What can I try for my eyelashes getting tangled/messy when I use mascara

If I started using an eye lash curler would it damage my eyelashes? I have used them when I was younger playing with my mom’s makeup but I realized that my lashes looked fine without doing that, and I didn’t have to spend extra time with that step lol. I’m asking because lately my eyelashes have literally been getting tangled, or one random hair sticks out straight or goes up too high and they get caught in my eyebrows and pull my eyebrow hairs down. I was wondering if curling them sometimes will make them more cohesive and easier to work with when I put mascara on. Or is there like a gel anyone suggest that you use before mascara. Idk if that’s even a thing lol