Beauty Shoppers Say This $8 Lash Curler Is so Effective, They Can Skip Mascara and Lash Lifts “I would easily compare it to curlers that are double the price.” By Rachel Nussbaum Rachel Nussbaum Instagram Twitter Rachel is a journalist, writer, and editor who specializes in the beauty and wellness industry.She is a beauty expert at Dotdash Meredith, covering the best, safest products the industry has to offer for InStyle, Byrdie, Real Simple, Shape, Health, Travel + Leisure, and more. She is one of the beauty industry's most highly regarded voices on the long-term impact of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics. She has consulted with leading environmental and reproductive epidemiologists, endocrinologists, and dermatologists to form opinions on the chemicals commonly used in beauty products, in order to only recommend products that shoppers can trust.Rachel is currently working on a book about the people and ecosystems affected by the loosely regulated ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics, and her interest in epidemiological research and environmental health informs her beauty writing.She is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on November 3, 2021 Pin Share Tweet Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Photo: Getty Images There are a million and one iconic moments in The Devil Wears Prada, but one of my favorites is the "Are you wearing the Chanel boots?" scene. I love that they casually had Gisele in for the bit part, because her delivery of the following line is inimitable: "The other day we were in the beauty department, and she held up a Shu Uemura eyelash curler and said, 'What is this?'" Their giggles are a testament to the curler's legendary status; its eye-opening effect is so impressive, the $23 tool is known across the globe. Yet according to scores of shoppers, one $8 option is just as good. Brilliant Beauty's eyelash curler rakes in a square 21,700 five-star ratings from Amazon customers, along with over 8,000 reviews speaking to its greatness. Eyelash curlers generally aren't something you want to play around with, thanks to the unpleasant risks of pinched lids and lost lashes — but going by the accounts of those users, Brilliant Beauty's curler nails all the details that make for great lashes and wide-awake-seeming eyes (emphasis on "seeming"). This New Clean Mascara Stayed Put Through 12-Hour Days, Sweaty Evenings, and Even a Nap "I have tried many, MANY eyelash curlers. I'm 42 and have been curling [my lashes] since I was 13," wrote one shopper of the effect on their "completely straight, very thick" lashes. "I am between lash lift perms and wanted something to give me a good, strong curl, and this has been great. I would easily compare it to curlers that are double the price." On that note, a different shopper said that Brilliant Beauty's curler is "1,000 times better" than their last one from Shu Uemura. Courtesy Shop now: $8; amazon.com A few fine-tuned features set the curler apart. It easily sneaks in close to your eyelid, where the "soft, yet firm" pad lifts and curls lashes within seconds, so you're not left pumping your curler for minutes while trying to get a curl to stick. One person who's been curling their lashes for 30 years said it's the first curler they've ever truly liked — helped by the fact that it comes with two replacement pads. "I have extremely straight hair, and consequently extremely straight eyelashes. Like they basically point-downward-, look-half-their-length-, a-little-bit-obstruct my-vision-straight," wrote another fan. "So you can imagine I've been through a lot of curlers. To look at this one, you wouldn't think it was any different from the thousands of other clamp curlers, but it feels completely different to use. It must be something about the arc of the clamp." They, too, emphasized the uniquely efficient pads that the curler comes with, and noted that unlike with other curlers, you can email the seller and they'll send you replacement pads. "I genuinely never post reviews, but this product is life-changing," added a last customer. "If you're considering buying it, just DO IT. My lashes look like I got a lash lift. The curl holds decently all day, unlike other curlers I've tried in the past. Never wearing mascara again." To hear these people tell it, this curler might be the best $8 you'll spend all year. Get one to try for yourself on Amazon. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit