October 11, 2012

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara Review

Maybelline released Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara here in the US finally. It’s actually an old formula for Asia and I believe the UK also has it (don’t quote me on the Europe release) but just recently launched on our side of the pond.

I don’t have a ton of beef with the Colossal formula. It’s served me well but it’s also disappointed me with releases like Mega Plush which is an uneventful drugstore mascara.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara is something I knew I wouldn’t like but I wanted to review anyway and even try for that matter. You never know, it could prove amazing right?

No such luck!

This collagen injected formula has a curved mascara brush to plump and spike lashes up for what Maybelline calls a “wild cat eye look”. Ooooo-k.

Actually, they nailed down one thing right, spiked lashes…

Ugh don’t expect volume or length from this monstrosity. It creates sparse, spiked up lashes with a spidery-look that’s terribly unflattering. The brush itself is handy as it has a nice curve to it so it catches lashes nicely but for some reason it fails to pull them up and out but simply spikes them up creating what I can only deem a messy lash look. In my before and after photos below it barely looks like I have mascara on at all!

The moral of the story is Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara is one of the worst drugstore mascaras I’ve run into in a while.

Don’t bother.

Tried it?

What was your experience like?

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Kimryan8

    I’m not suprised. Drugstore mascara usually sucks. The only brand I’ve had good luck with is Loreal because it stays so nice and creamy, not clumpy. Thanks for trying out this stuff, you save me so much money!

    • the Muse

      aw my pleasure! agreed, haven’t really run across many ds mascaras that are actually good :-/

  • Beth

    I actually like the Mega Plush mascara a lot! I have reasonably long lashes, but they’re very straight and point down. I find that Mega Plush keeps my lashes curled, separated and lifted – perhaps because it’s a lighter formula. If you want huge volume I suggest you look elsewhere or perhaps layer with another mascara.

    I guess finding a happy lash-mascara combination is a lot like finding the right foundation for your skin type.

  • Molly D

    oh i’m sorry you didn’t like it! i actually like it alot! i use it in a combo with a l’oreal mascara and it really separates my lashes! the combo is awesome and I haven’t reached for anything else.

  • Kim

    I was somewhat reluctant to try this mascara as it hasn’t received alot of good review in the beauty blogosphere, but I tried it anyway, and I have to say it is one of my favorite new mascaras to date. Maybe because I have long lashes that grow downward? I don’t know, but it really works for me and I like that I can build on several coats of this stuff and it doesn’t get clumpy.

  • Fuu

    As soon as I read that it makes “spiked” lashes I turned and bought my normal The Falsies Flared instead.

  • Katie

    It’s actually really, really good…It made my lashes SOOO long and sooo defined omg.

    People thought that I had fake eyelashes

  • Ljana

    Aaah, I hated this as well! It’s been around for a while in Europe and it’s apparently not selling very well as they’ve been giving it away as GWP with two Maybelline products. I got mine when I bought my Color Tattoos. It doesn’t do *anything* on me either, just makes a mess!

  • Kiss & Make-up

    I have this one myself, together with two other Volum’ Express mascaras from Maybelline. I think it’s an okay mascara. I personally like to use it on my bottom lashes, because the thin brush allows for very precise application. But cat eyes? No, it doesn’t really do that indeed.

  • Megan

    I’ve found with maybelline mascaras that they really suck the first month they’re open, but after they’ve “aged” a bit I like them much more!!! I bought the plush lash one and hated it when I bought it home but a month or so later applied it and it was much better!!! As far as ds mascaras though loreal original voluminous just can’t be beat!! On top of shiseidos mascara base holy eyelashes!!

    • the Muse

      hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I’m going to try in a month megan, holding you to that hehe!

      • Roxanne

        I remember hating this mascara AT FIRST. It was my first maybelline mascara and I was so disappointed. I kept it somewhere I can’t see it because it just sucked. When my other mascara ran out, I gave this another try (maybe 6 weeks after opening) and my, it’s now my favorite from the ones in my circulation.

        It’s weird. I hated it because it was so flaky and clumpy. Right now, the formula became manageable, and they coat my lashes really well. I have thick but not so-long (but not so short) lashes and the lengthening and spikiness helped.

        Good thing I didn’t throw it out! It was frustrating at first but I was delighted when I took a second chance! 🙂

  • BeautyMaven

    I had so much luck with this one! It’s replaced my Voluminous! It really adds length and is buildable– I’ve been telling all of my friends to try it, haha!

    • the Muse

      gosh I’m happy to hear success stories, it just didn’t work for me for some reason!

  • Arlene

    I LOVE mega plush. I almost bought this one yesterday and put it back. I do have full lashes so I only need length. Though I hate the spiky look. Mega plush makes my lashes long and fan like. What to do! Many thanks for heads up either way.

  • Liz

    I think is because this mascara was designed for those with nonexistent lashes.

  • Sasha

    I like it! Besides the fact that I have to wipe off excess product to get a clean look, it works nicely. I like a semi-dry formula when it comes to mascaras, do you recommend any good drugstore ones?

    I love your blog!

    • the Muse

      aw thanks sasha 🙂 happy to hear you like! I really like maybelline illegal length mascara!

  • Yvonne

    I saw this on sale at Rite Aid and was hesitant to try it because of the bad reviews but decided to try it anyway. I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised ! I got volume and length and it compares to some of the high end brands that I have tried. I’m not a big Maybelline fan , but this is a winner for me. I will definitely buy more !

  • Rebecca

    Great review! I really need to try Cat Eyed because I’m obsessed with the original Colossal! I just did a full review of a few of my favourite Maybelline mascaras

  • Kathryn

    I really love this mascara best one that I ever had but recently after about using it everyday for a week I’ve noticed that my eyelashes r falling out….yeah falling out and it kinda scares me…but I live this mascara and I don’t want to stop using it but maybe I should