RIMMEL MASCARAS! SKIP THE LASH FLIRT-GRAB THE GLAM EYES!
Gigi here! The bitter bare-bones beauty battle rages on (I dare you to say that three times quickly).
Things are becoming more sparse at my local store, and thus I drew on my marketing degree and created a schematic of how I would utilize unoccupied floor space and shelves to entice shoppers.
I spoke with executives at the corporate level, offering them suggestions. I explained that displays that face the window and not the shopper won't win customers and that teeth marks on a lipstick package and one single glove in a pair to wear overnight with hand cream need to be addressed; with all respect, the days of one glove went with much-loved Michael Jackson.
I used a football analogy. This is not a field. I don't want to rush one hundred yards across the open carpet to tackle beauty items. I have new Megheads to meet, friend Megheads to greet, reviews to write, and comments to make on the site!
The executives of this company were excited. I could hear computer keys clicking away as I spoke. They promised that they would be returning my call soon and would like to deal with me personally. Ah, open minds!
Evidently, something was lost in translation. The phone did ring the following day and I was excited to see that it was the manager of the local branch. Evidently they had contacted her. She asked, "Why do you hate our cosmetics?"
As Lucy Ricardo would say, "Aye carumba!"
I repeated the aforementioned comments and I'm sure it was an emery board my ears detected sawing through her fingernails. I wanted to know why brands like Rimmel weren't carried and the response was "What's a Rimmel?" Finally she said, "This is to be a clutter-free store." I said politely, "But it is also product-free." She said the unthinkable: "Who looks for makeup in drugstores anyway?" I nearly fainted! That is shopping blasphemy for this reviewer! This is a true story, so I'm taking on the "big boys" again. I am woman. Hear me roar. And I really hate that lame song.
My husband was kind enough to drive me elsewhere to help me to purchase two items by Rimmel, from their collection of three new revolutionary mascaras (the Drugstore Dealer has to be frugal and could not purchase all). Their basic mascara is legendary, although I've never tried it.
There is a current promotion by Rimmel--you receive a free soft kohl lining pencil with the mascara. Evidently my terrier mix Skittles was annoyed that I was dealing with cosmetics and not her, and thus she stole one liner and had it between her paws. I took it away and patiently explained that black can be overwhelming and garish for those with very fair fur. Like me, she is a "girly-girl." This liner is so soft that it applies itself and, when smudged, can create a sultry, sexy look. Just not for Skittles.
I have to come out of the department store closet. I love Lancome's Definicils among other pricey brands, so I didn't expect much. However, Rimmel's "Lash Flirt" flexible and unique pink (yes, pink!) brush does define lashes, allowing you to find hidden ones (mine are so well hidden that they can be non-existent unless I prime lashes and use a curler). It sells for about $6.99. It promised an eighty percent increase in length and volume. I took out my homemade lash-o-meter. Sorry, but Rimmel is more mathematically challenged than I. Mine measured an enhancement of only 27.04239% calculated with a margin for error. The formula stays soft upon application and there are no problems with clumping. I asked my husband to tell me what he thought of my mascara. He said, "Oh, you are wearing some?" I would rename this "Lash Wallflower" and bypass it. 
On the other end of the spectrum is their "Glam Eyes." This texture is reminiscent of Maybelline's "Full and Soft" and remains pliable. It has a GPS to track each lash as well and remains moist so that you can apply more coats. There is some clumping, but nothing that can't be handled. Careful here--I built coverage and I wound up with "arachnid eyes." Please don't make a lash of yourself. It is highly pigmented, almost to the point of what to wear with your Halloween costume. I recommend this version, but be sure not to overdo. It's a good idea to keep a clean lash comb to remove excess and recall that less is more. For drama, it's excellent. 
Back to Lash Flirt--I reneged and Skittles is wearing it anyway. I kept Rimmel's Glam Eyes. I don't have the heart to tell Skittles that she looks freakish but she has eyes set on a huge Doberman named Capone across the street. When she complains about relationship problems, I have to remind her that she keeps pursuing the wrong types for her. . . what some women don't do for love!
Rimmel Lash Flirt? Thumbs down. Rimmel Glam Eyes? Thumbs up!
Any other ladies out there that get so turned off when the displays are a mess and products have been open and laying around-Ugh!?
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When I was in high school, a friend of mine worked at CVS and her job was to open.single.lipstick and to make sure it hadn't been tested. If it had, it went in a bin and was returned to the manufacturer. I always thought that was a pretty cool job - playing with makeup all day, and getting paid for it! What could be better?
OOOH MORE MASCARA!!!!!Dam you!!gonna have to buy the glam eyes. Im alll over it!Lol at the GPS tracking.. sounds like an awesome idea... send that one out to your exects.I agree I hate when you go into a store and they dont have nearly anything you're searching for!!I recently stumbled into rite aid at 11:30 pm in desperate need of a pair of tweezers!!!! Luckily they had a good pair. woah the sally hanson tweezers are intesnse!! if im not careful i'll pull out exact little pieces of flesh. those things are powerful! Much better than my old pair that didnt even grab the hair!!!!!!!! and the night before classes starts... I NEEDED the hair to be pulled! hence the reason I made a run for rite aid before they closed.But seriously just because shes some hot shot executive and can afford to have ALL her makeup hand made by servants in her own home doesnt mean NORMAL people dont get the cheap...but good stuff at the drugstore!!!You TELL THEM... WE NEED CHEAP QUALITY MAKEUP!!!
Tan is Love
this does look like a pretty mascara, i like the packaging.but the only drugstore brand mascara i've tried is maybelline XXL and that was a few years ago, it didn't do much to my lashes so now i only use the primer end.ever since i started using elizabeth arden, chanel, lancome mascaras I've completely forgotten about drugstore mascaras (but also because the maybelline mascaras in australia cost about $20.. so i thought I might as well go higher end)When i worked in the cosmetics department store it was a mess during christmas!!! people would open eyeshadows, lipsticks etc and dig their fingers into it and wipe it on the box. it was filthy!!! (but that's only in the sale bucket) otherwise it's usually pretty clean and people only use the testers :)
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Ooh, the packaging is gorgeous. If I saw this in the drugstore, I would absolutely stop and look. If stores want to avoid having to return tons of messed makeup, they need to have a tester for every single item and colour. That way people can find out right away if a particular shade is going to work for them. I'm guilty of opening something to find out if it will work because buying then returning later is a huge hassle. Although I don't do this a lot or anything! :D
The packaging of this is so freaking cute! I want it just for that lol. I have too many mascaras open at the moment, though, so I need to work through a few before I buy another. I'll definitely put this on my list, though!
I would definitely try this after I have used up the mascara that I am currently using.You would think that they would welcome your comments and suggestions in this economy.
Oh boy, Glam eyes is my least favourite mascara of all times! It flaked like it wasn't even funny, the wand liked to play tricks on me and let mascara fly everywhere from my mirror to my clothes when I tried to close the tube and was less that very loving and caring with it and I didn't see any difference on my lashes worth putting up with a "temperamental" mascara. maybe that's just me but from what I've read about it it's pretty much either you love it or you hate it and there's not much in between. Now, Rimmel's Sexy Curves and L'Oreal Lash architect are diff stories. Sexy curves is the BEST mascara for me so far and lash architect is pretty good, except that in I wear it, I look like a drag queen (b/c my lashes go past the lower part of my eyebrows - reaching the eyebrows is normal for me, getting past them is just insane lol)
What a hilarious article. You go and get them Gigi, lolI have tried the Glam Eyes and I thought it was quite good. I couldn't say no to that pink brush. I had a few clumping issues as well, but for such a cheap mascara it was really quite good.
I have had some success with Rimmel mascaras - some a great, some aren't great but I think you find that with most brands.I hate getting into a drugstore and not finding what I need!! Generally what I need is usually a popular item and it'd be sold out! Argh.But for the most part out main drugstore (priceline) is generally pretty clean, and only when there is a sale on are some items a bit all over the shop.
Shucks I just bought the Lash Flirt. Why? Cause I love the GLAM EYES! :) Well I'll use it anyway! But Maybelline Full n Soft is my HG mascara! :)
¤wuzzyangel¤
Argh yes that definately turns me off purchasing make-up ewww, I don't even user testers unless it's a spray bottle perfume or pump moisturizer or something
I'm really picky about mascara, its the only thing i'm ocd about so i only buy mascara that is sealed in packaging. I wear contacts so i'm paranoid about germs and other people using it. I haven't tried a rimmel mascara before, their terrible foundations and shadows have put me off trying other things in their make up line.
Gigi you are hilarious. I hope Skittles snags Capone:) I am so stuck on Covergirl Eyelights right now but for going out the Glam Eyes is definitely something I'm going to have to try.
Style may be on the surface, but you can be deep and still have some - Clarissa Gough
Another great review Gigi. I do hope that you get your store on track. They should let you tell them what to do. Keep calling and maybe they will get the hint.I've never tried any rimmel mascaras. I'm about to run out of my HG, mark Make it Big so I need a new one while I wait for my order to come in. Maybe I will meander over to Walgreens and check this out. I love pink so how could I possibly resist that brush? As for me on testers. I'm with sangus. I just think an open tester of makeup can lead to all kinds of problems. (how are you to know that the person that just tried that lipstick is sick?) I'll use a tester of lotion or spray but not makeup. When I go over to Walgreens they don't have testers and I have never seen an open, bit up item on the shelf. (I must be spoiled.)
i love the packaging of the mascara !!! so cute and so girly !!! :)
I've been wanting to try Rimmel mascara for awhile now, just waiting to use up the few mascaras I have open now...looks like I will have to pick up a Glam Eyes in addition to the Sexy Curves I'd already been wanting. I love the packaging and I've been looking for something that will give me really dramatic lashes.
Gigi, it is true that beauty is hard work. I was at a relatively new CVS last weekend unpacking the boxes myself. There was one person at the register and another very, very busy running her mouth as she walked around the front of the store (at least she could multi-task). So I dug through the boxes which had been dumped in the middle of the aisle. I didn't come up with anything that made me clutch my chest and drop to my knees, but I did find the current issue of a magazine I read. I am so sick of old displays from past seasons propped on high shelves over the Christmas decorations. I am tired of open products that have been sampled by other customers. I am tired of reading about new additions to current lines that never materialize. Our local Target is usually my go to store for drugstore brands, but they are in the midst of a huge renovation and nothing new has been stocked in weeks. And I would love to pay only 6.99 for a mascara that doesn't flake or clump. As for those tweezers, Whole Foods and Bad Bath Beyond both carry a nice assortment of Tweezerman. Yes, Whole Foods!
I hate, hate, hate those clinical shops where the shelves are a mile apart. They seldom carry what you need, and seldom have all that great prices either. It's a psychological thing, I think. I equal well stocked shelves, with just enough room for you and your complaining boyfriend to be able to walk side by side, with nice prices and a good range of products and friendly sellers. Too much room, and to clean...then I flee!I would boycott that store and spread the word until they better their ways, definitely.Anyhow, thanks for the review of the mascaras. Now I can cross a few other ought to try candidates from my list. :)
Rimmel mascara has never been kind to me. Every one I have tried goes on super clumpy and flakes off after a few hours. Even at 6.99, it's not a bargain if you can't use it! I used to work on the CVS Cosmetics re-set team. We would go into a store and take all the cosmetics off the floor then start over with new products and signage, etc. I have to say it was really nice to walk in to a messy make-up section and walk away leaving it clean and organized!
I've never had good luck with Rimmel mascara.
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I'm shocked at how little that person cared about her store! And that no one goes to drugstores for makeup! Yikes, that's the ONLY place I go! I'm to chicken to try the really expeinsive stuff so I stick with what I know...and CVS is what I know. I have always been intrugued by Rimmel's advertising, but it seemed a little forced. I'm glad to hear what you really thought, sounds like the company needs to readjust a few things...
Doesn't most DS makeup have plastic seals so you know if it's been tampered with? I usually get mine at Target and there aren't really many testers. If there were kids would make a mess of the place drawing all over everything.
I am a complete and total sucker for anything packaged in pink and black. I actually buy products packaged with those 2 colors for just that reason, but it's good to hear that this one might work out for me. Is it just me, or does the tube look a lot like too-faced?
I have pondered purchasing Glam Eyes mascara many times...and have not given in because of fear if it's lame than that cute package will go to waste! I have had bad experiences with Rimmel mascara but I love going to the drugstore to pick up mascara because honestly there are some good picks there. I have tried higher end mascaras such as CD and Benefit however I am still looking for my holy grail! I am wearing Lash Stiletto from Maybelliene and I actually kind of like it (for a natural look) I may have to try Glam Eyes out when this goes bad (I rarely finish DS mascaras I prefer to chuck them after the 3-4 month mark).
That lady sounds like a NUTBAR. "Who looks for makeup in drugstores?" Uh, EVERYONE. Especially for something like mascara--you're supposed to replace it every 3-6 months, and who really wants to shell out major duckets for something you have to replace so often? I love my Revlon (DRUGSTORE!!! :P ) mascara.
I haven't tried these two Rimmel mascaras, but I have tried the Sexy Curves-LOVE IT!! I just purchased their Lycra Lash Extender mascara as well, but haven't had the chance to try it yet! I have their soft kohl in white and it's great! Very soft and blendable!
I'm using Rimmel Magnif'Eyes and I'm very happy with it so I'll have to try the Glam Eyes.
At the Shopper's Drug Mart where I get most my make up they are one that have moved to higher end makeup brands so they have nice displays. Their typical drug store brands are in an other section and have a pretty standard display, all laid out by brand. I like to wander the isles and try things. I hate it when there are no testers, but get mad when people have made their own testers by just opening products.Like I have said before, I am very loyal to my Lash Blast mascara. The one or two times I have tried to change it up a bit I have been disappointed. So why mess with a good thing? I do like Lancome's mascaras, so steal my mom's samples that come with her GWP.
Hi Gigi--The only Rimmel Mascara that I use is the one called "Eye Magnifier." It is the one with the red cap. I really like it. You cannot beat the price.Personally, it is my favorite right now. I will also go so far to say it could very well be the ugly step cousin of Dior Show. It is not Dior Show by any means. However, it was $5. It has far exceeded my expectations for a drug store mascara in quality.
Skittles is sneaky! I cant believe that lady, what a doorknob!! I love drugstore mascara! I've tried the Lash Flirt and had a horrible experience, glad I'm not the only one. I love CG Lashblast the best!
Gigi, the picture is using a quote from Futurama episode "Futurestock." That Guy froze himself in the eighties because he had terminal bonitis. He was waiting for a cure. At the end of the episode his bonitis suddenly attacks and kills him. He was so busy being an eighties guy he forgot to cure it. This episode is really funny. So the cat greatly resembles his contortions at the end. If you haven't seen it, Google it and watch it! You'll love it! Absolutely agree with you on the opening and returning products thing. :D Thanks for replying.
I haven't bought the same mascara twice ever because I have yet to find one that meets all my needs. I'll have to try this one out next!
Kelly Lynn
The packaging of Rimmel mascaras has been tempting me - they're all really cute tubes! I've been wary because a lot of Rimmel products aren't so great on me, but I'll definitely give Glam Eyes a try. I've heard good things about their Sexy Curves, too, but I've never really liked curling mascaras so I've stayed away.
The mascara wouldn't to good if there isn't a diffence. 6.99 can be expensive if you never use it more then once D:
thanks for the heads up. u say it rivals full & soft? youre the second person ive noticed mentioned this but ive never seen it in the drugstore. i want to try it.
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Fun review! Is it me or are the drugstore brands competing currently to see who can go out of biz the soonest? Just when you find something that IS cool and "cheap",you go in again and voila,it's in the "closeout" bin.I have very little luck with these brands as a whole and find I spend oodles of cash buying "fun stuff" at the drugstore when I should invest in one or two killer new items of less-questionable quality.The main reason I'm saying this has naught to do with the fabulous GiGi who does such a wonderful job of squeezing the goodness out of those cheap-o plasti tubes in the most remarkable way but rather because the past 5 or 6 things I have bought have been dried up,smelled "off" or had other things about them that caused me to toss.Returns are viable but not when you're 25 miles from the closest place and forget,LOL! Whole Foods is another animal: they have AMAZING products with equally amazing prices...:)
The Whole Foods that I go to on my lunch hour has so many cosmetics/skin care. It is like a candy store. The down side is that no one who there knows much about makeup. Most of the girls that work there do not look like they wear makeup.
Hint: Someone should do a feature on a girls guide to navigating natural/organic cosmetics. What ingredients should I look for? What should I avoid?
I never even think of rimmel--don't know why??? I am forever looking for a good mascara and can never find "the one". Does anyone have any suggestions--please pm me if you do ;)I've tried so many mascaras....I hate when they flake (i already have dark circles under my eyes and don't need any help). I want a mascara that gives me long, thick lashes that aren't so dried out that i could poke someones eyes out!HELP
Gigi, how are you, darlin'? Thanks for the great review. I cannot believe anyone would even consider saying, "who looks for makeup in a drugstore anyway?" Drugstores have some AWESOME finds!!! I haven't tried Rimmel's mascara yet, but one of my coworkers/beauty-crazed friends swears by Rimmel Glam Eyes, so it's definitely something I'll be looking for.I cannot stand sloppy drugstore makeup displays, especially those with opened up tubes of lipstick, etc. GROSS. But I've been even more appalled when I go into an Ulta or a Sephora and their testers don't look much better.
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Oh Gigi, you make me giggle like nobody else on this entire site! What a fantastic article. I love that you actually stood up and told that company your thoughts. We're all valid contributors - after all, we're the people they aim their marketing at!As for this little mascara, anything black and pink wins a vote from me. It looks deliciously sassy and so cute! I want it just for the packaging. ;]
Hmmm, I can't remember which Rimmel mascara I tried, I'm pretty sure it was Glam Eyes. It didn't work for me. I am not very gifted in the eyelash department, so formulas and brushes have to be pretty powerful and special for me not to march back and return the tube.If they're too volumizing without tending to length my lashes can actually look shorter! The horror! That wasn't my issue with Glam Eyes, though. I felt that it did better with length, but made my lashes look anorexic; they were long and very skinny. I thought the brush wasn't stable enough to do the maneuvering I need to do in order to build up my lashes. Depending upon the state of a person's natual lash, this mascara might work for others, though.One of my favorite mascaras is Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash. I also enjoy Cover Girl Lash Blast and Max Factor's 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper. Those are just my current likes.
I think I will stick with my Lash Blast, but the packaging is adorable!
I agree with Colie079 the packaging is cute but i think ill stick with my MAKE IT BIG MASCARA by MARK.
Gigi, this review was fantastic. Your writing had me smiling from ear to ear! I think I bought two different Rimmel products when the line was first introduced and I didn't care for either product. I believe it was a lip gloss and eyeshadow. Their products seem very cheaply manufactured, with little staying power and inferior blendability. I'm a sucker for a new mascara though, and might have tried Lash Flirt if you had not saved me from myself.
Indi
Well the bottle looks cute. But I'm looking for a good clear mascara. Any suggestions?
I am so tired of the Walgreens in our neighborhood. Like mjsred said, who is going out of business first. The dollar stores do a much better job of displaying their products at a cheaper price. Mascara is a product that I can't seem to find a good one. I tried the high end and cheap and in between with not much luck. I have lately been using Avon's Super Shock with fairly good luck. I adore colored lashes like blue, purple, green etc and Avon's only has the basic brown black stuff.
Beste Hilsin
"Back to Lash Flirt--I reneged and Skittles is wearing it anyway. I kept Rimmel's Glam Eyes. I don't have the heart to tell Skittles that she looks freakish but she has eyes set on a huge Doberman named Capone across the street. When she complains about relationship problems, I have to remind her that she keeps pursuing the wrong types for her. . . what some women don't do for love!"Thank you Gigi for the best laugh of my day. I can almost see Skittles wearing the mascara. Just like you I hate going into a drugstore and finding everything a mess. I don't want to buy something that someone else has obviously tried...have you heard of testers people?
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personally, i'm not a rimmel mascara fan. i've never tried it because i'm soooo in love with lash blast :) i don't think i'll ever use any other mascara.
I will try this and then will let you know.
I'm unimpressed by Rimmel. Their marketing doesn't speak to me (I've never particularly liked Kate Moss) and their products seem cheap and dont' seem to pay off color wise. I bought a lip liner from them (not a pencil but a soft one that twists up) and I didn't particularly like it. It just wasn't good. Their shadows and such look decent in the package but poor on. So I'm unlikely to try anything from Rimmel unless I hear absolute rave reviews of a product.