Few beauty products achieve genuine icon status, but Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara in its signature pink and green tube has maintained its position as a drugstore staple for generations. As someone who has tested countless mascaras across luxury and budget brands, I’m taking a deep dive into this classic formula to determine whether it still deserves its legendary status in today’s competitive market.
The Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara in Brownish Black (0.43 fl oz) promises natural-looking volume with a formula that builds lashes without clumping. But does this affordable classic truly deliver? After extensive testing and analyzing feedback from longtime users, I’m sharing everything you need to know before purchasing this time-honored beauty product.
Product Specifications
Product Name: Maybelline New York Makeup Great Lash Washable Mascara
Shade: Brownish Black
Volume: 0.43 fluid ounces
Type: Volumizing mascara
Formula: Washable (non-waterproof)
Packaging: Iconic pink tube with green cap
Price Point: Budget-friendly ($5-9 depending on retailer)
Claims: Volumizes lashes, conditions as it thickens, contact lens safe, hypoallergenic
Historical Context: The Pink Tube Legacy
Before diving into performance, it’s worth acknowledging Great Lash’s remarkable history. This mascara has been a market leader since the 1970s, instantly recognizable by its vibrant packaging. Several reviewers mention nostalgic connections—”This is the great classic mascara my mother always used when I was a little girl” and “I have been using this since I was about 15.” The intergenerational appeal speaks to its consistent performance and accessibility.
Maybelline has maintained the core formula while occasionally introducing variations, but the original washable formula remains their bestseller. The Brownish Black shade offers a softer alternative to the intense Very Black option, making it particularly suitable for daytime wear and more natural makeup looks.
Formula Analysis and Performance
Application Experience
The Great Lash applicator features a traditional bristle brush that some users find perfectly sized while others consider “a bit too big.” The classic wand design aims to separate lashes while depositing an even coat of product.
When fresh, the formula has a smooth consistency that glides onto lashes without excessive wetness. The mascara dries relatively quickly, which prevents smudging but requires some efficiency during application. One reviewer praises this aspect, noting it “dries quickly” while making lashes “look naturally full and lightly coated.”
Volumizing Capabilities
The product markets itself as a volumizing mascara, and feedback suggests it delivers modest but natural-looking volume. Users who prefer dramatic lashes may find the effect insufficient, but those seeking definition with subtle enhancement are generally satisfied. As one enthusiastic user states, “This stuff is awesome! It makes my eye lashes look really long.”
The buildable formula allows for layering without significant clumping for most users. A particularly detailed review mentions that it “separates each lash as you comb the mascara through” and “doesn’t clump” regardless of how many coats are applied.
Longevity and Wear
The washable formula strikes a balance between staying power and ease of removal. Multiple reviewers confirm it “holds up well (in high heat, humidity, and even some tears)” while still being “easy to wash off at night.” This makes it particularly suitable for everyday wear when waterproof formulas would be unnecessarily difficult to remove.
However, one user notes it’s “just a little tricky to get off at night,” suggesting the formula may have decent wear time despite being non-waterproof. This variability likely depends on individual skin chemistry and removal methods.
Color Payoff
The Brownish Black shade offers a softer alternative to intense black mascaras, creating definition without harshness—especially flattering for those with lighter hair or those who prefer subtle makeup. The color provides enough contrast to enhance lashes while maintaining a natural appearance, making it versatile for various settings from office wear to casual outings.
Several reviewers specifically sought this shade but reported receiving Very Black instead, indicating possible inventory or packaging issues from certain sellers. This color discrepancy was significant enough that some users attempted replacements, only to encounter the same issue again.
Quality Control and Consistency Issues
While many users report positive experiences, there are notable concerns about product consistency and quality control. Several reviewers mentioned receiving dried-out products or incorrect shades. One particularly detailed negative review described receiving a tube that appeared to have “nothing in the container” with product that “clumped badly on one lash and flaked off onto my cheek on the other.”
These reports suggest potential issues with:
- Product freshness: Some users suspect receiving old stock with degraded formula
- Packaging integrity: Tubes may not be adequately sealed, leading to premature drying
- Order fulfillment: Multiple instances of receiving Very Black instead of Brownish Black
- Product volume: Some users feel the tubes are “only half filled” with product
These inconsistencies represent the most significant drawbacks mentioned across reviews. When receiving a fresh, correctly labeled product, satisfaction rates are considerably higher.
Value Proposition
At its budget-friendly price point (typically under $10), Great Lash offers considerable value when the product is fresh and correctly labeled. One reviewer explicitly mentioned it was “cheaper on here compared to local stores,” highlighting the potential for additional savings when purchased online.
However, the value diminishes significantly when quality control issues arise. As one dissatisfied customer put it: “Waste of money. I guess u get what you pay for. Cheap mascara does not work.” This suggests that while the price is attractive, consistency may be sacrificed.
For those who receive a proper product, the value proposition is strong—a reliable, gentle formula that performs basic mascara functions well without breaking the bank.
Comparison to Competitors
In today’s saturated mascara market, Great Lash faces competition from both luxury brands and other drugstore options offering innovative formulas and applicators. Several reviewers mentioned having “tried more expensive brands and styles” but ultimately “keep coming back to this,” suggesting the classic formula satisfies essential needs despite lacking the dramatic effects or specialized features of newer products.
The mascara excels in everyday wearability rather than dramatic effects. Compared to competitors offering more pronounced lengthening, curling, or volumizing properties, Great Lash provides more subtle enhancement focused on definition and natural-looking volume.
This positioning explains its enduring popularity despite more technologically advanced formulations entering the market. For many users, the predictable, gentle performance outweighs the allure of more dramatic but potentially more problematic formulas.
Who Should Consider This Product
Great Lash in Brownish Black is particularly well-suited for:
- Makeup minimalists seeking subtle enhancement
- Contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes (due to its hypoallergenic formula)
- Beginners learning basic mascara application
- Those with naturally dark lashes wanting definition without dramatic enhancement
- Professionals in conservative work environments where natural makeup is preferred
- Users who prioritize easy removal at the end of the day
The mascara is less ideal for:
- Those seeking dramatic volume or length
- Users wanting waterproof performance
- People with very straight or downward-pointing lashes requiring strong curl hold
- Those with very pale lashes who may need more color payoff
Application Tips For Optimal Results
Based on user experiences, these techniques maximize Great Lash’s performance:
- Avoid pumping the wand in the tube, which introduces air and accelerates drying
- Apply immediately after opening the tube while the formula is freshest
- Layer quickly before the first coat fully dries to prevent clumping
- Use a lash comb between coats if needed for maximum separation
- Consider a lash primer for additional volume if desired
- Apply to lower lashes with the tip of the wand for precision
- Store with cap tightly secured to prevent premature drying
The Verdict: Enduring Classic or Outdated Formula?
After thorough analysis, Maybelline Great Lash in Brownish Black remains relevant primarily because it fulfills its core promise: delivering natural-looking, defined lashes with minimal fuss. Its longevity in the market speaks to its reliable performance for everyday use.
The product’s greatest strengths are its gentle formula, ease of removal, and accessible price point. Its most significant weaknesses appear to be quality control issues and limited dramatic effect compared to newer formulations.
For those seeking everyday, natural-looking lash enhancement at an affordable price, Great Lash continues to merit consideration despite the existence of more innovative competitors. The Brownish Black shade particularly excels for those wanting definition without intensity.
Overall Rating: 3.8/5
Pros:
- Gentle, hypoallergenic formula
- Easy removal compared to waterproof formulas
- Natural-looking enhancement
- Budget-friendly price point
- Minimal clumping when fresh
- Nostalgic, instantly recognizable packaging
Cons:
- Quality control and consistency issues
- Limited volumizing effect compared to specialized formulas
- Basic applicator without innovative features
- Potential shade mix-ups when ordering online
- Reports of receiving dried product
Final Thoughts
Maybelline’s Great Lash Washable Mascara in Brownish Black continues to earn its place in the beauty world not because it outperforms specialized luxury products, but because it reliably delivers gentle, natural-looking enhancement at an accessible price point. For many users, this proven formula remains a dependable staple despite the ever-evolving mascara market.
When purchased from reputable sources and received fresh, it continues to deliver the same reliable performance that has made it a beauty icon for decades. While it may not satisfy those seeking dramatic effects, its enduring popularity confirms that sometimes classics remain classics for good reason.
For those curious about this beauty legend or seeking an affordable, everyday mascara that enhances without overwhelming, Great Lash in Brownish Black remains worth consideration—provided you can ensure you’re receiving a fresh product in the correct shade.
This review is based on analysis of user experiences and product specifications for the Maybelline New York Makeup Great Lash Washable Mascara in Brownish Black (0.43 fl oz). Individual results may vary based on lash type, application technique, and product batch.
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