Quick answer: Coat a pair of angled tweezers with waterproof mascara, place them at the base of your bottom lashes, and gently squeeze so each lash is coated precisely without smudging under the eyes. The trick went viral after Selena Gomez shared it, and it works because the tweezer grip puts product exactly where you want it instead of dragging a heavy wand across delicate lower lashes.
Key takeaways
- Tweezers replace the wand on lower lashes. Coat angled tweezers with waterproof mascara, squeeze at the base of the lower lashes, and release. Each lash gets clean, separated definition with no under-eye smudging.
- Waterproof formula is the non-negotiable. Regular mascara transfers onto the skin below the eye within hours. Waterproof on the bottom lashes only solves the problem while keeping the top lashes easy to remove.
- Curl and lift the top lashes first. Lifting the upper lashes opens the eye before you even touch the bottom, so the whole look reads as awake — not overdone.
- Bottom-lash mascara is not just for evening. Because the tweezer method is precise and controlled, it reads as soft daytime definition rather than full glam.
- A steady hand is required. You are squeezing tweezers directly on your lashes near your eye. If your hands are shaky, a fine-bristled wand or small precision brush is the safer alternative.
- The whole look works as a high-low mix. Nikol pairs splurge and drugstore products — the technique matters more than the price point.
What is the viral lower mascara hack?
The hack uses angled tweezers to apply mascara to your bottom lashes instead of using the mascara wand itself. You coat the tweezers with a good layer of waterproof mascara, place them at the very base of your lower lashes, and squeeze gently so the lashes are coated and separated in one motion. It looks a little scary the first time, but it is surprisingly precise — you are placing color exactly where you want it rather than dragging a fat wand across tiny, delicate lashes and hoping nothing lands on the skin underneath.
Selena Gomez made this technique viral on TikTok, and Nikol tested it the moment she saw it. Her conclusion: it is genuinely incredible, and it solves the single biggest reason most women skip bottom-lash mascara entirely — smudging and transfer.
Why does regular mascara smudge on bottom lashes?
Two reasons. First, most mascara wands are designed for upper lashes — they are wide, loaded with product, and shaped to sweep upward. Dragging that same wand across the fine, short lower lashes deposits far too much product in the wrong places. Second, the lower lid area is oily and constantly moving. A non-waterproof formula sitting on tiny lower lashes migrates onto the skin within a few hours, leaving dark shadows that look like smeared makeup rather than definition.
The tweezer method fixes both problems at once. The squeeze-and-release deposits a thin, even coat, and a waterproof formula resists the oil and movement that cause transfer.
How do you do the tweezer mascara hack step by step?
- Curl and lift your upper lashes. Use a manual curler or a heated eyelash curler to lift from the base. This opens the eye and sets the frame for the look.
- Apply regular mascara to your upper lashes. Work from the base with a wiggle-and-pull technique, building in thin coats. See the four-position wand method for thin lashes.
- Switch to your waterproof mascara. This is the formula you will use on the bottom only. Regular mascara stays on top for easier removal at night.
- Coat the angled tweezers. Run the tweezer tips through the waterproof mascara until you have a generous, even coating.
- Place the tweezers at the base of your lower lashes. Look slightly upward in the mirror and position the coated tweezers right where the lower lashes emerge from the skin.
- Squeeze gently and release. The lashes come together looking beautifully coated and separated. One squeeze per section is usually enough.
- Clean up if needed. Run a clean spoolie through any clumps. If a little mascara lands on the upper lid, spritz a cotton bud with water and tidy it.
| Method | Precision | Smudge risk | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tweezer hack (waterproof) | Very high — product goes exactly where you squeeze | Very low — waterproof plus controlled deposit | Clean, separated lower-lash definition | Requires steady hands near the eye |
| Standard wand (waterproof) | Moderate — wand is wide for lower lashes | Low — waterproof resists transfer | Quick application when you have a steady hand | Easy to over-apply and clump |
| Standard wand (regular) | Moderate | High — transfers onto skin within hours | Upper lashes; avoid on lower lashes for mature eyes | Smudges and raccoon eyes by afternoon |
| Fine-bristle precision brush | High — small brush gives good control | Depends on formula used | Shaky hands, sensitive eyes | Need a separate clean brush |
Why does Nikol use waterproof mascara only on the bottom?
Because waterproof formula resists the oil, moisture, and constant movement of the lower lid area — which is where smudging happens. On the upper lashes you want a regular formula so that removal is easy and you are not scrubbing at delicate skin every night. Keeping waterproof to the bottom only gives you the best of both: clean lower lashes all day and gentle removal everywhere else.
How does this hack fit into a full face?
Nikol built this tutorial around a simple, glowy day look to show that bottom-lash mascara does not have to mean full glam. She starts with skincare and SPF, primes with Eye Primer to neutralize the lids, washes a soft eyeshadow shade over the lid, and presses a deeper shade into the lash line as a soft liner — using eyeshadow as liner is an easier, softer option for summer or everyday wear. Under-eye concealer, a cream blush, groomed brows with Brow Fixx, a sheer bronzer, and a lined lip finish the face. The lower-lash hack goes on last, after the upper mascara is done, as the finishing touch that frames the lower eye.
What if you have shaky hands?
This technique may not be the best fit. You have to squeeze the tweezers on the actual lash near the eye and then release, which requires a steady grip and decent close-up vision. If that feels risky, use a fine-toothed mascara wand or a small precision brush to coat lower lashes instead. The precision brush gives nearly the same control as tweezers without requiring you to squeeze a metal tool next to your eye. Either way, stick with waterproof formula on the bottom lashes so the definition stays clean.
What are the most common mistakes with lower-lash mascara?
- Using regular mascara on the lower lashes. It will transfer within hours and leave dark smudges under the eye. Waterproof on the bottom is the entire fix.
- Using a full-sized wand on the bottom. Most mascara wands are too fat and too loaded for lower lashes. The tweezer method or a fine-bristled wand solve this.
- Skipping the upper lashes. If the top is flat and the bottom is defined, the eye looks unbalanced. Always curl and coat the upper lashes first.
- Over-squeezing the tweezers. One firm, gentle squeeze per section is enough. Repeatedly squeezing clumps the lashes and deposits too much product.
- Not cleaning up immediately. If mascara lands on the upper lid or the skin below the eye, clean it right away with a damp cotton bud. Dried waterproof product is much harder to remove without disturbing the rest of your makeup.
- Coating the tweezers too lightly. You need a generous, even coat of mascara on the tweezer tips or the squeeze will not deposit enough to be visible.
Does the lower mascara hack work on mature lashes?
Yes, and mature eyes often benefit the most. Lower-lash definition frames the eye from below and makes the whole eye area look more awake without adding product to the delicate under-eye skin. Because the tweezer method deposits a controlled, thin coat, it avoids the heavy, clumpy look that aging lower lashes cannot carry. Pair it with curled upper lashes and a conditioning mascara like VOLUME UP Mascara for a look that reads as polished and refreshed rather than made-up.
The bottom line
The tweezer hack is a tiny technique change that makes bottom-lash mascara workable for everyone — clean, precise, and smudge-free all day. Waterproof formula on the bottom, regular on top, tweezers instead of the wand. That is the whole trick. Build the look around it with pieces from the eyes collection and the best sellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lower mascara hack from Selena Gomez?
Coat a pair of angled tweezers with waterproof mascara, place them at the base of your bottom lashes, and squeeze gently so each lash is coated precisely. The squeeze-and-release deposits a thin, even coat without the smudging you get from dragging a wand across delicate lower lashes.
Why should I use waterproof mascara on my bottom lashes?
Because the lower lid area is oily and constantly moving, which causes regular mascara to transfer onto the skin below the eye within hours. Waterproof formula resists that migration. Use it on the bottom only so the upper lashes stay easy to remove at night.
Do I need to curl my lashes before applying bottom mascara?
Yes, curl and coat the upper lashes first. Lifting the top lashes opens the eye and sets the frame so the bottom-lash definition adds to a balanced, awake look rather than drawing attention to the lower lid alone.
Is bottom-lash mascara too heavy for daytime?
Not with the tweezer method. Because the squeeze deposits only a controlled, thin coat, it reads as soft definition rather than evening glam. Nikol built this look specifically around a simple, glowy day face to show that bottom lashes can be part of an everyday routine.
What if I have shaky hands — is there an alternative?
Use a fine-toothed mascara wand or a small precision brush instead of tweezers. The brush gives nearly the same control without requiring you to squeeze a metal tool near your eye. Either way, stick with waterproof formula on the bottom to prevent transfer.
How do I clean up mascara smudges without ruining my makeup?
Spritz a cotton bud with water or micellar water and gently dab the smudge while it is still fresh. Do not drag it, which spreads the product. If the mascara has already dried, let it dry completely and then brush it away with a clean dry spoolie — it lifts off without disturbing the makeup underneath.
Can I use this hack with any tweezers?
Angled tweezers work best because the angled tip follows the curve of the lower lash line. Needle-nose or pointed tweezers are harder to coat evenly and bring a sharp point too close to the eye. Clean the tweezers with an alcohol wipe before and after so mascara residue does not build up.
How many times should I squeeze each section of lower lashes?
Once per section is usually enough. Re-coat the tweezers between the inner, middle, and outer sections if needed, but one firm, gentle squeeze per pass gives the cleanest separation. Repeated squeezing clumps the lashes.
Does this work on very short or sparse lower lashes?
Yes. Because you are placing product at the very base and the squeeze coats every lash the tweezers touch, even very short lower lashes get visible definition. The key is positioning the tweezers as close to the base as you can and squeezing lightly so you coat without bending them.
