REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Mega Plush Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

I picked up the new Mega Plush version of Maybelline's Volum' Express along with Colossal Cat Eyes which I reviewed yesterday. Yet another cute package from Maybelline. I love this color combination. Even the font is cute!

Mega Plush is unique, at least to Maybelline. It's their first ever "gel-mousse" formula mascara and that's supposed to be volumizing without the brittle hairspray affect. Lashes are left soft and "plush". The brush is also supposed to be soft and flexible. From Maybelline's advertisements, it sounds like they are going for the mascara akin to a soft hold hairspray. Something that adds more oomph without stiffness.

As always, I picked the waterproof formula and blackest color I could find. In this case, the color is "Very Black".

The brush for this product is short on the ends and thick in the middle (like a football!). The bristles are fairly thin which makes them more flexible, but dense which helps to catch and coat more lashes. This is great for those who have very fine and/or sparse lashes.

However, I do find it difficult to maneuver the brush around my short lashes. I did accidentally deposit some product on the corner and lid when trying to get towards the roots of my lashes. This is more of a problem for those of us with monolids. On the other hand, the softer and dense bristles do a great job of gently but sufficiently depositing product on my lashes.

The formula applies thin (not in the consistency, but the coat) so I've used 3 coats. It's equivalent to 1-2 coats of Maybelline Falsies Black Drama but it looks much more smooth on the lashes (due to the lack of fibre and the gel-mousse formula I imagine). It has the same sheen as natural lashes - a satin or eggshell, I guess? It's neither glossy nor matte which I like.

It does hold a curl sufficiently but not dramatically. In a full day's use (about 12 hours for me) my lashes are no longer dramatically curled but definitely still there. I would say about 70% curl left.

What I really do not like about this mascara is its Flexor Brush. In the photo you'll see a kink about a third down the brush. That part bends! The idea is that it gently sweeps the mascara on your lashes and helps with that soft plush look.

Unfortunately, it also means less control of the brush. This may be especially noticeable if have thicker, stiffer lashes. You press the mascara on your lashes and it sort of just rests there....there is a similar brush on the L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion which I reviewed a while back (click here to see photos of that brush applicator) and I found that equally difficult to use.

Below is a comparison of Mega Blush against 4 other Volum' Express mascaras - Colossal Cat Eye, Turbo Boost, Falsies Flared, and Falsies Black Drama. Just like the Colossal Cat Eyes from yesterday, the actual tube is the same as other Volum' Express versions, just different in color scheme and of course, the labeling. The brushes do differ in shape and none are similar to Mega Plush.

Not shown above is the original Colossal as it was a work. However, it is the closest brush to Mega Plush. They both have long dense but thin bristles, both have shorter bristles at the front. Both formulas are on the thinner side but buildable. However, the Colossal brush is rigid throughout and the bristles are longer at the end like a fat cone instead of football. Click here for my previous review of Colossal.

Overall, I do like this mascara. It's not a favourite but it's good enough that I will keep using it until it's done. I might use this more when wearing my glasses as my lashes are kept soft (and therefore can bend if they hit my lenses) and for conservative business looks where dramatic lashes will look place with a super natural look.

I do think there are some of you out there who will enjoy this mascara a lot more than me. Namely those of you with eyes that are more deep set and lashes that are longer and easier to hold a curl.

Maybelline Volum' Express Mega Plush Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is available at most drugstores and discount department stores such as Walmart and Target. It retails for $5-10 depending on place of purchase.

REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Cat Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black

I am so excited every time Maybelline comes out with a new mascara. Not only is their packaging super cute yet durable and their prices affordable, their mascaras are really really solid. It seems with other brands for every hit there's a miss but with Maybelline I've had way more hits than misses.

Of course, that's in the last few years. I have found that the older releases from the Volum' Express and Great Lash lines (I've lost count of how many they have!) just don't do the trick for me.

I am East Asian with very fine, sparse, and straight lashes that do not like to hold a curl. Because they are so feathery light, any weight (mascara!) will undo my freshly curled lashes. So the only solution are mascaras that will bind the curl in place. Waterproof mascaras seem to hold the curl much better (I guess because they bind to the lashes better?) so you'll see that my reviews are almost exclusively for these versions.

On that note, let's get to the review shall we?

First off, I just adore this packaging. The orange leopard print is a fun feature and makes this mascara such a fun thing to pull out of my makeup bag each morning. I also really like the tube - it's similar to the Covergirl Lash Blast ones. The thick tube allows for a good grip while applying.

The formula is great. Of course, it's a little wet as this is a new tube but it's not so liquid that I cannot blink for a good minute. About 10-15 seconds after I apply, I can bat my lashes without getting mascara on my eyelids. I usually prefer mascara after I've used it for a month when the formula dries out a little. It is a thinner formula than I've become used to since my last few have been fibre-infused but you know what? It works just as well!

In terms of volume, the first coat is average - not too thin, not too thick. However, unless you have very thick lashes, you'll want more than one coat. I use 2 full coats then lightly wiggle a third coat on to add a little more volume while separating a few lashes that have become caught together (due more to the way my lashes grow than the product). I do want to note that this mascara is not clumping and in fact quite good at coating individual lashes.

The thin curved brush is great for getting right down to the roots of my lashes without getting into my contacts. It often happens with longer bristles or thicker centers like on the Lash Blast applicators (I can't see around it so bam! It hits my contacts...). It doesn't create "cat eyes" for me but I can see where the name comes from. For those with longer lashes, I imagine you would use a thicker brush to volumize and these on the corners to define and lift the last few lashes. My lashes are short/sparse enough to use on the entire span.

I applied this mascara at 9AM this morning and it is now midnight. My lashes have not drooped at all which is usually only the case with fibre-infused waterproof mascaras for me. My lashes have grown a little longer these fast few years so these days my main concern is curl and this really delivers just as good as my fave Maybelline Falsies.

There was a slight bit of smudging by early afternoon on my eyelid but light enough I could lightly rub off without affecting my eye makeup. There was no smudging in my undereye area which has occurred with other mascaras, particularly non-waterproof ones.

If you're curious, I've compared it to 3 other Volum' Express mascaras - Turbo Boost, Falsies Flared, and Falsies Black Drama. You can see that the tube is the same, just a different color. However, the brushes differ in shape. The thickness of the bristles are similar in the Cat Eyes and both Falsies. The Turbo Boost is short and thick. The Turbo Boost is also one that absolutely did not work for me, even though waterproof...

Not shown is the original Colossal as it was a work. However, here is a link to that review. I will say that I prefer the Cat Eyes version to the original by far.

Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Cat Eyes Waterproof Mascara in Glam Black is available at most drugstores and discount department stores such as Walmart and Target. It retails for $5-10 depending on place of purchase.

REVIEW: Maybelline Illegal Length Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

Since moving on from my trusty L'Oreal Voluminous Lash mascara, I've had great luck with fibre-infused formulas and Maybelline mascaras in general.

I was using Maybelline Falsies for a while but started to dislike the clumpiness of the formula, which was one I found to dry very quickly after opening. So I started to use L'Oreal's Voluminous False Lash mascara (read review here) which I really begin to love. If you read that review, it was a positive one but I said I would not buy it again. I started to reconsider that comment because as the formula "aged" and thickened, it seemed to create more volume than before.

Then Maybelline released their Illegal Length mascara and I had to try that out before another tube of Voluminous False Lash was purchased. It seemed to be Maybelline counter part to False Lash. Both had slim architectural-like tubes (the Maybelline version is based off their Lash Stiletto mascara) and use fibre-infused formulas.





I wish I had a comparison with False Lash but it was in my car so here I've pictured it with the Maybelline Falsies and L'Oreal Voluminous Lash (classic) mascaras. As you can see, the brush is thinner and stick straight (like a stiletto!) and the brushes short and further apart.

You'd think it would be easy to tell if a brush works or not by comparison with other brushes - short would grab smaller lashes, thick would help curl and deposit formula, etc. but it definitely is not. A perfect combination of brush and formula has to exist to make luscious lashes happen.

So, would this be the perfect mascara? Would it do what all that False Lash does but provide more volume? Volume, length, curl, and staying power?...







The conclusion? A big fat NOPE!! This mascara has two things going for it - staying power and length. But even that it does not excel in.

The formula is thin and it's hard to imagine there is fibre in there. The first coat is barely there - like the result regular run-of-the-mill mascara gives. After 3 coats, it looks decent but still lacks oomph. I feel like it emphasizes how fine my lashes are. It does last all day without smudging but I suspect it's more due to the thin formula.

It sort of holds a curl. My lashes don't stretch out straight but there is definitely some drooping to my curled lashes. I would say perhaps a 1/4 less curl.

I'd love to say this mascara would work for X, Y, or Z but I can't. I really don't know what type of lashes this mascara would benefit over any other mascara.

So no. Don't buy it.

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara retails around $9US/$11CDN and is available at drug stores and discount department stores.

REVIEW: L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

This mascara was on clearance at my local Rexall for $4.00. I wasn't looking for a new mascara but at that price, I had to try out the curious mace-like applicator.

According to L'Oreal, the Telescopic Explosion mascara lengthens, thickens, and separates every lash. The spherical brush reaches 100% of lashes, even tiny corner and lower lashes, from every angle. The formula is smooth and wears all day without clumping, smudging or flaking. It is ophthalmologist and allergy tested, suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

There is a regular Telescopic mascara which has the classic brush-style wand but the "Explosion" version comes with this spiky round applicator. Both are supposed to be lengthening but the idea is that the Explosion is better for those hard to reach lashes.

Telescopic Explosion itself also comes in two versions - regular in a red and black tube and waterproof in a blue and black tube. The waterproof version is currently only available in Blackest Black as seen below.

For mascaras, I always, always, always purchase the waterproof and darkest color available. I find even the best "curling" mascara does not hold a curl on my fine straight lashes unless waterproof.





The formula itself is sealed in a tube with the brand new brush beside it. Some people say this is more hygienic and also ensures the product is "fresh" out of the packaging. I'm not sure that's really true. It just seems like an extra plastic cap thrown into the waste basket. But it does give you the advantage of seeing the actual applicator before purchasing.

I can sometimes tell by looking at the applicator if it will work for my lashes or not so if you're the same, this type of packaging is helpful.



The tube is a little wonky. I'm not sure if I got a lemon but as you can see from the photo above, the brush cap doesn't really align with the tube once screwed on. Not a big deal but you can tell this isn't quality packaging.



Tell me that doesn't look like a mace?!



No wonder guys sometimes think we're crazy. This is like playing Dungeons & Dragons with your face!

At least brand new, it's still in a pretty bright blue color....but after a dip into the mascara tube, this bad boy comes out looking like a mini weapon. I feel like at this point, a mini Cyclops needs to appear and come welding it at my lashes





The applicator takes a little getting used to. The connection between the black and blue parts of the applicator bends slightly. I'm not sure if this was intentional (to allow the "mace" to wisp through your lashes) or not. Instead of assertive strokes of the applicator along your lashes, you sort of have to make little mini strokes. I find it takes a way a little of your control on the applicator and thus, am not a fan.

So how did it hold up to its lengthening, separating, and thickening claims? It really did give me incredibly long lashes even without any fibre in the formula. It also thickening and separated my lashes....but separated by clumping several lashes together! The formula was quite dry and clumped a lot. Because of its lengthening and "separating" qualities, this was made more obvious on my lashes. I could see little clumps of mascara along the length of several lashes.

As for smudge-proof and waterproof? Yes, definitely. I wore this mascara for about 12 hours and it has very minor smudging on the outer half of my lower lash line. It was quite difficult to remove, similar to the Maybelline Falsies waterproof version and it actually came off in flakes and little clumps.

Although not advertised, it is excellent at holding a curl. Again, I find waterproof formulas do this better overall but it's in line with the Falsies. Much better than the classic L'oreal Voluminous and Covergirl Exact lines in their waterproof versions.

Overall, this is a great deal at $4.00 but would I buy it again at any other price? No. The dry clumpy formula detracts from its lengthening and lasting abilities.

The L'oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara is available at drugstores, discount department stores, and Well.ca. It retails for approx. $11-14CDN but can often be found on sale for $8-10CDN.

REVIEW: L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black

It does exist!!! The proof is in the photos below!!! Believe it!! It's not a lie!!

I glimpsed this mascara on a small display at Wal-Mart a while back. I've had great success with the Maybelline Falsies series which uses a fibre formula, so this held promise. We were in a rush so I decided to pick it up later. Well, that became a month long search because it was nowhere to be found! All my usual go-to's for drugstore finds - Shopper's Drug Mart, Rexall, Wal-Mart didn't have this particular mascara!

I told my husband about this mascara and he decided it was just in my imagination. It didn't exist. Seriously, I was starting to believe it myself.

But then I started seeing commercials for Voluminous False Lahes mascara featuring Gwen Stefani and knew this was the one I'd glimpse! Same week a Shoppers's flyer featured the mascara at $6.99

It still took me a couple locations before I found it. All I could think was, this better be good because otherwise, it would be like pining away for some cute guy you got a glimpse at only to realize he's a huge douchebag when you finally meet!







If this mascara seems familiar, it is. It's also called Lash Architect 4D and I believe it goes by that name in Europe and Asia (at least from a quick Google search). Here's a photo of it:


image via Google search

Why did they rename it Voluminous False Lashes mascara here? I wonder if it's because the Voluminous name is more recognizable here? Or is it that we just like our plain speak? Architect is too fancy for these parts, False Lashes says it like it is.







I used to like the Voluminous line before I saw the light. Then came along some of Maybelline's recent releases (Colossal, Falsies, One by One) and they were out the door like old news. I thought Voluminous mascaras gave the most volume, length, and curl powder but they didn't even compare. The promise of a "lash sculpting fibre formula" in this latest version made me eager to give it another try.

I'm not sure why it's a two-tone brush because I don't see any blue peaking through. I think it's also a little misleading because the rendering makes it looks like this mascara has thick spikey rubber bristles (similar to Maybelline One by One, Covergirl Last Blast, or Benefit They're Real brushes). But the bristles on this brush are what I can only describe as a "regular" mascara, just shorter and bound in a different shape.

Here are some comparisons to the Original Voluminous mascara in Black.









You can see that the wand is longer and the brush is thinner/shorter. I really like this for fine lashes and monolid eyes as it allows the brush to deposit product on each lash without the bristles creeping through and stippling your lids.

The Blackest Black is also slightly darker than the Voluminous's "Black".

This mascara applies light coats but adds length due to the fibres. It's more subtle than Maybelline's Falsies Black Drama and does not clump. Unlike the Falsies which starts clumping after a couple coats and can't really go much more than that, you can apply several coats of this and still be okay.

However, just because it layers well does not mean it's buildable. This mascara is for day-time use. It layers, but does not build volume. It's more skinny skyscraper than solid brick house.

The curling power is decent. By the end of a long day, my curl is more subtle, but definitely still there. Staying power is excellent. I guess because of the thinner coats, it's less prone to rubbing or flaking.

What I really like? It adds length and ends in a subtle curl, perfect for everyday use. The formula provides a natural look. It's a clean and easy application due to the short bristles.

What I don't like is the dry and light formula that does not provide much volume. Would I buy this mascara again? No. I would use up this tube and enjoy using it but I know there's better mascaras out there that provide a better combination of volume, curl, length, and staying power.

My lengthy search for this elusive mascara was not a waste though. I will enjoy using it for a light office look and now I can stop searching!

REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Waterproof Mascara in Classic Black

Okay. Alright. I can get used to this.

I think we're good now. I think we're at the point in this relationship where if you make one misstep, I'll brush it off as no biggie. Just make sure you don't screw up too badly, alright? Because right now, you're in my good books in a MAJOR way.

Three BAD episodes (Turbo Boost, Curl Power, Great Lash) and three GOOD times (Falsies, One by One, Colossal)? Let's call it even. I'm done with this post-breakup back-together probational period thing. We're officially together again.

Until next time...









Not bad at all is what I can say about the Colossal mascara. Compared to the Falsies series and the One by One, I don't see anything reason why I would pick the Colossal over them. This mascara does it all but doesn't do anything exceptionally well when compared with its cousins.

Don't get me wrong. In comparison with mascaras from the countless other brands I've tried, this one is great. What I don't like as much is the brush. The bristles are dense enough that they catch my lashes but a little too long, which means I have to be very careful not stippling mascara along my eyelids.

For the Colossal mascara in Classic Black - Waterproof Formula:

Volume: CHECK
Buildable Formula: CHECK
Length: CHECK
Staying Power: CHECK
Curl Holding: CHECK

I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but it does seem to give a little more length than One by One. I'll have to wear them side by side one of these weekends to test that theory.

It gives a decent amount of volume and the formula is buildable in that it is not prone to clumping with multiple coats (which is one of the disadvantages of my beloved Falsies series) Then again, I think there's correlation between volume and clumpy formula...Not all the time, but in most cases.

Both the staying and curl holding power are also decent. I have to reiterate that "decent" is ONLY in comparison with the other two Maybelline mascaras (Falsies and One by One). It is far more decent if compared to many others out there.

So would I recommend this mascara for someone with my type of eyes (Asian) and lashes (thin, sparse, short)? The answer is YES.

I know I painted a picture of an unremarkable mascara; "decent" isn't exactly a complimentary word. But this is actually a great everyday mascara. The Falsies waterproof versions are great for going out or long-day wear - lots of volume and lasting power. The One by One has a very buildable formula and a monolid-friendly brush.

However, the Colossal is a great everyday mascara because if compared to the Falsies again, it gives a more natural look and is easier to remove. As for why you would buy it over the One by One? Preference, really. I know it took me a while to get used to rubber bristles.

And at the end of the day...$5 and it worked better than some $30 mascaras I've tried? Count me as a satisfied customer.

REVIEW: Maybelline Volum' Express ONE BY ONE Mascara

Maybelline, what happened? When did you become so awesome?! I was burned so many times by you and your false promises. Remember Volum' Express "TURBOBOOST" and XXL "CURL POWER" and the supposedly so mighty "GREAT LASH"?? Yeah, did NOT work. AT. ALL.

But I am glad that I gave you one more chance because suddenly, you have become my love. The one thing I cannot live without. Maybe we started off on the wrong foot. Maybe what you had just wasn't what I needed at the time. But now? Now I am ready to jump in with both feet.

Ironically, it was your "FALSIES" that made me see you again in a new light. It was the one thing that was totally NOT false about you. And now you have one me over with this beautiful creation, one bristle at a time.













The previously mentioned mascaras are on my black list. They are terrible, at least for my type of lashes - straight, fine, and sparse. But the Maybelline Falsies series and now the One by One have all been incredible, at least in the waterproof formulas. I cannot speak to the regular ones as I always use waterproof.

For the One by One mascara in Blackest Black - Waterproof Formula:

Volume: CHECK
Buildable Formula: CHECK
Length: CHECK
Staying Power: CHECK
Curl Holding: CHECK CHECK CHECK!!!

I really like the brush because I find concave ones (like the Bare Escentuals Buxom Lashes mascara) are too big for the ends of my Asian eyes and end up stipling the skin around the outer corners with black mascara. With this one, I can reach the corners with the tip or use the middle for my longer middle lashes.

The formula is similar to the Falsies but less clumping, probably because it does not have have the Kera-Fibers while gives a huge boost in terms of volume but can create the clumps if you wait too long between coats.

Lastly, I just love the colors on this particular tube. What can I say? I'm a sucker for packaging....which is probably why I was burned 3 times previously.

I purchased this from Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada for $4.99 on sale along with the Maybelline Colossal mascara. Expect a review of the latter shortly.