Use a class selector to apply effects
<?xml version="1.0"?> <mx:Application xmlns:mx="http://www.adobe.com/2006/mxml"> <mx:Style> .textAreaStyle{ mouseDownEffect: WipeLeft; } </mx:Style> <mx:WipeLeft id="slowWipe" duration="5000" /> <mx:TextArea id="myTA" styleName="textAreaStyle" /> </mx:Application>