Have you been watching the US Open? I’m probably the world’s worst tennis player (sports involving projectiles = not a strong suit) and only know the bare basics of the sport, but I sure like watching it. Team sports are great, but there’s just something about watching two world class athletes go one-on-one, ya know? Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that most of the dudes are cute, heh!
WERK, Andy!
Today was all about the ladies, though, and watching Maria Sharapova duke it out with Caroline Wozniacki got me thinking about — big surprise — makeup.
If, by some miracle of modern science, I morphed into an elite 35-year-old tennis player, I’d be all about waterproof mascara. With that unlikely future in mind, today I gave Rimmel’s Max Volume Flash Waterproof Mascara ($7, available in a single shade called Black) a try.
Rimmel designed it to quickly add dramatic volume, so I took two layers with me for a test drive on the treadmill this morning.
So how’d she fare?
Well, after four miles of pounding the fake pavement through a raging torrent of sweat, there were no smudges to speak of beneath my eyes. 🙂 They remained clean and mascara-free (no panda eyes whatsoever!). Just for haaay of it, I left everything on when I jumped in the shower. Even after THAT, inky black Max Volume Flash hung on like a champ.
And its extreme aversion to water isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out from its competitors. It doesn’t clump, either, and remains easy to remove with my regular Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser.
One word of caution for all my big lash lovin’ ladies (you know who you are!): even though Rimmel calls it Max Volume, it really isn’t. Wearing three layers I still felt like my lashes weren’t as thick as they could be. Longer, yes, but I wanted more volume.
Nekkid lashes!
One layer
Two layers
Three layers
As for keeping a curl, Max Volume does okay. It slightly relaxes the curl from my Shu curler, so to really cement the crimp, I think I might start with a layer of a different mascara and apply Max Volume on top of that.
I love the sound of $7, but I do wish it revved up the volume even more. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
You might like Rimmel Max Volume Flash Waterproof if…
- You draw inspiration from perspiration-proof mascara 🙂
- You’re naturally blessed with thick, long lashes and just want a little more oomph
- You want something you can pick up at the drugstore down the street
Lifestyles of The Way Too Easily Amused
Three words: break dancing kittens! I derived way to much joy from these b-boy kittens.
I asked Tabs if he had any b-boy pics, and this was the closest one he could find…
Doesn’t he look in the midst of a six-step or an air flare with, um, a bottle of Sally Hansen Polish?
LOL! So how was the rest of your Labor Day? Labor free, I hope. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Shakeupyourmakeup says
September 7th, 2010 at 4:01 amI agree with your review on the waterproof. I actually find that the original version is better than the WP. I will say, that Rimmel has the best mascaras for a “drug store” brand, in my opinion. The brush on this one is pretty unique, so that might be part of its appeal to me. Thanks for the review!
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Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:56 amYou’re welcome. I like most of the Rimmel mascaras — LOVE Glam Eyes Lash Flirt, especially. There’s one that didn’t do squat for me though, and that’s Sexy Curves Waterproof:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/what-does-rimmel-sexy-curves-waterproof-do-well/
Lisa says
September 7th, 2010 at 4:55 amI have the regualar Max Volume Flash Mascara and I LOVE IT!
I do have relatively thick and long lashes to begin with but this Mascara really gives them a lot more volume.
Thanks for the review Karen, I might give this one a try too 🙂
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:54 amHi Lisa,
You’re welcome! If you love the original then I think you’ll really like how waterproof this one is. 🙂
What are your other Rimmel faves? I really like their lipstick.
Lisa says
September 8th, 2010 at 4:33 amI have a Rimmel Concealer which I really really like and a lipstick 🙂
Nina says
September 7th, 2010 at 5:55 amYou know im a Rimmel fan. I got a new Rimmel mascara over the weekend but havent used it yet. I cannot remember exactly what it is but I seem to remember a green and pink packaging. Im excited to use this and will most probly get the one you reviewed too … im about to throw out the 3 month old mascaras!
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:53 amDidja ever pick up Rimmel Glam Eyes Lash Flirt (the one in the black and gold tube)? That’s my fave out of the bunch.
Nina says
September 7th, 2010 at 8:44 amYepyep I did. The brush took a bit of getting used to but its pure <3!
There was this new one in a separate display that had green lettering on it – thats my new one. Its probly a variant of Volume Max because the tube was hot pink.
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 10:44 amI just realized I have another tube I need to review, and it has green and pink packaging! It’s called “Max Bold Curves.”
Nina says
September 7th, 2010 at 12:17 pmThats probly the one I have! I think it was the green in the packaging that caught my eye! 😀
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 8:58 pmYes! We’ll have to compare notes. 🙂
Kim says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:12 amBummer. Still looking for that drag queen volume on the cheap! 🙂
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:52 amOne of these days we’ll get there, girl! Trust me, I’ll be sure to let you know once I figure it out.
Happy Tuesday, btw. 🙂
Kim says
September 8th, 2010 at 7:18 amI know I can always count on you!! 🙂
antithesis says
September 7th, 2010 at 6:53 ammaybe i will make this the first rimmel mascara i try. i need to give love to the other mascaras in my collection b4 they dry up b4 i can make a new purchase.
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 10:43 amBoth this one and Glam Eyes Lash Flirt are fab!
Lily says
September 7th, 2010 at 7:58 amI tried Cover Lashblast this weekend and loved it. It doesn’t smudge at all, and keeps my tiny lashes curled and thick. I don’t understand how you manage to get through a shower AND still have mascara on, though.
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 10:36 amI didn’t wash my face! I just wanted to see if the liner could withstand the water. Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll be stuck in a deluge and will want some ultra waterproof. 🙂
Francesca says
September 7th, 2010 at 9:16 amKaren, if you like this, you have to try Maybelline’s Full & Soft Waterproof! It stays on insanely well and you get a lot of volume with pretty much no clumping, plus it conditions your lashes (:
Francesca recently posted … he may be gone- but well remember him always
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 10:42 amFunny, you’re the second person to mention this today. I gotta go to Tar-ghay to pick some stuff up, so I’ll put this on my list. 🙂
Kymberlee says
September 7th, 2010 at 12:05 pmI’m always on the lookout for a magic mascara. I just bought Smashbox’s Hyperlash yesterday (buy 1 get one free at Ulta!). Even though this is a great deal, I wasn’t impressed so I have to return them. 🙁
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 8:54 pmOh no! what did you not like about it?
Trisha says
September 7th, 2010 at 12:19 pmI laughed aloud at that picture of Tabs and the pink polish. And I rarely do that for internet stuff. But come on, that’s a hilarious candid pose.
Trisha recently posted … Face of the Day- 3 Day Weekends
MAUI says
September 7th, 2010 at 12:21 pmi swear by this mascara.
i usually pair it with YSL Faux cils for just unbelivably long and full lashes.
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 8:56 pmI love Faux Cils! I’ll have to try your combo tomorrow.
Morgan says
September 7th, 2010 at 12:33 pmWhat kind of camera/lens are you you using for these uber close up photos???
Karen says
September 7th, 2010 at 8:58 pmIt’s a Canon Powershot SD950 IS. You can read about the cameras I use on the blog here:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/dance-like-no-ones-watching-in-the-open-thread/
Amelia says
September 8th, 2010 at 10:43 pmYOU.SPELL.NEKKID.WRONG.
Long lash says
September 9th, 2010 at 3:01 amSomething to try and apply right away, thanks for the review.
Long lash recently posted … Eyelash glue
Stavroula Plag says
September 11th, 2010 at 8:08 pmI love the big, fat brush! But yeah judging from the pics it didn’t give much volume! I love your full face pic here! 🙂
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Ashley says
September 12th, 2010 at 5:14 pmSo I recently found out that Rimmel tests on animals??
I wanted to try a few more of their mascaras but I won’t until I know the truth.