The difference between straight, limp lashes versus voluminous, lifted lashes? You guessed it: an eyelash curler (and, fine, maybe some excellent DNA, but hey). A good eyelash curler can make even the straightest lashes bend up and fan out, allowing your volumizing or lengthening mascara to coat every last lash to make it even more effective. So even though it may not seem like an important tool to have in your beauty arsenal, trust me when I say a lash curler is the best way to get length and volume fast without messing around with eyelash extensions or false lashes.

But if you’ve been intimidated by holding a metal clamp so close to your eye, or you’re just not sure which curler is best (or worth the money), I totally get it, and I’ve been there too. So I chatted with two experts—hi, makeup artists Dani Kimiko Vincent and Manuel Espinoza—to determine how exactly to choose, use, and take care of an eyelash curler, and I also found the best ones for you to snag right now. Let’s dive in.

But first, if you’re just looking for a few recs, here’s a peek at our top picks...

And now for the real breakdown and alllll the facts: The 13 best eyelash curlers, straight ahead.