Let’s take a moment to breath in this bright piece of art, shall we; because once again, Maybelline has proven that they really know what they are doing when designing their mascara. First there was Great Lash and it’s iconic green/pink tube that can be recognized from miles away, and now The Colossal with it’s bright yellow and purple packaging… of course I fell for it!
But Maybelline mascaras will always have a special place in my heart. When I was just started out makeup, Maybelline was my go-to store. I believe my first favorite mascara was by Maybelline, think it was Lash Expansion (?), and I am still to this day mourning its death. Unfortunately, Colossal will not be one of those favorites.
First, I have to speak about The Colossal. The Colossal is available worldwide, but in Asia it has been renamed The Magnum. From what I gather, they renamed it to The Magnum and then made the brush slightly smaller, but the product formula is the exact same. Because I’m in Asia I will have to review The Magnum, and asked my best friend in London to review The Colossal.
So here’s her review in three words: “Don’t like it.”
Alright then. I’ll try and give a bit more details. The mascara promises to give up to 9 times the volume due to its ingredient collagen, but from the photo I posted above… yeah, I don’t see much volume; and that’s 2 coats! What’s more is that if you can see, underneath the first eye you can see mascara bits fallen, and other both eyes it smudged quite a bit.
Apart from the flaking, which I guess is normal after a few hours (this picture was taken about 5 hours later), it’s quite an alright mascara. I think this would work best for those whose already been blessed with nice lashes and want something simple and nice to define it. From the photo it almost looks like I don’t have anything on – either that, or most of it has fallen off by the time I took the photo! Still, the mascara is alright overall, but I find it weird how there is hardly any volume, because that’s what they are marketing it for.
Have you tried this mascara? What do you think of it; do you agree with my review?
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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah that doesn’t look like a good mascara at all. It made your lashes look all clumpy! And it’s falling off onto your face! No good!
I personally have never liked Maybelline mascaras. I am a huge fan of their mineral powder, but their mascaras do nothing for me. Perhaps it’s because my eyelashes are naturally long and dark to begin with (I know, you all hate me!) I am in love with Voluminous Mascara by L’Oreal and Backstage Makeup mascara by Dior (I like to splurge sometimes). Both of these products have been staples in my makeup bag for a few years now.
A trick I have been using forever is to run a clean mascara brush through my lashes once the mascara has dried. This separates the lashes and removes any dried clumps. I usually take a couple mascara wands whenever I am in Sephora
Hey Katia, Yeah, not looking too good on my lashes, huh?
You’re lucky to have such great lashes 
Oh and I too loved Voluminious. They don’t sell it here but I tried it once overseas and loved it; a really nice mascara. I wish they had it here, though – now that gave a lot of volume.
And YES, great tip! I too collect mascara wands… I help myself to them from MAC counters hehehe
Wow I just bought this stuff and I love it! So weird that you feel the complete opposite way. It definitely has lots of volume for me and doesn’t flake. It’s almost as good as Diorshow for me.
I do have to be careful not to overload my lashes as it’s quite ‘wet’ and can make them stick together. But two coats looks intense.
In that photo, is that the blackest shade? It doesn’t look very dark at all. I did get the limited edition super black colour so maybe that makes a difference?
But overall I’m very happy that its so cheap compared to Diorshow and quite good. Definitely my favourite out of all the drug store mascaras.
Esz, you’re lucky it worked for you! Mascaras are really a hit and miss, huh? I’m glad you found is so great, I love Diorshow but wow, the price is not really worth it.
That’s funny you said that the formula was wet, mine was already kind of dry when I bought it… perhaps I got a bad tube?
The color I’m wearing is ‘Black’; is there an even darker color? I’ve always been a bit confused about that, what color is darker than black?! Haha.
The one I bought was off http://www.glossi.com.au and it’s some LE colour called “Noir Absolut” or some such. I didn’t think you could get blacker than black either hehe!
It’s possible the LE one has a different formula so it would be interesting to see if that’s why I like my one but you don’t like the one you bought.
This mascara did not work for me. I really wanted a mascara that would give my lashes volume and instead it made my lashes clumpy. The formula is runny, if you put too many coats on, you end up with spider lashes. Not good. It also flakes, and its difficult to take off… WOW I really hate this mascara, ha.
I prefer the Lash Stiletto
Aw, sorry to hear that, Meli. I wouldn’t say I hate it but it just didn’t work for me.
I like Lash Stiletto a bit more, it’s far less clumpy!
you have quite long strong eyelashes naturally it looks like, how awful that this mascara doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do! I have never been a fan of Great Lash because of the spiral brush making my fine-ish lashes all clumpy (though the formula & depth of colour is wonderful). I am addicted to Full N Soft though! even though it’s meant to just enhance your lashes & look natural.. I find with a few coats it gives me heaps of volume & length without clumping! I love it, & it’s sooooo cheap
pity it doesn’t have crazy cute colour packaging like other maybelline mascaras!
PS first time commenter, lonnnnng time reader! <3
Oh Iris I LOVED Full ‘N Soft – it was one of my first mascaras I tried… I think it was the 3rd one I bought. I wish they still sold it here – they took it out years and years ago and I can still remember how great it was. Is it still available where you are? I hear in Europe it’s also hard to find? Are you from the US? Seriously…the US has all the good stuff!
And welcome Iris, I’m glad you commented, ’cause now I know who you are! Pleasure to meet you
This mascara works pretty okay for me, it thickens it and darkens it but doesn’t really extend…
I think it’s better than CoverGirl’s LashBlast, less clumpier than Fiberwig’s Lash Knockout, but still loses out to Lancome’s range of mascaras!
Overall, it’s quite value for money!
Amen sister.
I adore Lancome mascaras. I normally only use them but thought that the blog should have some drugstore mascara reviews, too! I hadn’t done a mascara review in forever. Also… that bright yellow was too darn attractive for me! 
But yeah, I’d say it’s value for money. Maybelline always has fair prices.
This mascara is generaly okay for me. Sure it lengthens my lashes and darkens them but still it doesnt really last that long
still i agree its value for money!
no.1 fan!
Heya No. 1 fan!
Yeah, it’s alright as a mascara – not the best, but definitely value for money! Not to mention it brightens up your makeup case 
Yeah, I tried this in the UK and it sucks just as much over here. I found that despite having quite a runny texture it also managed to clump quite a bit, a combination you wouldn’t ordinarily expect.
For high-street mascaras I love L`oreal’s Lash architect, but like Iris I really loved Mabelline’s Full N Soft- unfortunately it’s quite difficult to get now in the UK, especially since I prefer using dark brown to black. You can track down a tube on Ebay sometimes! MAC do great mascaras but not usually in brown. Clinique’s Lash Power is awesome for fine lashes like mine, and stays on literally forever, but some people can get wigged out by the fact it comes off in little tubes when you use hot water.
For me the sign of a good mascara is definition- I have such fine lashes that clumping is really noticeable on me. I have a little metal comb (not as scary as it sounds) that Ruby and Millie sell that I run through my lashes straight after applying mascara, that usually produces great results.
Haha Jen, you;re hilarious!
Sorry to hear it sucks there too. I am wondering about everyone talking about this runny texture though, because mine was very dry when I applied it. Making me think I got a bad tube…
Oh Full ‘N Soft
Wish it was more readily available, I wonder why they cut it down so much, I hear a lot of women loved it. Which MAC mascaras are your favorite? I tried one and it smudged so bad I never looked at MAC mascaras again. And I def agree about Clinique’s Lash Power, one of the better ones I think… And I have to say I love the tubes in warm water because they are SO easy to come remove.
Have to agree with you on definition. Have you tried Lancome L’Extreme? One of my favorites for some simple definition and length – absolutely no clumps.
hmn i actually really like this mascara…although ive found it helps to warm up the tube in your hands first otherwise it gets clumpy
PS have you tried the new one in the pink tube, falsies or whatever? i really like it although the brush takes some getting used to
pps “the magnum” sounds like a condom
Haha get your mind out of the gutter, Dip!
Although I actually think there might be a condom brand called The Magnum… or some kind of special ‘model’, who knows. I surely wouldn’t know 
I just googled the Falsies mascara and WTF another mascara packaging that is calling me. I really love the bright pink… OK now I have to get my hands on it somehow. Did it just come out? We take a bit longer so I might see it in a couple of months…
That’s a really good idea about warming the tube in your hands, Dip. I’ll try that next time. I’m glad Colossal works well for you though, I really wanted to like it! As far as Maybelline mascaras go I guess it’s back to Great Lash for me
hahaha me and my dirty mind…
yeah the falsies one just came out and i HAD to have it because the ad looked so appealing with the bright pink and the chubby design and the promise for huge black lashes. i really like the product too, its not clumpy (tho the brush is massive).
it just came out in europe so i dunno about singapore…but if its not out ill seriously send you some cuz you should try it
Aw thanks Dip! You’re so kind! I’ll let you know… Colossal just came out here a few weeks ago and I know it’s been out in Europe/US for awhile so I’ll wait. If not I’ll let you know and maybe we can do some kind of ‘swap’? I’d want to give you something back! If there’s anything in Asia that catches your eye let me know
I tried this, but I don’t reli like it because it’s rather clumpy compared to a smooth type. I still prefer clinique and Cosway. Hey, r those ur eyes? They’re beautiful!
Hey V! Which Clinique mascara do you like best? I really like Lash Power, would def recommend it
I never heard of the brand Cosway, though; is it Malaysian?
And yes dear, thanks so much! Those are my eyes in the photo with the mascara on
I like this mascara,sometimes… On my lashes it really give up volume!! But there are 2 reasons to dislike: it´s very hard to wash off, even if i applied very softly. And after like, 1 hour your lashes get really dry and thick!! So it doesnt feel good. This mascara looks good, but is the only one that make my eyes itch sometimes, the others I have feels so much better. I wear it once in a while when I want volume, usually when Im going out, with really dark eyeshadows. But I think if u want a cheap mascara that will give u volume, that´s a good one!!
xoxo
Hey Deb, thanks for your comment!
I have to agree it is hard to wash off. I am always scared of losing eyelashes when I remove mascara and I did lose a few each time 
But I totally agree, this is a cheap mascara and it does it’s job… It gave volume for awhile but as you can see on my picture a lot of the mascara just fell off because, as you said, it gets dry and flakes off! I wish some company would invent a formula that you can ‘drop’ into your clumpy mascara to make it smooth and nice again…
Ohh i forgot to say, the version i have is that in the picture, the Colossal.
im allergic to maybelline mascaras aswell and so are so many people i know. they make my eyes itch so much! im a big fan of rimmel though…for day time i love their 100% waterproof mascara and for night volume flash is amazing. for people who have diffuculty removing waterproof mascaras use baby oil! it comes out in a flash and so easily. i dont think any good mascara should flake and crumble and really i never had the problem with rimmel
maybe u can do a review on it? see if u feel the same
Hey Maria, thank for your comment!
I never heard of people being allergic to Maybelline mascaras, I wonder what makes some people allergic? Do you wear contact lenses?
And yes, I should try out Rimmel mascaras, the brand just came here so there are a lot fo options right now! Volume Flash sounds good, I’ll have to have a lookout for it, thanks for the recommendation!
no i dont wear contacts and niether do other people who are allergic…i guess its just some ingredient that im allergic to….or its just may very well be our sub continent eyes!
Oh, darn! I know contact wearers tend to be more sensitive to eye makeup, especially mascara so that was my first thought. Must be a certain ingredient then. I’m sorry to hear, but then again if Rimmel works for you, that’s another great option!
I haven’t tried this particular mascara, but I appreciate your honest blog post! It’s a refreshing breath of fresh air.
Personally, if I want that thick mascara look that lasts, I often go over my eye lashes several times with mascara before going out.
Katie for Ouidad
Thanks Katie, I think it’s important for blogs to be honest and I am 100% in mine.
I too use mascara as the very last step before going out – and it’s the most important step, I think!
Well, I don’t like it either. I never liked Maybelline mascaras… I have Volume Express, and looks the same as Colossal… and it even make my eyes burn and itch… so, i hate it! And ever since I found Hypnose Drama, I couldn’t love another mascara! lol
OMG Lorlori I need to get my hands on Hynose Drama… I have seen the ads and am waiting for it to come to my country! I adore pretty much all Lancome mascaras and love Hypnose (though my all time fave has to be Virtuose) so I am definitely going to try out Hypnose Drama
The only thing that sucks about Lancome is that everytime they come out with a new mascara it’s my current favorite – then there’s so many good ones to choose from! But I guess that’s not a bad problem to have
yea i don’t like it either.. My sweet mom came home a day with ‘just a thing’ for me and it was the mascara from maybeline.
I couldn’t get myself to say it to her but is was really crappy.. I have looked at lancome mascaras and i lve to try them but they are SO expensive 
Aw your mom sounds so sweet.
My mom used to buy me little gifts too sometimes, when I’d come home from school it was such a surprise. Well, either a surprise or it shows how spoilt I am LOL. 
Lancome mascaras are expensive, unfortunately
However I’ve tried many – high end and low end – nd I haven’t found anything that comes close to it. It’s really the best! Clinique’s mascaras are quite good as well but Lancome is still #1… Clinique #2 
Hey Ren,
I like the product. Having asian eyes, short, and not a lot of lashes, this mascara really volumizes my lashes. It makes my lashes thicker and more visible. Danielle from Singapore told me about your site, I love it. She told me to tell you to keep up the great work with your site.
YOUR NO2 FAN, ATHENA!
Haha I know all about Danielle
Thanks Athena for visiting and commenting, I’m glad the mascara works really well for you! Oh and tell Danielle I said hello 
Hi Renee:
I love this mascara! They got me with the beautiful tube color combination. The one I have is called Glam Black and trust me I’m not done until I put it on. I does make my lashes look longer and fuller.
Hi there, I’m in Singapore and we have both the colossal and the magnum mascaras but I don’t think they have the same product formula. For one, the colossal (purple font) is supposedly VERY waterproof whereas the magnum (red font) washes off w water. So there;)
k