Beauty Best Rimmel Scandaleyes Picks for Bold London Eye Looks
Rimmel Scandaleyes is London attitude in a tube. The range built its name on unapologetic drama: mascaras promising up to 12 times more volume and kohl liners with scandal proof staying power. Where other drugstore lines play it safe, Scandaleyes goes bold, with oversized brushes, intense pigments, and marketing that dares you to be edgier. For nights out and statement looks, it remains the budget range that refuses to whisper.
The two essentials cover the whole dramatic eye: the Curve Alert mascara with its deny gravity brush that lifts and plumps, and the Soft Kohl liner for smoky definition that actually lasts. Together they create the full Scandaleyes eye in minutes, and the value pricing means experimenting costs almost nothing. Both are verifiable on Amazon right now.
Below you will find our top Scandaleyes picks, a buying guide on building bold eye looks, and answers to common questions. The head to head comparison tests the mascara against the liner, and the background guide explores the London look itself.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner in Jet Black Soft kohl tip glides without dragging.
- Rimmel Scandaleyes Curve Alert Mascara, Pack of 2 Deny gravity brush lifts from the very base.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks
Best for: Smoky defined eyes on the smallest budget
#1 Best OverallRimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner in Jet Black
- Soft kohl tip glides without dragging
- Jet Black delivers intense one stroke color
- Smudgeable for smoky effects, sets after
- Classic pencil format with easy control
Pros
- Unbeatable price for the quality
- Perfect for tightlining and waterline
- Blends beautifully for smoky looks
Cons
- Needs sharpening
- Oily lids need primer underneath
- Not waterproof for watery eyes
Best for: Gravity defying volume and curl that lasts
Runner-UpRimmel Scandaleyes Curve Alert Mascara, Pack of 2
- Deny gravity brush lifts from the very base
- Collagen and keratin plump thin lashes
- Up to 12x more volume with 70 percent more lift
- Two pack keeps the drama going
Pros
- Visible lift even on straight lashes
- Great value in the twin pack
- Bold London drama for pennies
Cons
- Bold formula needs careful removal
- Two tubes expire together
- Volume may overwhelm tiny eyes
Building the full Scandaleyes eye
The signature Scandaleyes eye pairs bold lashes with defined lining, and order matters. Start with the kohl liner: line the upper lash line, smudging slightly outward for a lived in edge, then tightline the upper waterline to make lashes look instantly thicker. Add kohl to the outer third of the lower lash line for balance. Then apply the Curve Alert mascara, working the deny gravity brush from base to tip with extra attention to the outer corners. The combination reads as one dramatic eye rather than two separate products. Balance the bold eye with quiet everything else: nude lips and soft cheeks let the eyes own the face. When eyes go dramatic, restraint elsewhere reads as intentional style rather than overdone makeup.
Mascara and liner: the drama partnership
Mascara and liner do different dramatic work. Mascara creates the fringe, the visible lash mass that frames the eye. Liner creates the structure, the dark base that makes lashes look denser and defines the eye's shape. Skipping liner with bold mascara can leave eyes looking unfinished, while liner without mascara looks harsh. The Scandaleyes pair is designed to work together: the mascara's volume needs the liner's definition to look intentional rather than just big. Color coordination deepens the effect: black mascara with black kohl is the classic, but brown kohl with black mascara softens the look for daytime while keeping definition. Experiment with brown for a wearable version of the drama.
Making bold eye makeup last all day
Drama fades fast without the right prep. Prime lids with an eyeshadow primer or a thin layer of concealer set with powder so liner has a dry base to grip. Choose waterproof formulas for the waterline, since regular liner migrates within hours there. Set the liner with a matching eyeshadow pressed over it to lock the color. For mascara, a lash primer underneath extends wear and amplifies volume. Carry the kohl for touch ups; bold looks show fading first. Setting spray is the final seal: a light mist over finished eye makeup locks liner and mascara in place for hours. Hold the bottle at arm's length and let the mist settle naturally without touching your face.
Taking off dramatic eye makeup safely
Heavy eye makeup needs proper removal or lashes and skin pay the price. Saturate a cotton pad with dual phase remover, press over the closed eye for 20 seconds, then wipe gently downward. Repeat rather than rubbing; friction breaks lashes and irritates lids. Remove liner from the waterline carefully with a cotton swab. Follow with your regular cleanser to clear residue, then moisturize, since the eye area dries quickly after makeup removal. A dedicated eye makeup remover beats face wash alone because it is formulated to dissolve longwear pigments without harsh rubbing. The few extra seconds of proper removal preserve both your lashes and the delicate eye area skin.
Tightlining: the invisible drama multiplier
Tightlining is the makeup artist secret that makes any lash look dramatically fuller, and it takes one minute to learn. The technique fills the upper waterline, the strip of skin between the lashes, with dark liner, which eliminates the pale gap that makes lashes look sparse at the base. The result reads as denser, thicker lashes before mascara even touches them, and it works on every eye shape without changing the eye's outline. Use a waterproof kohl or gel pencil, since the waterline's moisture defeats regular formulas within the hour. Gently lift the upper lid with one finger, look down into a mirror, and use small dotting motions along the waterline rather than one long drag; dots deposit color precisely without skipping. Set the tightline with a matching dark eyeshadow pressed over it with a small flat brush to lock it for the day. The most common mistake is tightlining the lower waterline heavily too, which closes the eye down and looks harsh; keep the lower waterline to the outer third at most, or skip it entirely for a wide eyed effect. Tightlining also rescues sparse lash days: on mornings when mascara alone looks thin, a tightlined base makes one coat look like two. Master this one technique and every mascara you own performs better. Watery eyes need extra insurance: after tightlining, press a matching dark eyeshadow over the line with a small flat brush to set it. This powder seal locks the kohl against moisture far longer than liner alone, and it deepens the color for added drama.
Pencil, gel, or liquid: picking your liner format
Each eyeliner format serves a different dramatic purpose, and matching the tool to the look prevents most liner frustration. Kohl pencils are the most forgiving: they glide, smudge easily for smoky effects, and suit beginners and the waterline, but they need sharpening and setting to last. Gel liners in pots deliver the most intense, long wearing color with a brush, making them ideal for sharp wings and tightlining, though they require a steady hand and dry out if left open. Liquid liners create the crispest lines and the most precise wings, perfect for graphic looks, but they punish shaky hands and cannot be smudged once dry. Felt tip pens split the difference with easier control than brush liquids and decent precision. For the classic Scandaleyes eye, the kohl pencil does the heavy lifting: smoky definition, waterline intensity, and blendable edges all play to its strengths. Keep a gel or liquid on hand for the days you want a sharp winged counterpart to the smoky base. Consider your eye shape too: hooded eyes lose pencil definition in the fold and do better with waterproof gels set with shadow, while deep set eyes carry bold liquid lines beautifully. Own the format that matches your most worn look, and borrow the others for experimentation. Budget shoppers should know that pencil liners offer the best cost per use in the category: one kohl pencil lasts months of daily wear, while liquid liners dry out faster once opened. If you wear liner daily, pencils stretch your beauty budget furthest. Lighting changes how bold eye makeup reads, so do a final check in daylight before heading out for the day. What looks perfectly smoky in bathroom lighting can read heavier in natural light, and a quick glance in a window saves you from overdone eyes.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right rimmel scandaleyes product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scandaleyes is Rimmel's boldest eye range, famous for high drama mascaras with oversized brushes and intense kohl liners with long wear claims. The range targets statement looks rather than natural definition, with the Curve Alert mascara and Soft Kohl liner as its most iconic products.
Yes, the deny gravity brush is designed to grab and lift even short lashes, and the collagen and keratin formula plumps thin lashes visibly. Short lashes benefit most from the primer trick: a lash primer underneath gives the mascara more to grip. Two thin coats beat one heavy coat for short lashes.
The Soft Kohl formula is designed to be smudgeable during application for smoky effects, then to set in place. On oily lids it can migrate without primer, so prime first and set with powder or shadow. For the waterline, the waterproof Scandaleyes kohl variants hold longest.
Absolutely, with a lighter hand. One coat of Curve Alert plus a thin kohl line gives defined, polished eyes without full drama. Save the double coat and heavy smudging for evening. The products scale well from subtle to scandalous depending on application.