The directions mention neither. The Ordinary's how-to-use is two lines: curl eyelashes before use, then apply to lashes from root to tip. Its guide says the gel is designed to replace traditional mascara and tells you to begin with lashes free of any mascara or residue. So the brand puts the finisher in the mascara step, not before or after it.

 

Mascara over it is not in the brand's steps. Nothing on The Ordinary's product page or its Lash Curl Finisher guide describes putting mascara on top. The brand calls it a transparent styling gel for natural definition and says it works for skipping mascara altogether. If you try mascara over it anyway, you are working outside the directions.

 

Under mascara is not a listed use either. The guide starts from clean lashes with no mascara, so the finisher is not written up as a base layer. If you want a base under mascara, the primers in the first grid are built for that job. Use the finisher on its own when you want a clear, curled look.

 

Curl first, then one coat. Clamp an eyelash curler at the base of the lashes and repeat moving upward for a smooth curl. Then use the included silicone brush to pull the gel from the base toward the tips, and the brand says one coat is sufficient. Wash it off with your cleanser, since no separate makeup remover is needed.

Now the tools. A curl finisher only holds what the curler gives it, so the shape of the curler matters more than most people think. Shiseido Eyelash Curler has an edge-free design meant to prevent pinching, with a broad curve that reaches inner to outer corners. TWEEZERMAN ProCurl is angled at 60 degrees for round and prominent eyes. The universal Eyelash Curler with a handle that curves to the shape of your face and comes with two replacement pads. tarte picture perfect has easy-grip handles and a purple silicone pad. Dior BACKSTAGE Lash Curler is meant to adapt to all lid shapes with one squeeze of the handles.

If you dislike the pinch, look at Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-LIFT. It is a rechargeable heated curler that the brand says lifts lashes without crimping or pinching. The NARS Eyelash Curler and the CHANEL Le Recourbe Cils de Chanel are here too, and I am leaving them at their names because I have no details beyond that.

How to use any of them: curl at the root, then again mid-lash, then lightly at the tips. Press, do not yank. Set the curl with the finisher while the lashes are still lifted.

What I would skip: a curler that does not match your eye shape. If you feel pinching at the outer corner, the curve is wrong for you, and no gel will fix that.

Some mascaras are designed to hold a curl themselves, and they are a good backup when you want fewer steps. Benefit Roller Lash uses a Hook n Roll brush and, per the brand, holds its curve for 12 hours. Lancome Lash Idole Curl Goddess is made so you get curled lashes with no curler, and the brand says it is suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-eyes promises a double curl effect and up to 28 hours of volume. YSL Lash Latex wraps each lash in a flexible film and, according to the brand, gives 24-hour lift. MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mascara in Super Black is a clump-resistant volumizing formula.

Then the tubing mascaras, which coat lashes in tiny tubes that slide off with warm water. caliray Come Hell or High Water in secret spot is an espresso brown waterproof formula. Urban Decay Tube Job in Intense Black and tarte tartelette in Black are both tubing formulas that claim up to 24 hours of wear.

Pairing tip: the finisher is made to replace mascara, so curl first and then pick the finisher or a mascara for the day.

What I would skip: layering a heavy primer and a thick mascara over the finisher. Lashes clump, the curl gets weighed down, and you lose the point of the finisher.

Start with the curler that fits your eye, since that is the one tool you will use every day. Add the finisher if your curl drops, a serum if you are building lashes over weeks, and a primer only if you like the look of extra volume. Mascara is the last step, and a tubing formula is the easy choice if you want to remove it with warm water.

If you want the shortest routine, use a curler and The Ordinary lash curl finisher on bare lashes, and swap in a mascara on days you want color instead. If you want more drama, add a primer such as Dior Maximizer and a second coat. Either way, curl gently, and let the curl set before you blink a lot. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Brown Mascara for a Softer Lash Line, Plus Brown Liners to Match and Lash Princess and the Rest.