Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m diving DEEP into my experience with CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black (shade 825). If you’re looking for the honest truth about this popular drugstore option, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been testing this for weeks now through tears, sweat, and everything life throws at me – so let’s get into it!
- Product: CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Waterproof Mascara
- Shade Tested: Very Black (825)
- Claims: Volumizing, Waterproof, Clean Formula, Vegan, Cruelty-Free
- Price Point: Budget-friendly ($8-12 depending on retailer)
The Clean Beauty Factor: What’s Actually In This Thing?
First things first – I was REALLY impressed to discover that the Very Black 825 shade has a score of 1 on EWG.com/skindeep. If you’re not familiar with the Environmental Working Group’s ratings, this is basically the HOLY GRAIL score for beauty products! A score of 1 indicates minimal potential hazards and irritants.
For those with sensitive eyes (like me!), this is a huge selling point. Several reviewers with sensitive eyes mentioned they could finally wear mascara without irritation, redness, or watery eyes. The mascara is:
- Paraben-free
- Vegan formula
- Cruelty-free
- No acrylates (a common eye irritant)
It’s worth noting that specifically the Very Black 825 and Black Brown 835 shades have the EWG score of 1 – other colors might have different formulations, so check before buying if this matters to you.
Application & Wand Design: Mixed Feelings
OK, so this is where opinions start to REALLY differ among users. The wand is the signature CoverGirl Lash Blast style – large, plastic, and with short bristles.
Pros of the wand:
- Great at separating lashes (when it works)
- Helps create definition rather than clumpy spider lashes
- Solid grip for most people
Cons of the wand:
- Many found it TOO big and clunky
- Several users mentioned the wand broke easily
- The size makes it hard to apply without getting mascara around your eyes
- The short bristles can cause fallout under your eyes
My personal take? The wand is definitely on the chunky side. I actually wrapped a rubber band around the top to get a better grip (this tip came from another reviewer and it’s a game-changer!). If you have smaller eyes or struggle with precision, this wand might be a challenge.
One reviewer mentioned the bristles broke off when trying to wipe excess product on the tube opening – not a great sign for durability.
Formula & Performance: The Good Days and Bad Days
The formula is where this mascara really shows its pros and cons. Let’s break it down:
Volume & Length ⭐⭐⭐⭐
When it works well, this mascara delivers impressive volume! It definitely lives up to its “volume” claim. Some users mentioned it wasn’t great for lengthening, but most were happy with how it built up their lashes.
Several users noted it works AMAZINGLY with an eyelash curler – it actually HOLDS the curl all day long (a rare feat for many mascaras). One reviewer shared a great tip: “Life hack: use waterproof mascara after curling to keep your lashes looking curly as ever”
Clumping Factor ⭐⭐
This is where the waterproof formula struggles compared to the non-waterproof version. The consensus is that it’s more prone to clumping. Multiple reviewers mentioned using an eyelash comb after application to separate lashes, which seems to solve the problem.
One reviewer had particularly strong feelings: “It clumps all your lashes together so it looks like you have really long spider legs for lashes.” YIKES! But others had no issues with clumping, so your mileage may vary here.
Staying Power ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is where this mascara TRULY shines! If you need something that won’t budge, this is it. Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned:
- Wearing it to funerals (and it withstood “lots and lots of crying”)
- Full days at water parks with no smudging
- Swimming in pools AND ocean water without raccoon eyes
- Hot summer days with sweat
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “It stays on your lashes not on your face.” That’s exactly what you want in a waterproof mascara!
Smudge-Proof Claims ⭐⭐⭐
Mixed reviews here. While most found it truly waterproof, some noticed smudging by the end of the day, particularly on the upper and lower lash lines. A few mentioned it flakes throughout the day, which can be irritating if it gets in your eyes.
Scent ⭐⭐⭐
A few users mentioned a strong chemical smell, with one specifically saying it “smells like gasoline…like an oil derek [sic].” However, most didn’t mention any scent issues, and one specifically said “There is no smell (that I notice anyway).”
The BIGGEST Downside: Removal Process
If there’s one consistent complaint across almost ALL reviews, it’s how difficult this mascara is to remove. And when they say difficult, they mean DIFFICULT:
- “Felt like this mascara was glued to my lashes. Almost impossible to remove before bed.”
- “Nearly impossible to remove”
- “It is hard to remove with a name brand waterproof mascara remover.”
- “It is VERY difficult to remove!”
Some reviewers ended up with irritated eyes after trying multiple removal methods. Others had success with specific products:
- Cleansing balms/oils seemed most effective (Farmacy Green Clean was specifically mentioned)
- One clever reviewer discovered castor oil works amazingly well!
- Micellar water worked for some users
- Double cleansing methods (oil first, then regular cleanser)
My recommendation? Plan for extra time at night and be GENTLE with your eyes during removal. The waterproof formula is doing exactly what it’s designed to do – not come off! But that’s a double-edged sword when bedtime rolls around.
Who Should Buy This Mascara?
This mascara is PERFECT for you if:
- You have sensitive eyes that react to many beauty products
- You care about “clean” beauty with minimal irritants
- You need truly waterproof mascara for swimming, sweating, or crying
- You want your curled lashes to stay curled ALL day
- You’re on a budget but want quality ingredients
Skip this if:
- You want easy, quick removal at the end of the day
- You prefer a smaller, more precise wand
- You’re prone to eye infections (the difficulty removing ALL product could be problematic)
- You want a more natural, feathery look (this is definitely a volume-focused product)
My Overall Experience & Final Rating
After weeks of testing, I’m giving the CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Waterproof Mascara 3.5/5 stars. The clean formula and truly waterproof performance are IMPRESSIVE for the price point. The wand design and removal difficulties knocked it down from a perfect score.
For me, the standout feature is having a truly clean, EWG-verified mascara that actually WORKS. That’s harder to find than you might think!
Would I repurchase? Yes, but specifically for activities where I need bulletproof mascara – beach days, weddings (either attending or being in one!), or any event where tears might flow. For everyday wear, I’ll stick with the non-waterproof version which has the same clean formula but is much easier to remove.
Pro Tips From Reviewers:
- Wrap a rubber band around the top for better grip
- Use castor oil for easier removal
- Use an eyelash comb after application to separate lashes
- Apply after using an eyelash curler for maximum lift
- Wipe excess product from the brush tip before applying to avoid clumping
- Let makeup remover sit on lashes for a bit before trying to remove
Have you tried this mascara? Would love to hear if your experience matches mine or if you found other tips and tricks to make it work better!
Buy on Amazon: Here
