This morning I decided to scare little children and ventured out in public for the first time this week with my grotesque, infected eyelid and found myself at Watson’s. I picked up another polish from Sally Hansen’s Insta Dry collection, this time in Blazing Blue, a beautiful shimmery navy. I absolutely love the orange nail polish from the same range and when I saw they had navy, I grabbed it up! Also because I am a big cheapo and don’t want to splurge on that other amazing navy polish I am in love with. I mean seriously, $24 for nail polish? How many Big Macs is that?
Anyway, I also bought a mascara and lipstick from Rimmel – my first time using the brand. I want to ask: Do you use Rimmel? Are they any good? What are the must haves from the brand? I would love to hear your thoughts! Rimmel came to Singapore some time ago and I’m so happy we have more drugstore makeup offerings… this will only mean more bumming around drugstores, yay! 
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Rimmel’s Sexy Curves Full Volume & Curve Mascara! I use it as a sorta “day mascara” because it’s not so dramatic but boy is it easy to use – no clumps, separates the lashes nicely and gives a nice curl. Just put on a few coats and I’m ready to go!
Oh thanks Ri! It sounds good! I think I saw that mascara actually… is it purple? I admit I chose this one ’cause the bright color attracted me the most haha!
Yes it’s the purple one!
Hi, I recall that you’ve previously posted an article about animal testing and that you don’t support it. I’m actually the same as you, vegetarian and avoiding the ‘evil’ companies like Coty, Unilever, L’Oreal, etc etc., as well as individual brands that do test.
However, I’ve noticed that you continue to use products from Lancome (owned by L’Oreal) and now Rimmel (owned by Coty). I understand that these may be your personal preferences, but since you have said that you don’t support animal testing, I find it a bit odd that you still those products.
If I have missed anything, please do clarify! I don’t mean to offend at all.
Thanks,
Mel
Hey Mel,
What makes you say I am still using stuff from Lancome? I did but I stopped quite a while ago after I heard they test on animals. As for Rimmel I had no idea!
Crap. I normally go over the list I wrote here (http://beautyfool.com/which-beauty-brands-do-not-test-on-animals/) and Rimmel wasn’t on it so I suppose I thought it was OK. My mistake. I will research on Coty now, the only ones I heard about were L’Oreal and Unilever. (Are you following the story on L’Oreal? There’s quite a few stories about how they are planning to go cruelty free in 2013 because they are developing some other method of testing… I am hoping and praying that goes through!)
Anyway, if you’re curious about my stance on animal testing and blogging I wrote about it on my post here:
http://beautyfool.com/which-beauty-brands-do-not-test-on-animals/
And no, of course, I am not offended! Valid question and I get asked it time and time again but do check out that post. It’s very tough so I decided on that “rule” for myself and the blog and am sticking to it. Do let me know if you have any more questions. xx
I thought you were using Lancome ‘cos sometimes I see you post about their products like the Teint Miracle (or something like that). But if you aren’t using them anymore I apologise for wrongly accusing you.
Yes I heard about the 2013 European ban on animal testing! I was overjoyed until they pushed it to 2017 instead because they haven’t come up with alternative solutions. This is the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/31/animal-testing-cosmetics-industry-europe
I understand that it’s very difficult to only buy cruelty-free cosmetics/products. I can’t blame you for buying Rimmel if you didn’t know beforehand it tested on animals. I personally have been tempted to buy L’Oreal at one point in time but I resisted anyway. “Just one eyeshadow wouldn’t hurt..” is not a valid excuse to me!
Thanks for clarifying!
No problem! Ah, I think I know the post you are talking about concerning Lancome’s Teint Miracle. It was on last week’s Beauty Tip post, am I right? I was given it as a sample, tried it out but don’t really use it… except as a “prop”! The post was about foundations so I just grabbed a few random bottles for the photo, for illustrative purposes. (I keep a lot of old makeup – ew! – ’cause sometimes I need them in photos haha.) But you are right… I shouldn’t do stuff like that as it might give out the wrong message. I am so sorry!
And yeah, there’s a big personal dilemma for me. While I personally try to research and do my best, I also know that certain websites lie, there’s so much info out there, lots of them conflicting each other, who exactly can you trust?
But I know FOR SURE Unilever and L’Oreal are the biggest companies that test, so I steer clear of that. I suppose all we can do is try our best to research :/
And that really sucks if they are pushing it ’til 2017.. ugh! :S Will read the article after I post this, but I also read that it’s actually illegal to test on animals in the EU? And that those tested on animals are only imported, so European made cosmetics are “safe”? I’m not sure I believe that though.
P.S. Another reader just posted this link… Paula Begoun seems legit, what do you think?
http://www.beautypedia.com/AnimalTesting.aspx
I love Rimmel, I’ve used quite a few of their mascaras, the Lash Accelerator Mascara is AMAZING! Adds volume, adds length and no clumps. The Rimmel nail polish range is great too, it comes in such a wide range of colour and last quite a while, you should definitely check it out.
Thanks Jenny!
I saw their polishes but decided to pick up Sally Hansen instead… maybe next time!
Does Lash Accelerator work? I think I read it’s supposed to help your lashes grow?
Well when I first heard about Lash Accelerator I was a bit sceptical but after using it on a regular basis for about 2 week (and still using and on my second one) I definitely saw an improvement.
While I think the mascara could only help your lashes grow till a certain point, I do think it’s a must buy.
I haven’t tried many of their products, but I’ve heard good things about them! A really good mascara that I found recently is from collection 2000, although I’m not sure if you have that in Singapore. Another great brand for mascara I love is bourjois. I look forward to reading how the Rimmel products work out though
I’ve heard great things about the mascaras from Collection 2000 as well, but yeah, we don’t have it here.
I used to try out Bourjois a lot but after the 4th mascara I stopped. Every one I tried made my eyes sting and tear like crazy.
I kept thinking it was that particular mascara so I kept trying a different one but no luck! wonder why though, I’ve never had any problems with mascaras… Bourjois was the only one to give me such reactions so I stopped. 
I LOVE the brand though, especially in highschool. I was obsessed haha.
I love Bourjois as well, that’s so unfortunate though! I know how you feel though, my skin is ridiculously sensitive and my eyes particularly.
xx
On a different note, I’ve just recently started a blog : http://bowtiedbeauty.blogspot.com/. I sent you an email, but I know you must get a ton everyday! I was wondering if you had any tips or advice as traffic is a bit slow! :/ Please let me know if you’re doing any guest blog spots as well, I’d love to send something in!
Unfortunately I have nothing good to say about Rimmel, at leat of their mascaras. I tried the Glam Eyes-mascara few years ago b/c I’ve read so many rave reviews about it but it does absolutely nothing. Nothing. And my friend agreed with me, did nothing for her superlong lashes either but she does love their Volume Flash x 10 -mascara.
Aw no! Maybe it was just that mascara? I normally try a few of them before I give up on a brand. Like Revlon mascaras… eeks! They all were horrible for me!
Yeah me too but the experience was just too disappointing I guess
Well maybe I try the Volume Flash one day.. Hope Rimmel works better for you!
my eye is all swollen and gross too!
i have to agree with blake, their mascara is also quite flaky. i love love love dior’s diorshow black out mascara. i always get compliments when i wear it – and it looks like (good) fake lashes when on! not in a bad way though!
Oh no… what happened?
I hope it gets better soon… My eye is finally getting better. Phew.
UGH I loved Diorshow but $45 for a mascara every month… I can’t afford that. It’s such a great mascara though, like you said – like fake (yet naturally fake? haha) looking lashes. I need to save up!
Hi Renee, I’ve tried Rimmel’s nail polishes -> love their colours, it’s cheap and doesn’t chip easily. As for makeup, have only tried their eyeshadow, but no complaints there
I’ve used Rimmel for years. Some of their products are really good! I love their nail polishes, eyeliners & brow pencils, and I’ve heard some great things about some of their mascaras too! I’m not sure about their foundations and powders though. I don’t know what the prices are like in Sg, but in the UK they’re a great budget brand!
ps. was going to suggest ebay for the OPI polish, you can get some really great deals there! I know you said in your last post that you couldn’t have an ebay account any more, but I thought I’d let you know in case you ever get one in future or can use someone elses! I can recommend some great ebay stores if you ever want to try them
Hi I just bought a rimmel mascara actually it’s almost the same as your one only it’s the green one. Almost all my friends have it and it’s AMAZiNG!!!! So I thought I’d give it a go. It has the same shape brush as the lancome virtuse one that you love only it’s about £15 cheaper!!!!!
Don’t need to apologise for sending out the wrong message, it happens!
Animal testing is so unnecessary! I mean Revlon is such a big company and since they made the switch from testing on animals to going cruelty-free, I don’t see why other large companies can’t do the same. As for researching on cruelty-free brands, I check Caring Consumer or Leaping Bunny to see if brands are tested before I buy them. Plus some brands that don’t test are owned by companies which do, like Body Shop is owned by L’Oreal, etc., so there’s some sort of inner conflict going on in my brain.
I’ve read about animal testing being illegal in the EU but I’m quite wary of that…it seems like it’s sorta meant to pacify the people who are against animal testing! For me, it doesn’t matter whether products are made in the EU or elsewhere, as long as they’re cruelty-free.
Regarding the link on Paula B, I’m actually using Paula’s Choice products now! They seem to be strongly against animal testing and the Caring Consumer website shows them under Companies Which Don’t Test so it should be all good!
It’s really nice to know that other people in Singapore care about animal testing too. I think I only have 1 other friend who consciously makes an effort to avoid animal-tested products! Considering I’m 17, I guess they care more about other things? Which is a pity really.
Ok sorry for the novel I just wrote but for food-related matters…have you tried this place called Veganburg? It’s a vegan fast food place near Eunos MRT. The burgers and honestly everything else are delicious! Not advertising, just sharing!
Yeah totally. Animal testing is just unnecessary and cruel. I am glad you are passionate about this issue! Did you check out that link, though? They said Rimmel is on the safe list…? When I researched on Coty they talked more on animal testing for their fragrances? :S
And OMG yes, I’ve heard of VeganBurg. Eunos is waaay too far for me to go for a burger haha but I saw they had delivery services so I’ll def check it out sometime! Have you tried it? Is it any good? Barcelo’s makes a good veggie burger too!
P.S. You write so well and are wise beyond your years, Mel. You seem like an amazing person! xx