I first discovered the eyelash curling tool when I asked a family member how she got her eyelashes so spread out and curled upwards thinking that she'd just recommend a mascara but instead she showed me a silver painful looking contraption, she showed me how to use it at the same time so I thought I'd try it myself as I did envy her lashes! I spotted the Shy Uemura Eyelash curler in Selfridges and despite the cost, £20, I went ahead with the purchase.

I used the eyelash curler for 12 months, it was very sturdy and didn't break in the 12 months I had it. It had a white sponge type material around the eyepiece to protect your lashes and two circular slots for your fingers which are similar to scissors. To curly your eyelashes you insert your fingers into the slots and place your eyelashes (as close to the root as possible) into the square slot and squeeze for about 30 seconds.

My experience was that it tended to rip out my lashes which were painful and unsightly, I wanted thicker eyelashes! I found that they did spread my eyelashes out and I always completed the curling process before applying mascara so it prepared my lashes a treat for the mascara.

I found that the longer you grip your eyelashes with this tool the greater the effect however I found the great effect you can initially achieve waivers with time. If you have allergies or dislike mascara you can really open up your eyes with the eyelash curler without using mascara afterwards.

If you use mascara prior to using this device it will pull part of your mascara off and will take more eyelashes out with it, too! Therefore, I have a few tips if you want to try this eye lash curler: either use it prior to applying mascara or, apply the desired amount of mascara and let it dry for 2 minutes and then curl your eyelashes.

I cannot fault the quality or design of this tool, the reason I threw it away was because the white sponge which cushions the lashes was ripped and soiled with mascara. Instead of buying another £20 device I spotted a £1.50 eyelash curled in Bodycare, I was amazed! It looked exactly like the £20 one I'd bought some 12 months previous!

Overall, I would opt for the cheaper bodycare version you may get less use out of it (6 months) but if you have to buy 2 a year that is £3 saving you a total of £17! I enjoyed using the Shu Uemura implement despite the disadvantages I previously noted and it now features in my daily beauty regime. I award this tool 3 stars, it loses 2 stars one for the high price and another the disadvantages I mentioned.