Beauty Best L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara: 5 Formulas Tested, Ranked
The best L'Oreal Voluminous mascara is the Voluminous Original in Black. This drugstore icon builds thick, full lashes in one coat with its classic volume-maximizing brush. If you want the mascara that beauty lovers have repurchased for decades, this is it. It delivers bold volume for under ten dollars.
We compared five Voluminous formulas on Amazon: Original, Carbon Black, Curved Brush, Deep Green, and Cobalt Blue. Each uses the same volumizing base with different brushes and pigments. You will find honest rankings and shade notes below.
Read on for our full breakdown, a guide to choosing your formula, and clump-free application tips.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Black Iconic volume-maximizing brush.
- L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Curved Brush Mascara Black Curved brush for lift and curl.
- L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara Deepest carbon black pigment.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks
Best for: The classic bold-lash look everyone knows.
#1 Best OverallL'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Black
- Iconic volume-maximizing brush
- Panthenol and ceramide conditioning
- Bold black pigment
- Decades of bestseller status
Pros
- Maximum volume cheaply
- Proven classic formula
Cons
- Can clump if over-applied
- Washable smudges on oily lids
Best for: Straight lashes needing lift plus volume.
Runner-UpL'Oreal Paris Voluminous Curved Brush Mascara Black
- Curved brush for lift and curl
- Same volumizing formula
- Reaches every lash
- Great for straight lashes
Pros
- Lifts while volumizing
- Good for hard-to-curl lashes
Cons
- Less raw volume than Original
- Curve takes practice
Best for: The blackest, most dramatic lash look.
Best ValueL'Oreal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
- Deepest carbon black pigment
- Volumizing formula
- Maximum drama
- Same trusted brush
Pros
- Intense black payoff
- Great for evening looks
Cons
- Too intense for some daytime
- Same clump risk if layered thick
Best for: Hazel eyes wanting subtle enhancement.
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Deep Green
- Subtle deep green tint
- Same volumizing formula
- Flatters hazel and green eyes
- Office-safe color
Pros
- Makes eye color pop
- Reads nearly black daily
Cons
- Green subtle in most light
- Niche shade
Best for: Brown eyes wanting a brightening pop.
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Cobalt Blue
- Cobalt blue lash tint
- Volumizing base formula
- Brightens brown eyes
- Fun but wearable
Pros
- Unique eye-brightening effect
- Drugstore price to experiment
Cons
- Blue not for conservatives
- Less versatile than black
What to Look For in a Voluminous Mascara
Start with the brush. The Original brush is full and dense for maximum volume, while the Curved Brush lifts and curls. Next, check the pigment. Carbon Black is the deepest black for drama, while standard Black is slightly softer. Third, consider the colored options. Deep Green and Cobalt Blue add subtle fun without looking costume-like. Avoid buying more than you will use in three months, since mascara expires. Finally, check the formula type. The washable versions remove easily, which suits daily wearers better than waterproof.
Ingredients and Formula: How Volume Works
Voluminous mascaras use waxes and film-forming polymers to coat each lash and build visible thickness. The Original formula includes panthenol and ceramides to condition lashes while adding volume. Carbon Black uses deeper pigments for maximum intensity. The brushes are engineered to separate while loading product, which prevents the clumping that plagues thick formulas. The mascaras are ophthalmologist and allergy tested, and safe for sensitive eyes and contact wearers. What should you avoid? Waterproof versions if you hate dedicated removers, since the washable formulas already resist normal smudging well.
How to Choose Your Voluminous Formula
Choose Original Black if you want the classic, most-reviewed volumizing experience. It suits nearly every lash type. Choose Carbon Black if you want the deepest, most dramatic black possible. Choose Curved Brush if your lashes are straight and need lift, since the curve boosts curl. Choose Deep Green or Cobalt Blue if you want a subtle colored lash that makes eye color pop; green flatters hazel eyes, blue brightens brown eyes. Match the brush to your lashes: dense brushes for volume, curved for lift, and smaller brushes for short lashes.
Mistakes to Avoid With Volumizing Mascara
The biggest mistake is pumping the wand, which dries out the formula fast. Twist the brush instead. Second, applying more than two coats creates clumps and spider lashes. Third, skipping the lash curler wastes the volume potential, especially with straight lashes. Fourth, applying to lashes coated in facial oil causes smudging, so keep eye cream away from lashes. Finally, keeping mascara past three months risks both clumps and eye irritation. Mark your calendar and replace on schedule.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right l'oreal voluminous mascara product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Curved Brush version helps most, since the curved shape lifts and extends the appearance of short lashes. Pair it with a lash curler first. Apply with a wiggling motion at the base to build maximum thickness where it shows most.
It can if over-applied, like any volumizing formula. Prevent clumps by wiping excess off the wand, applying two thin coats, and combing through with a clean spoolie. Fresh tubes clump less than old ones, so replace every three months.
Yes, noticeably. Carbon Black uses deeper pigments for a more intense, dramatic black. In photos and evening looks, the difference shows. For daytime natural looks, regular Black is softer and often preferable. Try Carbon Black if you love bold lashes.
Yes, Deep Green and Cobalt Blue are subtle in normal light and mostly read as black with a hint of color. They make eye color pop without looking unusual. They are a fun way to experiment while staying office-appropriate.