Beauty Maybelline New York Colossal Guide: Volume Secrets Revealed
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
What Is Maybelline New York Colossal
Maybelline New York Colossal is a Volum' Express mascara line. It features the famous mega brush. The collagen formula plumps lashes for volume. Versions include washable, waterproof, and Big Shot. It is one of the best-selling drugstore mascaras ever. The line suits beginners and pros alike. It is ophthalmologist-tested. Contact lens wearers can use it. It delivers bold lashes at a tiny price. Beauty lovers know Colossal for its reliable black color. The Volum' Express version keeps the shade feeling modern. Colossal joined the Volum' Express lineup as a standout black option. Fans praise how wearable the shade feels across seasons. The Colossal shade earned its following through a flattering black tone. It suits both minimal and full makeup looks.
How the Colossal Formula Works
Collagen in the formula coats each lash. This plumps the lash surface for thickness. The mega brush separates while coating. Bristles reach the base for root volume. Pigments give deep black color. The washable base dissolves with soap. The waterproof base resists moisture. Once set, lashes stay flexible. The result is thick, defined lashes that last all day. The Volum' Express base suspends pigment evenly for smooth, consistent black color. The result is even, reliable color with every application. Pigments in the Volum' Express base are finely milled for an even black finish. The texture stays flexible during wear. The Volum' Express design balances lasting color with comfort. That balance is why Colossal feels good for hours.
How to Apply Colossal Mascara
Curl lashes first for lift. Look down into a mirror. Place the mega brush at the base. Wiggle to load the roots. Sweep upward to the tips. Apply the second coat right away. Use the tip for lower lashes. Do not pump the wand. Let lashes set briefly. Clean smudges after drying. Two coats give full volume. Apply Colossal with careful, even strokes for the most natural black effect. Build the color slowly. For precision with Colossal, use small strokes and build the black color gradually. Less product looks better. Apply Colossal in a thin first layer for full black impact. Add a light second layer for extended wear. Apply Colossal with careful, even strokes for the most natural black effect. Build the color slowly.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Wipe the brush on the rim to control product. A common mistake is applying coats too slowly, which clumps. Another mistake is using old mascara past three months. Never share mascara. Remove waterproof with oil-based remover. Do not rub harshly. If lashes stick together, comb with a clean spoolie. Store upright. Choose washable for easy daily routines. A common mistake is expecting all-day wear without touch-ups. Carry Colossal with you for quick refreshes. Keep Colossal in a cool drawer to preserve the Volum' Express texture. Replace it yearly for hygiene and vibrancy. Do not judge Colossal under harsh lighting; check the black color in daylight for the truest read. A common mistake is expecting all-day wear without touch-ups. Carry Colossal with you for quick refreshes.
Recommended Products
These are the products our research team rates highest in this category.
Best for: Everyday volume without waterproof hassle.
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Washable Mascara, Glam Black
- Volume-plumping collagen formula
- Mega brush delivers 9X volume
- Ophthalmologist tested, contact safe
- Washable formula removes easily
Pros
- Big volume, easy removal
- Gentle for daily wear
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Can smudge in humidity
Best for: Humid days and long events needing hold.
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara, Classic Black
- Waterproof volumizing formula
- Mega brush with collagen
- 7X volume with no clumps
- Long-wearing smudge-proof finish
Pros
- Stays put through long days
- Proven classic formula
Cons
- Needs oil-based remover
- Can feel heavy with layers
Best for: Maximum drama within the Colossal family.
Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Big Shot Waterproof Mascara, Very Black
- Wavy-bristle Big Shot brush
- Collagen formula for dramatic volume
- Waterproof long wear
- Contact lens safe
Pros
- Boldest Colossal volume
- Waterproof staying power
Cons
- Tougher removal
- Can clump with excess coats
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for maybelline new york colossal mascara, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.
Colossal on Oily Lids: Which Formula Smudges First
Oily lids are the number one cause of mascara smudging, yet reviews test on normal lids and declare formulas smudge-proof. Here is the honest breakdown for the Colossal line. The waterproof versions resist oil-induced smudging best, since their film-formers are designed to withstand moisture and sebum; they are the right pick if your lids turn greasy by midday. Washable versions smudge fastest on oily lids, since their formula breaks down on contact with skin oils. Priming is the middle ground: eyelid primer or translucent powder on the lid dramatically extends even washable formula wear. Also check your eye cream: rich formulas migrate down from the lash line and dissolve mascara, a smudging source most people never suspect. Apply eye cream 30 minutes before makeup, or switch to a gel formula. For waterproof versus washable comparisons across brands, our Telescopic comparison tests both formulas side by side, and the volumizing mascara guide covers more smudge-resistant options.
Waterproof vs Washable vs Tubing: Picking for Swimming, Workouts, and Tears
The three mascara families suit completely different situations, and picking wrong is why people hate waterproof formulas. Waterproof wins for swimming, heavy sweating, and watery eyes; its water-resistant film-formers survive full submersion, but removal requires oil-based remover and tugs lashes. Washable suits everyday office wear; it comes off easily but surrenders to sweat, tears, and humidity. Tubing is the overlooked middle ground: it survives sweat, tears, and light rain like a waterproof, yet removes with just warm water and gentle pressure, no remover needed. The catch is heat: tubing polymers soften in saunas and hot showers, sliding off where waterproof would hold. So: pool and ocean go waterproof, gym and humid commutes go tubing, dry office days go washable. If you cry at weddings, tubing survives tears and removes cleanly before the reception photos, which is why makeup artists increasingly reach for it.