Yellow. It’s that bright, obnoxious, impossible-to-miss taxi-cab yellow tube that’s been rolling around in the bottom of makeup bags since 2008. If you’ve ever walked into a CVS or a Boots, you’ve seen it. Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal isn't just another mascara; it’s basically a cultural relic of the beauty world. It’s the product that promised "9x the volume" back when we were all obsessed with looking like we were wearing false lashes without actually having to glue anything to our eyelids. Honestly, in an industry that launches three new "revolutionary" mascaras every week, the fact that this chunky yellow tube is still a top-seller tells you everything you need to know. It’s reliable.
But is it actually good by today’s standards?
We’ve moved past the era of spider-lashes and heavy, clumpy formulas. Or have we? There’s a weird nostalgia for the Colossal formula because it does something that a lot of high-end, $30 mascaras fail to do: it gives you immediate, thick, dark coverage in exactly one swipe. It’s not subtle. If you want the "clean girl" aesthetic or a "no-makeup" look, you’re looking at the wrong tube. This is for the days when you want people to notice your eyes from across the street.
The Science of the "Colossal" Brush
Most people think the magic is in the goop inside, but the real MVP of the Volum Express The Colossal experience is that oversized, "Mega Brush." It’s a classic wire-bristle brush. No silicone spikes here. Just old-school, densely packed bristles designed to hold a massive amount of product.
When Maybelline launched this, they leaned hard into the "collagen-infused" marketing. Collagen is a word that makes everyone feel like they’re doing something healthy for their hair or skin, but in mascara, its primary job is structural. It helps the formula build on itself without shattering into tiny black flakes on your cheeks by 2 PM. You’ve probably noticed that some mascaras feel dry and crispy once they set. Colossal stays a bit more flexible. That’s the collagen (and the wax blend) doing the heavy lifting.
The brush is intentionally big. It’s meant to hit every lash at once. However, if you have smaller eyes or very short lashes, this brush can be a nightmare. You will get mascara on your eyelid. It’s almost a rite of passage. You just wait for it to dry, Q-tip it off, and move on with your life. The tradeoff for that occasional mess is the sheer speed of application. Two coats and you’re basically done.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Formula
There is a huge misconception that "Washable" means "Weak."
With Volum Express The Colossal, the washable version is actually preferred by many makeup artists over the waterproof one. Why? Because the waterproof version is notoriously difficult to get off. It’s like industrial-grade paint. If you aren’t using a heavy-duty oil cleanser, you’re going to lose a few soldiers (lashes) in the removal process. The washable formula, on the other hand, stays put remarkably well for something that isn't technically life-proof. It’s pigmented. It’s "Glam Black"—which is just marketing speak for "really, really dark."
I’ve seen people complain about clumping, but honestly, clumping is usually a user error or a sign that your tube is over three months old. Mascara has a shelf life. If your Colossal is starting to look like chunky tar, toss it. The formula is designed to be wet. That wetness is what allows it to coat the lashes so thoroughly, but it also means you have to be careful not to pump the wand. Pumping air into the tube is the fastest way to ruin a perfectly good $9 mascara.
Real Talk: The Competition
The drugstore mascara game is brutal. You have the L'Oréal Lash Paradise crowd, the Essence Lash Princess cult, and the Telescopic devotees.
So, where does Colossal sit in 2026?
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- L'Oréal Lash Paradise: Better for fringe-like softness, but dries out in the tube way faster than Maybelline.
- Essence Lash Princess: Dirt cheap and great for length, but the flaking is real.
- Maybelline Sky High: The current darling for length, but it lacks the "thump" and girth that Colossal gives to the base of the lash.
Colossal is the middle ground. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the bunch. It doesn't give you the longest lashes in the room, but it gives you the thickest-looking ones. It creates that dark lash line that makes it look like you’re wearing a bit of eyeliner even when you aren't.
A Lesson in Longevity
Why hasn't Maybelline discontinued it? They’ve tried to iterate on it a dozen times. We had Colossal Cat Eyes, Colossal Big Shot, Colossal Curl Bounce, and Colossal Up to 36H. Some were okay. Some were forgettable. But the original "Volum Express The Colossal" in the yellow tube with orange writing remains the gold standard.
It’s about the "triple-threat" of the beauty industry: Price, Accessibility, and Performance. You can buy it at a gas station in the middle of nowhere and it will perform roughly 85% as well as a luxury mascara from a French fashion house. That 15% difference isn't worth the extra $25 for most people.
The beauty community often gets caught up in the "New Shiny Object" syndrome. We want the latest vibrating wand or the mascara infused with rare fermented algae. But then we go back to what works. I’ve talked to professional MUAs who keep a stash of Colossal in their kits because they know it won't irritate most clients' eyes and it films beautifully. It’s a high-contrast product.
How to Actually Apply It for Max Impact
Don't just wiggle and pull.
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To get the most out of Volum Express The Colossal, you need to start at the absolute root. Press the brush into the lash line and hold it for a second. This "stamps" the pigment onto the base, creating the illusion of density. Then, instead of just pulling straight up, do a slight zigzag motion as you move toward the tips. This separates the lashes so the thick formula doesn't glue them together into three giant "mega-lashes."
If you want that editorial look, do one eye, wait 30 seconds (don't let it dry completely!), and then go in for round two. If you let it dry 100% before the second coat, you’re asking for flakes. The "sweet spot" is when the first coat is still slightly tacky.
The Practical Verdict
If you’re looking for a mascara that makes your lashes look like delicate little feathers, stay away from the yellow tube. Seriously. You’ll hate it.
But if you want lashes that look like they’ve been doubled in thickness, if you want a formula that doesn't require a mortgage to afford, and if you want something that stands up to a long work day, Maybelline Volum Express The Colossal is still the king of the mountain. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s a bit dramatic—kind of like the best parts of the 2000s.
It’s rare for a beauty product to survive nearly two decades without a major formula overhaul. That kind of staying power doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the product does exactly what it says on the tin (or the tube). It gives you colossal volume. No more, no less.
Your Colossal Game Plan
- Check the batch: Look for the freshest tube at the back of the shelf; mascara starts degrading the moment it's manufactured, not just when you open it.
- The "Squeegee" Move: Wipe the tip of the wand on a tissue before your first use to avoid the "blob" that usually lands on the inner corner of your eye.
- Layering Logic: Use the Colossal for the base and middle of your lashes, then use a skinny-wand mascara (like Maybelline Discovery) for the tiny bottom lashes to avoid the "raccoon" look.
- Removal is Key: Use a dual-phase (oil and water) remover. Shake it up, soak a cotton pad, and hold it over your eye for 20 seconds. Do not rub. Let the solvent do the work.