My Honest Review of Maybelline's 'The Colossal' Waterproof Mascara

Firstly, I am completely pained to have to write this blog. But it needs to be done. Why am I so pained? As a loyal Maybelline mascara fan for the past 30 years, I was 100% convinced they could do no wrong. And yet here we are. Admittedly, it’s not ALL bad news – be sure to stay tuned to the end for the redeeming silver lining.

As a professional makeup artist (and a bit of a mascara snob, if I’m honest), I don’t recommend products lightly. When I find something that works, I stick with it, use it on repeat, and happily tell every client, friend, and stranger who will listen. For years, Maybelline’s waterproof mascaras have been firmly in that category. And the bonus: they are super budget friendly! I have spent 2-3 times as much on a boutique 'professional' mascara, and yet been 10 times more disappointed. Hence Maybelline has been my go-to for bridal makeup, events, stage, humid days, emotional ceremonies… basically any situation where mascara needs to stay exactly where you put it. And historically? They’ve delivered.

When it comes to what most of us want in a mascara, it’s actually pretty simple. Length. Thickness. Definition. That’s the holy trinity. And Maybelline has traditionally nailed all three. Their formulas are usually beautifully buildable too, which is essential when you’re working as a mobile makeup artist and need flexibility. One light coat for a natural look, or layer it up for something more dramatic — without clumping into a messy situation. Of course, you CAN go too far with these mascaras. If your layers are overly thick, you let it dry too much in between coats or you push the limit on how many layers are possible you WILL end up with spider legs for lashes. However, apply it with light, delicate pressure and build it up at a steady pace, and your lash woes will be a distant memory!

Quick pro tip while we’re here: if you’re not wiggling your mascara wand at the base of your lashes before pulling it through to the ends, you’re missing out. That little side-to-side wiggle helps the product properly grip the lashes, depositing more pigment right at the root. That’s what gives you that fuller, thicker look without needing ten coats.

Now, onto the reason you’re here — my honest review of Maybelline’s “The Colossal” Waterproof Mascara.

I wanted to love it. I really did.

The brush is promising. The formula looks like it should deliver. On first application, it actually ticks a lot of boxes. Lashes look darker, fuller, and reasonably defined. There’s a bit of volume happening, a bit of length — all the signs of a solid everyday mascara. If I had stopped there, this would be a very different blog post.

But here’s where things start to unravel.

Within half an hour… it smudged.

Not a little bit either. I’m talking noticeable transfer onto the upper eyelid and under the eyes. The kind of smudging that makes you do a double take in the mirror and wonder if you accidentally rubbed your face without realising. This is pretty much any makeup artist's worst nightmare. You simply cannot have mascara wandering around the face like that — especially not on a bride.

I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Tried it again.

Same result.

I wore it without foundation, thinking maybe it was interacting with base products. Nope — still smudged. Wore it with different primers, different skincare underneath, even tested it on different days to rule out environmental factors. Every time, like clockwork, the same thing happened.

And this is where it becomes a real issue. When a product is labelled “waterproof”, there’s an expectation. Especially for those working in bridal makeup or long-wear events. Waterproof should mean tears, sweat, humidity — bring it on. It should not mean “slides off your lashes within 30 minutes while you’re just existing.”

Now, to be fair, there is a tiny possibility that the tube I received was incorrectly labelled or that there was some kind of mix-up at the factory, and I ended up with a non-waterproof formula, or this batch wasn't up to scratch. Stranger things have happened. But realistically? That’s pretty unlikely. And as a consumer — I can only review what I experienced.

And my experience wasn’t great.

What makes this even more disappointing is that I’ve ALWAYS recommended Maybelline’s waterproof mascaras to clients and friends. They’ve been my reliable, affordable, “you can’t go wrong” option for years. Especially for weddings. If a bride doesn’t want to splurge on a high-end mascara, I’ve confidently pointed her in the direction of Maybelline, knowing it would hold up through tears, hugs, and a full day of celebrations. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for The Colossal. It just doesn’t have the staying power. And in this industry, that’s non-negotiable.

The last thing a bridal makeup artist wants is to be checking her client’s under-eyes every 20 minutes, or worse — having them discover smudging in photos later. It’s not a good look for anyone involved.

But remember what I said at the start? It’s not all bad news.

Because while The Colossal didn’t live up to expectations, Maybelline still has some absolute winners in their lineup. If you’re looking for a reliable waterproof mascara that actually does what it says, I wholeheartedly recommend their Volum’ Express The Falsies mascara. And, not to be confused with the yellow tube I have reviewed here, there is a black tube called 'The Colossal 36 Hour Volumising Mascara' which I have loved using. No smudging issues here at all! These are the formulas that have stood the test of time for me. They give you that beautiful combination of length, volume, and definition — and most importantly, they stay put. No panda eyes. No upper lid transfer. No surprises halfway through the day.

All mobile makeup artists need products that perform consistently across different skin types, climates, and conditions. They don’t have the luxury of second chances on a wedding morning. And those mascaras have earned their place in many a professional's kit over and over again.

So where does that leave The Colossal? For me, it’s a pass. Not because it’s completely terrible — it does have some redeeming qualities on initial application — but because it fails in the one area that matters most: staying power.

And at the end of the day, there are simply better options out there… including within the same brand.

If you’re a fellow makeup artist, or just someone who wants their mascara to last longer than their morning coffee, I’d suggest skipping this one and going straight to the tried-and-true favourites.

Sometimes even the most trusted brands have a miss. And unfortunately, this is one of them.