Let me tell you guys about these Maybelline eyelash curler refills – because WOW do people have STRONG opinions about them! I’ve spent hours going through customer feedback, and I’m here to give you the unfiltered truth about these little black pads that can either save your beloved curler or drive you absolutely CRAZY.
The Good, The Bad, and The “Why Did They Change It?!”
First thing you should know – these aren’t your mom’s white rubber refills anymore. Maybelline switched to black silicone, and it’s basically created two camps of users: those who’ve adapted to the change and those who are DESPERATELY hunting for the old version.
Compatibility Issues: The #1 Complaint
The biggest issue with these refills? FIT. Let’s break it down:
- Perfect fit for: Older Maybelline curlers (some from the 80s!), some Cover Girl curlers made in Japan, and a few Kurlash metal curlers
- Definitely NOT for: MAC curlers, most newer non-Maybelline brands, and surprisingly, some newer Maybelline curlers!
I can’t tell you how many reviews mentioned these refills popping out constantly. One customer wrote: “They keep popping out and don’t stay put” while another gave up entirely: “I pitched it and bought a new one from another brand. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY!”
But here’s where it gets tricky – for every person who had fit issues, there was someone THRILLED to finally find refills for their vintage curler: “I have been looking for years for these refills. This has been my favorite lash curler since I was 12!”
Size Matters (Seriously)
Several specific size issues came up consistently:
- Too short: “The refill is not long enough and shifts side to side”
- Too narrow: “The refill is not wide enough to fit snug in the slot”
- Too thin on top: “The top of the refill is almost down to the metal!”
If you have a standard-sized curler that needs a 1.5-inch refill, BEWARE. Multiple customers specifically noted these were too small.
Material Change: Silicone vs. Rubber
The switch from white rubber to black silicone has people DIVIDED:
Silicone Fans Say:
- “They don’t break my lashes as easily”
- “Does not wear down into a groove” (preventing lash cutting)
- “I believe that they curl better”
- Black is easier to find when dropped!
Silicone Haters Say:
- “These silicone refills are definite underachievers”
- “Much thinner rubber bed”
- “Too soft to be effective”
- “You have to press harder to curl your eyelashes”
One customer specifically recommended: “I find that I have to crimp the eyelash curler longer when using silicone refills; I would say to crimp it for about 60 seconds on each eye… you need to squeeze really hard to make these curl your lashes.”
Availability: The Store Hunt Struggle
Almost EVERYONE mentioned how difficult these are to find in physical stores. Seriously, what’s with that?
“Why are eyelash curler inserts so hard to find in stores now???”
“I couldn’t find in stores. Comes in black.. who cares?! As long as it works!”
“I was surprised when I needed refills and checked everywhere” (Walmart, Target, Ulta and drugstores)
This seems to be a significant reason why people turn to Amazon, even when they’re not 100% sure about compatibility.
Quality Control Issues?
Several reviewers hinted at possible manufacturing inconsistencies:
“I’ve been ordering these through Amazon for years now, with no real problems… However, the package I just opened is visibly thicker, with considerably smaller indentations on the bottom edge.”
“Maybelline seems to have changed manufacturers on this part.”
This suggests that even if you’ve successfully used these refills before, you might get a different version in your next order.
The “Vintage Curler” Dilemma
There’s a large group of extremely loyal customers who’ve been using the SAME Maybelline curler for decades:
“I’ve used their eyelash curlers for 50 yrs”
“I own a 1980s era eyelash curler. It’s worked all these years and really didn’t want to buy something else”
“I have a drug store curler (brand unknown)”
These vintage curler owners are desperately searching for compatible refills, making this product either a dream come true or a total disappointment.
My Personal Take
After analyzing everything, here’s what I think:
- If you have an older Maybelline curler (especially from the 80s-90s), these MIGHT work perfectly for you
- Expect a learning curve with the silicone – you’ll need to hold longer and press harder
- If they don’t fit perfectly at first, try pressing REALLY hard during installation (one reviewer managed this)
- If they fall out constantly, it’s probably not worth the frustration
Tips For Using These Successfully
If you do decide to try these refills:
- Install with firm pressure – they might fit even if they seem too tight at first
- Hold the curler clamped for about 60 seconds per eye (versus 10-15 with old rubber pads)
- Press harder than you did with the rubber pads
- Curl BEFORE applying mascara (multiple reviewers noted this important point)
- If they’re slightly too big, some customers had success trimming them
- The black color makes them easier to find when dropped!
Bottom Line
These Maybelline refills are basically a gamble. You might get lucky and find they’re EXACTLY what your ancient curler needed, or you might end up tossing them after one frustrating attempt.
For around $5-6, they’re worth trying if you’re desperate to save a beloved curler. But go in with realistic expectations – and maybe order a backup curler just in case!
As one happy customer summed it up: “Great work Maybelline” – while an unhappy one countered: “Please Maybelline, bring back the old, time tested rubber refills!”
So there you have it – the complete, unfiltered truth about these love-em-or-hate-em eyelash curler refills!
Have you tried these refills? Which camp are you in – silicone convert or rubber purist? Let me know in the comments!
Buy on Amazon: Here
