I adore eyelash curlers - I don't know what I would do without them! Ive realised that I have a large collection; Shu Uemura, Nars, Shiseido, Boots own brand.
I find the best way to use them is to start at the base them pump all the way up the last (around three times depending on how long your lashes are!). It works so well. Sometimes I will warm the curler with a hairdryer for extra oomph too!