Review: Maybelline Colossal Volum'Express

Hey everyone!

Today I am giving a “review” on Maybelline Colossal Volum’Express Waterproof mascara. The reason I put quotes around review is because I don’t like giving negative reviews, so instead I’ll call this… “My thoughts on.” There, that sounds better! Onto my thoughts!

First, the packaging. It’s very pretty, I love the yellow and metallic turquoise, very eye-catching. It’s functional and attractive. One point for Maybelline!

Ooo, pretty packaging!

 Now let’s talk about the brush. It’s a little fatter than normal, not quite as big as CoverGirl LashBlast or anything, but not as skinny as, say, L’Oreal Voluminous. The bristles themselves are average length, but wiry. Let me explain- They’re skinny, and also kind of twisty. Here, look at a picture and see for yourself. It gathers product and deposits it in kind of a speckly way. It’s hard to see in the pictures, but there are little spheres of mascara on the ends of my lids.

As for the actual mascara? Well I already told you about the speckly part, but the length it gives is pretty good, as well as the volume. My lashes are noticeably longer, as well as slightly thicker along the base. However, by the end of the day my lashes are stringy- they’re clumped together and not at all flattering looking. Maybe this is just me, but this is really a big turn off for me, as well as a deciding factor. The waterproof-ness is also debatable- it doesn’t run off my face if my lashes get wet, but if I rub my eyes it smears underneath my eyes and I get a raccoon look. 

Bare lashes

Two coats of Maybelline Colossal Volum'Express

Ick- spider-lashes!

 All in all, I don’t think I would buy this again, and I’m glad this was given to me so I didn’t have to use my money. Some of you might have better experiences, but if you want my opinion, I’m going to have to say skip. IMO, there are better mascaras out there worth a try.  

Has anyone tried this? What are your experiences with this mascara? I’m also thinking about trying one of the Maybelline XXL Pro mascaras; Jamie of Maquilagem Masstige really likes this line. What other mascaras do you recommend? Leave a comment below!

~Gabrielle~

I Give Up.

Hey everyone!

I am talking about Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara, which I purchased about two weeks ago and have been using since then. I had never heard anything about it, but decided to try it anyways, and besides I had a $2.00 off coupon. Well, let me tell you, I am now wishing I had gotten the Max Flash mascara because quite frankly this mascara just does not cut it. I normally would spend a little more time with it before reviewing it but I just don’t like it that much. However, if this changes, you guys will be the first to know!

Oh yes, the packaging is so cute, with a shiny purple tube and an embossed crown on top (sound familiar? What other Rimmel product looks like that? Answer below!). The brush… well, I can’t really describe it so let me just show you:

This is a “triple plump” brush for “fuller curvier lashes.” To me this just seems like a gimmick because it really doesn’t seem to help.

Nekkid lashes!

How about the formula? I think this is an ok formula. Sexy Curves is a little on the thin side, but most mascaras tend to thicken after a month or so, so I’m not too hung up on that. But it does dry quickly, and once it does you can’t go back and add some without forming unilash. That’s a little inconvenient for me, because I usually do one coat on one eye, then go to the other eye, and repeat until I get the desired effect. But now I do one eye at a time, which throws me off in the morning.

And the lengthening and volumizing? It gives just a little extra something, very natural looking and nothing dramatic. This isn’t what I was looking for; I like a lot of length and volume. It does better in the latter category, but even that isn’t saying much. It's just not impressive.

3 coats of Rimmel Sexy Curves

Now that all that is over, I have to go over my #1 complaint- smudging. Even after it has dried (and formed unilash) if you blink this mascara will usually leave little smudges on your eyelid. This is quite annoying, especially if you’ve already got your eyeshadow on. But the weirdest thing is that I noticed smudging right above my lashline after applying Sexy Curves. I think this is due to the bulbous parts of the brush hitting there while putting the mascara on, but I could be wrong. It’s really annoying though because it’s hard to wash off, and especially annoying if you’ve already applied the rest of your eye makeup.

All things considered, this not a good mascara and definitely not worth repurchasing. It only gives minimal length and volume, smudges easily, doesn’t give curvier lashes, and is just plain annoying. I think the only good thing it does is help your lashes grow, because of added proteins. But let’s face it, I can just use L’Oreal’s lash serum for that and not have to deal with it. My advice? Stay far away from this mascara.

Have you tried this mascara, and if so, what are your thoughts? Any mascaras you think I should try? Comment!

~Gabrielle~

PS The packaging is very reminiscent of their own Moisture Renew lipsticks!

 PPS Is anyone else really excited for Shark Week on Discovery Channel?