The Crazy-Genius Hack Korean Women Use for Curling Their Lashes
Get ready to play with fire.

Who among us, really, isn't constantly striving for Kardashian-level lashes? And to get there, we all have torture chambers' worth of eyelash-curling devices in our beauty bags. But none are as interesting as what Korean women—AKA our makeup messiahs—have dreamed up as a hack.
In an interview with Byrdie, Insider Beauty founder Angela Kim revealed that the latest K-beauty trick entails cutting off the two ends of a wood Q-tip, heating up the remaining stick with the flame from a lighter, and then using it to "lift" the lashes from below. Note: A regular Q-tip with a cardboard or plastic stick will be, um, a bit of a fire hazard, so make sure you use the wood kind.
When Byrdie's editor put it to the test, she found that when used in tandem with a traditional, stainless steel curler, as well as mascara, it was like a push-up bra for her lashes that lasted all day. Enticing, no?
It was like a push-up bra for her lashes that lasted all day.
And confession: Eyelash curlers, particularly electric ones, kind of freak me out. They make me feel like I'm one spastic movement away from losing every last lash. (Not unlike Miley's recent misfortune—yikes.) So even though this involves heat, its non-clampy nature is totally appealing. Not to mention, I can get even more mileage out of my Glossier lighter 😇.
To familiarize yourself with how it works, skip to the 5:10 mark of this K-beauty blogger's test drive:
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Patrick Ta's Major Glow Bronzing Body Oil Gives My Skin a Vacation Glow—Without the Vacation
Patrick Ta's newest drop gives a vacation glow without the vacation.
-
Laura Harrier's Met Gala Makeup Stays Glowy-Not-Greasy Thanks to This $14 Setting Spray
Locked in "from the carpet to the dinner and to all the after parties."
-
Zendaya's 2025 Met Gala Makeup Is Going on My Bridal Beauty Board
Feminine and edgy, all in one.
-
Starface and Heaven by Marc Jacobs Merge Skincare and Streetwear in a Grungy New Collab
Everyone's favorite pimple patches team up with a fashion icon.
-
These Products Are My Secret to Dewy, Sun-Kissed Skin
Prepare to glow.
-
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards
Could your brand survive an editor testing session?
-
The 11 Best Spring Makeup Trends Are Sexy, Sensual, and Perfectly Luminous
It's dew or die time.
-
Simone Ashley’s Indie Sleaze Glam Is a Cool-Toned Dream
The actor was spotted in New York City looking like the epitome of cool-toned beauty.