Beauty Voluminous Original vs Collagen: Best L'Oreal Mascara Pick
Voluminous Original and Extra Volume Collagen are the two most popular in the line. Original is the timeless volume icon. Collagen adds plumping power. Here is how they compare.
| Factor | L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara 2-Co | L'Oreal Voluminous Extra Volume Collagen |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | Classic volumizing | Collagen-infused plumping |
| Volume level | Bold and buildable | Extra thick and plush |
| Brush | Standard volume brush | Plumping brush |
| Clumping risk | Low with good technique | Slightly higher, wipe wand |
| Wear time | All day, minimal flaking | All day, minimal flaking |
| Price | Around 8 to 10 dollars | Around 9 to 11 dollars |
| Best for | Everyday bold lashes | Maximum drama lovers |
Our Verdict
Choose Original for reliable everyday volume that never disappoints. It is the safe bet millions repurchase. Choose Extra Volume Collagen for the thickest, most dramatic lashes. It layers to false-lash fullness. Both cost about the same, so pick by drama level.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Straight lashes needing lift from the root.
L'Oreal Voluminous Original Curved Brush in Black
- Curved lifting brush
- Original formula
- Root lift
- Black shade
Pros
- Great lift
- Easy application
- Classic formula
Cons
- Brush learning curve
- Less even coating
- Not for tiny lashes
Best for: Fair skin and daytime wearers wanting softer definition.
L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Black Brown
- Softer Black Brown shade
- Original volume
- Natural look
- Classic brush
Pros
- Natural daytime look
- Flatters fair skin
- Same volume
Cons
- Less dramatic
- Fewer stockists
- Not for evening drama
Best for: Humid days and events needing winged waterproof lashes.
L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara
- Asymmetrical winged brush
- Waterproof formula
- Length plus volume
- Black shade
Pros
- Winged length effect
- Survives water
- Unique brush
Cons
- Hard to remove
- Drying with daily use
- Brush takes practice
Curved Brush Black vs Black Brown: What Changes
L'Oreal Voluminous Original in Black with the curved brush versus Black Brown looks like a minor variant choice, but the brush and shade combine into meaningfully different results. The curved brush is designed to hug the lash line and lift, giving more curl and separation than the straight brush version, which suits straight or downward pointing lashes that need the lift help. Black Brown softens the look for fair skin, blondes, and daytime wear, while Black maximizes the dramatic volumized effect the line is famous for. The shade decision follows the same logic as any brown versus black choice: lower contrast coloring and professional daytime settings favor Black Brown, while evening and maximum impact favor Black. The Voluminous formula itself is a classic wet volumizing formula, which means it builds dramatic thickness but needs a full minute of drying before a second coat to avoid clumping. The common technique error is pumping the wand, which dries the formula prematurely; twist to load instead. For lower lashes, wipe the wand first and use the tip only, since the full volumizing load overwhelms small lower lashes and smudges by midday. If the formula smudges on oily lids, the lid prep system matters more than the mascara choice. For buyers who want the waterproof version of this volume, our BADgal BANG buyer guide covers heavy duty wear.
Hooded Eyes: The Transfer Problem
Hooded eyelids are the main failure mode no mascara guide tests properly: the lid fold contacts the lashes with every blink, transferring mascara to the brow bone and crease. The fixes are specific. First, formula choice: tubing or waterproof formulas transfer far less than traditional washable volumizers, because they set harder. Second, application: focus volume on the outer two thirds of the lashes and keep the inner corner light, since the inner lid contacts most. Third, lid prep: a primer or powder on the lid fold reduces the oil that lifts transfer. Fourth, the curl: a well curled lash arcs away from the lid, so curl before mascara religiously if you have hooded eyes. The Voluminous curved brush actually helps here, since the lift it provides angles lashes away from the fold. Test honestly at the six hour mark in a mirror, not just at application, because transfer is a time dependent failure. If transfer persists, the nuclear option is tubing mascara, which essentially eliminates the problem at the cost of less dramatic volume. Lower lashes on hooded eyes often do better bare or with a light waterproof coat, since they sit closest to the under eye area. For sensitive hooded eyes needing gentler formulas, our Clinique Rimel guide covers options that balance wear with comfort.
Sparse and Aging Lashes: The Conditioning Approach
Sparse, aging lashes need a different strategy than the volume arms race, and the conditioning angle is undercovered. As lashes thin with age, heavy volumizing formulas can actually emphasize sparseness by clumping the remaining lashes together. The better approach is a conditioning formula or a lash primer plus a lengthening mascara, which defines each lash individually rather than building bulk. Lash primers deserve honest coverage: they add a conditioning base that improves mascara adhesion and can make thin lashes look fuller, but they add a step and some formulas flake by evening. Test primer plus mascara on a full day before committing. The heated lash curler is the secret weapon for straight, aging lashes: curling before mascara opens the eye more than any formula change, and the curl holds better with a waterproof or tubing topcoat. Avoid waterproof for daily use on fragile lashes, since the removal stress accelerates the thinning you are trying to hide. The nighttime routine matters as much as the mascara: gentle removal, no rubbing, and optionally a lash conditioning serum. Be skeptical of growth claims from mascaras themselves; conditioning supports the lashes you have but does not create new ones. For dramatic volume on healthy lashes, our Falsies buyer guide covers the false lash effect end of the range.