They're Back: The Return of the Maybelline Great Lash Colored Mascaras

Starting in the spring of 2011 and for every spring/summer since then, Maybelline has released a limited edition collection of colored mascaras in their Great Lash line. Every year, people seem to get very excited about these and, every year, many people seem to think this is the first time Maybelline has ever released colored mascaras. So I thought I'd set the record straight about this!

Here's a quick summary:

• In 2011, here's what the display looked like. The colored mascaras in the Spring 2011 collection were Teal Appeal and Royal Blue.

• In 2012, here's what the display looked like. The colored mascaras in the Summer 2012 collection were Totally Teal, Blink of Blue, Go Go Green and Pop of Purple.

• For Summer 2013 there are SIX shades in the collection: Teal Appeal, Green With Envy, I See Blue, Vision in Violet, So Very Berry and Wink of Pink. 

Here's what the Summer 2013 display looks like (with thanks to longtime reader Tara):

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap

Maybelline Summer 2013 Limited Edition Great Lash Colors Mascaras

(retail: around $6.50 at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid)

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap
I See Blue

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap
Teal Appeal and Green With Envy

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap
Vision In Violet

 image credit: Tara for Nouveau Cheap 
Wink of Pink and So Very Berry

As you can see, Maybelline seems to be adding new colors to the collection each year, and this year they've added a pink and a berry (Wink of Pink and So Very Berry). I can't confirm that the teal, blue, green and purple shades in this new collection are the same shades as in last year's collection (with different names) but Tara did offer some insights about these shades:

Tara writes:

So Very Berry - this looks like a cranberry red irl, really cool! 

Wink of Pink - from the display and packaging, this looks like it's a super hot pink (maybe even borderline neon!)

Vision in Violet - looks a bit more vivid this year but I'll wait for reviews as last year's was pretty blah 

I See Blue - super duper electric ultramarine 1980's blue! 

Teal Appeal - looks similar to last year's teal shade which was really gorgeous, even though the formula was meh 

Green With Envy - again, looks like last year's shade, maybe a touch more vivid

Tara mentioned in her description of Teal Appeal that the formula was "meh" last year. This is what I also heard back in 2011--I hope the feedback this year is better! If you have tried the 2013 versions, I would absolutely LOVE to hear from you. Do you think they're better than past years' versions? Can you see the color on your lashes when applied? Please do tell!

Thanks so much, Tara, for the great pics and info!

PS: I also want to give a special thanks to several of you for sending me pics of this display. Unfortunately, I am super behind on my "new product posts" and Tara sent the above pics to me a few weeks ago, so I was already working on this post when additional pics started to come through. I wish I could have shared ALL of your pics here and I really appreciate you taking the time to submit them to me.