budget-friendly option is indeed a worthy alternative.
A long-standing favorite beauty tool, the Shu Uemura eyelash curler gives a natural-looking swoop to the lashes without any kinks or pinching.
This eyelash curler has a comfortable fit along the lash line, perfect for giving the lashes a natural-looking lift.
Both deliver precise curling that doesn’t pinch
While eyelash curlers range in price from less than $10 to more than $30, the biggest difference in the models is the practical design features that make options like Shu Uemura’s and Ulta’s curlers highly effective. Because both models feature a wider, shallow curve, they fit closely to the lash line of a variety of eye shapes and work especially well for those with smaller eyes. When a lash curler has a smaller angle (essentially, a more curved fit), that’s when you can run into pinching the eyelid in the corners of the eyes. I’ve never experienced pinching with the Shu Uemura or Ulta Japanese eyelash curlers on my almond-shaped eyes, which is just one of the reasons I continue to reach for them.
Another big benefit that goes along with the comfortable fit is the curling ability of these two tools. Because both fit closely to the lash line, you’re able to get a pretty curl without overdoing the pressure or excessively pumping the curlers. This in turn means less damage overall or risk of pulling the lashes out.
Whether I’m using the Shu Uemura curler or the one from Ulta, the method I use is the same. Once I’ve lined up the curler with my lash line, holding it vertical, I simply press the curler for a few seconds, and voila, curled lashes that are ready for mascara. I don’t have to change the angle of either tool to increase the curl or press the lashes multiple times. While it’s a small thing, this precision really makes the whole user experience and takes any fussiness out of curling my thin, straight lashes.
Ulta’s Japanese Eyelash Curler has one major difference
Yes, when looking at the two curlers, they have a nearly identical profile, but there’s one aspect that makes Ulta’s tool a bit more user-friendly. The “jaws” of Ulta’s Japanese Eyelash Curler (the part that opens and closes around the lashes) opens nearly twice as wide as the Shu Uemura curler. This makes it easier to place your lashes in the curler, and I feel like it gives the user more control. Because of this, I find the Ulta eyelash curler to be more beginner-friendly as well.
Bottom line
The Shu Uemura eyelash curler has well-deserved clout in the beauty world, thanks to its innovative, pinch-free design that can perfectly curl lashes every time. No longer found on the shelves of your favorite beauty store, however, Shu Uemura’s curler can require some patience to get your hands on it. You can order it online via Shu Uemura’s website or other retailers that ship verified Asian beauty products to the US, like Stylevana or YesStyle, but the shipping times can take weeks since it’s coming internationally.
If you’re in need of a new curler stat or just want to save a few bucks on an alternative, Ulta’s Japanese Eyelash Curler is worth a try. It’s available on Ulta’s website and in store, so it’s readily available in the US. Plus, it expertly curls the lashes just as well as the celeb-loved tool, making it a true doppelg?nger for the original. I’ve had both for several months and honestly find myself reaching for Ulta’s version the most.
