What a wink says
Depending on context, a winking kaomoji can mean “just joking”, “you know what I mean” or “I think you are cute”. Simple faces like (^_-) keep things light and friendly, while sparkly ones such as (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ feel more confident and a little flirtatious. Adding a thumbs-up, as in (o^_-)b, turns the wink into a cheerful “got it” or “leave it to me”.
A tip for clear messages
Because winks hint at something unsaid, they can be misread by people who do not know you well. In group chats or work channels, pair the face with a clear sentence so the joke lands as intended. Among close friends, though, a well-placed (^_~)☆ can do the job of a whole paragraph.