Beauty Colossal Washable Vs Pumped Up: Which Volum Express Wins?
The Colossal washable and Pumped Up waterproof are the two pillars of Volum Express. One is the easy daily classic; the other is the humidity-proof upgrade. Both use the famous big brush for multiplied volume. This comparison breaks down their differences. Read the rows, then see the verdict for our pick.
| Factor | Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal Wa | Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal Pu |
|---|---|---|
| Formula Type | Washable | Waterproof |
| Volume Level | Bold and multiplied | Bold and multiplied |
| Humidity Resistance | Low | High |
| Curl Hold | Moderate | Strong |
| Removal | Warm water | Oil cleanser needed |
| Best For | Daily wear | Summer and events |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
| Lash Softness | Soft and flexible | Slightly firmer |
Our Verdict
The washable Colossal wins for everyday use because it is gentler and removes in seconds. Pumped Up wins for summer, travel, and long event days where smudging would ruin the look. Start with washable to learn the brush, then add Pumped Up for demanding days. Both deliver the signature Colossal volume at a tiny price.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Straight lashes that need lift as much as volume.
Maybelline Volum Express Curl Bounce Mascara, Very Black
- Curl Bounce curled brush
- Curl memory formula
- Volume plus lift effect
Pros
- Curled brush lifts straight lashes
- Memory polymers help hold the curl
- Good volume plus lift combo
Cons
- Less extreme volume than Colossal
- Heavy coats weigh curl down
Want the Full Picture?
Washable vs Waterproof: The Real Decision Matrix
Washable, water-resistant, and waterproof are three different promises, and buyers routinely buy the wrong one. Washable mascara, like the Colossal washable, removes with soap and water and suits daily office wear, dry environments, and anyone who values easy removal over endurance. Water-resistant formulas survive light moisture, humidity, and watery eyes, but not swimming or heavy sweating. True waterproof, like the Pumped Up waterproof, uses film-forming polymers that resist water, tears, sweat, and humidity, and it demands oil-based remover.
The decision runs on your actual days, not your aspirations. Choose washable if your days are indoors and dry, since easy removal preserves lashes. Choose waterproof for outdoor weddings, beach vacations, emotional events, heavy workouts, and humid climates, accepting the harder removal as the price. The middle mistake is buying waterproof "just in case" for ordinary days: the aggressive removal routine costs more lashes over a year than the occasional smudge ever would. For the tubing alternative that splits the difference, our L'Oreal Telescopic comparison covers waterproof versus washable tubing options.
Oily Lids: Which Formula Survives Without Smudging
Oily eyelids defeat mascara through skin oil, not water, which is why waterproof is not automatically the answer. Your lid's natural oil dissolves the waxes in traditional mascara formulas, causing the transfer to the brow bone and under-eye that waterproofing was never designed to prevent. Tubing mascaras often outperform waterproof on oily lids, because the polymer tubes encasing each lash resist oil breakdown better than wax-based films. The Pumped Up waterproof handles water brilliantly but can still transfer on very oily lids by afternoon.
The system that works on oily lids has three layers. Prime the lids with eyeshadow primer or a dusting of translucent powder to absorb oil through the day. Choose a tubing or waterproof formula over standard washable. Set the under-eye area lightly, since powder there catches any minor transfer before it sets. Skip eyelash curlers used after mascara on oily lids, since the pressure cracks the formula and the cracks become transfer points. If smudging persists despite the system, the formula is wrong for your skin, not your technique.
Removing Waterproof Without Losing Lashes
Waterproof removal is where lash damage actually happens, not during wear. The aggressive rubbing that impatience produces breaks lashes at the root and thins the lash line over months. The method that preserves lashes: saturate a cotton pad with a dedicated waterproof eye makeup remover or cleansing oil, press it gently over the closed eye, and hold for thirty full seconds. The hold time dissolves the film-formers so the mascara slides off instead of being scrubbed off. Then wipe downward once, gently, and repeat with a fresh pad rather than scrubbing harder.
What not to do matters equally. Never pull or tug at the lash line, never use waterproof mascara daily if your lashes are already sparse, and never sleep in it, since the stiff formula snaps lashes against the pillow. If you wear waterproof most days, give lashes one or two washable-mascara days a week as recovery, and consider a lash conditioner to offset the drying effect of daily oil cleansing. The lashes you keep are worth more than the smudge you prevented. For the full removal routine, our makeup removal guide covers techniques that protect lashes.
Mascara Hygiene: Beyond the 3-Month Rule
"Replace every three months" is the slogan, but the real hygiene rules are more specific and more useful. Never pump the wand: the pumping motion forces air into the tube, which dries the formula and introduces bacteria with every stroke. Instead, swirl the wand once inside the tube to load it. Never share mascara, since eye infections transfer directly through the wand, and never use saliva to thin a dried formula, which seeds the tube with mouth bacteria.
Learn the contamination signs that mean immediate replacement regardless of age. A sudden change in smell, especially sour or chemical, means bacterial growth. A formula that turned clumpy or unusually dry within weeks was contaminated, not old. Any eye infection, stye, or pink eye means discarding every eye product used during the illness, no exceptions. Store mascara at room temperature, since heat accelerates bacterial growth and cold changes the formula texture. The three-month rule is the backstop; these habits are the actual protection. For wand and formula guidance across the category, our volumizing mascara guide covers what healthy formulas look and behave like.