Beauty L'Oreal Waterproof Mascara: Black vs Black Brown Compared
We compare the two classic shades of L'Oreal Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara head to head: Black and Black Brown. Both deliver the same 4x volume building waterproof formula, but the shade changes the entire effect.
| Factor | L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Waterp | L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Waterp |
|---|---|---|
| Shade intensity | Maximum drama and definition | Soft, natural definition |
| Best for | Evening, photos, deep skin tones | Daytime, fair skin, glasses wearers |
| Formula | Waterproof volumizing with panthenol | Waterproof volumizing with panthenol |
| Volume claim | Up to 4x fuller lashes | Up to 4x fuller lashes |
| Brush | Volume maximizing brush | Volume maximizing brush |
| Clump visibility | Shows clumps more | Forgiving, hides clumps |
| Wear | Smudge proof all day | Smudge proof all day |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
Our Verdict
Choose Black if you want maximum impact, since the deepest shade makes lashes look thickest and photographs beautifully. Choose Black Brown if you want everyday polish, since the softer shade defines without harshness and flatters fair skin and light hair. Both share the identical waterproof volumizing formula, so this decision is purely about aesthetics. Drama seekers go Black; natural look lovers go Black Brown.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Stocking up since mascara expires every 3 months
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara, 2-Pack
- Two full size Voluminous Original Waterproof mascaras
- Black shade for classic bold lashes
- Same volumizing, conditioning waterproof formula
- Better per-tube value than buying singles
Pros
- Smart buy given the 3 month replacement rule
- Keep one at home and one in your bag
- Lower cost per tube than single packs
Cons
- Only available in Black, no brown option
- Second tube must stay sealed until use
- Tempting to stretch use past 3 months
Brown vs Black Mascara: The Honest Comparison
Black mascara is the default, but brown deserves its case made properly. On fair skin, blonde hair, and redheads, black can read harsh in daylight, creating a stark frame that ages the eye. Black Brown, the softer shade on this page, defines lashes without that severity, looking polished rather than dramatic. In photographs, black gives maximum lash impact and contrast. Brown photographs softer and more natural, which suits daytime and professional settings.
Age changes the calculus. As lashes thin and lighten with age, harsh black can emphasize sparseness by creating high contrast against the skin, while brown blends more forgivingly. For evening, black still wins on drama. The practical wardrobe is both: Black Brown for daily wear, Black for nights and events. The waterproof formulas on this page hold either shade through humidity and tears equally. Try brown for a week before judging, since eyes accustomed to black initially read brown as no mascara at all. The Benefit Bad Gal Bang comparison covers black-shade intensity across brands.
Waterproof on Oily Lids: The Transfer Test
Waterproof does not mean smudge-proof on oily lids, a distinction that causes real disappointment. Waterproof formulas resist water, but skin oils are not water, and heavy lid oil can still break down waterproof film by afternoon. The Lash Paradise waterproof holds up better than washable formulas on oily lids, but very oily skin needs the full system: eye cream fully absorbed before application, a dusting of translucent powder on the lids, and thin coats allowed to set between layers.
The failure pattern tells you the cause. Smudging under the lower lashes points to oil migration, fixed by powder and less eye cream. Flaking onto the cheeks points to a drying formula, fixed by replacing the tube. Transfer to the brow bone on hooded eyes points to lid contact, which waterproof alone cannot solve. Diagnose the pattern before switching products, since each has a different fix. The Telescopic Lift comparison shows how lengthening formulas behave on oily lids for contrast.
The Waterproof Decision Matrix
Waterproof is a commitment, not an upgrade, so choose it deliberately. True waterproof earns its place for swimming, beach days, heavy workouts, weddings, and jobs with sustained tearing or sweat. For ordinary office days, waterproof costs more in removal effort than it saves in wear, since daily oil-cleansing and rubbing thin lashes over time. Water-resistant covers humidity and light rain with far gentler removal.
The two-pack on this page suits committed waterproof wearers who finish tubes on schedule. Occasional wearers should buy a single, since waterproof formulas dry out and the tube expires in three months regardless of use. Never choose waterproof for the false security of all-day wear if your actual problem is oily lids, since oil defeats waterproof film and you pay the removal price for no benefit. Match the technology to the actual condition: water, sweat, and tears mean waterproof; oil means primer and powder. The Benefit waterproof comparison ranks waterproof performance at prestige prices.
Want the Full Picture?
Technique Tips for Better Eye Looks
Both the L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Waterproof Mascara, 2-Pack and the other picks in this roundup are solid formulas, but the finish depends heavily on prep and layering. Do not store eye products in a steamy bathroom if you can avoid it, because humidity breaks formulas down faster. Toss any eye product that changes smell or texture, since those are signs it has gone off.
Store eye makeup upright in a cool, dry place, because heat thins formulas and changes how they apply. Keep caps tightly closed between uses, since air exposure dries out mascara and liners quickly.