The Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner is not one I reach for everyday. My normal eyeliner look is accomplished with a black kohl pencil in less than a minute. A partial outline of the eyes gives them definition and makes my lashes look thicker.
However somedays you’re in the mood for a bit more drama, days when you want red lipsticks, colourful hats and flouncy petticoats (my inner drama is severely dated although it prefers the term retro). On days like that, pencil just won’t suffice; the dramatic, dangerous lines of liquid are required.
That’s when I reach for Exaggerate.
It’s not necessarily the easiest eyeliner I’ve ever used, initially I found the handle too far away from the point for full control and the brush occasionally sheds very thin hairs that, while easily detached, can mess up more subtle looks.
Also while the small part lasts a long time, I’ve found that as it ages it starts to sting my eyes as I apply it (although it stops hurting when it dries and leaves no marks). I have fairly sensitive skin, many skincare products cause unpleasant tingling but this is the only piece of make-up I’ve ever had trouble with. It is, therefore, the only piece of make-up I actually follow the guidelines for. Whether I’ve finished it or not, this gets replaced every year.
Leaving that aside, as I’ve proven with my multiple repurchases, it is still my favorite liquid eyeliner.
I like the small simplicity of the packaging, it’s eminently transportable but it’s the product inside that I love. For a start, the colour is great. It’s a really intense black and, while I’ve heard some people complain about it greying as the day goes on, for me it stays that way. I also find it very easy to vary thickness without endless reapplying or wiping with cotton buds.
However the great dramatic look does come at a price; the formula is quite liquid and therefore liable to smudge spectacularly if you don’t let it dry. To avoid looking like Mike Tyson had black paint on his hands when you went 10 rounds with him, leave it for 5 minutes before you do anything else.
Once dry, the staying power is pretty good. At the end of the day wings won’t have flown off and cat-eyes won’t have closed. I’ve never had a problem with flaking or smudging (attributable to this eyeliner rather than my own fidgeting). However, if I was going out in the evening I would probably reapply.
There are flaws with this product but the major one, stinging my eyes as it ages, seems specific to me (I have fairly sensitive skin). The end result, however is fabulous for everyone. For £5.29, I cannot help but recommend it.
