Beauty Maybelline Great Lash Guide: History, Uses, and Pro Tips Now
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
Born in 1971
Maybelline launched Great Lash in 1971 with the pink and green tube. It quickly became America's favorite mascara. The packaging has barely changed since. Generations learned makeup with this tube. Its endurance is unmatched in drugstore beauty.
Every formula explained
Washable Blackest Black is the classic everyday mascara. Waterproof Very Black handles water and sweat. Clear grooms without pigment. Royal Blue adds playful color. Lots of Lashes and Big formulas add volume. The line covers every basic need.
Pro techniques with Great Lash
Wiggle the small brush at lash roots for definition. Use clear as a lash separator over colored mascara. Layer waterproof only on tips over washable. Tightline with the small brush for precision. Simple tools reward good technique.
Brow grooming with clear
Brush brows up to reveal natural shape. Fill sparse spots before applying gel. Set with clear for a natural hold. It beats expensive brow gels for softness. The result looks like naturally great brows.
Why makeup artists still use it
Pros need reliable basics that work on every client. The small brush suits all eye shapes. The formula layers without clumping. It photographs naturally. On set, simple and predictable wins.
Recommended Products
These five Great Lash picks span the full lineup, from the clear multitasker to colored and waterproof classics.
Best for: Colored-mascara experimenters on a budget.
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara, Royal Blue Tint
- Subtle royal blue tint
- Brightens eye whites
- Classic lash-building brush
- Fun washable color
Pros
- Unique eye-brightening effect
- Subtle enough for day
- Tiny price
Cons
- Tint is very subtle
- Not for conservatives
Best for: Everyday waterproof mascara users.
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara, Very Black
- Waterproof Very Black
- Lash-doubling formula
- All-day smudge resistance
- Ophthalmologist tested
Pros
- Reliable waterproof wear
- Intense black
- Great value
Cons
- Needs remover
- Single tube
Best for: Straight lashes needing lift and curl.
Maybelline Great Lash Curved Brush Mascara, Very Black
- Curved brush hugs lash line
- Very Black pigment
- Washable formula
- Lifts and defines
Pros
- Curved brush reaches corners
- Good lift effect
- Easy removal
Cons
- Brush learning curve
- Less volume than Big
Best for: Detail work on small or lower lashes.
Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara, Brownish Black
- Heart-shaped brush
- Brownish Black soft color
- Grabs tiny lashes
- Washable formula
Pros
- Reaches every lash
- Softer than black
- Great lower-lash mascara
Cons
- Niche brush shape
- Less dramatic
Best for: Volume lovers wanting softer-than-black color.
Maybelline Great Lash Big Mascara, Brownish Black
- Big brush for volume
- Brownish Black shade
- Washable lash-doubling
- Bold lash look
Pros
- Bigger volume payoff
- Softer brown-black
- Classic formula
Cons
- Big brush can smudge
- Less precise
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for maybelline great lash clear, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.
Mascara Over Lash Lifts and Tints
A lash lift changes which mascara makes sense. Tubing mascaras are the safest match, because they wrap each lash and rinse off with warm water, so the lift never faces aggressive rubbing. Traditional washable formulas are the runner-up if they come off easily. Waterproof mascara is the worst choice over a lift: the oil-based removers and scrubbing needed to take it off can straighten the lift weeks early. Skip fiber mascaras too, since fibers add weight that drags the lift down. If your lift starts looking uneven after a few weeks, check whether your removal routine is the culprit before blaming the technician. Our Clinique Lash Power guide explaining tubing mascara covers the tubing formulas that lift fans rate highest.
Waterproof vs Water-Resistant vs Tubing: A Decision Guide
The three categories survive different conditions, and matching the formula to your day prevents most mascara failures. Swimming and heavy sweating demand true waterproof, since only film-forming waterproof formulas hold through chlorine and sweat. Water-resistant suits light humidity and desk days but gives up in a real workout. Tubing is the tears-and-humidity specialist: it survives crying, rain, and steamy weather without running, then slides off with warm water alone. The trade-off is that tubing can soften in saunas and hot showers, where the warm-water removal feature becomes a midday bug. For daily wear with easy removal, tubing wins. For water exposure, waterproof wins. There is no single formula that does both jobs.
Ingredients sensitive eyes should avoid
Sensitive eyes react to specific ingredients, not to mascara in general. Fragrance is the top offender and hides behind "parfum" on the label. Loose fibers in lengthening formulas irritate eyes that are already dry or lens-wearing. Certain preservatives, especially in older drugstore formulas, sting on application. Waterproof formulas contain more volatile solvents to make them water-resistant, which is why they sting more. The clear Great Lash formula suits sensitive eyes partly because it carries less pigment and fewer film-formers than the colored versions. Patch-test any new mascara by applying it to one eye for a full day before committing. If irritation persists across formulas, our makeup removal guide on removing makeup without damage also covers gentler removal techniques that reduce cumulative irritation.
One Tube, Many Jobs
The clear Great Lash earns its permanent kit spot through versatility: lash separator over colored mascara, brow groomer, baby-hair tamer, and lash-tint sealer. Few products at this price cover so many small jobs, which is why makeup artists have repurchased it for decades.