The Drugstore Gem: Maybelline The Colossal Big Shot Mascara | AD-Gifted

The natural bristle mascara that's really won my heart...

I had heard pretty good things about Maybelline's latest addition to their popular Colossal range even before the Big Shot Mascara* (£7.99) had made it to the UK. It was making waves amongst the US beauty community, as well as the fact that MannyMUA fronted their campaign as their first male spokesperson. I've always rated Maybelline for their mascaras, and back in the day I always used to pick up one of their iconic yellow Colossal tubes. Granted, I didn't really know the difference between any of them, and although I'm a lot more picky now, I always thought they were great. These days, it's only really mascaras with plastic bristles that stay in my makeup bag. There's something about them that makes them great for really getting in to your lashes and dispensing the product, and I find natural bristle mascaras don't quite do that for me. Until this one...

The press release really made a statement, and the mascara arrived in a larger-than-necessary gold box, Beyoncé diva-style. I have to admit, I was a bit sceptical when I saw the natural bristle wand, but it looked pretty unique, having short, tightly packed bristles and quite a chunky wand. On first use, I was nothing short of amazed. It was easy to use, and gave some serious separation to the lashes, giving me that Ardell Wispies fluffy false lash vibe. It also added a good amount of length as you can really get into the base of the lashes, and you can build it up from natural to more voluminous in a few coats without things getting too clumpy. Despite having quite a chunky brush, it also works really well on the lower lash line without things getting too messy, and it gives a really nice amount of definition to the lower lashes.

I'm really finicky when it comes to mascara and I rarely find ones I love, so it actually says a lot when a mascara even stays in my collection, let alone becomes my go-to! I've been using the Maybelline Colossal Big Shot for about three months now (and you might have spotted it in my May Favourites), and I'm still so in love with that doe-eyed effect it gives, it's really like nothing else I've tried! The fact that it still wows me every time I use it is why it has earned itself the first spot in my Hall of Fame series. As I mentioned briefly in my Diary of a Beauty Spending Ban post, I want to move away from reviewing items for the sake of it, and using the blog as more of a spotlight for things I truly recommend. Definitely one to try if you're looking for a new mascara!

What's your favourite Maybelline mascara?

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