You know that feeling when you're standing in the drugstore aisle, staring at a wall of yellow, pink, and purple tubes, just trying to find one that won't leave you looking like a raccoon by 2 PM? It’s overwhelming. But for over a decade, one specific tube has consistently occupied that prime eye-level real estate. I’m talking about falsies mascara by Maybelline. Specifically, the Volum' Express version with that iconic curved brush.
It’s weirdly legendary.
In a world where high-end brands like Dior or Chanel try to sell you $40 "lash lifts in a bottle," this purple tube usually sits right around nine or ten bucks. And honestly? It often beats the expensive stuff. But there’s a learning curve to it that most people ignore, leading to the dreaded "spider lash" effect. If you've ever used it and thought it was too clumpy, you’re probably applying it the way you’d apply a standard lengthening mascara. That’s your first mistake.
What Actually Makes This Formula Different?
Most mascaras are either wax-based or fiber-based. Falsies mascara by Maybelline is sort of a hybrid. It uses a "pro-keratin" formula, which sounds like marketing fluff, but it basically means the liquid is designed to fill in the gaps between your natural lashes. Instead of just coating the hair, it builds a physical bridge across the lash line.
The brush is the real hero—or the villain, depending on your hand-eye coordination. It’s shaped like a spoon. Not a flat paddle, not a round Christmas tree. A spoon. This is intentional. The curved side is meant to lift, while the flat side is meant to deposit the maximum amount of product at the roots. If you just swipe it through like a normal wand, you’re missing 50% of the engineering.
I remember when this launched back in 2010. The ads featured Christy Turlington with lashes that were clearly, well, false. It caused a bit of a stir with the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority because, duh, mascara can't actually grow three rows of hair. But once people got past the hyperbolic marketing, they realized the "kinked" brush allowed them to reach those tiny corner lashes that usually go bare.
The Clumping Problem: Is It the Mascara or You?
Let's be real. This mascara gets a bad rap for being "goopy."
🔗 Read more: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
If you pull the wand out and immediately rake it through your lashes, you’re going to have a bad time. The formula is "wet." This means it stays flexible on the eye for a few minutes before it sets. The trick—and this is what the pros do—is to wipe the tip of the wand on a tissue first. You want the bristles visible, not buried under a glob of black ink.
- First, use the cupped side of the brush to load the product at the base.
- Wiggle it. Seriously. Wiggle it like you’re trying to vibrate the pigment into your waterline.
- Then, flip the wand to the convex side to comb it out.
If you do this, you get that fan effect. If you don't, you get three giant spikes that look like they belong on a cartoon character.
Comparing the Variations: Black Drama vs. Flared vs. Waterproof
Maybelline is notorious for releasing fifty versions of the same product. It’s confusing. With the Falsies line, you basically have three main contenders that actually matter in 2026.
The original Volum' Express Falsies is the all-rounder. It’s the one in the bright purple tube with teal writing. If you have average lashes and just want them to look "more," this is the baseline.
Then there’s Falsies Flared. This one has a slightly different brush angle meant to pull the outer corner lashes toward your ears. It’s great for a cat-eye look. However, the formula is a bit stiffer. If you have lashes that point straight down, the Flared version holds a curl significantly better than the original.
Then we have the Waterproof version.
💡 You might also like: Bates Nut Farm Woods Valley Road Valley Center CA: Why Everyone Still Goes After 100 Years
A lot of people hate waterproof mascara because it’s a nightmare to take off. You’re scrubbing your eyes with a cotton pad until they’re red and angry. But here is a pro tip: if your lashes won't stay curled with the regular falsies mascara by Maybelline, you have to use the waterproof one as a primer. Use one thin coat of waterproof to "lock" the curl in place, wait thirty seconds, and then go in with the regular washable formula. The waterproof waxes act like hairspray.
The Science of the "Spoon" Brush
Why does the shape matter? Think about the geometry of an eye. It’s a sphere. Most mascara wands are straight cylinders. When you try to push a straight line against a curve, you only hit the middle. The ends get left out.
The Falsies brush is flexible. You can actually bend the neck of the wand. This allows you to apply pressure without poking yourself in the eyeball. Makeup artists like Hung Vanngo have often talked about the importance of "pressing" product into the lash line rather than just "combing" it. The flexibility of the Falsies wand facilitates that pressure.
Does it actually contain fibers?
Yes and no. It’s not a "fiber mascara" in the sense of those two-step kits where you brush on white fuzz and then paint over it. It contains microscopic fibers integrated into the liquid. This is why it builds volume so quickly. It’s also why, if the tube gets old (more than 3 months), it starts to flake.
Real-World Performance: 8 Hours Later
I’ve worn this through humidity, weddings, and long shifts. Here is the honest breakdown of how it holds up:
- The First Two Hours: You look incredible. Your lashes look thick, dark, and slightly dramatic.
- Hour Five: If you have oily eyelids, you might see a tiny bit of transfer on your brow bone. This is the "washable" formula's biggest weakness.
- Hour Eight: The volume is still there, but the "lift" might have dropped about 10%.
Is it perfect? No. But for a product that costs less than a lunch in most cities, the performance-to-price ratio is wild.
📖 Related: Why T. Pepin’s Hospitality Centre Still Dominates the Tampa Event Scene
Common Misconceptions and Errors
People often think "The Falsies" and "The Colossal" are the same thing. They aren't. The Colossal (the yellow tube) is purely about thickness. It’s chunky. It’s for people who want their lashes to look like a solid wall of black. The Falsies is about separation and length in addition to volume.
Another mistake: pumping the wand. Stop doing that. Every time you pump the wand into the tube, you’re forcing air inside. Air dries out the fibers. A dry falsies mascara by Maybelline is a clumpy mascara. Instead, swirl the wand inside the tube to pick up product.
Removing it without losing your eyelashes
Since this formula is heavy on the waxes to provide that "false lash" thickness, you can’t just use a face wipe. You need something with oil. A micellar water (the blue cap one, not the pink) or a dedicated cleansing balm is necessary. If you try to soap-and-water this off, you will end up with broken lashes.
Why It Remains a Cult Favorite in 2026
The beauty industry is obsessed with the "clean girl" aesthetic right now—minimal makeup, clear brow gel, barely-there mascara. But trends are cyclical. We’re seeing a return to "indie sleaze" and more dramatic, messy-glam looks.
Falsies mascara by Maybelline fits this perfectly. It’s not a subtle mascara. It’s a "I’m wearing makeup" mascara. In a world of $30 "prestige" products that barely show up on the eye, there is something refreshing about a drugstore staple that actually does what it says on the tin. It gives you big, loud, obnoxious lashes.
Actionable Steps for the Best Results
If you’re going to pick up a tube tomorrow, here is exactly how to use it to avoid a mess:
- Check the batch code: Ensure the tube is fresh. Drugstore stock can sometimes sit for a while.
- The Tissue Trick: Always wipe the excess off the tip. This is non-negotiable for the Falsies line.
- The Spoon Technique: Use the curved "cup" to push the lashes up at the root. Hold it there for three seconds. Then comb through.
- Wait between coats: Don't apply a second coat while the first is dripping wet, but don't wait until it’s crunchy either. Find the "tacky" middle ground—usually about 20 seconds.
- Layering: If you want a truly insane look, layer the Falsies over a lengthening mascara like Maybelline's Sky High. Sky High provides the length; Falsies provides the "meat" on the lashes.
The reality is that falsies mascara by Maybelline isn't just a product; it’s a tool. If you know how to handle the brush and respect the wetness of the formula, it genuinely rivals any high-end volumizing mascara on the market. It’s about technique as much as it is about the ink. Grab a tube, keep a clean spoolie nearby to brush out any accidents, and stop overpaying for lash extensions that ruin your natural hair. This purple tube is more than enough.