The hack
Using a sleep mask to wake up with perfectly curled lashes.
The test
There is a plethora of ways to curl your eyelashes: from curious hacks involving a teaspoon to lash-perming and – my chosen method – a pair of lash curlers. My lashes are super straight, so I was quite excited to try out this hack by TikTokker @allyrbackus, who says she can curl her lashes using just a sleep mask.
The method is easy: before bed, just put your sleep mask on with your eyes open, and once the mask is on, close your eyes. This is supposed to trap the lashes in an upward position, giving the desired curl. When I woke up and checked the status of my lashes the next morning, there was some visible lift but less than my lash-curlers give.
That curl also dropped quite quickly, even with a generous application of mascara. And because my eyes weren’t fully shut when I was asleep, I was worried about getting dry eyes and exposure keratitis (caused by exposure to the air and lack of moisture ), which could cause infections, or worse.
The verdict
Count me out – exposure keratitis is not a gamble I’m willing to take. I will stick with my lash-curlers – sealing my lashes with waterproof mascara for a curl that will last all day – and sleep with ease.