I first came across the Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara during my daily commute to work.
Travelling up the escalators from the train station, I was completely distracted by the advertising screens showing gymnast Lily Smith soaring through the sky on a balance beam, to then pause and apply the mascara. The beauty journalist in me, ever alert for a good product, needed to find out more.
Hurrying to the office to research, the campaign I just admired instantly made sense to me. The new Mega Lift Mascara promises extreme lift and sky-high volume, quite literally – and seeing Lily fly through the air, 52 stories above ground level, I genuinely believed it could deliver the results.
Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara, at a glance
Pros: Promises multiple times more volume, tapered brush latches onto every lash, adds noticeable lift
Cons: The finish is subtle, so it requires multiple layers if you want more drama
Price: £12.99, what a bargain!
Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara, reviewed
When testing the mascara, I had the brand’s sister mascara in mind – the original Thrill Seeker Mascara – which I tested only a few months ago. But after one swipe of the new Mega Lift Mascara, I realised this formula is completely different.
If you’ve tried the original Thrill Seeker Mascara, you’ll know it’s all about bold, dramatic lashes. The Mega Lift, on the other hand, is designed to lift and volumise with a lighter effect, creating the look of wispy lashes.
After one coat, it felt like my lashes had a mini lash lift. With just a flick of my wrist, my lashes looked longer, lifted, defined, and fluttery. When I decided to layer for extra volume, I was pleased that my lashes didn’t feel heavy – thanks to the carefully selected waxes in the formula, designed to give weightless volume.
Better yet, the lightweight formula means my lashes never clumped or felt stiff, no matter how many layers I applied.
Let’s take a a moment to properly appreciate the brush too – because the right brush can make all the difference. The Mega Lift comes with a tapered, arrow-shaped brush that’s designed to catch even the tiniest lashes.
Unlike the big, fluffy brush of the original Thrill Seeker, this one has structured micro-bristles that lift and coat lashes from root to tip – especially in the inner and outer corners. While this design is meant to prevent the formula from flicking onto your lids, I did notice a few tiny flecks when layering, though they were easy to wipe away without making a mess.
In terms of longevity, Rimmel certainly hasn’t broken any promises. The mascara lasted me an entire working day – we’re talking 7am to 7pm, people – without smudging under my eyes or flaking off.
So, my overall verdict? The Rimmel Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara really delivers those sky-high results, just like Lily Smith. It’s not about bold, dramatic lashes like the OG Thrill Seeker, but if you want a formula that lifts, gives your lashes a natural-but-not-subtle finish and only costs you £12.99, the Mega Lift is a winner.
Shop the Rimmel London Thrill Seeker Mega Lift Mascara, £12.99
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
