The Good Life: Quest: Eye Candy

Eyelash extensions are so last year

A come-hither set of lashes, in our opinion, has everything to do with subtly playing up your natural assets. So we turned to three local experts for the insider secrets behind buying and using the most important weapon in any solid makeup arsenal: that often under-utilized, sometimes intimidating, but always effective eyelash curler.

EXPERT #1
Liz Jacobs
Cred: One of Urban Outfitters’ go-to makeup artists, Jacobs is rumored to have toured the world with Axl Rose in between her regular gigs with big-name Philly photographers (lizjacobs.com).
Curler of choice: Shu Uemura
Why it’s the It curler among stylists: “It’s wide enough that it doesn’t crimp, and it works on all eye types and shapes. The results last long, and just a little pressure goes a long way.”
When to curl: “I often do it once while I’m prepping the skin, and again right after I’ve applied eye shadow but before I put on the mascara. Don’t do it with mascara on — your lashes can get stuck.”
How to curl: “Start at the base, then move to the middle and end of the lash, pausing for five to 10 seconds at each point.”
Shu Uemura curler in stainless steel, $18 at Sephora, the Plaza at King of Prussia, 610-265-8888, sephora.com; nickel and 24k gold versions available for $30 at shuuemura.com.

EXPERT #2
Nives Riddles
Cred: The in-house makeup artist at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge; Riddles’s clients include national and local magazines as well as brides-to-be and lovely ladies about town (nivesriddles.com).
Curler of choice: Blinc Heated Lash Curler
Why it’s worth five times the price of a drugstore curler — plus the cost of AAA batteries: “It’s safer — there’s no pinching or risk of cutting your lashes. Plus it’s easier to hold, and you get a perfectly oval-shaped curve, instead of that angle you can get with other curlers.”
When to curl: “Before applying mascara, and when the curler’s light goes from red to yellow; that means it’s reached a temperature that’s just warm enough to be effective, but not hot enough to hurt your skin.”
How to curl: “Put your chin up, slide the wand along your lashes as if it’s mascara, and hold for three seconds at the ends of your lashes.”
Blinc Heated Lash Curler, $25 at Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge, 255 South 17th Street, 215-772-2766; rescuerittenhousespa.com; blincinc.com.

EXPERT #3
Marla Malcolm Beck
Cred: The founder and CEO of the Bluemercury chain of spas and salons (bluemercury.com) oversees the cosmetic vision for the whole company.
Curler of choice: Trish McEvoy
Why makeup artists in Bluemercury’s 16 outposts rely on it: “It’s got a great ergonomic design — the handle is comfortable and foolproof to work with. And it makes perfectly shaped curls.”
When to curl: “Right before you put on mascara.”
How to curl: “Use your hair dryer on a low setting to heat the curler; touch the curler to your hand to make sure it’s not too hot. Then start at the base of your lashes and hold for a couple of seconds, and pump it out towards the end of the lashes.”
Trish McEvoy curler, $18 at Bluemercury, locations in Philadelphia, Marlton, Atlantic City, Ardmore and more; see bluemercury.com.