Hi friends!
Today’s important question is: are you a mascara wiggler or a blinker?? You may answer with another question that goes something like, what the heck are you talking about?! You see, there are actually two ways you can apply mascara to your lashes: you can either wiggle the brush from root to tip, or conversely you can hold the brush against your lash line and just simply blink into the mascara.
Personally I’m a big fan of the wiggle technique; I like the control it gives you. But when I stumbled upon a recent Allure article that declares that blinking into your mascara gives you fuller lashes (or so according to celeb and beauty business owner Jessica Alba), I became intrigued. Now I have seen people blinking into their mascara before but I honestly never really understood why they did that; I thought it was just personal preference. I’m usually not too easily swayed by celebrities when it comes to…anything really…but when I hear the words “thicker, fuller lashes” I take notice! Maybe it was worth giving it a good try then.
JESSICA ALBA’S MASCARA TRICK, DEMONSTRATED
Below you’ll find the British Vogue video where Jessica demo’s the mascara-blinking technique. If you don’t want to watch the whole video, below are some important time markers:
- At the 2:38 mark she applies a lash primer
- At the 3:40 mark she applies the mascara
MY FIRST ATTEMPT USING BOBBI BROWN SMOKEY EYE MASCARA
I don’t use lash primers really ever (can’t be bothered frankly), so I just go straight in with mascara. I wanted my first attempt in trying Jessica Alba’s mascara trick to be using a bigger, fluffier brush since that’s what I generally prefer. Right now I’ve really been loving the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara, so I went with that.
(DISCLAIMER: I was gifted this mascara at a brand event, but this is not a sponsored post in any way.)
In order to better gauge the difference between methods, I applied the mascara by wiggling the brush on my left eye (my preferred method), and by blinking into the mascara on my right eye (Jessica’s method). Admittedly it’s very hard to tell the difference in these photos but I could definitely see a difference in real life.
I used two mascara application methods here. On my left eye, I wiggled the brush from root to tip. On my right eye, I held the brush against my lash roots and blinked into it.
Messy mascara transfer on my right eye. This is the eye where I used the blinking technique.
I definitely felt my lashes were coated more thoroughly on my left eye (where I used the wiggle technique), plus I made a big mess on my right eye. Mascara just transferred everywhere. Not ideal. Perhaps I was just inept at this blinking technique or the brush I used was simply too big. I wanted to try it again with a slightly smaller, tapered brush.
MY SECOND ATTEMPT USING MAYBELLINE SNAPSCARA
I had higher hopes when using the Maybelline Snapscara as it’s a much more tapered shape than the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara. I feel like I could be more precise about the placement of the brush against my lash line. I wrote up an entire review on the Snapscara, so if you’re interested in more info on it I highly suggest you check out that post.
Again, I did the same thing as above: I wiggled the brush to apply the product on my left eye, and I blinked into the brush to apply the product on my right eye.
I used two mascara application methods here. On my left eye, I wiggled the brush from root to tip. On my right eye, I held the brush against my lash roots and blinked into it.
Less mascara transfer on my right eye than in the first attempt. This is the eye where I used the blinking technique.
As predicted, I had a much easier time with the whole blinking technique using the Snapscara. I was better able to coat my lashes this time around, and there was definitely less of a difference between the two sides. However, I did manage to get at least one smudge onto my right lid at the end. I guess I got a little overconfident!
SO HAVE I CONVERTED TO BEING A MASCARA BLINKER??
Despite the more promising second attempt I had, no I have not converted methods! I generally like using big, fluffy mascara brushes so I need as much control over them as possible; blinking doesn’t give me that, but wiggling does. I also thought I was going to poke myself in the eye every time I blinked into these mascara brushes, so that kinda freaked me out!
However, what I have realized since doing this little experiment is that using both methods together can give you beautiful full lashes. I don’t do this all the time but hear me out. After I apply most of my mascara using the wiggling method, I then blink into the brush right at my center lashes to get maximum length. So pretty! Try it sometime and let me know what you think.
So are you a mascara wiggler or blinker?? What do you think of Jessica Alba’s mascara trick? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
PIN IT!
Never heard of this before, but I’ll definalty give it a go! X
If you do, let me know what you think! I just found it more difficult to control the brush.
Well I tried it. Looked like a mess after with alot of mascara on my eye lids. Also it left my lashes very patchy lol! X
Sounds just like me! I definitely won’t be converting anytime soon!
I’m a blinker. I think that’s because I have small eyes and feel like wiggling the brush would get in the way as I apply mascara. I think everyone has their own little technique they like too x
Oh interesting! I never thought the size or shape of the eye may be a factor, but that makes sense. Yes, we certainly each have our methods!
I’m a wiggler. I have poked myself in the eye one too many times to be a blinker. 🤣 However trying both might be the way to go to fuller looking lashes. You just reminded me that I need more mascara. Thanks! 😀
I’m with you on that all the way! What mascara are you using these days??
I’ve been using L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. It’s the only one I’ve found so far that gives my lashes thickness and doesn’t make my eyes water.
That’s the one with the really thin plastic wand? If so, I think I used that years ago.
Yes it is. 😀
Ah yes, I’ve tried it. Wasn’t my personal fave cause I love those big bristle brushes more. But who wants watery eyes?? That’s so upsetting when products irritate your eyes!
Got to try that method! Your eyelashes look beautiful 😀😉💄.
Aw, thank you!
I’m definitely a wiggler but I have to try her technique! I love her so I’m ready to listen to her tips,(I’ll probably be a bit messy and get mascara all over my lid like you did ahah) On the Jessica Alba note, have you tried anything from Honest Beauty? It just arrived at the store I work and I’d love to try it but I don’t know what 😉
Lemme know how it turns out for you! I actually haven’t tried much at all from Honest Beauty yet, except a cream foundation years ago that I didn’t like. I don’t think Ulta carries them anymore (at least not in store), but their skincare has just come to Target over here. Would love to hear what you think about their products though!
I’ll have to grab something. Tati swears by her blushes so I might have to give that one a go
I’m intrigued!
I am a wiggler but had not really thought about it until this post, lol! I’ll have to try the blink method next time I put on mascara to see if there is any difference on my eyelashes 🙂
I’d be interested to hear your results! I think there are more wigglers than blinkers out there but that’s not really based on any research 😉😊.
I always do a mix of both wiggling & blinking so I’m happy to hear that’s how you got the best results! With the Snapscara, I can totally see how your lashes do look fuller with the blinking technique, cool! 🙂
I like the combination of methods but admittedly I don’t do it every day. Most of the time I just try to whack on my mascara ASAP!
I’ve tried both methods before as well but I didnt see a huge difference. Maybe it’s my lashes or the mascara itself but I will keep trying with each new mascara I try just in case one works better than the other.
Anyway, I too sometimes use a combination of both methods and it does seem to be a bit better. Wiggling the wand through my lashes definitely gives me better results, for the most part though not always.
I think the shape of your eyes and the mascara brush you’re using makes such a difference with these methods!
Still haven’t found my “holy grail” then. And my eyes are definitely kind of wonky XD
I think everyone’s are to a certain extent. Mine are definitely different sizes and one is higher than the other 🤷🏻♀️.