Cocktail mascara: TikTok’s intricate makeup trend with eye-opening results

It seems like every influencer these days is wearing eyelash extensions or false lashes, proving that the desire for attention-grabbing lashes is strong. No wonder – fluttery lashes can instantly wake up tired eyes, dress up a simple look and add drama to a smoky eye.

An eyelash enhancement method that’s taken TikTok by storm doesn’t involve eyelash glue or a trip to an extension specialist. It’s called cocktail mascara, and it’s a technique makeup artists have been using for years to maximize volume, length, and definition. Below, professional makeup artists discuss exactly what cocktail mascara is and how to do it right, mess-free.

Mascara cocktail is a technique where different mascaras are used to achieve the desired lash look. makeup artist from Los Angeles Chloe Majdipour from Chloe beauty she said this application method is ideal when mascara alone can’t deliver the desired results. There are several mascara combinations you can mix together (for example, pairing a curling formula with a volumizing one for a swipe or two of fullness and lift), but the process will vary depending on what you’re looking for.

However, by layering different types of formulas, cocktail mascara allows you to create your own custom look at home, making it a great option for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of applying individual false lashes or the commitment. to eyelash extensions.

Layering on mascara tubes can seem like a messy mess, but experts agree that if you study each mascara to strategically pair compatible formulas, you’ll get great results.

“Some mascaras can be wetter, while others have a drier, mousse-like texture,” Majdipour said. “Usually those two mixed together will make the lashes stick together and get super clumpy.”

Instead, stick to mascaras that are meant to achieve a different look, such as a lengthening mascara with a volumizing mascara or a thickening mascara with a separating mascara.

After the formula, consider the brush shape of the mascara wand. An hourglass brush is typically denser and has the ability to pick up more product, providing volume and thickness at the root of the lashes that someone with thinner lashes would benefit from, Majdipour said. A mascara wand with a fine comb shape gives next-level length, while ball-tipped wands can help “accentuate certain areas like the root of the lashes, as well as hard-to-reach areas like the inner corners and edges, outer,” said the celebrity. make-up artist Carola González.

Finally, a cone-shaped wand is ideal if you want to show off winged lashes, as the smaller tip lets you go into the inner corners, while the larger end helps extend the lashes towards the outer corner of the eyes. Majdipour said.

Majdipour recommends starting with a light base before loading up on another mascara for a second coat. “I personally like to start with a lengthening mascara with a thin brush,” she said. “Then after I’ve coated each eye, I’ll let it dry for 15 to 30 seconds to allow the next mascara to build on top of it (instead of blending together).”

Next, take a more volumizing mascara with a dense brush to thicken the lashes. For those with straight lashes, Majdipour said to curl your lashes and then apply waterproof mascara as a first coat to lock in that lift and curl.

To avoid the mess, Gonzalez said to be careful not to over-apply mascara and suggested keeping a clean mascara wand on hand to separate lashes between each application. “This will prevent clumping and make the application more even,” he said.

You’ll also want to scrape some product off the wand and the side of the tube before you apply it to your lashes — this will help you avoid eventually covering your lashes, said Majdipour, who recommended work slowly and evenly. layers.

When it comes to the lower lash mascara cocktail, both Majdipour and Gonzalez said they keep it natural. “My personal preference is to accentuate the top lashes and leave the bottom lashes more natural, unless I’m going for a more editorial, dramatic and trendy look,” Gonzalez said. In general, she said stick to a coat or two of the same mascara on your lower lashes, or for a more doll-like look, pair a mascara with a more natural finish with a volumizing formula to thicken it up.

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