By now, you probably know that curling your lashes is an essential step in completing your eye makeup routine. The curl helps to make your lashes look longer and more noticeable, and can give the illusion of wider and brighter peepers – of course you’d want that! But what’s the easiest, most effective way to get the job done?

Unless you have an awesome eyelash curler like the Colorescience Pro Professional Curler, you’re going to need to figure out the best technique to use with a regular eyelash curler. It might seem like the most effective way to do it is to squeeze your lashes at the base, in the middle and one-quarter of the length from the tips, but there’s a better method!

According to The Beauty Department, all you need to do is invert the curler when you’re gripping your lashes at the base. Just slide your curler over your lashes as usual, then gently squeeze down on them near the base of your lashes. Don’t get too close, otherwise it pinches! Now rotate your wrist so the curler is upside down, then squeeze firmly for five seconds.

You’ll find that your lashes are perfectly curled this way, and you can make it even better by doing one more crimp near the tips using the regular method. Then just add a coat of your favorite volumizing mascara and you’re good to go!

Image credit: Beautylish