I got these two curlers during the Sephora VIB sale last month because I needed to replace my ancient, much-loved Shu Uemura curler.
Yup, my little trooper finally broke (RIP). 🙁
I’d heard that they’re similar to Shu’s curler and read some rave reviews, and so, in typical Karen fashion, since I couldn’t decide between them…I grabbed both.
They’re similarly shaped and flatter than many lash curlers (like the ones by Tarte, Urban Decay and MAC), and I like this shape a lot because it fits my eyes better than most.
The Troy Surratt Relevée Lash Curler (which is $30) is just a teensy bit wider than the Shiseido one (which is $20), and when I place my lashes into it (the Surratt one) and press down, there’s no pinching at all, whereas I feel a little bit of pinching on my outer lashes with the Shiseido curler if I hit them at certain angles or get too close to the lash base.
With the Troy Surratt curler, I can really get up in there.
I also like the lash look I get with the Surratt curler a bit more. The curl is more pronounced, and I just think it looks more natural and better.
The Shiseido one definitely has its advantages, though. It costs $10 less and comes with an extra silicone pad. I mean, I like the curl (although it’s more of a crimp) I get when I use it, and I think it’s pretty.
Oh! — also, because the Surratt is wider, I can easily fit false lashes into it (on those rare occasions when I wear falsies and want them to curl with my natural lashes).
Honestly, though, I don’t think you’d go really wrong with either one. Both are solid choices. It mostly depends on whether you want the extra width.
In order, I like the…
- Troy Surratt Beauty Relevée Lash Curler
- Shu Uemura Lash Curler
- Shiseido Eyelash Curler
- MAC Full Lash Curler
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jane says
I just bought the Shiseido lash curler the other day. I hadn’t curled my lashes for soo long because I lost my curler. I don’t have much in the lash department and find that there is a bit of pinch, especially on my left eye. Overall, I like the curl and I can see the difference when the lashes are curled. I also like that it cam with an extra pad. i got it for 15% off as well, so it was a great deal.
Karen says
Hi Jane,
One of these days you’ll have to try the Surratt curler. There’s absolutely no pinching at all! But yeah, the Shiseido one’s pretty great considering the extra pad (and the fact that you got it on sale!).
You know what I want to try eventually? A keratin lash lift, which is essentially a perm for your lashes.
Christina says
Perfect timing! I’m about ready to purchase a new shiseido curler, but maybe I’ll check out the Surratt instead if it’s a bit wider and produces a softer curl. I do get that slightly crimped look with my Shiseido as well, and while I don’t mind, I would prefer it to be just a tad more naturally curled.
There’s also this cheapo Japanese drugstore one I’m going to try out. When I get it, I’ll let you know how it compares to both!
Eleni says
Thanks for this post. I was actually after an eyelash curler about a fortnight ago and was recommended the Shiseido one. I actually had Shu Uemura’s one for a good 4 years and hated it (!), because it would get both my lower and upper lashes together … It would wouldn’t hold the curl either. I switched to Shiseido and I’m loving it!
LindaLibraLoca says
I have tired neither, but after a few years of using drugstore ones I bought the Japonesque one two years ago and it really makes a difference! I don’t curl my lashes every day, but I think it is worth investing.
LK says
When I saw your title, I was really wondering what you’d think abut the Shiseido one. That’s the first one I ever bought for myself, having heard many good things about it. To my huge disappointment, I only later figured out that curlers they can vary quite a lot in terms of curvature… And the Shiseido is too open / flat for me, as it turns out. So now it’s just sitting around in a drawer. :/
Since then bought a different one (can you guess which brand? haha, probably, by now: Chanel; I’m such a broken record). And the Chanel is way more curvy, so it finally works perfectly for me.
Erin says
Sounds like I need the Surratt one, my Shu pinches hardcore.
Joyce says
Ooh! I have the shiseido one and it works much better for me because it is flatter…but if you say the Surratt one is even more so, then I may give it a go when it’s on sale in the fall because the shiseido one does pinch me sometimes too! But if they don’t come with a replacement pad (and i don’t see replacements being sold separately on sephora), what pad would you replace it with when you need to replace it?
Tatiana says
Thanks for this post. My Shiseido lash curler is on it’s last legs, so I asked Dear Husband to pick one up for me while he’s in Tokyo because it’s only 1,000 Japanese Yen (about $9.00US) there and he’s picking up some other stuff for me, too.
The Shiseido curler fits my eyes better than the Shu Uemura one. Wondering how well the Surratt one would work for my eyes. I find that no matter what lash curler I use, I end up with a crimp instead of a curl. My technique? Or my lashes?
Rhia says
I’ve had my Shu Uemura curler for years and was given the Shiseido one as a birthday present. Heard good things about the Surratt, so just might get that too. Not that I need another lash curler, but I like alternating between the 2 I currently have.
Mélanie Mercier says
I LOVED my Shu Uemura curler, but when it died I figured maybe I could try something different… I tried the Sonia Kashuk one from Target, and it comes pretty darn close to my fave! And it’s 9$!
I might splurge and get that Surratt one if you say it’s that awesome though…
RR says
Hmm… I got opposite results. I’ve used and loved the Shiseido curler for years. When it became time to replace it, it just happened to be VIB sale time, so I decided to try out the Surrat one instead. For some reason, my lashes wouldn’t take a curl with the Surrat curler at all… I’d squeeze and hold forever, but when I released it… nothing. So I ended up returning it and getting a new Shiseido. I tried the Shu one years ago and liked the Shiseido one better than that one too. Guess it all comes down to eye shape and lash type, I suppose, but the Shiseido curler is the one for me.