RimmelLash Accelerator Mascara, Extreme Black (2-Pack)

(Edited @11 weeks use, reordered 2nd) This mascara is AWESOME! HIGHLY recommended as part of my lash care and regrowth routine. I have tried many varieties of many brands of mascaras, my old favorite was CoverGirl clump crusher. Rimmel Lash Accelerator clumps less, flakes less and stays softer, not brittle, and is easier to remove. Also tried the 'Endless' version of Rimmel's Lash Accelerator, and it had more issues with application, some initial clumping and minor flaking, although still preferred to Covergirl and other brands. The regular Lash Accelerator Mascara is by far my favorite.CHARACTERISTICS & APPLICATION: The extreme black is a great intensity, better than most extreme black colors. The mascara goes on smoothly with a "medium-not-too-thin" consistency. It stays wet a little longer than most, which did take a bit to get used to. I now prefer this slightly thinner and wetter consistency because it gives me time to separate the lashes and comb/hold them 'up' for a curl without having to use those evil eyelash-ripping pinching curler contraptions. I can also build volume with this mascara by applying several coats, and it coats to the tip of the lash without clumping on the ends, so lashes appear as long as naturally possible. The Endless version did not really do any better at lengthening.MASCARA WAND: I really like the mascara wand brush. The brush is one of the new types of plastic/rubber bristles, and it is tapered at the ends but full in the center. It works really well for coating top lashes in the traditional upward horizontal sweeping/curling motion, but also works well on individual and bottom lashes by vertical application with tip of wand.MASCARA WEAR AND TOUCH-UP: The formula is flexible when dry and it does not flake or crumble, and seems to wear well through a 12 hour day without reapplying. If you do want to touch it up, no problems with the current mascara clumping or crumbling underneath. The mascara really isn't water resistant, but I do not worry about it running or having spots where the lashes touch my skin in a typical day, and I have very long lashes now touching eyebrows (see growth tips below). I certainly wouldn't go to a funeral or be caught in a downpour and expect it to hold up, but a watery eye here or there can be managed. I would not expect a heavy application to hold up during a workout or outside in extreme heat, but a light application should be ok.HOW LONG MASCARA STAYS FRESH: I have now used this same tube for 11 weeks. It showed no signs of drying out or breaking down until about week 9, and I used it average 4-5 days a week. At 4 weeks it was just about the same as when I first opened it, maybe better because it had a chance to dry a bit. I am still wearing it, waiting for my reordered tube and putting up with shortened daily wear time. Many times I will like a mascara for the first week or so when it is freshly opened, but the formula will degrade quickly and within two weeks I am dealing with bad mascara - not the case here. Since mascara should be replaced every 3 months minimum, I feel I really got my money's worth, especially since it is a bargain to begin with.DOES IT REALLY ACCELERATE LASH GROWTH? I'm not sure the mascara causes your lashes to grow any faster or longer, but it will keep the lashes you have in good shape and prevent breakage because your lashes are soft, flexible, and not brittle with this formula.REMOVAL: I personally remove mascara with coconut oil, so I cannot speak to ease of removal with other products, but two passes with the oil is sufficient to remove all traces of mascara. The battle for long lashes can easily be lost by a mascara that is too difficult to remove - you tug at eyelashes causing fall out - no problems here with that.OVERALL, pretty much exactly what I want in a mascara, FINALLY! Only improvement would possibly be to have it a little more water resistant during wear. I do not know if there is a waterproof/resistant version, I haven't seen one, but I would give it a try, and if not, Rimmel please make one!LASH REGROWTH AND LENGTHENING ADVICE - If you truly want longer natural lashes, I recommend cleaning your eyelashes with a mild yet effective makeup remover where your lashes are not being pulled and all makeup traces are removed. KEY POINT- never pull at your lashes, ever! I use refined coconit oil & remove traces of oil with a baby wipe before the next step. I then apply Rapid Lash to the base of my lashes at night, let dry, then coat my lashes especially tips with Ardell Brow and Lash Growth Accelerator. Don't get this in eyes it can sting but is fine just on lashes. The Ardell doesn't really 'accelerate', but it does deep condition your lashes and protects lashes from breakage during sleep - think of it as you would conditioner your hair to keep it healthy, it's the same principle. Must wash off the lashes in a.m. or mascara application will suffer. Apply Rimmel Lash Accelerator as part of normal makeup routine WITHOUT use of eyelash curler. Apply moderate coat to lashes, then hold lashes in an 'up' or curled position with lash comb (or I prefer to use side of my finger ;-)) while mascara dries. Expect that some mascara will come off (onto your finger) during this process. Build mascara to desired thickness and length repeating the 'hold to curl' process. You don't have to let it completely dry between coats, but it doesn't affect the application either way.MY LASH REGROWTH STORY -- Through a 6 month botched 'experiment' to enhance my look by using false strip lashes & glue of various brands, most of my natural lashes fell out, and I became 'addicted' to falsies since my lashes were gone. Had to go with no lashes to try to regrow - not a good look, but whatcha gonna do? I saw little results of regrowth until I started the daily routine I outlined above. Within 6 weeks my lashes were 'normal', and in 4 months I have as much length and volume as if I were wearing falsies, thanks in part to Rimmel's Lash Accelerator Mascara. (And now at 6 months my lashes are over twice as thick and reach my eyebrows! I can still see new lashes continuing to grow in!) I hope they never discontinue this mascara, it's great! Obviously I love love love makeup, been wearing makeup for 27 years.Thanks for reading this review, hope this helps!

I started using this 2-3 times a wk. I saw growth in the 1st month and the 2nd month was more obvious. Then on I used this 4 times a wk. Its been 6 months now and I'm happy with the results

Have used this for years. Non irritating and makes lashes look long.

Excellent product wife likes the mascara

Looks good!

Fantastic mascara-the best I ever used, even the high-end brands. Plus it has good ingredients in it to help grow lashes. I recommended it to a couple of friends and now it is the only mascara theyll use.

This is an amazing mascara. I lost almost alll my lashes on my left and right eye due to an allergic reaction to another product. I was devastated for a whole year. My lashes would grow back then fall out again leaving only a few. I bought this because of it's claims. It works! My lashes grew back finally, and are even longer. It does dry out quickly so I buy more often than other brands. Which is best anyway to avoid any contact dermatitis.

I bought this mascara for my wife thinking it was a safe choice. Boy, was I wrong! Right out of the tube, it’s like they’ve managed to create “premium” clumps 😬. Applying it? Let’s just say it’s not for lashes – it’s the fastest way to get the panda look, guaranteed! 🐼My expectations were simple: a mascara that lasts without turning each lash into a gluey mess. But what did we get? A black-and-white masterpiece ready to run with a single blink. Rainy day or an emotional moment? Forget about it – one sneeze, and my wife looked like she’d just binge-watched a sad soap opera. 😢If you’re after that “romantic tear-stained” look, this is your product. But for anyone wanting defined lashes that won’t migrate south, run the other way! Don’t fall for the luxury clump trap!