Maybelline the Rocket Volum’ Express Waterproof

I am generally a big fan of Maybelline mascaras, so I was excited to try Maybelline’s newest, called the Rocket (though the name unfortunately reminds me of this). I purchased the waterproof version in the shade Very Black (waterproof also comes in Brownish Black, and washable comes in those two shades plus Blackest Black).

Note: It’s listed online at Target.com now – it’s not yet available to buy online (as of 12/31), but you can use the in-store locator function to find it at a store near you.

Here’s a closer look at the brush, both without and with mascara:

The brush picks up the right amount of mascara – not too much, and not too little. There’s no need to wipe it off, and it doesn’t seem to get a glob of mascara on the end, which is great.  It is quite a big brush – I prefer a smaller brush, as I find it easier to use on my corner lashes, but that’s just personal preference.   As you can see, it’s a silicone-bristle wand, which I tend to prefer over traditional wands, though again that’s just my preference.

Here is my eye with no mascara, and with one thorough coat of the Rocket. I almost always curl my eyelashes and use a mascara guard, but I didn’t for the photo, so you could see how the mascara performed on its own.

My eyelashes are sort of wonky right now, maybe because I was using Rapidlash and stopped, so I have some longer lashes and some shorter lashes – that’s not the mascara’s fault! I think the mascara performs pretty well, but not perfectly. It’s hard to tell from this angle, but it flattens out my eyelashes some rather than enhancing curl.  It doesn’t clump much, but it does a little bit. It adds a little volume and a little length, but nothing spectacular.

On my other eye, I curled my lashes and used a mascara guard (in addition to protecting my lid from smudges, a mascara guard helps the brush comb through lashes, which helps separate them and get them all going in one direction instead of being all wonky and heading all over the place). This was the result.

I think this is a much nicer result – still some very minor clumps, but a much better curl (of course).

I’ve been testing the Rocket mascara over the past few days, and I haven’t experienced any smudging, smearing, or flaking – I’ve even taken a nap in it and woken up with perfect mascara.  Maybelline’s mascara formula and I get along really well!  It removes easily with cleansing oil or makeup remover.

Overall, this is a solid choice for if you’re looking for a new mascara, but nothing to run out and buy immediately.  If you prefer a large, silicone bristled brush, this might even become a favorite.  Personally, I like this mascara enough to continue to use it, but I won’t repurchase because I prefer a smaller brush.