You’ve been there. It’s 3:00 PM, you catch a glimpse of yourself in a bathroom mirror, and you realize your eyeliner has migrated. You went for "sultry smokey eye" in the morning, but by mid-afternoon, you’re rocking the "unintentional raccoon." It’s a classic makeup tragedy.
Enter the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal.
Honestly, in a world where we’re constantly told that "luxury" means "better," this little pencil is a loud, pigment-packed reality check. It’s a drugstore staple that has survived countless "de-influencing" trends for one simple reason: it actually stays where you put it. Mostly.
The Texture That Messes With Your Head
Let’s talk about the "glide." Usually, a pencil is either hard as a rock (and drags across your delicate eyelid like a tiny rake) or it’s so soft it crumbles the second it touches your skin.
Rimmel somehow found the middle ground. It feels like a gel but behaves like a kohl.
When you first swipe it, it’s buttery. Like, surprisingly buttery. You get about 30 to 45 seconds of "play time" where you can smudge it out with a brush or your finger to get that lived-in look. But once that timer hits? It’s locked. It’s basically a tattoo until you bring out the heavy-duty oil cleanser.
Why the "Kohl" Part Matters
Traditionally, kohl was used for the waterline—that tricky, wet inner rim of your eye. Most modern liners just slide right off there because, well, eyes are wet. The Rimmel Scandaleyes eye pencil formula is specifically dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested to handle that damp environment.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
Does it last 24 hours like the packaging says? Probably not if you’re actually living your life. But will it survive a sweaty HIIT class or a particularly emotional wedding? Yeah, usually.
The Sharpening Saga (What Everyone Gets Wrong)
If you look at one-star reviews for this pencil, they almost all say the same thing: "It’s plastic! I can’t sharpen it!"
I get the confusion. The outer casing looks and feels like a sleek, non-sharpenable plastic. People try to twist the bottom, nothing happens, and they throw it away in a rage.
Here is the secret: It’s not plastic. It’s a synthetic material designed to be sharpened with a regular cosmetic sharpener.
- Pro Tip: Don't use a dull sharpener. Because the formula is so soft, a crappy blade will just chew up the "wood" and mash the pigment.
- The Cold Trick: If it’s mid-summer and your pencil feels a bit too mushy, pop it in the fridge for five minutes before sharpening. It makes a world of difference.
Real Talk: The Nude Liner Magic
While everyone gravitates toward the "001 Black," the real MVP of the Scandaleyes line is the "010 Nude."
If you’re tired, or your eyes are red from staring at a screen for eight hours, putting black on your waterline actually makes your eyes look smaller and more tired. The nude shade, however, is a total cheat code.
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
It cancels out the redness and makes you look like you actually slept eight hours. It’s not stark white—which can look a bit "theatrical"—it’s a creamy beige that mimics the natural color of a healthy eye. It’s a subtle change that honestly changes your whole face.
Performance vs. The Big Brands
I’ve seen people compare this to the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On pencils. Those are fantastic, don't get me wrong. But they also cost about three times as much as the Rimmel version.
Is the Urban Decay one three times better? No.
Rimmel uses a blend of isododecane and synthetic wax to create that waterproof barrier. It’s a standard high-performance mix. The main difference you're paying for with high-end brands is usually a wider range of "fun" colors (think neon yellows or duochromes). If you just want a solid black, brown, or nude that won't budge, the drugstore wins this round.
How to Make It Last Even Longer
If you have super oily eyelids, even "waterproof" can struggle because oil breaks down wax.
- Prep is everything. Use a tiny bit of translucent powder on your lids before applying the liner.
- The Sandwich Method: Apply the Rimmel Scandaleyes eye pencil, smudge it, and then immediately "set" it by patting a matching eyeshadow on top. This creates a double-layer defense.
- Clean your sharpener. Leftover gunk on your sharpener introduces bacteria and ruins the tip of the pencil. Give it a quick wipe with rubbing alcohol once a week.
A Quick Safety Check
Since you're putting this near your actual eyeballs, ingredients matter. This formula is generally free of common irritants like fragrance and parabens.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
However, "waterproof" means it’s meant to stay. If you’re a contact lens wearer, be a bit careful with the waterline application. Some users find that because the formula is so creamy, tiny particles can occasionally migrate onto the lens. If you feel a "film" on your contacts, stick to the lash line rather than the inner rim.
The Reality of Wear and Tear
Nothing is perfect. By the end of a 12-hour day, you might see a tiny bit of "crumbing" in the outer corners if you have watery eyes. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to watch for.
Also, the "Sparkling Black" shade (002) has actual glitter in it. It looks cool, but it’s a bit scratchier than the matte versions. If you have sensitive eyes, stick to the mattes like "003 Brown" or the classic "001 Black."
Final Actionable Steps
If you're ready to actually use this thing properly, start with the Nude shade for your lower waterline and the Black for "tightlining" your upper lashes. Tightlining is just a fancy way of saying "getting the liner into the roots of your lashes." It makes your lashes look 50% thicker without the "heavy makeup" look.
Check your sharpener right now. If it’s got gunk from 2022 in it, toss it. A fresh sharpener and a cold Rimmel pencil are the only two things standing between you and the best eyeliner application of your life.
Stop overpaying for prestige pencils that do the exact same thing. Grab the Scandaleyes, keep the receipt if you’re skeptical, and see how it handles a long day. You'll probably be surprised.