Comparison: Maybelline The Colossal vs Maybelline The Magnum

Seeing double?
Those two bright yellow tubes of mascaras may look identical but if you look closer, they're actually not the same. On the left is the US-released Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express and the other is the Asia-released Maybelline The Magnum Volum' Express.

Question is, do the different names imply that they're different mascaras or is "Magnum" simply easier to pronounce for non-speaking Asians? I wouldn't discount the latter -- no offense intended whatsoever!

Read on for the side-by-side comparison...

Yes, there are differences. That's why we're doing this elaborate comparison. First thing you'll notice different is the brush. The Colossal has a large carrot-shaped brush while The Magnum's brush is less wide and flattened if you turn it to the side. It's also slightly curved. It's not hard to guess which brush I prefer. The brush's flat side helps with reaching outer corner and bottom lashes while the curve lifts the lashes.


Behold my naked lashes! As you can see, they're almost invisible -- pun intended.

The Colossal: Volumizes and separates but not as much drama as promised. Doesn't hold up curl and weighs down lashes. Washes off with water as it is non-waterproof. Has strong rose scent. Click for full review

The Magnum: Volumizes and lengthens significantly. Holds up curl. Has a tendency to clump. Waterproof formula removes with cleansing oil or eye makeup remover. Has light plastic scent

Quite obviously, The Magnum totally knocked out The Colossal in terms of overall performance. I'm not surprised since Asian mascaras are usually far more superior than Western ones.


Despite the fact that The Magnum has been my daily mascara of choice for the past month, I've already stopped using it for good as I'm writing this post. My lashes have been dropping out by the root every time I curl my lashes and apply mascara to the point that I'm developing a bald spot on my lash line. I haven't had this problem since Maybelline's Lash Discovery donkey years ago *sighs*

After my experiences with about 30 different types of mascaras ranging from high end to drugstore, I can confidently say that Asian mascaras are almost always the better ones. Western mascaras may work for those with naturally full and curly lashes but they will simply weigh thin and stick-straight Asian lashes down. If you're on the hunt for a good mascara, save yourself the trouble and eliminate all Western choices. Though I haven't completely given up on Western mascaras, I'm yet to come across one that holds my devotion longer than my trusty Maybelline Turbo Boost does.

Maybelline The Magnum Volum' Express mascara retails at leasing healthcare stores for RM35.90
Maybelline The Colossal is not available in Malaysian stores. Please refer to sgdrugstore.