Big lashes sell mascara. L’Oreal Paris built the Voluminous Superstar around that promise, and it uses two steps instead of one. You get a black primer on one end and a fiber rich mascara on the other. The brand calls the result super volumized and super extended lashes.
I bought the tube, used it daily for three weeks, and tracked what happened. Some days looked incredible. Other days the fibers misbehaved. This review covers the unboxing, the brush shape, the wear time, the removal routine, and the honest flaws nobody mentions in the ad copy. Keep reading, because the flaws matter more than the hype.
In A Nutshell:
- Two steps, one tube. The Voluminous Superstar holds a super volumizing black primer on one end and a fiber rich mascara on the other. You apply the primer first, then layer the mascara before the primer dries. That timing matters more than any technique tip.
- Volume is the real strength. Lashes look thicker and fuller after two coats. The fibers add visible length on short lashes, roughly one to two millimeters by eye.
- The waterproof version wins on wear. It holds a curl through humidity, sweat, and watery eyes. The washable version smudges faster on oily lids, usually around the seven hour mark.
- Fiber flaking is the main complaint. Tiny fibers can drop onto cheeks or land in the eye. Contact lens wearers report the most irritation here.
- Removal needs oil or balm. Soap and water will not break down the waterproof formula. Plan an extra minute at night.
- Price sits in drugstore territory. You pay around fifteen dollars for 0.41 fluid ounces, which is a large tube by mascara standards. Value is strong if you tolerate fibers.
What Is L’Oreal Voluminous Superstar Mascara?
- Voluminous Waterproof Primer And Mascara: Super-volumizing mascara primer builds dramatic volume on every lash and creates an ultra-smooth base to maximize mascara performance; Super-extending waterproof mascara with a fiber-rich black formula
- L'Oreal Mascara: Get the long, full eyelashes you love with our best mascaras and primers; Choose from our innovative volumizing formulas and variety of brushes
Last update on 2026-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
The Voluminous Superstar is a two step lash product from L’Oreal Paris. One side holds a super volumizing primer in a deep black shade. The other side holds a mascara packed with rayon and nylon fibers. L’Oreal marketed it as the brand’s first primer and mascara duo inside a single package.
The tube comes in 0.41 fluid ounces, which splits between the two formulas. Shades include Blackest Black, Black, and Blackest Brown. You can choose a washable formula or a waterproof formula.
The core idea is simple. The primer thickens each lash and creates a smooth black base. The mascara then grips that base and adds fibers for length. Neither step works well alone, which is the whole point of the design.
Unboxing Experience: What Arrives In The Box
My package arrived in a slim cardboard sleeve with the L’Oreal gold branding on the front. Inside sat the tube, no extra paper, no instruction leaflet beyond the back of the carton. The packaging felt light and recyclable, which I appreciated.
The tube itself surprised me with its length. It measures noticeably longer than a standard mascara because it carries two chambers. The gold cap covers the primer end. The black cap covers the mascara end.
I twisted off both caps immediately. The primer wand came out loaded with thick black product, almost dripping. The mascara wand looked drier with visible fiber threads clinging to the bristles.
First impression: the tube feels premium for the price, though the dual design makes it bulky inside a small makeup bag.
The Primer Step: Does The Black Base Help?
The primer does real work. It coats each lash in a creamy black film that adds immediate thickness. Unlike white primers, this one stays black, so patchy coverage never shows up as grey streaks.
I wiggle the primer wand at the lash roots and pull upward. The formula feels wet and heavy for about eight seconds. That window matters. You must apply the mascara before the primer sets, or the fibers refuse to stick evenly.
On my sparse lower lashes, the primer alone already looked like a light coat of mascara. On my upper lashes it added lift and a slight curl hold.
The downside is weight. Heavy primer application can drag down straight lashes. I learned to wipe the wand once on a tissue before every use.
The Mascara Step: Fibers, Volume, And Length
The mascara end carries the fibers. The brush is a medium plastic bristle design with a tapered tip. It picks up a generous load, so one dip usually covers both eyes.
Applied over wet primer, the fibers cling and extend past the natural lash tip. I measured the difference with a mirror and a ruler. My lashes gained close to two millimeters of visible length.
Volume is where this mascara shines. Two coats build a dense, fluffy fringe that photographs well. The black is a true deep black with no blue undertone.
One honest note: a third coat creates clumps. The fibers start grouping, and the lashes look spiky rather than full. Two coats is the ceiling.
Top 3 Alternative for Voluminous Superstar Mascara
- Volumizing And Lengthening Mascara: Full lash fringe that’s feathery soft, with no flaking, no smudging, and no clumping; Just voluptuous volume and intense length. 20x more volume and up to 2x more length. Based on a consumer claims study, November 2020
- L'Oreal Paris Mascara: Get the long, full eyelashes you love with our best mascaras and primers; Choose from our innovative volumizing formulas and variety of brushes
Last update on 2026-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
- Lengthening Mascara: This volumizing washable mascara formula is infused with bamboo extract and fibers for long, full and lightweight lashes that don't flake or smudge
- Lash Extension Brush: Features our exclusive Flex Tower mascara brush that bends to volumize and extend every single lash from root to tip; Ophthalmologist and allergy tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Last update on 2026-06-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara
- Voluminous Volume Building Mascara: The uniquely maximizing formulated L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara builds lashes up to 5x their natural thickness. Longer lashes and a full and dramatic eye look in a single clump free application
- Volume Maximizing Curved Brush: Build and thicken lashes evenly and smoothly with the curved brush applicator that matches the shape of your lashes. A lengthening mascara that leaves lashes supple and soft with virtually no flakes, smudges or clumps
Last update on 2026-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara
Washable Versus Waterproof: Which Version To Pick
- Voluminous Primer And Mascara: Super-volumizing mascara primer builds dramatic volume on every lash and creates an ultra-smooth base to maximize mascara performance; Super-extending mascara with a fiber-rich black formula
- L'Oreal Mascara: Get the long, full eyelashes you love with our best mascaras and primers; Choose from our innovative volumizing formulas and variety of brushes
Last update on 2026-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
I tested both formulas across the same three weeks. They behave differently enough to matter.
The washable version applies softer and removes with warm water and cleanser. It also smudges. On my oily lids, I saw transfer under the eyes after about seven hours. Humid days cut that number lower.
The waterproof version grips harder. It survived a gym session, a rainy walk, and a teary film. Removal needs an oil based remover or a cleansing balm. Nothing less works.
My pick depends on your day. Choose washable for office hours and gentle removal. Choose waterproof for weddings, travel, humid climates, and watery eyes. Oily eyelids push the decision toward waterproof almost every time.
Wear Test Results: Smudging, Flaking, And Curl Hold
Here is what three weeks of daily wear showed me.
Curl hold ranked above average. My lashes are straight, and the primer plus mascara combination held a curler result for roughly ten hours in the waterproof version.
Smudging stayed low with the waterproof formula. The washable formula transferred onto my under eye concealer by late afternoon.
Flaking is the weak spot. Tiny black fibers dropped onto my cheeks in the washable version, usually around hour six. I found fibers on my laptop screen twice.
Eye comfort varied. On most days I felt nothing. On two days a fiber landed in my eye and stung until I flushed it out. Contact lens wearers should proceed with caution here.
Application Tips That Make A Visible Difference
Technique changes the result with this mascara more than with most. These steps gave me the cleanest finish.
Wipe both wands on a tissue first. Excess product is the main cause of clumping and flaking.
Apply primer to one eye, then mascara to that same eye, then repeat on the other side. Working one eye at a time keeps the primer wet.
Hold the wand horizontally at the roots and wiggle for three seconds. Then sweep upward in one motion.
Use a clean spoolie to comb through lashes while the mascara stays slightly wet. This step removes stray fibers before they fall.
Skip the lower lashes with the primer. The thick base looks heavy there and smudges faster.
Removal Process: How Hard Is It To Take Off?
Removal is not quick. I will say that plainly.
The waterproof version requires an oil based product. I used a cleansing balm, pressed it onto closed eyes for thirty seconds, then wiped with a cotton pad. Most of the mascara came away, but fibers stuck to the lash tips.
A second pass with micellar water on a cotton pad finished the job. Total time ran close to ninety seconds per eye.
The washable version came off with cleanser and warm water, though fibers still lingered.
Lash health note: rubbing pulls out lashes. I lost a few lashes during week one before I slowed down my routine. Soaking the product first prevents that loss.
Pros And Cons Of Voluminous Superstar Mascara
Pros
- The primer and mascara duo builds genuine volume that single step mascaras struggle to match.
- Fibers add visible length, roughly one to two millimeters, which helps short or sparse lashes.
- The Blackest Black shade reads as a true deep black with no grey cast.
- The waterproof formula holds curl and resists sweat, rain, and watery eyes for about ten hours.
- The 0.41 fluid ounce tube is larger than most mascaras at a similar drugstore price.
- Both wands pick up enough product for both eyes in one dip, so application stays fast.
Cons
- Fiber flaking is common, especially with the washable formula after six hours.
- Fibers can land in the eye and irritate contact lens wearers.
- The primer dries quickly, so the application window feels tight for beginners.
- A third coat clumps and spikes the lashes instead of adding fullness.
- The waterproof version demands an oil based remover and extra time at night.
- The dual chamber tube is long and bulky inside small bags.
- Shade choice is limited to black and brown tones only.
What This Mascara Does Not Do Well
Honest reviews name the failures. Here are mine.
It does not give a natural look. The fibers and the black primer create drama. If you want a my lashes but better finish, this product will overshoot.
It does not suit sensitive eyes. Loose fibers plus contact lenses is a poor combination. I would recommend a fiber free formula for anyone with dry eye issues.
It does not forgive rushed application. Skip the timing rule and you get patchy, clumped lashes.
It does not define lashes individually. The brush groups lashes rather than separating them. A spoolie fixes some of this, though not all.
It also does not last through a twelve hour day in the washable form. Expect touch ups.
Who Should Buy This Mascara In 2026
This mascara fits specific people well.
Buy it if your lashes are short or sparse and you want visible length without strip lashes. The fibers do real work there.
Buy it if you like dramatic, full lash looks for events, photos, or nights out. The volume photographs beautifully.
Buy the waterproof version if you have oily lids, watery eyes, or live somewhere humid.
Skip it if you wear contact lenses daily, if you have sensitive eyes, or if you prefer a soft natural finish. Skip it also if you dislike long removal routines.
Beginners can use it, though they should expect a short learning curve with the primer timing.
Price And Value Assessment
The Voluminous Superstar sits in the drugstore price band. Expect roughly fourteen to seventeen dollars depending on the retailer and the current promotion. Amazon frequently runs a small discount when you buy two.
The tube holds 0.41 fluid ounces total. Standard mascaras often hold 0.25 fluid ounces. You get more product, though it splits across two formulas.
Mascara expires about three months after opening. I used roughly one third of the primer and one quarter of the mascara in three weeks, so the tube will outlast its safe window with normal use.
Value verdict: strong for the volume payoff, weaker once you factor in the oil based remover you will need to buy alongside it.
How It Compares To Other L’Oreal Mascaras
L’Oreal sells several volumizing mascaras, so the lineup confuses shoppers.
Voluminous Original gives thickness with a simple one step formula and no fibers. It flakes less and removes faster, though it adds little length.
Lash Paradise focuses on soft, feathery fullness. Its bristle brush separates lashes better than the Superstar brush. Length gains stay smaller.
Voluminous X Fiber uses a similar two step fiber approach. Reviewers often rate its fiber control as messier than the Superstar.
Extensionist targets curl and lift with a lash extension look.
The Superstar wins on sheer volume plus length together. It loses on separation and on clean wear.
Tips To Extend Wear Time And Reduce Flaking
Small habits cut the flaking problem down.
Press a translucent powder onto the lash line before mascara. This step absorbs oil and slows smudging.
Pick the waterproof formula if flaking frustrates you. The film holds fibers more securely.
Avoid oil based eye creams on the lid before makeup. Oil loosens the fibers.
Comb lashes with a dry spoolie five minutes after application. Stray fibers come away on the spoolie instead of your cheek.
Keep the wands clean. Wipe each one with a tissue weekly to prevent product buildup near the opening.
Close both caps tightly. The primer dries out fast when air reaches it, and a dry primer ruins the whole two step system.
Final Verdict: Should You Add It To Your Cart?
The Voluminous Superstar delivers on its headline promise. Lashes look fuller, longer, and darker after two coats. The primer earns its place, and the fiber mascara adds length that single step formulas cannot match.
The flaws are real though. Fibers fall. Eyes sometimes sting. Removal takes effort and an oil based cleanser.
My rating sits at four out of five for lash results and three out of five for comfort.
Buy the waterproof version if you want drama and you can live with a longer nightly routine. Choose Lash Paradise or Voluminous Original instead if you want everyday ease and clean wear. Your eyes and your schedule should make the final call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Voluminous Superstar Mascara waterproof?
L’Oreal sells both a washable version and a waterproof version. The waterproof formula resists sweat, rain, and tears for around ten hours. It needs an oil based remover or a cleansing balm. The washable version comes off with cleanser and warm water.
How do you apply the two step mascara correctly?
Apply the black primer first and coat every lash from root to tip. Then apply the fiber mascara on top before the primer dries. Work one eye at a time. Wipe both wands on a tissue first to prevent clumping. Two coats is the maximum.
Does this mascara flake during the day?
Flaking happens, mostly with the washable formula. Tiny fibers can drop after roughly six hours of wear. Setting the lash line with translucent powder and combing lashes with a spoolie reduces the problem. The waterproof version flakes noticeably less.
Is it safe for contact lens wearers?
Fiber mascaras carry a higher risk of eye irritation. Loose fibers can slip under a lens and sting. I would suggest a fiber free mascara for daily contact lens use. Anyone with sensitive or dry eyes should patch test carefully or choose a different formula.
How long does one tube last?
The tube holds 0.41 fluid ounces across both chambers, which is larger than most mascaras. Normal daily use will not empty it within three months. Replace mascara three months after opening regardless of how much product remains, because bacteria build up over time.
Does it work on short or straight lashes?
Yes, and this is its strongest use case. The fibers extend short lashes by about one to two millimeters. The primer plus waterproof formula also holds a curl well on straight lashes. Curl your lashes before application for the best lift.
