Hey beauty lovers! I’ve been testing the Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Falsies Flared Washable Mascara in Blackest Black for the past month, and I’m FINALLY ready to spill all the tea about it. This review is based on my personal experience plus feedback I’ve gathered from other users. Let’s dive right in!
First Impressions
The packaging is pretty standard Maybelline – that recognizable yellow and purple tube that stands out in your makeup bag. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. The wand has a slightly curved shape with a flared brush designed to catch and coat even those tiny lashes in the corners of your eyes.
When I first pulled out the wand, I noticed the formula wasn’t too wet or too dry – kind of the perfect middle ground. The color is TRULY the blackest black, which I love for creating drama.
Application Experience
Applying this mascara is actually pretty foolproof. The curved wand helps reach all your lashes from root to tip, and the flared brush design is meant to push your lashes outward for that flared effect (hence the name).
One thing I noticed right away: you don’t need to pump the wand in and out of the tube (which introduces air and dries out the product faster). The formula coats the wand perfectly with just one dip.
The first coat goes on smoothly and already makes a noticeable difference. It separates my lashes well without clumping – a HUGE plus in my book. You can definitely build it up with a second coat for more drama without it getting spidery.
Performance Throughout the Day
I’ve worn this mascara through 12-hour workdays, workout sessions, and even got caught in the rain once. Here’s how it held up:
- Volume: This delivers serious volume! My lashes look about twice as thick with two coats.
- Length: It extends my lashes noticeably, though not as dramatically as some fiber mascaras.
- Curl hold: This is where it really shines! Even without an eyelash curler, it lifts my lashes and holds them up all day. If you use a curler first, the effect is even more dramatic.
- Flared effect: It does create that winged-out, flared look at the outer corners, which makes my eyes look wider and more awake.
- Smudging: Minimal smudging throughout the day. If you have very oily lids, you might notice a bit by hour 8-9, but it’s not raccoon-eye territory.
- Flaking: Almost none! This is one of the least flaky mascaras I’ve tried in this price range.
The Removal Process
Being a washable formula, this comes off pretty easily with regular makeup remover or micellar water. You don’t need to tug or pull at your delicate eye area. I typically use a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover, hold it against my eye for about 10 seconds, then gently wipe away. Everything comes off without a fight!
This is a MAJOR benefit compared to waterproof mascaras that can lead to lash loss during removal.
Who This Mascara Works Best For
Based on my experience and user feedback, this mascara seems to work particularly well for:
- People who want dramatic volume without clumping
- Those who struggle with lashes that point straight down (the formula helps hold a curl)
- Anyone who wants length AND volume in one product
- People who want an eye-opening, flared effect
- Those who need mascara that lasts all day but still comes off easily
I’ve noticed people with very short or sparse lashes particularly love how this builds up their lash line.
Who Might Want to Skip This
This might not be your perfect match if:
- You prefer a super natural, “no-mascara” mascara look
- You need something 100% waterproof for swimming or very teary occasions
- You have extremely sensitive eyes (though most users, including myself, had no irritation)
Value for Money
At around $8-10 depending on where you shop, this mascara is a SOLID drugstore option. The tube typically lasts me about 3 months before it starts to dry out or I feel it’s time to replace it (remember, mascara should be replaced every 3-6 months for eye health!).
When you compare the results to high-end mascaras costing $25+, this is honestly just as good or better in many cases.
Long-Term Use
I’ve been using this mascara on and off for years, and it remains one of my go-to options. The formula has been consistent, and I appreciate that Maybelline hasn’t changed what works. My lashes remain healthy, and I haven’t noticed any increased brittleness or lash loss over time.
For those who might be concerned about product longevity – I find this starts to perform its best about a week after opening, when the formula has adjusted slightly to air exposure. It maintains optimal performance for about 2-3 months before starting to dry out.
Comparisons to Similar Products
I’ve tried a LOT of mascaras over the years, so here’s how The Falsies Flared compares to some popular alternatives:
- vs. Maybelline Great Lash: The Falsies gives MUCH more volume and definition. Great Lash is more natural looking.
- vs. L’Oreal Voluminous: Similar volume, but The Falsies has better separation and less clumping.
- vs. Benefit They’re Real: Comparable results, but The Falsies is literally a third of the price.
- vs. Too Faced Better Than Sex: The Falsies has less fallout/flaking, though slightly less dramatic volume.
User Feedback Highlights
A common theme I’ve noticed in reviews is how long-time users keep coming back to this product. Many people mention using it since their teens and still loving it years later. The Spanish language review mentions it holds curl well (“no sé bajan mis pestañas después de usarlo” – my lashes don’t fall after using it).
The most common positive comments focus on:
- Impressive volume
- Great length
- Easy removal
- Long-lasting wear
The few negative comments typically mention:
- Product arriving damaged (seems to be a shipping issue rather than product issue)
- Wanting even more dramatic results
Application Tips for Best Results
After using this for so long, I’ve found some tricks to maximize its performance:
- Don’t pump the wand! It dries out the formula faster.
- Wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes before sweeping upward.
- For maximum flare effect, hold the wand vertically when applying to outer lashes.
- Let the first coat dry for about 15 seconds before applying a second coat.
- If you get any smudges on your lid during application, let them dry completely before removing with a cotton swab – they’ll flake off easily without smearing.
Final Verdict
This mascara deserves its status as a drugstore holy grail product. It delivers on its promises of volume, length, and that flared effect that makes your eyes look wider and more awake. The fact that it’s affordable, widely available, and comes off easily at the end of the day makes it a winner in my book.
For the price point, it’s truly impressive how well this performs against high-end competitors. There’s a reason so many makeup artists keep this in their kits and why it’s been a bestseller for years.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The only things keeping it from a perfect score are the occasional minimal smudging on very oily lids after many hours and the fact that the formula does start to dry out around the 3-month mark (though this is standard for most mascaras).
If you’re on the fence about trying this mascara – DO IT! At this price point, it’s a low-risk investment with potentially high payoff for your lash game.
Would I repurchase? ABSOLUTELY! In fact, I always keep a backup tube in my drawer because I never want to be without it.
Have you tried The Falsies Flared? I’d love to hear your experiences with it too!
This review is based on personal experience with the product and collection of user feedback. Individual results may vary depending on lash type, application technique, and skin type.
Buy on Amazon: Here
