As the finishing touch of any eye makeup, mascara should make the eyes pop. It should lengthen, define, curl and volumize — but that can be a lot to ask of a single tube, which is why TikTok’s latest beauty hack has people layering up multiple mascaras. Dubbed “mascara cocktailing,” the technique is a way to reap the benefits of different mascaras and completely enhance the lashes. We spoke to four professional makeup artists to get the lowdown on the trending technique.
What is mascara cocktailing?
“‘Mascara cocktailing’ is the concept of pairing multiple mascara formulas together to create a dynamic, dimensional lash,” says Emily Gray, celebrity makeup artist and ambassador for Catrice Cosmetics.
While some mascaras lengthen and define, and others add volume and fullness, you don’t have to limit your options to one or the other. With mascara cocktailing, you’re getting the benefits of each type of mascara you’re layering so you can create a custom blend to suit your own lashes.
How to try mascara cocktailing
There are two main factors to consider when choosing what mascaras to mix: the wand and the formula.
“You?can’t overlook the brushes. They play a crucial role in the application and make a big difference,” says celebrity makeup artist and L’Oréal Paris League of Experts member Claudia Betancur. Typically, dense, fiber wands will create a dramatic effect because they deposit more formula onto the lashes, while slimmer, evenly spaced bristles will lengthen and separate the lashes.
As for the formulas, the makeup artists we spoke to shared that volumizing mascaras will be thicker and waxy, thanks to ingredients like beeswax. These will make the lashes appear fuller and also help hold them up. For definition and length, look for a wet formula. These are less prone to clumping, and will help with a separated and lifted look.
Of course, an easy way to get a well-rounded lash look that’s volumized and lengthened is to combine the two. “You want to pick mascaras that do different things to your lashes,” says celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “For example, I love to layer lengthening mascaras with volumizing?mascaras, instead of two of the same formula, to really have a great cocktail of both. This will help get the full potential?of your lashes.”
However, you’ll want to avoid layering one type of mascara in particular. “I don’t think that?tubing mascara layers well with any other mascaras, so I would avoid adding that into any mix,” says celebrity makeup artist and brand founder Jenny Patinkin.
Clumping and flaking can come with the territory, but Edward Cruz has a tip for avoiding it. “Regardless of formula or brush, incorporate a lash comb or separator to achieve the best results,” the celebrity makeup artist says. The extra minute spent combing through the lashes “between each layer, and after your final application,” will help separate any clumps and create a fanned-out, “eye-opening curl.”
One more pro tip for the road: Betancur says, “My number 1 tip is to keep the mascara in my pocket when I start doing my makeup.” This warms up any formula, making it a bit more flexible to apply. It’ll also help loosen up older tubes of mascara that might be getting dry, prolonging the lifetime of the product.
For defined length
Figueroa recommends first applying this budget-friendly mascara to add volume. With over 19,000 5-star reviews, it’s a popular choice for making sparse lashes appear fuller.
Then Figueroa goes in with this mascara for “incredible length.” It has a dual wand with a precision spoolie so you can have more control when swiping it on.
For holding a curl
“For straight lashes, we need to focus on curling the lash and maintaining the curl throughout the day,” Gray says. “For this, we really need to make sure the formulas are lightweight.” She recommends starting with this thickening formula that won’t weigh the lashes down. The makeup artist loves that “the shape of the wand also helps push the lashes up.”
Once the lashes are pushed up and the first mascara has dried, Gray says this mascara will add length and definition, making for “an amazing mascara cocktail for straight lashes!”
For short lashes
For short lashes, Gray says the goal is to lengthen, so you’ll want to start with a lash-building formula. “This mascara is going to add some serious volume, and I particularly love how carbon black it is,” the makeup artist and brand ambassador explains. “Even though it builds volume, the brush prevents the lashes from clumping together.”
After the lash-building mascara, Gray says to follow with Maybelline’s Sky High Mascara, “which will add even more definition and length to the lashes.”
For thicker lashes
Cruz’s favorite combination is to start with a “dramatic volumizing formula.” He loves that this mascara contains nourishing ingredients like castor oil “so you are getting the long-term benefits of a conditioning mascara.”
For an extra-volumizing blend, you can saturate the lashes with an extra coat of this collagen-infused mascara.
To finish, Cruz says to use a mascara with a comblike or separating wand to fan out the lashes. This mascara is infused with a biotin-peptide blend that helps fortify the lashes.
For adding volume
To add dimensional volume — something those with naturally long lashes can benefit from — Gray says to start with Fenty Beauty’s Hella Thicc mascara.
According to Betancur, volumizing formulas will usually come with a thick fiber brush, “and when the brush is bigger, it deposits more product, giving you the desired effect of long and thick lashes.”
“After the Fenty mascara dries, go in with with Benefit’s Roller Lash mascara,” Gray says. “Wiggle the wand in between the lashes to add more definition — and voilà, a beautiful, thick, defined lash.”
For the false-lash effect
“If you're looking for lots of drama,” Patinkin says,?“the Tower 28 Making Waves Mascara?is amazing alone but even more so?under the MOB Volumizing Mascara.”
This volumizing, vegan mascara has a long-wearing formula that Patinkin, and reviewers, love. One person who gave it 5 stars noted that “it goes on beautifully, layers nicely and stays where it’s supposed to: on my lashes!”
For clean mascaras
Clean mascaras are tricky to get right — and especially clean, waterproof mascaras — but Ere Perez has nailed it with this conditioning formula. Reviewers (and myself) love how it can hold a curl all day long.
This long-wearing, clean formula is a personal favorite for a final coat of mascara. It keeps lashes lifted and lengthened, and will create a smudge-proof seal for other mascaras.
For waterproof mascara
“I like to layer a waterproof?mascara on top of regular?mascara for improved wear time, especially for brides and summer or water-based activities,” Patinkin says. The Diorshow mascara is a classic choice for adding volume and definition.
A layer of the waterproof formula over the original “is an excellent no-budge option,” according to Patinkin. Both formulas come in black and brown, so you can stick to your preferred shade.
For stubborn lashes
For lashes that need a little bit of everything — length, volume and lift — start with a more liquid formula to address building length. Betancur likes this option “because both its formula and brush are perfect for giving you extra length.”
Then you can follow up with a volumizing formula to add fullness and hold. A waterproof formula will add the benefit of a longer wear time too.
