Can An Eyelash Curler Be The Secret To Perfect Eyeshadow Application?

Whether it's your first time picking up an eyeshadow palette, or you could create a dramatic smokey eye with both eyes shut, perfecting a gorgeous cut-crease eyeshadow look takes time. While there are several makeup hacks circling TikTok to help you cut your application time in half, surely there is no way you could create a cut-crease makeup look in a snap. Or is there?

A cut-crease eye is all about the contrasting eyeshadow on the lid, which creates the illusion of depth for a beautiful doll-like makeup look. (Think sultry '60s style eyeshadow à la Audrey Hepburn.) Getting that cut crease perfectly smooth and symmetrical is no easy task! It requires several products and tools to master, along with a bit of patience and a steady hand.

But since TikTok has a hack for everything, it wouldn't be a total shock if we told you that an eyelash curler might be the secret to perfect eyeshadow application — and in half the time. After learning more about this hack, you'll probably ditch your multi-step eye makeup routine and reach for an eyelash curler instead every time.

In a TikTok video captioned "The easiest way!" by @lenkalul, which collected over three million likes, a handy eyelash curler is used as a guide to create a gorgeous eyeshadow application. In the video, Lena places the eyelash curler on the crease of her eyelid and, with a fluffy brush, runs a brown eyeshadow along the curler like a stencil to create a cut-crease shape. Then, she takes the straight-edged handle part of the curler to create a wing with the eyeshadow, connecting that line with the cut-crease shadow.

The results? A perfect cut-crease eyeshadow application. You can top it off with brown eyeliner to further sculpt the look, as Lena does in the video, applying some in the inner corner as well for that sultry, cat-eye vibe. "This is genius," one TikTok user wrote in the comments. "Need to try this out!" wrote another. And honestly, you do.

This hack (obviously) went mega-viral, even making its way onto Good Morning America, where they showcase a different TikTok creator, @theamyna, trying the hack for herself. In her TikTok video, she uses an eyelash curler to guide her eyeshadow, leaving it as-is without any further eyeliner. She pops on a pair of lashes with a finished look that is soft, chic, and sultry.

While this hack is perfect for those needing extra guidance with their eyeshadow placement and application, it's not a totally fool-proof method. Like most hacks, there are a few things to keep in mind to really pull it off. Firstly, the size and shape of your curler matter. According to cosmetics company Huda Beauty, you may want to ditch your trusty eyelash curler with that comfy handle in exchange for a steel one so you can adequately stencil your wing with a lot of space to work with.

And since the curler is a fantastic guide, the placement of your shadow will be great, but that doesn't mean it will do all the work for you! Like all eyeshadow looks, you'll want to blend, blend, and then blend some more. The fluffy eyeshadow brush is your best friend with this hack, so once you have your curler down as a guide, buff away and don't stop until you have a seamless look. And as always, practice makes perfect, so try not to throw the entire eyelash curler away if it doesn't work out for you. At least you'll have beautifully curled lashes!