What Is Mascara Cocktailing?

We love a cocktail, and we love a long lash, so mascara cocktailing sounds right up our alley. After asking experts, we learned that this viral trend, which even Jessica Alba loves, “is the art of layering different mascaras to create a custom formula that tailors to your individual needs,” says celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay. While it’s recently blown up on TikTok, Gabbay says it’s been popular with makeup artists for decades. MAKE UP FOR EVER global makeup artist and brand educator, Eddie Duyos notes that “many brands are launching double-ended mascaras that contain different formulas, primers and distinct styles of brushes,” which is also fueling the trend.

BareMinerals global makeup artist and brand educator Carly Giglio says you can multiple mascaras to get a customized look. “It’s so easy—choose two different formulas that give different results and layer to get your desired look,” says Giglio. For example, if your favorite mascara is amazing for curling lashes but doesn’t necessarily provide the volume you’re looking for, then apply both formulas to create your perfect lash. “This is great because people want the most out of their products. Additionally, some formulas are made for specific things like volume or length. Why not use the benefit of multiple to achieve the look you want?” says Giglio. “Everyone’s lashes are completely different, from the texture, the fullness and even the length,” says Duyos. “Mascara cocktailing allows you to customize the formula and application that best fits your lashes.”

Mascara cocktailing is also a great opportunity to be creative. “It’s an opportunity to play with makeup more outside of expected products like eyeshadow and lipstick,” says Giglio. “Wearing mascara can really open the eyes. It’s a moment to play them up and really make them stand out.”

How to make a mascara cocktail

Giglio’s advice to those trying to create their own mascara cocktail is to seek out multiple formulas that are known for different things. “Start with your favorite mascara and go from there! Fuse volumizing with lengthening, etc.,” says Gabbay. She loves using the wands straight from the tubes for cocktailing, so you don’t necessarily need fresh spoolies. Gabbay notes that if you’re looking for a “waterproof cocktail, stick with waterproof on all the formulas you mix.”

In addition to applying different formulas, Duyos says you could also use different techniques. “An example of this would be using a defining mascara formula on the entire lash, then using a thick and voluminous formula and applying it strategically on the lashes to achieve your desired look.”

Mascara cocktails to try

“There are infinite mascaras, and therefore infinite mascara combos one can create,” says Gabbay. She loves Lancôme Hypnose mascara ($33) over Maybelline Lots of Lashes ($9). It “gives fullness and volume with a jet-black finish,” she says. Giglio likes beginning with a voluminous mascara, like Maximist Phyto-Fiber Volumizing Mascara ($22). She tops that with a defining mascara like Strength & Length Serum Infused Mascara ($22) “the brush is really nice and gives precise separation, so I get the volume benefit and the separation that I like.”

Duyos says “MAKE UP FOR EVER ProfessionALL Mascara ($28) is a definite winner in the mascara category and ideal for cocktailing. Its dual-sided wands allow you to wear your lashes up to three different ways and to customize your application to create any desired effect.” You can “wear Step One alone for definition, Step Two alone for ultimate volume or layer Step One and Two together for knockout drama.”

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