I Tried the Viral Neogen Metal Mascara Wand With No Bristles—Truth Be Told, I’m a Convert

As a beauty writer, my beat is to discover trending makeup and skincare products before they go viral. Naturally, one of my most trusted sources for new and noteworthy products yet to reach the American masses is TikTok’s K-Beauty scene. A few scrolls a day introduced me to COSRX’s celeb-secret snail mucin moisturizer, AHC’s Eye Cream for Face, and The Crème Shop’s highly-coveted Hello Kitty Blotting Papers to name a few.

Most recently, the latest product #KBeautyTok made me add to cart is Neogen Dermalogy’s Metal Mascara, a hypoallergenic waterproof mascara with a bristle-free metal mascara wand that has—no exaggeration—forever changed the way I think about mascara application. With over 31.6 billion views on the platform, it’s clear the K-Beauty trend is something worth paying attention to.

Truth be told, before I started testing metal mascaras for this story I never thought twice about what the mascara wands I was using were made of. But after researching how wasteful beauty product packaging is and the Petri dish of bacteria shown to grow inside it, I began overthinking every swipe.

What is metal mascara?

Before we dive in, let’s get one thing straight: When TikTokers refer to metal mascaras, what they’re really referring to are metal mascara wands. The metal part has nothing to do with the formulation of the mascara itself, but with its application method. Instead of the comb-like plastic or silicone bristles you’re accustomed to, Neogen’s metal mascara features a slim, coil-like stainless steel wand that’s mind-blowingly bristle-free.

While most conventional mascara wands are impossible to clean, metal mascara wands can be sanitized between each use—or at least between each tube. Because, unlike your average mascara applicator, the Neogen metal mascara wand is designed to be reused with wand-less refill pots that help minimize waste.

How do you use a metal mascara wand?

Even as an experienced makeup wearer, it took me a few tries to learn how to use a metal mascara wand correctly. Typically, I wiggle the fluffy brush of my beloved Milk Makeup KUSH Mascara a bit as I swipe. However, even without bristles, Neogen’s metal wand could reach the very base of my lashes without any side-to-side swipe motion required.

The trick to applying mascara with a metal wand is to align your lashes with the tiny ridges and swipe straight upwards and outwards, helping to separate each lash and thoroughly coat it in a single swipe. While some reviewers gained more volume and fullness by adding a second coat, one coat was plenty for me (the second left my lashes looking too clumped for my liking).

Does Neogen metal mascara actually work?

I’ll admit that as an avid mascara user, I was skeptical of Neogen’s Metal Mascara before I tried it for myself. But now that I’ve gotten the hang of the application, it’s become one of my go-to mascaras for everyday wear. I find that the coil-like metal applicator lifts and lengthens my lashes without making them look too dramatic for a “no-makeup” makeup look.

While most mascara brands claim their products offer 12- to 24-hour coverage, Neogen boasts its waterproof formula provides up to 33 hours of continuous wear—and they weren’t kidding. Even my trusty Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm was no match for its long-wear magic. Thankfully, the leftovers look more akin to a subtle lash tint than the pesky smudges and flakes you’re used to.

The Final Verdict

All in all, the Neogen metal mascara is well worth adding to your cart. Its slim metal applicator makes it easy to reach the tiny lashes of my inner corners without stabbing myself in the eye, and the waterproof formula can survive hot, humid New York days that would typically melt my mascara. With that said, I still prefer a more traditional volumizing mascara (like the new Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Mascara I’ve also been wear-testing) on a night out because I know I can still successfully remove it after a few martinis.

Though Neogen is currently the industry leader in the metal mascara wand space, other beauty brands are beginning to catch on. Surratt’s Noir Lash Tint and Hourglass Cosmetics’ Curator Lash Instrument are certainly just the beginning. Perhaps one day, we Americans will ditch our wasteful plastic applicators and adopt a more sustainable, more sanitary way of applying our makeup. Until then, I’ll be hoarding every variety of K-Beauty metal mascara out there, and I advise you to do the same.

Check out Firstfinds to shop more of TikTok’s latest and greatest beauty products.