Beauty Colossal Big Shot Mascara: Waterproof vs Washable Winner
The Colossal Big Shot comes in waterproof and washable versions of the same volumizing formula. The brush and pigment match, but daily life with each is very different. Here is the honest comparison.
| Factor | Maybelline Colossal Big Shot Waterproof | Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Water |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Smudge resistance | Excellent, all-day hold | Good, may smudge on oily lids |
| Removal ease | Needs oil-based remover | Warm water and cleanser |
| Volume level | Maximum drama | Strong volume |
| Best for | Humid days, long wear | Daily use, easy routine |
Our Verdict
Waterproof wins for performance. It holds volume through humidity, workouts, and emotional days without smudging, which is the whole point of a Big Shot mascara. The washable version wins for convenience, coming off easily at night with no special remover. Choose waterproof if your mascara usually smudges by afternoon or you need bulletproof wear. Choose washable if you wear mascara daily and value a quick, gentle removal routine. Both deliver the signature Colossal volume at a drugstore price. Your lids and lifestyle should decide, not the marketing. Oily lids almost always do better with waterproof.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Big volume with easy nightly removal.
Maybelline Pumped Up Colossal Mascara
- Pumped-up volume formula
- Double shot brush
- Bold lash look
- Washable version available
Pros
- Strong volume, easy removal
- Very affordable
Cons
- Less intense than Big Shot
- May smudge on very oily lids
Best for: Daily volume wearers who hate dedicated removers.
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Washable Mascara Glam Black
- Washable Colossal formula
- Glam Black deepest shade
- Easy warm-water removal
- Volume brush
Pros
- Comes off with cleanser
- Deep black drama
Cons
- Less smudge-proof than waterproof
- Not for swimmers
Best for: Intense black volume with waterproof staying power.
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Waterproof Glam Black
- Waterproof Colossal formula
- Glam Black intense pigment
- Smudge-proof volume
- Classic brush
Pros
- Deepest black, waterproof
- Great value
Cons
- Needs oil remover
- Can be drying with daily use
Want the Full Picture?
Mascara on Hooded Eyelids: Stopping Transfer
Hooded eyelids get no dedicated mascara testing, yet transfer to the brow bone is the main failure mode. The mechanism: the hood rests against the lashes, so any formula that stays wet or soft transfers within the hour. Waterproof formulas resist this best because their film sets firmly; tubing formulas come second since the polymer tubes dry down completely. Traditional washable volumizing mascara transfers fastest on hooded eyes. Technique matters as much as formula: apply mascara looking down into a mirror so the lashes clear the hood during application, let it set fully before opening the eyes normally, and dust translucent powder on the brow bone area as a transfer barrier. The Pumped Up Colossal waterproof variant on this page is the safer pick for hooded eyes over the washable versions.
Contact Lenses and Volumizing Mascara
Contact lens wearers with dry eyes get generic advice, but the particle question is specific. Volumizing mascaras achieve thickness with fibers and waxes; fibers can flake off during the day and migrate under lenses, causing irritation. Tubing formulas are the lens-wearer favorite for a reason: the polymer tubes encase each lash and rarely shed particles. If you stay with traditional volumizing formulas like the Colossal range, choose fiber-free versions, replace the tube on schedule since old mascara flakes more, and insert lenses before applying mascara so fallout does not get trapped underneath. Remove lenses before removing mascara at night. Any persistent redness or grittiness means the formula, not the lenses, is usually the problem. For sensitive-eye guidance, our mascara tips for sensitive eyes cover the ingredient side.
Ingredient Watch-Outs for Sensitive Eyes
Sensitive-eye advice stops at fragrance-free, but the real irritants are specific. Watch for: formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, which hide under names like DMDM hydantoin and quaternium-15; waterproof film-formers that require harsh removal, since the removal process irritates as much as the formula; and lash fibers, which physically irritate as well as chemically. Carbon black pigment is generally well tolerated, while some iron oxides bother very sensitive eyes. The practical approach: patch test a new mascara by wearing it for a half day before committing, and introduce only one new eye product at a time so you can identify the culprit. If your eyes water with every mascara, tubing formulas deserve a trial; their simpler removal alone eliminates a major irritation source. Our tubing mascara guide explains why they suit reactive eyes.
Black vs Brown-Black on Fair Skin
Brown versus black mascara never gets a real comparison with wear context, only passing shade notes. On fair skin, true black can look harsh in daylight, especially with volumizing formulas that deposit heavily; brown-black gives definition without the stark contrast and suits blondes and redheads particularly well. Black earns its place for evening, photography, and dramatic looks where the contrast is the point. The wear difference: brown formulas show flaking and transfer less visibly than black, which is a practical advantage for long days. If you own one mascara, match it to your most common context; office daylight favors brown-black, nights out favor black. Neither shade changes the formula's performance, only its visual impact.
Waterproof vs Washable: Sweat, Tears, and Humidity
The waterproof decision deserves a scenario matrix instead of a blanket recommendation. Daily office wear in air conditioning: washable wins on lash health and removal ease. Humid climates, outdoor weddings, and emotional events: waterproof earns its place. Workouts and swimming: waterproof only. The lash-health cost of waterproof is real: the aggressive removal it demands causes cumulative breakage, so reserve it for days that need it rather than defaulting to it. A useful split: washable Colossal for everyday, waterproof for the specific days. Never sleep in waterproof mascara; the hardened film plus pillow friction breaks lashes overnight. For removal techniques that minimize the damage, see our makeup removal guide.