My results have been great (Prestige My Biggest Lashes), and also not so great. Basically what I look for in a mascara is volume, volume and more volume. Of course I want good length as well, but volume, and the ability to actually SEE my lashes is more important to me than lashes that will graze my eyebrows. Also, I actually want a little clumpage. Don't get me wrong--I don't want spider lashes or anything crazy, but a little clumpage and thickness are exactly what I require to make my lashes visible. If the formula is too thin (usually what you get when you buy a mascara that "separates" lashes) then I'm afraid that, for me, that also means that it won't look like I'm wearing any mascara at all.
Also, I have oily skin so my dream mascara cannot run, smudge, or flake (I'm talkin' to you, L'Oreal) and it also cannot fade or disappear after a few hours (I'm talkin' to you, Rimmel). And if I can avoid it, I don't like to use waterproof formulas because I'm not big on using eye makeup remover unless I really have to.
So if you share any of my mascara requirements, read on, please!
Historically, I have not had good luck with Maybelline mascaras. Like a lot of you, my first mascara was Great Lash, and I used it really because I just didn't know any better. It was so wet, and it ran and smeared miserably on me. Recently I tried Maybelline Lash Stiletto, which has a formula that's waaaaaay too dry for me. Also, it didn't give me any volume whatsoever (I shouldn't have been surprised about that, really, because it's a lengthening formula). Next I tried Maybelline XXL Volume + Length Washable Microfiber Mascara, which promised me 11x the volume. Yeah RIGHT. Even after applying the basecoat carefully and to every single lash, it provided no additional volume at all to my lashes. This one was probably worse than Lash Stiletto for me.
So right as I was about to quit Maybelline mascaras for good, I happened to watch this video where Lauren Luke does a super clean and pretty eye look and mentions how much she adores Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (around the 8:20 mark in the video). She actually says that she is loving this mascara more than her beloved MAC mascara, which made think, "OK, she knows a thing or two about mascaras, and I'm really liking how this looks on her. Dare I try ANOTHER Maybelline mascara?"
And ladies, that's when my love affair with Colossal Volum' Express (retail: around $6) began. Let's take a look at some pics:
My eye, without mascara (see, I wasn't lying about having nonexistent lashes)
My eye, with two coats of Colossal Volum' Express
And here I am again with two coats of Colossal Volum' Express
For around six bucks at your local drugstore, I am telling you, this mascara is the bomb! It thickens, it lengthens, and it gives just enough clumpage to nonexistant lashes to make them actually stand out and be visible without looking like a gunky mess. Also, this formula doesn't smear, streak or flake on me, and it removes with my regular cleanser! I even like the brush--let me show you a pic of it in case a mascara's brush is a make-or-break deal for you.
I put some other brushes in this pic just for comparison:
As you can see, it's a little thinner than the Prestige brush, and not as long as the Lash Blast Length brush. In my book, this brush is just right.
Also, for all you ladies out there who apply mascara to their lower lashes, this one is fantastic for that! It separates and gives volume and length perfectly.
And one last thought: Don't be fooled by the first coat! Collossal Volum' really scared me when I was done with my first coat. It seemed like it was going to another letdown, but WOW, the second coat was amazing. For some reason, that second coat really makes your lashes pop, so don't give up or get frustrated after the first coat. Give it another coat and I think you might be pleasantly surprised.
Do you already use Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
I absolutely love this mascara, except if flakes on me - I'm not sure what I've done wrong, but I can figure it out, this would definitely be my holy grail mascara!
ReplyDeleteCant believe Max Factor isn't going to be in the States anymore!? Handy to have a UK based beauty addict for swaps though!
ReplyDeleteThat collosal mascara looks amazing, apparently it's the best selling one in the UK at the moment, so will have to give it a try.
Totally sad about Max Factor. I have the *exact* same kinds of lashes as you (except mine are blond, ugh, just add to the awfulness!). I tried Volum' Express a few weeks ago, but I got MAJOR flakage! Not sure why...It's like as soon as the 2 coats dried, it would just flake right off! I'm thinking it might be my makeup remover though...but I've never had trouble like that before. Do you use a mascara primer or anything?
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try this. I've been searching for a mascara that I like.
ReplyDeleteShakeupYourMakeup: OMG, that sucks! I am so sorry this formula flakes on you. I wonder maybe it will eventually flake on me too (I've been using it for about 2 weeks now). I will definitely keep you posted. :)
ReplyDeleteBJL: I know! I think I might have an idea about who I can swap with in the UK. Hum....lol!!! (I owe you an email, btw, which I will send later tonight!).
Lisa Kate: Nonexistent lashes girls unite! lol. OK, you are the second person to say this mascara flakes on them. Maybe I got a magical tube or something? I will continue wearing this for another week straight and report back. Fingers crossed!
Kimberly: I would love to know what you think of this if/when you try it! :)
I'm glad you like this one. I have a tube of Colossal still in the package tucked away in my drawer for me to try when my Lash Blast takes its dying breath. LOL. I can't wait to give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteHistorically, though, I'm with you on Maybelline mascaras. I've been disappointed by every one I've tried. I find it ironic because they're supposed to be the drugstore mascara giants, you know? Yet every one I've tried has sucked big time. (My main problem is the smearing off underneath my eyes thing.) I'm currently harboring a belief that Cover Girl makes the best drugstore mascaras. Who'da thunk? :-)
I totally understand what you mean by "non existant lashes"! I've been on a quest for the perfect mascara for a long, long time ago. I'm currently loving Lash Stiletto, and I think it will be my new HG. But I understand that it's not the mascara you need as it doesn't give volume. Have you tried using a lenghtening mascara paired with a volumizing mascara? I like to apply one oat of each. It gives me a nice result! As for the Volume Express, I think it's nice, but I prefer when a mascara is more lenghtening than volumizing, and this mascara does flake and clump on me.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that Rimmel doesn't work for you! I use Extra Super Lash and it consistently lasts me through the day, and on rare occasions, might even still hang on throughout the night if I haven't washed it off! I never do my bottom lashes though, maybe that makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteVolum Express is my hands-down favorite mascara, too, I have been wearing it for a few years now. I have blonde lashes, not too thin, and long, but invisible without a really thick mascara. I know exactly what you mean about the "thin" mascara formulas, often claiming great lash separation. They never do it for me, either.
ReplyDeletePlus, I think it's not only the formula, but the brush that makes it work so well. I have always had the best luck with mascaras that have a really dense brush like the Volum does, coupled with a thicker, dryer formula.
One of my previous favorite-but-discontinued mascaras was Revlon's Lashful. Another current one with a similar brush and formula is L'Oreal's Voluminous. I will buy that up when they have a deal.
I have also noticed after using these mascaras for years, that they actually work better (at least for me) after the first couple of weeks when the initial wetness of the formula gets just a little bit dryer and thicker. In fact, it gets better the longer you use it, so by the time you reach then end of the tube - it's really at the ideal consistency. Weird, I know.
It looks great on your lashes!
ReplyDeleteI have this mascara but I don't use it on a daily basis. I like the thickening effect but it simply weighs down my lashes :( I use Maybelline's Volume Express Turbo Boost mascara instead
I totally sympathize with the lashes!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that's the only part of my face that's greasy. I can't wear anything but waterproof on my lower lashes, or I end up with raccoon eyes.
Love your review :)
I used the Colossal one time but and it was okay - but I hated the smell!! I have the Soft n Full and I LOVE IT! I just remember when I first wear mascara that it would smear and gives me raccoon eyes. Most drugstore mascaras I've tried since then have been amazing at not flaking and making my eyes black :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read that this mascara worked for you! I haven't tried it yet. Actually, the only Maybelline mascara I've tried is Define-A-Lash volume, and it worked pretty well on me! I was surprised!
ReplyDeletefemputer: OK, I've got a theory. Since CG and Max Factor are both owned by P&G, I feel that their mascara formulas are VERY similar. My beloved MF Volume Couture is VERY close in formula to CG Volume Exact (they even have the same brush!). What I'm hoping is, after P&G stops selling MF in the US, CG will just take MF's great formulas and start selling them with a different name, under the CG brand. Then the CG mascara empire will be complete! lol! :)
ReplyDeleteGaby: I'm so glad you understand what I was trying to say in my post! And regarding using both a volumizing and lengthening mascara, i have tried that technique in the past but either I don't let the two coats dry enough, or they dry too much and it just becomes a clumpy mess. Do you have any pointers for this method?
Papaya Bunny: I am so jealous that Rimmel works for you! I love the look of their mascaras and they have some interesting formulas, but there must be something about my oily skin that literally eats up their formulas within minutes. Such a bummer--I've tried about 4 different Rimmel mascaras and they all have the same result on me. :(
Trixie: I am SO glad you can relate to what I said in my review. Thank you for that! Sadly, L'Oreal mascaras always run/smear on my super oily eyes. Oh and I TOTALLY get what you're saying about formulas getting better as they age. I completely agree 100% and I just wish they didn't hit their "prime" once they're about run out! lol! :)
Hi Connie! Thank you so much! I am bummed that this formula weighs down your lashes too much! But what's funny is that I have used Soft n Full in the past (thanks for reminding me) and it didn't weight my lashes down *enough*. LOL! It was like I didn't even put mascara on, after three coats. Isn't it funny how mascara is so subjective? What could be HG for one person is a total nightmare for someone else. :)
ReplyDeletePhyrra: That is so funny! I wish I could use WP but I have had so many bad experiences with not being able to remove WP mascaras without pulling and tugging that I've just plain given up. :( So what mascara are you currently using?
Ndoodles: That is so funny--I just mentioned to Connie (above) that Soft n Full didn't give me any volume at all and totally didn't work for me. It just goes to show that all of our needs are different, huh? That's why I try so hard to describe my own particular needs and requirements when I do mascara reviews. If I were to just say, "This is great, you should get it" I'm not taking into consideration 90 percent of my readers who probably have totally different needs for their lashes than I do. lol! I'm so jealous that you don't need a thicky, gooey mascara for volume like I do! LOL! xo
Marce: Hey, is the Define-A-Lash mascara the one that has a rubber brush (sort of like the picture above of the CG Lash Blast Length)? If so, I think I tried that one too but, sadly, it didn't give me any volume. :( I would love to know what you think of Colossal if/when you try it. :)
mascara junkie to mascara junkie, of COURSE i've tried colossal! it's in my drawer right now :) i'll pull it out every so often. it's alright, but the nasty rose smell overpowers me and sometimes makes my eyes water. but i do appreciate the volume it gives.
ReplyDeletefull n' soft is a good "natural" looking mascara but all the other maybelline mascaras are basically crap by themselves.
ever since you raved about prestige my biggest lashes tho, i have been a SLAVE to my big fat fuchsia tube! i swear, if it was a little blacker i'd be in mascara heaven. i just use lash stiletto on the tips and viola, i am a lash vixen!!
Anybody else remember the old Maybelline Dial-A-Lash from the 70s? You could dial it from 1 to 10, but I always just cranked it up to 10 and left it there...!
ReplyDeleteI thought my lashes were virtually non-existent but you weren't kidding about having light, short lashes :O I'm glad you found a reliable mascara though-- those are hard to find [at the right prices] these days.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a lngthening one from NYX today at InStyle for $10 (which is pricey considering that it is just NYX) but still affordable. I'll let you know how that goes too :)
OMG I did not know that CG & MF were owned by the same company! But that explains so much, like how the Maxalicious Glitz (er something, can't remember the name) and Wet Slicks glosses are like, exactly the same, tube and all!
ReplyDeleteI've not tried Colossal Volum' Express, but I love regular Volum' Express. I'll have to give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteRandom of random, but someone linked this on a forum I go to and I thought you'd be interested -- the "Lay it on me" polishes done "properly".
ReplyDeletehttp://lacquerlaine.blogspot.com/2009/08/lay-it-on-me.html
I feel your pain. I too suffer from invisible lashes. I really like Boots Lash 360. It's the most natural looking, non-clumping or smudging volumizing mascara I have found to date.
ReplyDeleteHey Kellie! OMG, thank you for reminding me! The smell of this mascara IS pretty powerful and it took a bit getting used to. I am SO glad you're still liking My Biggest Lashes (yay!) I really love it too, but from one junkie to another, you know I'm always curious is there's something out there that's just a TINY bit better. lol. Oh, and have you see Prestige's new mascara, My Blackest Lashes? The tube is around the same size as My Biggest Lashes so maybe this is your dream mascara! :)
ReplyDeleteTrixie! I *totally* remember Dial-A-Lash, and I cranked mine up to 10 too! I never could figure out the point of going any lower than ten. lol!!! :)
Shela! I told you--I wasn't lying about my pathetic lil' lashes. lol! Please post a review of that NYX mascara, ok? I've heard some good things about their mascaras but never tried them. :)
femputer! You're totally right! I never put the two together but they do have the exact same packaging! Wow, that's pretty lazy of them, eh? :)
Meg, I would love to know what you think if/when you try this! :)
Papaya Bunny! OMG, that his hilarious! I so don't get that post AT ALL! lol! Where are the swirls? And all the comments were like, "That looks so great". WTH? Am I the only one who was expecting there to be some crazy kind of marbelized effect? To my eyes, those swatches were of solid colors with no layered effect whatsoever??
ReplyDeleteDanielle! Thanks so much for the tip, and I'm so glad I'm not alone in my suffering! lol. I haven't tried any of the Boots mascaras so I will definitely add this to my list. :)
Oh of course! I'll definitely post pics and a review soon. I tried looking for NYX glosses at InStyle but they only carry eyeshadows, blushes, and mascaras from NYX, I think. I should ask next time--and pick up another mascara for a friend :)
ReplyDeleteOK waitaminute: What is InStyle? lol! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a store that carries all sorts of beauty products from NYX and Murad to Essie and Redken. You might have passed by it before. It's next to Aaron brother in the Park View center across from Mission Valley mall. Like... by the trolley station. They have some pricey items but also a number of affordable ones too.
ReplyDeleteHere's their site:
www.instylesd.com
Have I been living under a rock? Seriously, I have never heard of or seen InStyle! Thank you for the heads-up because I was seriously convinced there was NO store left in SD that carries NYX. Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteI know, NYX is such a hot commodity but I don't understand why it seems like no one carries their items anymore! Why are they flying under the radar?!? I found out Ulta also sells NYX but the closest one around here is in La Jolla and I don't think that particular store has any.
ReplyDeleteBummer, right? And the search for NYX goes on!
You know what? I asked a beauty industry person about this and what I THINK might be happening with NYX is that most bit retailers (CVS, Walgreens, etc) do not like to sell products from companies that have a large web presence, because it cuts into their sales. So the fact that NYX is so readily available online might be why you can only find their products in small, indie beauty supplies, etc. Interesting, huh?
ReplyDeleteThat IS interesting, and it makes sense. But even if the websites are competitors, shouldn't drugstores take advantage of this and sell anyway since most of us prefer to pick things up in-store? I mean, it's cheaper, we get to see the items in person before we buy them, and definitely easier to make returns.
ReplyDeleteThe Colossal sounds great! Right now I've got Maybelline Great Lash Big Lash, and it's actually been almost perfect for me- oddly enough, it's dry on me, not wet, and it gives me los of volume & clumpage, just what I need. Thanks, G! I will get the Colossal when my Big Lash runs out =)
ReplyDelete