Ah, can you hear that? That’s the sound of disappointment. Not because The Rocket is bad. I’m disappointed because this is another SUPER GOOD and SUPER AFFORDABLE drugstore mascara that I can’t repurchase because of its animal testing policy. I got The Rocket from the BDJ Box this month and I couldn’t wait to crack it open and try it on. Unfortunately, I liked how it looked.
Funnily enough its wand is not something I normally like, and though it looks chunky, it actually is easier to wield than it looks. I can get to the hard-to-reach parts of my eyelashes with ease, and the formula is light and not goopy, but it is also not very dry either. I love that it’s super buildable and it doesn’t dry to a crustiness that can’t be retouched or added to, like some mascaras I’ve tried.
The Rocket adds volume, holds a curl, and doesn’t clump or make your lashes stick together. It’s also a good mascara to layer with. I’ve used it over another Maybelline Mascara, The Hypercurl, in this look:
See how you can actually see my lashes from afar? Swoon.
Another “wish it were CF” mascaras I have been trying out lately is Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara. I got this mini from a Sephora GWP.
Its wand is similar to The Rocket’s in that it’s plastic and spiky. There are little fiber spikes on the end, too, which I find useful for my outer lashes and also my lower lashes.
Dare I say I prefer the look of The Rocket? Although, this is quite nice, too. 🙂 Still! Not CF. I can’ttttt. I can’t bring myself to buy this, even if it is beautiful. I think Benefit’s Well, we’re against animal testing, but… stance is bullshit and more annoying than straight-up admitting you test. BUT. That is neither here nor there. I think it just pisses me off more because I LOVE their products and I just wish they’d stop testing altogether and not skirt around the issue. Anyway.
This is not an eyeroll! It’s a “Sigh, but these mascaras are so pretty.” If only these were cruelty-free. I welcome suggestions for similar cruelty-free options, if you have any idea on where I could start. I know I didn’t promise to eliminate non-CF products, but it’s getting more difficult for me to buy non-CF items, which is GOOD but also, it’s like starting these holy grail quests all over again.
Anyway, suggestions, please! And, of course, many thanks for reading. 🙂
* This item was provided for me for editorial consideration. All opinions are my own.
Maybelline is not cruelty-free. Benefit is not cruelty-free.
Softly Sometimes 
I know what you mean! Maybelline has a lot of good makeup products, with the added bonus of being actually affordable. Sigh…..
Sigh talaga!
Sigh talaga!
I was literally fighting with that exact mascara earlier (The Rocket). I didn’t know they had a crappy record but ugh. I would send you mine if I could. I really don’t care for it and always forget and end up using it when I need black mascara (I usually wear dark brown). It’s too… wet? Or the brush has too much on it if I don’t wipe it off a bunch before using and it just makes a mess. It’s irritating.
Yeah, maybe you need to let it dry out for a bit by leaving the cap open for a few minutes? I always wipe the extra gunk off!
What is the “but” in Benefit’s policy? “But we do it anyway”? Surely you are against it or you aren’t!
Yeah, more like “… but we need to do it for some things,” i.e. a new ingredient, a law, whatever. It’s like they’re saying “We don’t like it, but we have to do it” when it’s simply not true, as tons of beauty brands survive without testing and still come up with new products. It’s not like Benefit prices are in the drugstore/high street price range!
Makes me sad that Benefit isn’t CF, as I LOVE their They’re Real! mascara. 😦 Must find a replacement…
But I agree, it’s lame that some companies claim that they’re not for animal testing but do it anyway for some reason or another. (Financial, probably.) Honestly, if they’re truly against animal testing they wouldn’t be doing it, PERIOD; no ifs, ands, or buts. Sheesh.
I know! I think Benefit infuriates me the most because they pretend to be animal-friendly and on their side, but they still allow testing to happen.