The Best Budget Mascara I've Tried All Year: Maybelline 'Collosal Big Shot' (And It's Only £7.99!)

Applying mascara gives me more satisfaction than it probably should. I love everything about the process: from the pop of the tube as you pull out the wand, to the layers of thick black goop and the motions of coating your lashes in an upward motion to reveal a flutter you never knew was there. It's equally as addictive as it is comforting, which is partly the reason I'm always up for trying new launches and cult classics - to see what momentary pleasures they can provide. One of the things I've learned about mascara over the years is that the price tag in no way reflects the quality; I've tried cheap ones that are blooming amazing and expensive ones that are utterly useless, but I've also tried the opposite. You really have to take a leap of faith and put them to the test yourself, especially as we all tend to look for slightly different things from these tubes of black stuff (whether that's lengthening, volumising, curling, separating or a combination of them all.) One of the products I keep going back to right now because it ticks all my boxes is Maybelline's Collosal Big Shot Mascara, and I may even go as far as saying it's the best budget mascara I've tried all year.  


Once you get past the rather gordy blingtastic golden tube, Collosal Big Shot Mascara has the potential to actually be a real staple in practically every makeup bag. The slightly stumpy looking brush and messily arranged bristles actually help to capture all the product you need and coat each lash with ease; I personally find it effortlessly coats all my lashes and helps to lift and seperate, creating a lash line that's full of volume and ensures my eyes look wide awake. Even though I sometimes apply five or six layers to get the result I want, it doesn't clump and it doesn't smudge - the finished look is just a set of lashes I'm proud to leave bare.

I can be quite dubious when it comes to mascaras that make big claims, have bold names or even bolder packaging (anything that needs to get your attention that much often doesn't have the power to back it up,) but this proved me wrong. With just one application lashes are left looking longer and full of volume, but with multiple coats the result just gets better - and for £7.99 you just can't say no. Maybelline are one of those brands that get it wrong just as often as they get it right, but I'm pleased to say this exceeded my expectations and then some... Once it runs out I'm going in for a second hit, no doubt about it.

Have you tried this mascara yet? Are there any other budget mascaras you just can't get enough of?