Beauty Maybelline Colossal Compared: Biggest Volume Formulas Ranked
Two Colossal waterproofs are live on Amazon. Big Shot Waterproof brings wavy-brush bold volume. Classic Colossal Waterproof brings the original mega-brush formula. This comparison picks your waterproof.
| Factor | Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal B | Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Water |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Colossal Big Shot Waterproof | Colossal Waterproof classic |
| Brush | Wavy bristle Big Shot | Original mega brush |
| Formula | Collagen-infused bold volume | Collagen-infused classic volume |
| Volume claim | Bigger bolder volume | Up to 9x volume, clump-free |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Wear | All day, no flake no smudge | Up to 18 hours claimed |
| Best for | Bold volume lovers | Classic volume fans |
| Buy it if | You want the boldest Colossal | You want the proven original |
Our Verdict
Big Shot wins for bolder modern volume. Classic Colossal wins for the proven original formula at a friendly price. Buy Big Shot for maximum impact. Buy classic for reliable everyday volume.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: extreme volume waterproof wear
Maybelline Volum' Express Pumped Up Colossal Waterproof Mascara, Classic Black
- Pumped Up collagen formula
- Up to 16x lash volume claim
- Waterproof Classic Black
Pros
- Maximum volume claim
- Waterproof for all day
Cons
- Can clump if over-applied
- Needs careful removal
Best for: big volume with easy wash-off
Maybelline Volum' Express Pumped Up Colossal Washable Mascara, Glam Black
- Pumped Up collagen formula
- Up to 16x lash volume claim
- Washable easy-removal formula
Pros
- Big volume, easy removal
- Gentle for daily use
Cons
- Not waterproof
- May smudge in humidity
Waterproof Versus Water-Resistant Versus Tubing: The Real Decision Matrix
The Colossal waterproofs in this comparison are true waterproofs, but waterproof is not always the right answer. Here is the honest matrix. Swimming and pool days: true waterproof wins, since it resists full submersion. Heavy workouts and sweat: waterproof or water-resistant both work; tubing fails in sustained heat. Tears and emotional days: waterproof survives, tubing survives light tearing but not sobbing. Humid climates: waterproof holds, water-resistant holds most days, tubing can soften. Normal office days: tubing is actually the best choice, with zero smudging and the easiest removal.
The mistake is defaulting to waterproof for everything. Waterproof formulas require oil-based removal and daily rubbing, which costs lashes over time. If your days do not involve water, sweat, or tears, a water-resistant or tubing formula gives you the same look with kinder removal. Reserve the Colossal waterproofs for the days that earn them: beach, gym, weddings, and humid summers. Match the formula to the forecast, not the habit.
If you wear waterproof mascara daily, give your lashes one makeup-free day a week. The break lets the lash line recover from the daily removal routine, and you will notice less shedding within a month. Your lashes do the same work your skin does; they need rest days too.
Removing Waterproof Mascara Without Losing Lashes
Waterproof mascara removal is where lashes are lost, and the method decides how many. The damaging method is rubbing with a regular cleanser or makeup wipe, which pulls lashes out by the root over time. The safe method: soak a cotton pad with an oil-based or dual-phase eye makeup remover, press it against the closed eye for thirty seconds, then sweep downward gently. The waiting dissolves the waterproof film so the sweep does not need pressure.
Never use the same aggressive removal on the waterproof and washable versions interchangeably. The Pumped Up Washable in this comparison comes off with warm water and gentle cleanser; treating it like a waterproof wastes product and irritates eyes unnecessarily. If you wear waterproof daily, consider whether a tubing mascara would serve you better: the look is similar, and the removal is warm water with zero rubbing. For the full removal routine, our makeup removal guide covers taking off waterproof formulas without damage.
Carry blotting papers, not powder, for midday oily-lid touch-ups. Powder over mascara creates buildup, while blotting lifts the oil without disturbing the lashes underneath.
Waterproof Mascara on Oily Lids
Oily eyelids are the main reason mascaras smudge, and waterproof is the standard recommendation, but it is only half the solution. Waterproof resists oil better than washable formulas, which is why the Colossal waterproofs suit oily lids. But the lids themselves still transfer oil onto the lashes, softening even waterproof formulas by afternoon. The full system: an eyeshadow primer or a light dusting of translucent powder on the lids before mascara, which absorbs the oil at the source.
Application order matters too. Apply mascara after eyeshadow and liner, not before, so fallout does not land on finished lashes. Keep the lower lashes minimal if your lids are oily, since the lower lash area smudges first. And check the formula age: waterproof mascara older than three months smudges more as the formula breaks down, which gets misdiagnosed as an oily-lid problem. For sensitive eyes dealing with the same smudging, the Clinique mascara tips for sensitive eyes cover gentle options, and the L'Oreal Telescopic comparison pits waterproof against washable directly.
Want the Full Picture?
Getting the Most From Your Eye Makeup
Whether you reach for the Maybelline Volum' Express Pumped Up Colossal Waterproof Mascara, Classic Black or the Maybelline Volum' Express Pumped Up Colossal Washable Mascara, Glam Black, a few technique adjustments will make the product last longer and look cleaner. Use an eye primer or a thin layer of concealer as a base, since it grips pigment and keeps everything in place for hours.