Maybelline The Rocket Mascara Review

I definitely prefer volume to length or definition when it comes to mascaras. I have slightly hooded lids so I can't really rely on a thick liner when trying to enhance my lash line so I have to depend on mascara itself. I was very excited to try Maybelline's The Rocket because mega volume is one of its main (if not the main) seller points.

I have never really liked nor disliked Maybelline's mascara packaging. Its okay. Packaging and general appearance tend to come secondary for me when it comes to a makeup product. The tube is bullet shaped and is a bright cobalt blue, with hot pink lettering. But just so you know the lettering does rub off with time. 

This mascara is supposed to give 8x bigger volume. The brush is a synthetic rubber brush with a rather thick core covered in tiny, stiff bristles that slight taper towards the tip. I also tend to prefer natural bristle brushes to these synthetic ones, but that's just personal preference. Just a tip, when looking for volumizing mascaras, usually ones like this one with a big core and smaller bristles work best when synthetic. All natural bristle brushes tend to work well for volume.

I bought it in the original formula, not waterproof, in the darkest color, Blackest Black. In the pictures below I applied one coat of mascara after curling my lashes (I always curl them, sorry if you wanted to see it applied to regular lashes) and brushed through them until I was more or less happy with the outcome.

 This is not my favorite mascara. Compared to the amount of volume my other mascaras give, I would categorize this as being slightly better than natural mascara. I have average lashes, not to thick nor too sparse, they tend to droop (hence the eyelash curler being a necessity) and they don't hold a curl very well. In my opinion this is quite a standard mascara. I use this when I don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup, when I just want my lashes to look better. But whenever I use this mascara I still feel the need to tightline (lining the upper waterline), although I didn't do it this time so you could see the mascara on its own. Tightlining just makes the lashline seem thicker (a trick I absolutely love!) which is something I feel I need with this mascara.

Above: Only one coat on both lashes after curling. Below: Comparison of 

no mascara to two coats of Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara in Blackest Black

Source: makeupalley.com

Pros:
-Pigmented (very pigmented)
-Holds a curl reasonably well
-Doesn't flake
-Decent amount of volume
-Some length and separation (although length isn't a big deal for me, I do like some definition rather than clumping)
-Definition (if you brush through them a couple times)
-No smudging
-Comes of easily (with makeup remover; I use Vaseline)

Cons
-Not enough volume (for me, considering the claims)
-Could hold a curl better
-The wand might take some getting used to. I personally like to take the brush to the roots of the lashes and wiggle it up, but the bristles are really stiff and it kind of hurt at the beginning before I got the hang of it.

Here is the final look. I am wearing Maybelline's The Rocket Mascara in Blackest Black// Jordana FabuBrow in Dark Brown// Pond's Luminous Finish BB Cream + in Light// Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Pressed Powder in Light 2// Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach

Do any of you know of any good drugstore volumizing mascaras you think I should try out? 

--M. ♥