Hey beauty lovers! I’ve spent the last few weeks testing out the CoverGirl Clump Crusher Water Resistant Black 830 Mascara, and I’m SUPER excited to share my in-depth thoughts with you all. As someone who’s been in the beauty industry for years, I’ve tried countless mascaras, so I know what makes one stand out from the crowd. Let’s dive into this honest, no-holds-barred review!
First Impressions
Opening the distinctive green tube, I immediately noticed the unique curved wand design. Unlike the chunky LashBlast wands (which I’ve never been a fan of), this applicator is slimmer with short plastic “spikes” rather than bristles. The handle is a bit bulky and oddly shaped, which took some getting used to – several reviewers mentioned this too. It felt slightly slippery at first, and I actually knocked it against my eye a couple times before figuring out how to hold it properly!
Application Experience
The plastic applicator is FANTASTIC for separation! The curved design and spaced “teeth” allow you to reach every single lash from root to tip. This mascara delivers on its primary promise – it truly is clump-free. The formula doesn’t dry too quickly, giving you plenty of time to build up multiple layers if you want more drama.
One reviewer perfectly summed up what makes this applicator special: “The wand is sturdy and doesn’t flex when you’re putting it on.” This stability means better control during application, which is especially helpful for mascara newbies.
The Look
This mascara creates what I’d call a “defined natural” look. Your lashes appear longer and more noticeable, but in a subtle way. If you’re expecting dramatic falsie-level volume or extreme length, you might be disappointed. As one reviewer noted, “It does not produce big falsie looking hyper made-up looking lashes like some people seem to prefer. It is more of a moderate look.”
The mascara excels at definition and separation. Several reviewers mentioned switching from high-end luxury brands to this CoverGirl option and being pleasantly surprised by the quality. One person who typically uses expensive department store brands commented that “it does deliver on its promise to provide mascara without clumps.”
Staying Power
Okay, let’s talk about the “water resistant” claim, which seems to be the most CONTROVERSIAL aspect of this product! The reviews are seriously divided on this point.
Some users swear by its staying power: “It has survived through heavy rain” and “It doesn’t budge even on my sweatiest nights.”
Others found it completely non-water-resistant: “Definitely not water resistant – melted right off as soon as my eyes watered” and “It’s great mascara, it’s just not even remotely waterproof. Not. At. All.”
My experience falls somewhere in the middle. I found it holds up well to humidity and light moisture (like slightly watery eyes from allergies), but it’s definitely NOT fully waterproof. When I splashed my face with water, it started to break down. This is technically correct – the product claims to be water RESISTANT, not waterproof – but the resistance level varies dramatically based on users’ experiences.
One reviewer made a great observation that I totally agree with: “I want to give this 5 stars for the quality of this product– it goes on smoothly and clump free, and it thickens my lashes nicely! Only problem that I want to make others aware of is that this is not Water-PROOF, it is only Water-RESISTANT.”
Wear Time
For everyday wear, this mascara lasts impressively well. Most users (including myself) found it stayed put for a full day without flaking or smudging. However, a few reviewers mentioned that it deteriorated throughout the day: “It looks great for like 30 minutes and deteriorates throughout the day” and “It clumps a little and smears about 2/3 of the way through the day.”
The majority of reviews were positive regarding longevity, with many people making it their daily go-to mascara for this reason.
Removal
One of the BEST things about this mascara is how easily it removes compared to truly waterproof formulas. You don’t need to scrub your lashes raw or use special makeup removers – a regular cleanser will do the job. One reviewer perfectly captured this benefit: “Unlike some truly waterproof mascaras, I haven’t had to scrub my eyelashes raw to remove it at the end of the day.”
However, one contact lens wearer noted you still need to be thorough: “I have to hold a cotton ball soaked in eye makeup remover over my eyes for a good 5-10 seconds before gently rubbing it off…then clean up smudges under my eyes after completely washing my face too.”
Value
At around $7-8 per tube (and often available with coupons), this mascara is significantly more affordable than high-end options while offering comparable quality. Several reviewers mentioned switching from $20+ mascaras to this budget-friendly alternative. One person specifically mentioned replacing their $20 Buxom mascara with this and being pleasantly surprised by the quality.
Potential Issues
While most reviews were positive, there were a few consistent complaints worth noting:
- Some received dried-out tubes: “The mascara is totally dry when I opened the bottle” and “Product also seemed dried up inside tube, hard to get enough on the brush to coat my lashes.”
- A few users experienced eye irritation: “This product irritates my eyes. I’ve never had that issue with any mascara before.” This was rare but worth mentioning for those with sensitive eyes.
- Some found it dried out quickly after opening: “It dries out really quickly. You have to repurchase so quickly I think spending more is worth it in this case.”
- As mentioned earlier, the water-resistant claim was the most contentious issue, with many finding it inadequate for swimming or crying.
Who Should Buy This?
This mascara is PERFECT for:
- People with naturally long lashes who just need definition and separation
- Those who hate clumpy mascara with a passion
- Anyone seeking an everyday, natural-looking mascara
- People who want the benefits of water resistance without the removal hassle of waterproof
- Budget-conscious beauty lovers looking for quality at a drugstore price
You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You need truly waterproof mascara for swimming or crying sessions
- You want dramatic, voluminous lashes
- You prefer traditional bristle brushes over plastic ones
- You have very short lashes that need significant lengthening
My Personal Experience
After using this mascara daily for several weeks, I’ve become a fan! The application is smooth and easy once you get used to the handle. My lashes look naturally enhanced but not overly done – perfect for my day-to-day professional life. I love that it doesn’t flake or smudge during my 10-hour workdays.
The biggest selling point for me is the clump-free application – it truly delivers on that promise. However, I do wish it provided a bit more volume. I’ve found I can layer it with other mascaras when I want a more dramatic look, using Clump Crusher as my base coat for separation and definition.
For removal, I use my regular micellar water cleanser, and it comes off without excessive rubbing – a HUGE win compared to most waterproof formulas I’ve tried!
Final Verdict
CoverGirl Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. It’s an excellent everyday mascara that delivers on its primary claim of clump-free application. The water-resistant formula works well for minor moisture (humidity, light rain, slight tearing) but isn’t suitable for swimming or crying sessions.
The curved wand and plastic bristles provide exceptional separation and definition, though the handle design could be improved for easier application. It creates a natural, defined look rather than dramatic volume, making it ideal for daily wear.
At its affordable price point, it outperforms many higher-end options, making it a smart purchase for budget-conscious beauty lovers. Just know what you’re getting – a reliable, clump-free, moderately water-resistant mascara that creates natural-looking lashes.
Have you tried the CoverGirl Clump Crusher? What was YOUR experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Buy on Amazon: Here
