Some makeup products disappear after one season. This one refuses to leave. The Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal mascara has been sitting on drugstore shelves since 2009, and it still sells out in that chunky neon pink tube. That kind of staying power makes people curious. It also makes people suspicious.
I bought a fresh tube, wore it for six weeks, and tracked how it behaved on oily lids, under gym lighting, and after a long cry at a wedding. This review covers the good, the messy, and the parts nobody mentions in sponsored videos. If you want thick lashes for under fifteen dollars, keep reading. If you want feathery separation, you may want to skip to the alternatives section.
In a Nutshell:
- Volume is the real strength. Maybelline claims 9X volume from the Mega Brush, and while that number is marketing math, the thickening effect is genuinely strong. Lashes look fuller after one coat and almost false lash thick after two.
- The formula contains collagen and feels wet and creamy out of the tube. That wetness builds fast, which is great for drama and risky for clean application.
- Clumping is the main complaint. The giant brush holds a lot of product, so sloppy technique gives you spider lashes. A quick wipe of the wand solves most of it.
- Curl hold is weak. This mascara adds weight, not lift. Straight lashes will drop without a lash curler first.
- Price is the strongest argument. At roughly ten to thirteen dollars, it costs a third of luxury volumizing mascaras and performs close to several of them.
- Smudging happens with the washable version on oily or hooded eyes. The waterproof version fixes that, but it fights back at removal time.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Mascara: What Is Inside the Tube?
- Volumizing Mascara: Unleash powerful root-to-tip lash volume in power colors for bold lash impact; The no-clump plumping formula infused with collagen delivers 9 times the volume in just one coat
- Define Your Eye: No eye makeup look is complete without Maybelline Mascara; Amp up the drama with The Falsies Mascara, keep it classic with the iconic Great Lash, or go for a smooth, clump-free natural-but-better look Colossal or Lash Sensational Mascara
Last update on 2026-06-08 / 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 product is a volumizing mascara in a 0.31 fluid ounce tube. Maybelline built the formula around soluble collagen, waxes, and film formers. The brand advertises 2X the collagen compared with its older formulas. Collagen molecules are too large to feed your lashes, so treat that claim as a thickening agent story rather than a lash growth story.
The applicator matters more than the ingredient list. The Mega Brush is a wide bristle brush with dense nylon fibers packed tightly around a thick core. It grabs a heavy load of product and deposits it in one pass. That single design choice explains both the praise and the criticism this mascara receives.
You can buy it in washable and waterproof versions, plus Glam Black and Classic Black shades. The waterproof tube uses a slightly stiffer formula.
The Unboxing Experience: What Arrives at Your Door
There is no luxury unboxing here, and that is honest. The mascara arrives in a thin cardboard carton with the Maybelline logo and a small ingredient panel on the back. No tissue paper. No insert card. No frills.
The tube itself is the star. It is a bright hot pink cylinder with a lime green cap, and it feels chunky in your hand. The plastic is lightweight and slightly glossy. The cap screws on with a firm click, which reassures you that the formula will not dry out in two weeks.
Pull the wand out and you immediately notice the drag. The tube opening is narrow, so the brush scrapes off a thick rope of product. Expect a wet, glossy, almost oily looking load on the bristles. Tap the excess back inside before your first stroke, or you will regret it.
First Impressions on the Wand and Formula Texture
The brush is big. Really big. If you have small eyes or short lower lashes, the first application feels clumsy. I smeared product on my lid twice during week one before my hand learned the angle.
The formula is wet, creamy, and slow drying, which is unusual in 2026. Most new mascaras dry in fifteen seconds. This one stays tacky for close to a minute. That extra time gives you a window to comb through clumps, so use it.
Pigment density is excellent. One coat produces a deep, flat black that reads as liner from a distance. Glam Black is the darker of the two shades and the one most reviewers prefer. Classic Black looks slightly softer and suits people who want daytime definition without drama.
Top 3 Alternative for Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal 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
- 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 2026-06-01 / 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!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara
- If you receive this mascara UNWRAPPED, it did not come from essence cosmetics.
- NO FALSIES NEEDED! Lash Princess False Lash Mascara defines and separates lashes while achieving a bold look.
Last update on 2026-06-03 / 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!
essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara
How the Volume Builds Across One, Two, and Three Coats
Coat one gives you noticeable thickness with decent separation. Lashes look darker and fuller, and the effect reads natural enough for work. This is the coat most people underestimate.
Coat two is where the mascara earns its name. Lashes double in apparent width and start to merge into a solid fringe. The look is bold and photographs well. Apply the second coat while the first is still slightly wet for the smoothest build.
Coat three is a trap. The formula gets heavy, the tips start to stick together, and small flakes appear by mid afternoon. Three coats also drag down any curl you created earlier. My test notes from day four say simply, “too much, eyes feel tired.” Stop at two coats and comb through with a clean spoolie instead.
Pros and Cons of The Colossal Mascara
Pros
- Serious volume for the price, with visible thickness after a single coat
- Deep black pigment that makes lashes stand out without eyeliner
- Slow drying formula gives you time to fix mistakes and comb through
- Wide availability in drugstores, supermarkets, and online at a low price
- Ophthalmologist tested, and most contact lens wearers report no stinging
- Washable version removes with warm water and a basic cleanser
Cons
- Clumps easily if you do not wipe the wand before each use
- The Mega Brush is too large for lower lashes and inner corners
- Weak curl hold, so straight lashes fall flat within hours
- Washable formula can transfer onto hooded or oily lids
- Flaking appears around hour eight on some wearers
- Lengthening is modest, so long lash fans will feel underwhelmed
- The tube dries out faster than average, usually around two months
What This Mascara Does Not Do Well
Honest reviews name the failures, so here they are. This mascara does not lengthen. It coats and thickens. If you want your lashes to reach your brow bone, Sky High or Telescopic will serve you better.
It also does not hold curl. The formula is heavy and wet, and weight pulls lashes down. I curled my lashes every single test day, and by hour five the lift had softened on both eyes.
Separation is the third weak spot. The brush pushes lashes together rather than fanning them apart. Spiky, piecey lash looks are achievable only with extra combing.
Finally, the washable version is not smudge proof. On humid days I found faint gray shadows under my lower lash line. Nothing dramatic, but enough to notice in a mirror at lunch.
Washable or Waterproof: Which Version Fits You?
The washable formula is softer, wetter, and easier to build. It removes with warm water and a cleanser, which protects your lashes over time. Choose it for daily office wear, dry climates, and anyone with sensitive eyes.
The waterproof formula is stiffer and holds up through sweat, rain, and tears. I wore it to a wedding and left with zero smudging after an emotional ceremony. Curl hold is also noticeably better in the waterproof version, likely because the film sets harder.
The tradeoff is removal. Waterproof Colossal needs an oil based remover and gentle patience. Rubbing it off will cost you lashes. Keep a bottle of bi phase remover nearby if you pick this one.
Application Tips That Fix Most Complaints
Technique transforms this product. First, wipe the wand on a tissue before every application. This single step removes ninety percent of clumping complaints.
Second, curl your lashes before applying, never after. The formula sets into a film, and bending that film snaps lashes.
Third, use the tip of the brush, not the side, for lower lashes and inner corners. The bristle tip is small enough to control.
Fourth, wiggle at the root for three seconds, then sweep up. Root wiggling is where the volume comes from.
Fifth, comb through with a clean spoolie while the formula is still tacky. This step turns a clumpy fringe into a fluffy one in about ten seconds. It feels fussy on day one and becomes automatic by day three.
Wear Time and Real World Performance
I tracked wear time across six weeks in different conditions. On a normal office day the washable version held cleanly for seven to eight hours. By hour nine, faint flakes collected on my cheekbones.
On a humid day with outdoor walking, transfer appeared on my upper lid after about five hours. People with hooded eyes will see this sooner.
The waterproof version lasted a full twelve hours with no flaking and no transfer. It survived a workout, a sauna, and a rainy commute without needing touch ups.
One surprise finding: the mascara performs better on the second and third day of the tube than on day one. The formula thickens slightly as the solvent evaporates, which actually improves the volume payoff. Around week eight it gets too thick and starts to clump no matter what you do.
Who Should Buy It and Who Should Skip It
Buy it if you have sparse or thin lashes and want thickness for very little money. Buy it if you like bold, dark, graphic lash looks. Buy it if you are new to makeup and want a forgiving formula that stays workable while you learn.
Buy the waterproof version if you have oily lids, live somewhere humid, or cry at movies.
Skip it if you want length over volume. Skip it if your lashes are naturally straight and you refuse to use a curler. Skip it if clumps genuinely bother you, because even with good technique you will see a few.
People with very short lower lashes should also think twice. The brush size makes precision difficult, and lid smudges are frustrating.
How It Compares to Other Popular Drugstore Mascaras
Against Maybelline Sky High, Colossal wins on thickness and loses on length and separation. Sky High produces a wispy, extended look. Colossal produces a dense, blocky look.
Against L’Oreal Lash Paradise, the comparison is closer. Lash Paradise gives softer, fluffier volume with better fan out. Colossal gives harder, darker volume. Lash Paradise also smudges more on many wearers.
Against essence Lash Princess, Colossal costs more and delivers more pigment. Lash Princess delivers better separation and spike for about five dollars.
Against the newer Maybelline Colossal Bubble mascara, the original is wetter and heavier. Bubble separates better and feels lighter, but reviewers report weaker staying power. The original remains the volume king of the family.
Removal, Lash Health, and Sensitive Eyes
The washable version comes off with warm water and your regular face cleanser. Two rounds usually clear everything. Lashes feel normal afterward, with minimal fallout.
The waterproof version needs micellar water or an oil based remover. Press a soaked cotton pad against closed lids for twenty seconds, then wipe downward. Never scrub.
The formula is ophthalmologist tested, and most contact lens wearers report comfortable wear. A small number of users mention watering eyes with the washable version, likely from the slow drying solvents.
One honest caution: heavy daily use of any volumizing mascara plus aggressive removal leads to lash loss over time. Give your lashes a break day each week and use a gentle conditioning serum if you notice thinning.
Price, Value, and Where to Buy
The mascara usually sells for ten to thirteen dollars in the United States. Multi packs and bundles push the per tube cost closer to eight dollars. Amazon, Walmart, Target, Ulta, and most pharmacies stock it.
That price is the strongest part of the whole review. Luxury volumizing mascaras cost thirty dollars or more and do not triple the results. For someone who replaces mascara every two to three months, Colossal costs about four dollars a month.
Watch out for old stock. Mascara formulas degrade, and a tube that has sat in a warehouse for a year applies thicker and clumpier. Buy from sellers with high turnover and check the batch code if you are particular.
Final Verdict: Is The Colossal Still Worth It in 2026?
Yes, with conditions. This mascara is a volume specialist, not an all rounder. It thickens lashes dramatically, costs very little, and forgives beginner mistakes. Seventeen years on the market is not an accident.
It is also genuinely flawed. It clumps, it does not hold curl, and the washable version smudges on oily lids. Anyone chasing wispy, separated, length focused lashes will be disappointed.
My score is 4 out of 5 for the waterproof version and 3.5 out of 5 for the washable one. If you own a lash curler and a clean spoolie, this is one of the best twelve dollar purchases in your makeup bag. If you want one mascara to do everything, Sky High is the safer pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maybelline Colossal mascara clump?
Yes, it can. The Mega Brush holds a heavy load of wet formula, and clumps appear when you apply straight from the tube. Wiping the wand on a tissue first and combing through with a clean spoolie prevents most of it. Stopping at two coats also helps.
Is the waterproof or washable version better?
The waterproof version lasts longer, holds curl better, and does not smudge. The washable version builds more easily and removes with water, which is gentler on lashes. Pick waterproof for long days and humid weather, washable for everyday office wear.
Does it actually give 9X volume?
No. The 9X figure comes from internal brand testing against bare lashes under ideal conditions. Real world volume is strong but nowhere near nine times. Expect lashes that look roughly twice as thick after two coats.
How long does one tube last?
About two months with daily use. The formula thickens over time and starts clumping badly around week eight or nine. Replace it at three months maximum for eye safety.
Is it safe for contact lens wearers?
It is ophthalmologist tested, and most contact lens wearers use it without problems. A few people report watering eyes with the washable formula. Apply it before inserting lenses and stop use if irritation appears.
Does it work on short lashes?
Yes, for thickness. Short lashes gain noticeable density and darkness. It will not add much length, so pair it with a lengthening mascara on your tips if you want both effects.
