You know that pink and green tube. Everyone does. Whether it was in your mom’s vanity in 1994 or you just grabbed it from a CVS aisle yesterday because you forgot your makeup bag for a weekend trip, Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof is basically the wallpaper of the beauty world. It’s just... there. But being everywhere doesn't always mean being the best, right?
Honestly, the makeup industry is obsessed with the "new." Every week, there’s a new polymer, a vibrating wand, or some "tubing" technology that promises to make your lashes look like literal bird wings. Yet, this 1971 relic refuses to die. It’s kind of fascinating. While other brands spend millions on Super Bowl ads for mascaras that get discontinued in eighteen months, Great Lash just sits there, selling a tube every few seconds globally.
Is it actually good? Or are we all just victims of a fifty-year-old marketing spell?
The "Lash-Doubling" Myth vs. Reality
Let's get real about what Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof actually does for your face. If you go into this expecting the "false lash effect" that modern mascaras like Lash Sensational or Sky High provide, you are going to be bummed out. This is not a "va-va-voom" product.
It’s a defining mascara.
The formula is notoriously thin. If you look at the ingredients, it’s a classic wax-based build. You’ve got your Isododecane (that’s the solvent that makes it waterproof) and various Carnauba waxes. Because the consistency is more fluid than the thick, mousy formulas we see today, it coats the hair without adding a ton of physical bulk.
This is exactly why makeup artists like the legendary Pat McGrath or Sir John have been spotted with it in their kits for decades. It doesn't clump. You can layer it six times and your lashes still look like hair, not spider legs. For a "no-makeup" makeup look, it’s arguably still the GOAT. It darkens, it separates, and it stays put.
Why the waterproof version is different
The "Washable" Great Lash is famous for smudging. If you sneeze, it’s over. But the Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof version? That’s a different beast entirely. It uses a specific resin system that locks the pigment onto the lash.
Interestingly, the waterproof formula actually holds a curl better than the original. Basic physics: water-based mascaras (the washable ones) can weigh down a curl, much like hairspray works better on a dry style than a wet one. If you have straight lashes that point toward the floor, the waterproof version acts like a structural support beam. It dries quickly and holds the lash in that "up" position.
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That Tiny Little Brush
People love to hate the brush. It’s small. It’s shaped like a little Christmas tree. In a world of giant, spiked silicone wands that look like medieval torture devices, the Great Lash brush feels like a toy.
But there is a tactical advantage here.
Large brushes are a nightmare for people with small eyes or hooded lids. You end up getting black streaks on your brow bone or your inner corners. The Great Lash brush is precise. You can get right into the root of the lash line. It’s also the undisputed king of bottom lashes. Using a "Fat Lash" wand on your lower lid is a recipe for looking like a raccoon by 10:00 AM. This tiny wand handles the lower fringe with zero mess.
I’ve talked to many pro artists who actually clean and save these wands after the mascara is gone. They use them as "spoolies" to groom brows or to de-clump other, more expensive mascaras. There’s a simplicity to the design that modern engineering hasn't really improved upon for basic utility.
The Drama of the Ingredients: What’s Inside?
If you're a clean beauty enthusiast, look away. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof is a product of its time. It’s heavy on petroleum-derived ingredients and parabens.
- Isododecane: This is the magic ingredient for the waterproof finish. It evaporates quickly, leaving the pigment behind.
- Quaternium-18 Hectorite: This helps with the "staying power" and keeps the formula from separating in the tube.
- Iron Oxides: Just the pigment. Very standard.
The formula hasn't changed much because it doesn't really need to. It’s a chemical seal for your lashes. However, a word of caution: because it is so effective at being waterproof, it is a nightmare to remove. If you try to wash this off with a standard gel cleanser, you’re going to lose three lashes and a lot of dignity. You need an oil-based remover or a biphasic solution (the kind you shake up).
What Most People Get Wrong About Great Lash
The biggest misconception is that "everyone uses it." Actually, Great Lash has become a polarizing "love it or hate it" product.
If you have thick, long lashes naturally and just want them to look darker, you’ll love it. If you have sparse, short lashes and are looking for a miracle, you’ll probably think it’s the worst product ever made. It’s a "polisher," not a "builder."
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Another thing: people often keep their tubes too long. Because this is a "staple" item, it often gets buried in the bottom of a makeup bag. Mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria. You’ve got to toss it every three months. With Great Lash, the price point—usually under seven dollars—makes that pill easier to swallow.
Comparing the Competition
How does it stack up against modern rivals? Let's look at the landscape.
L'Oreal Voluminous is usually the "other" drug store classic. Voluminous gives way more "fluff" and volume. It’s a thicker, waxier experience. If Great Lash is a silk slip dress, Voluminous is a wool coat.
Then you have the high-end stuff. DiorShow or Chanel Le Volume. Those formulas are tech-heavy. They contain fibers and specialized polymers that physically extend the lash. Great Lash can't compete with that on a technical level. But, and this is a big "but," those mascaras often dry out in the tube within six weeks. Great Lash stays fluid for its entire lifespan.
The Cultural Impact: Why we keep buying it
There is a psychological element to the pink and green. It represents "starting out." It’s often the first mascara a teenager buys. It’s nostalgic.
But beyond the nostalgia, it’s about reliability. In 2026, where every "viral" product on TikTok seems to be a paid ad or a temporary fad, there is something comforting about a product that hasn't changed its packaging since the Nixon administration. It’s the "Old Faithful" of the makeup aisle.
I’ve seen it backstage at New York Fashion Week used as a brow gel. I’ve seen it used to cover up a stray gray hair at a temple in a pinch. It’s a multi-use tool because the formula is so predictable. You know exactly how it’s going to behave. No surprises. No weird flaking at hour six. Just black, waterproof lashes.
Practical Tips for Making It Work
If you’ve struggled with this mascara in the past, you might be using it wrong. It’s not a "one swipe and done" product.
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- Wipe the wand. The tube can sometimes deposit too much product on the tip. Wipe it on a tissue first.
- Wiggle at the base. Don't just pull it through. Wiggle the wand at the root of your lashes to deposit the most pigment there, then pull through the tips.
- Wait between coats. Because it’s a thinner formula, give it 30 seconds to "set" before applying a second layer. This prevents the "wet look" from becoming a "clumped look."
- Use an oil-based remover. Seriously. Don't scrub your eyes. Let a cotton pad soaked in oil sit on your eye for 20 seconds, then wipe.
Is it Still Worth It?
In my professional opinion? Yes. But only if you know what it is.
It is the best "everyday" mascara for people who want to look like themselves, but slightly more awake. It’s the best mascara for the gym (it genuinely does not move through sweat). It’s the best mascara for a rainy day or a wedding where you know you’re going to cry.
It is not the best mascara for a red carpet, a dramatic photoshoot, or if you want people to ask if you’re wearing falsies.
Your Next Steps with Great Lash
If you’re ready to give this classic another shot, don’t just grab the first one you see. Look for the "Very Black" shade in the waterproof formula—it has the highest pigment payoff.
Check the seal on the tube at the store. Because it's such a high-volume seller, sometimes people "test" them in the aisles (gross, I know). Make sure your cap is tight.
Once you get it home, try using it specifically for your lower lashes while using your "fancy" mascara for the top. You’ll notice an immediate difference in how clean your eye makeup looks throughout the day. And if you’re heading to the pool or a humid climate, this is the one you pack. It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it’s a piece of beauty history for a reason.
Grab a dedicated bi-phase makeup remover while you're at it, because as I mentioned, once this stuff is on, it’s not going anywhere without a fight. That’s the whole point of a waterproof mascara, and in that specific category, the pink and green tube still holds the crown.