REVIEW: Shiseido Eyelash Curler, Better Than Shu?

I've been using the Shu Uemura eyelash curler for the last couple years after the completely blew all my previous purchases out of the water. The Shu is perfectly shaped for the typical East Asian eye in both length and curvature. It really hugs the eyelid and allows for a very natural curl. My previously eyelash curlers would pinch the ends of my eyes (too curvy) and/or not reach in enough and create a crimp rather than a natural curl.

The one disadvantage of the Shu is economical. It's approx. $24USD and comes with one extra pad. However, Shu does not sell replacement pads so in very short time (if you use it daily) you're looking at replacing a perfectly good curler.

Shiseido is yet another Asian makeup giant that has a cult follownig for its eyelash curler and often compared to the Shu. I couldn't find my Shu one day and decided to pick up the Shiseido one, especially as it does offer replacement pads for sale and was purported to fit the Shu as well.

The Shiseido eyelash curler comes with one refill pad like the Shu. The rubber is stiffer than the Shu and rounder at the top where it touches your lashes, in comparison. The metal curler itself is also flatter and mimics the flatter planes of your typical east Asian eye better.

I misplaced my Shu Uemura curler recently and decided to give the Shiseido. I ended up finding the Shu shortly after and used one on each eye for comparison. The conclusion? I actually preferred the Shu Uemura! Surprising as the Shiseido actually came out on top for most other bloggers. I'm east Asian but it seems my eyes curve a little more with a slight crease and my lashes, while extremely fine and sparse, are longer than some (thanks L'Oreal Lash Serum!).

Therefore, the curvier Shu fit my eyeshape better and the flatter rubber pad helped create a more "flared" curl to my lashes. The Shiseido is so flat and the pad rounded that it bent my lashes up. Whereas the Shu sweeped my lashes out, the Shiseido stood my lashes at attention upwards.

When taking photos, my lashes are more visible with the Shiseido but from an angle and in person, it slightly unnatural with more of an angle than a curve.

The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is better suited to most eyeshapes where as the Shiseido is more specific to the typical Asian eye that is smaller, flatter, and with no crease as the flatter shade of the Shiseido is able to reach the roots of the lashes better.

On another note, the Shiseido refills (2 for $5-6) do fit the Shu Uemura curler! So that $24 investment will last you a LONG time to come.