L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Waterproof Mascara Review, Photos, Comparisons
L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Waterproof Mascara
L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Waterproof Mascara
($7.95) hit shelves this summer and it had a lot to live up to, because L’Oreal Voluminous is an often recommended go-to mascara for beauty fans. Unfortunately, Collagen just doesn’t bring it home like Voluminous does.
L’Oreal’s latest mascara does add volume, thicken lashes, and it’s fairly black in pigment–but it just doesn’t do it with excellence. It’s okay; not bad, not fabulous. I liked the length it gave, but I found it clumped quickly, because it also dried very fast (by mascara standards). Thickness was so-so as was volume. Lashes definitely looked longer and fuller, but Voluminous does this job better and more effectively.
Not that I appreciate a particularly wet mascara, but this one dries a little faster than you can work, which results in clumping and unevenness in thickening. I found clumping wasn’t too bad if you got the excess off the brush first (my inner corner lashes were done where the brush had far too much product on it, and thus, Clump City). The brush itself has very stubby bristles, which is why it can easily lead to clumps if you don’t work quickly or wipe off the excess off your brush first. This mascara wand just isn’t designed to separate lashes, so you definitely need a lash comb/clean mascara wand to do that post-application.
Even though it was pretty average in a lot of areas, one area that it faired better in was holding up to its waterproof claim and not drying my lashes out. Often waterproof formulations lead to dry, crispy lashes, but my lashes still felt fairly soft and not at all stiff/hard. Like most waterproof mascaras, make sure you have a good oil-based makeup remover on hand to make for an easy removal process.
I’m a big believer in the truth’s in the photos–so see for yourself and let me know what you think!
- Product: 6/10
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 6/10
- Packaging: 7/10
Recommendation: If your natural lashes are always fabulous, you can easily use this mascara with just one quick coat and have great looking lashes. For those of us who need a few more coats (and a little more help!), this one can be tricky to work with.
Availability: Drugstore.com
See comparison photos…
I’m not a big fan of this one either. I had the same clumping problem. You definitely have to wipe the brush down before applying to lashes, unlike with Voluminous. I would pass on this one if you haven’t bought it already.
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I think Voluminous does a better job and it’s easier to work with.
I’m sorry but I think this looks awful! They don’t do your lashes justice AT ALL.
lol!
I’m very anti-clump as well, so I am glad you reviewed this so I know to steer clear. I had been eyeing it each time I went to the drugstore, but now I’ll know to just keep passing it by.
No problem! It really does clump a lot less if you just remember to remove the excess, but it is a necessary not nice-to-do step.
I absolutley love this mascara – have used it for a while now. I have not had any problems with it.
I’m so glad it works well for you, Luda! 🙂
I used the non-waterproof version and it curls my lashes well, which I think is something Voluminous does not have. Did you find the brush to be too big, as well? I had a hard time adjusting to it.
The brush was OK for me, I didn’t have too much trouble with it in that aspect! Did you have any flaking or clumping problems with Collagen?
The mascara does give your lashes a bit more length and colour but I thought it would be a lot more dramatic. The black doesn’t see black enough and I like the sootiest blacks for my lashes. Anything with the word “collagen” in I would expect a lot more drama and volume. I have yet to try L’oreal mascaras. I will definitely pick one up when London Drugs or SDM put them on sale.
I like ultra, ultra black, too. I want it to be PITCH BLACK. Plushlash is pretty black on me (one of the reasons I love it).
What mascaras do you use?
I really like this waterproof formula; if I don’t use waterproof, POOF! Peace out eyelash curl. While I love Voluminous, the waterproof formula was too dry for me and flaked. With this, I haven’t experienced any flaking (or clumping) as I do with so many other mascaras (Maybelline – which is weird since L’Oreal owns it, Revlon, etc). So right now, I’m stuck on this. I agree, it’s not great, but it does an mostly okay job and gives me black lashes that stay put and are a little thicker, and a little longer than usual. But just that — mostly okay.
Cover Girl mascaras don’t irritate my eyes, but I haven’t found one that does much for the lashes 🙁 If you know of a good volumizing and lengthening one Christine, I’d love to know if you have a recommendation!
Hey Molly,
I’m glad this one is working out for you for the time being, at least! I definitely agree that despite the waterproof formula, it doesn’t dry out lashes, make them crispy or anything like that! I like CoverGirl’s LastBlast overall, but LashBlast Lengthening does an amazing job at lengthening. I’ll probably try them together soon, LOL, because the Lengthening one doesn’t give much volume or thickening.
I got this mascara and I really like it. I don’t know if I would get it a second time around if its not on sale though since I prefer MAC Zoomlash.
I like Zoomlash a lot, too, Christy! How do you compare the two?
Zoomlash has more volume, which I really lack. Length isn’t an issue so much. I find that some mascara’s are too heavy so my hard to curl lashes go straight again. Zoomlash seems to be not as heavy as others.
Gotcha! Thanks for letting me know, Christy 🙂 I appreciate you getting back to me!
I have a love hate relationship with that mascara. I love that it doesn’t make my lashes clump and they do look long. But the one thing that bothers me is that it makes me look like my lashes are really thin. I don’t have the thickest or fullest lashes but this makes it look like hardly anything.
If I used Glam eyes and then this mascara it looks pretty nice. And dark. I love my lashes to look really dark.
Totally feel ya, Ashlee! My lashes need thickening, volumizing, and lengthening, so a mascara that drops the ball on any of those is just not going to cut it.
I’m gonna try Glam Eyes next!
I didn’t like this either, which surprised me because I’ve been happy with all the L’Oreal formulas I’ve tried. I had the same clumping issues you did. Also, I think my brush was wonky – your pic looks relatively normal, but on the one I have, the bristles seemed to be pointing in random directions instead of in neat rows. I literally used this once and dropped it in the mascara drawer, where it’s just chilling in a pile of other partly used mascaras, haha.
Oh, I know all about the drawer of partly used mascara, LOL. What is about mascara that makes us always hunt for something better?
I actually have no problems with this… Like the brush, and it doesn’t clumps on me. Really very volumizing as well.
Lucky you 😛
Had high hopes for this mascara but I didnt find it to be any better than the original voluminous. I like the voluminous better. Wont repurchase.
Same here 🙁
One of my blog readers tried this, and it destroyed her eyelashes. Made them fall out =S Cautionary tale! I certainly won’t be trying it.
Ouch!
I actually found this mascara annoying fresh out the tube. But now I’ve had it for a month with continued use and its growing on me. I still enjoy the Voluminous mascara much more, but this lasts all day on me and I work in a restaurant.