Today’s review is on a product that I am a little bit scared to talk about because it has reached an insane level of cult stardom. Or something.
The Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohls are often touted as a drugstore alternative to many high-end creamy eyeliners because of its rich and creamy texture, as well as impressive pigmentation, and staying power. These do not budge, apparently. And—apparently—I had to try them out.
Color me surprised when the first time I used the black liner. I used it to tightline my upper waterline (which, by the way, applies impressively. I have a very sensitive upper waterline) and it was so creamy and smooth, and I loved it.
Then it traveled to my bags. And stayed put.
I tried it again on a different day, this time on my lower lashline and in between my upper lashes. This is pictured above. Again, after a few hours—a case of smudgerama. Anyway, I guess I should note that I have watery eyes and I live in a country that is humid 99% of the time. I should note also that I used Urban Decay’s Primer Potion on my upper and lower lids, and UDPP has never let me down, so I honestly don’t know what the deal is.
Swatched, from L-R: Black, Nude, Taupe. The two extra lines are from the Taupe pencil, because I was trying to see if there was actually shimmer in the color. (There is a slight, slight case of shimmer here.)
On the hand, these liners are practically smudge-proof, except for the black. That one smeared around a lot when I tried to wash them off. I don’t know, I guess I just wasn’t impressed by the performance of these because I haven’t had a liner smudge on me, like the black one did, in a long time. The other two are passable, but also nothing super exceptional.
I wouldn’t really purchase the black one again, which is weird to type because I feel like I’m the only person to dislike these liners. Maybe they’ll work better on me in a colder climate, but for now, these are a pass for me.
Rimmel London does not test on animals, unless required by law.
Softly Sometimes 
I bought the nude one because of all the nude in the waterline hype. Is that even a thing? Am I making that up? Haha and at first it blew my mind because it was so creamy, but it doesn’t last on my waterline.
I don’t understand how any company can mess up a black liner these days.
The look actually looks intentional, like the korean liner look. I actually like it haha.
Yep, it’s totally a thing. I learned about ‘white eyeliner on your lower waterline’ on ANTM, lol. People have been switching out to nude eyeliner because it’s less harsh and obvious than white.
The look is actually prior smudging. 🙂 Thanks!
You watch ANTM, it’s my guilty pleasure show haha
I just realized you don’t wear a lot of liner, is it because of the as you said “watery eyes and I live in a country that is humid 99%”? Or you just don’t like the look of it?
Yup!
Mostly too lazy. I have uneven folds and it takes a while for me to make sure my eyes look even after eyeliner & mascara. 😦
I recently picked these up in the nude and taupe colours as well. I have yet to actually try them, but I hope they are worth the hype!
They’re alright. I think their best asset is that they smudge well (for smoky eyes) and are easy to apply. Other than that, I don’t get the fuss. Hope it works better for you!
Thanks for the review. Can you recommend any other drugstore nude eyeliner for the lower waterline?? When you say the nude one is passable – is it because of the staying power? My eyes water a lot – and I mean A LOT. So I’m looking for one that will stay.
Nope, more because it didn’t really smudge, but then smudgey nude liner is not horrible-looking or the easiest to detect, I realize. LOL. I really like the NYX ones! They have one called the Wonder Pencil that I really like. Eyeliner on my waterline is hopeless, too, so I am actually in search of a good one.
The best one I’ve tried is unfortunately not drugstore, but if you’re curious, try the NARS Larger Than Life pencil in Rue Bonaparte.
I have actually been looking at the NYX wonder pencils. Will get it next time I make my NYX order. Thanks for your reply 🙂
Is Rimmel available in the Philippines?
Nope, I got mine over ASOS.com.
Why are your statements on MAC and Rimmel in regards of their cruelty-free status are different? They have same policy – unless required by law. Doesn’t seem fair towards Rimmel.
I actually haven’t checked their official statement. I just know them to be not CF. Will amend the post now; thanks for catching that! 🙂
The black one goes EVERYWHERE on me, and I don’t have watery eyes or humidity, so I think it’s just a bit of a fail of a formula 😦
That’s so weird! I don’t know why it’s so raved about, then.
I was thinking of having a friend in the UK get this for me. But since I was only interested in the black one (which “traveled to my bags. And stayed put.” lol), I won’t be purchasing this anymore. You’d think it’ll stand a chance against our humidity because of all the hype LOL. Thanks so much for the heads up!
Yup! I think it’s still worth trying, but I also asked a friend to get these for me from the UK and after all that trouble, it was still not good enough for me. If you are still curious, try ASOS.com!
I like the Nude and Taupe ones but I want to look for a drugstore brand that’s available locally. So far no dice. Maybe I should look for NYX in the Digital Traincase store,
Yeah, try NYX!
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Hey Carina, I have the black one, and the smudging isnt so bad on me..but I do this silly thing which may or may not be the reason: I kind of let it “set” after applying, so I spread my eyes with my fingers/keep my eyes wide open for maybe 10 seconds. Also sometimes, when I tight line, I dont take the eyeliner all the way inside the waterline, just on the roots of the lashes but you need a really sharp point for that. I dunno..I hope this helps. 😐
Haha I’ll try those soon! 🙂
I have both the black and the nude versions. The black one definitely smudges super easily and it’s a nightmare to take off. The nude one is PERFECT and I would repurchase that forever.
I super agree re: the black one! How weird is that, though? How can it be such a smudger but so hard to take off. It’s so annoying, lol.
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