Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving DEEP into one of the most talked-about drugstore mascaras – Maybelline’s The Rocket Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. After reading through countless user experiences and testing it myself, I’m ready to give you the REAL scoop on whether this affordable option deserves a spot in your makeup bag.
First Impressions: Packaging and Brush
The Rocket comes in Maybelline’s signature pink and blue packaging – nothing fancy, but functional and recognizable. What REALLY stands out is the brush! It features a thick wand with short plastic/rubber bristles that are designed to reach every lash.
Many users specifically mentioned loving this brush design:
- “I like the very fat brush with short bristles”
- “Love the plastic/rubber bristles”
- “I love the applicator”
The bristle design seems to excel at separating lashes and preventing clumps for most users. One reviewer noted, “the applicator separates all your lashes quite nicely for an even natural look.”
Performance Breakdown
Volume & Length 💪
Let’s talk about what this mascara promises – VOLUME! The experiences here are mixed:
The Positives:
- “It lengthens my lashes like my old one, keeps them curled, and lasts all day”
- “Really makes my eyelashes pop”
- “Thickens. Lengthens. Volumizes.”
- “It makes my lashes look thicker”
The Negatives:
- “Average mascara. Some volume after building it. Very little length.”
- “I didn’t experience any added volume from this product”
- “Can only see it if you add multiple layers”
The general consensus seems to be that it provides moderate volume – not dramatic, spider-leg lashes, but a noticeable enhancement that works well for everyday wear. One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “Perfect for an everyday casual makeup look, but perhaps not best suited for an evening/glam look.”
Staying Power & Waterproof Claims 💧
This is where The Rocket TRULY shines! The waterproof formula is frequently praised:
- “I’ve gone in the pool with this on and come out with it looking almost exactly like it did when I first applied it”
- “Bought this product to wear when I knew I would be doing a lot of crying and it didn’t budge”
- “This mascara passes both the sweat and cry test”
- “It lasts 24-hours with no running or smudging even when I go to the gym”
Several users mentioned this mascara holds up remarkably well in humid environments:
- “I live in Texas in an area where it’s constantly humid and the rainy season is constant… I’ve been looking for a mascara that would hold a curl and hold against the humid weather and I finally found it!”
A few reviewers did note it wasn’t completely waterproof:
- “If you are looking for water resistant mascara however, keep on looking, this removes very easily with water”
- “It’s not waterproof as it claims to be as it smudged within an hour”
But these negative experiences were definitely in the minority.
Curl Holding Power 👀
For those with straight lashes (especially common among Asian reviewers), The Rocket seems to be a game-changer:
- “This mascara WILL keep your eyelashes curled!”
- “I have naturally long and curled eyelashes, but they’re on the lighter and thinner side, so this helps make them slightly thicker and slightly longer”
- “It builds on itself and volumizes and helps hold curl in my very straight lashes”
- “They hold up my Asian lashes and the curl stay all day”
One user with Filipino heritage specifically mentioned: “I am Filipino, and I have naturally fine, straight lashes. I always use an eyelash curler, but it has taken me years to find a mascara that added the volume I wanted without weighing down my thin lashes.”
Clumping & Application
Reviews on clumping were somewhat mixed:
No Clumping:
- “I never have dark circles under my eyes, it only requires one coat, and looks very natural”
- “NO CLUMPS”
- “It doesn’t clump and they last all day through the heat and humidity”
Clumping Issues:
- “I find that it causes my lashes to be rather clumpy after a few swipes”
- “It made me super upset. Then, I decided to try it and it did NOT give me volume but it did give me the ‘spiderey’ look which I hate”
- “The mascara is good, but the brush is just okay. It’s a little prone to clumping.”
Some users suggested letting it dry between coats to minimize clumping: “I let dry between coats and use a clean/old mascara brush to go over the lashes to remove clumps and separate them.”
The BIGGEST Complaint: Removal Difficulty
If there’s one consistent criticism, it’s how difficult this mascara can be to remove:
- “But like all water proof mascaras you will have a hard time removing it keep that in mind when purchasing”
- “This mascara is hard core, it is so difficult to take off at the end of the day”
- “It is VERY HARD to take off excess at the end of the day. You’re pretty much stuck with it for a good two days”
- “Amazingly waterproof – TOO waterproof in fact. My makeup remover for waterproof mascara didn’t work!”
Several reviewers recommended specific removal methods:
- “I use Albolene to get it off with the rest of my makeup, and that seems to do the trick”
- “I find this product removes well with coconut oil or any oil based makeup remover”
- “It comes off easily with make up remover”
- “It also doesn’t flake off which is wonderful. I’m so happy. definitely my new fav!!!”
One person even mentioned losing eyelashes due to the difficulty in removal: “My makeup remover for waterproof mascara didn’t work! So my eyelashes wound up getting heavy and sticking together for 2 full days – leading to losing a few eye lashes.”
Long-Term Usage & Value
Many reviewers mentioned being long-term, loyal users:
- “I’ve been using this mascara for years”
- “I have used Maybelline Great Lash mascara for years and decided to try this one since it’s made by Maybelline too. I think I might like it better”
- “I’ve tried high end mascaras and other drug store mascaras but nothing holds curl, adds volume and length, stays black, lasts through a work day”
The price point is frequently mentioned as a major plus:
- “This is a good price for the Mabelline waterproof mascara I’ve worn for years”
- “And it is one fifth the price of the other mascara I bought”
Who Would Love This Mascara?
Based on the reviews, this mascara would be PERFECT for:
- People with straight lashes who struggle to maintain curl
- Those in humid climates or who lead active lifestyles
- Anyone wanting a natural-looking, everyday mascara
- People who cry easily or swim regularly
- Budget-conscious makeup wearers who want quality without the high-end price tag
Who Should Skip It?
This might NOT be the right choice for:
- Those looking for extremely dramatic, falsies-like volume
- People who have trouble removing waterproof makeup
- Anyone who prefers a more buildable formula for evening looks
- Those who get irritated eyes easily (a few mentioned mild irritation)
Final Verdict
Maybelline New York Volume’ Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is a solid drugstore option that delivers on its waterproof promises. While it may not provide the most dramatic volume, it offers reliable performance for everyday wear with impressive staying power.
The standout features are definitely its curl-holding ability, waterproof formula, and the unique brush design that separates lashes well. Just make sure you have a good oil-based makeup remover on hand!
For the price point (typically under $10), it’s definitely worth trying, especially if you’ve struggled with mascaras that smudge or fail to hold a curl in humid weather.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have you tried The Rocket? I’d love to hear YOUR experiences in the comments below!
Buy on Amazon: Here
