You know that bright orange tube. It’s been a staple in makeup bags since 2007. But honestly, the beauty world changed, and suddenly everyone started caring about what was actually inside their tubes. That’s where CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara comes in. It’s the vegan, clean-label evolution of a legend.
It’s weirdly hard to find a mascara that doesn’t make your eyes itch by 3 PM. Most of us just accept the smudge. We accept the "crunchy" lash feeling because we want the drama. CoverGirl decided to take their most famous formula and strip out the parabens, sulfates, talc, and mineral oil. They basically kept the soul of the original Lash Blast but ditched the stuff people are increasingly skeptical of.
Does it hold up? Mostly. It’s not a carbon copy of the original, and that’s something people get wrong all the time. If you go into this expecting the exact same "thick-paint" consistency of the classic orange tube, you’re gonna be surprised. This one is lighter. It’s cleaner. It’s a different beast entirely.
What People Get Wrong About the Clean Formula
There’s this massive misconception that "clean" means "weak." People think if a mascara doesn't have certain synthetic waxes, it won't stay on your face. That’s just not true here. The CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara uses marula oil and argan oil to provide that slip and conditioning.
It feels different on the brush. When you pull the wand out, you’ll notice the formula is a bit wetter than the original.
Because it’s infused with oils, it doesn't dry down into a concrete-like shell. This is a huge win for lash health. Ever tried to take off waterproof mascara and ended up with three eyelashes on your cotton pad? Yeah, that doesn't happen with this. It’s designed to be high-volume without being high-damage. However, that "wetness" means you have to give it an extra thirty seconds to dry before you start blinking like crazy or you’ll end up with dots on your brow bone.
The Wand: A Love-Hate Relationship
The applicator is the same chunky, plastic-bristled brush we’ve known for decades. It’s big. If you have very small eyes or short lower lashes, this wand can feel like trying to paint a miniature figurine with a house-painting brush. It takes some practice.
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But for most? It’s the secret sauce. Those short, stiff bristles are specifically designed to separate lashes. It prevents the dreaded "clump-o-rama" that happens with fiber-heavy mascaras. You get a fan-like effect. It’s more about "I have a million lashes" rather than "I have three thick trunks of mascara."
Breaking Down the Ingredients (The Real Stuff)
We need to talk about what "Clean at Sephora" or "Clean at Target" actually means because it’s a bit of a marketing jungle out there. CoverGirl defines their "Clean" version by what they left out.
- No Parabens: These are preservatives that have been under fire for years.
- No Sulfates: Usually used as emulsifiers, but they can be irritating to sensitive ocular skin.
- No Talc: This is the big one for many consumers concerned about cross-contamination.
- No Mineral Oil: Often used for shine, but some find it too heavy or pore-clogging around the delicate eye area.
Instead, they leaned into Marula Oil and Argan Oil. Marula oil is packed with Vitamin C and E, which is great, but in a mascara, its primary job is to keep the formula creamy. It prevents the mascara from flaking off into your eyes midway through a Zoom call. If you’ve ever felt like there was sand in your eyes by 4 PM, it’s usually because your mascara is too dry and is shedding. This formula stays flexible.
Performance: The 10-Hour Test
Let’s be real. Nobody cares about the ingredients if the mascara ends up on your chin. In real-world testing—meaning a humid commute, a workday, and maybe a light workout—the CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara performs surprisingly well for a non-waterproof formula.
It doesn’t give you that "spider leg" look. It’s sophisticated.
If you have oily eyelids, you might see some slight transfer. Since the formula is oil-based (Argan and Marula), it can react with the natural sebum on your skin. A quick dusting of translucent powder under your eyes usually fixes this. It’s a small price to pay for lashes that don't feel like they're going to snap off if you touch them.
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Comparing the "Clean" to the "Classic"
If you’re a die-hard fan of the original Lash Blast (the one in the neon orange tube), you’ll notice the Clean version is slightly less "bulky." The original formula has a certain weight to it that builds volume incredibly fast. The Clean version requires an extra coat to get to that same level of drama.
- Coat One: Gives you a "your lashes but better" look. Very natural.
- Coat Two: This is where the volume kicks in. The lashes look darker and thicker at the base.
- Coat Three: You’re pushing it, but it still won't clump thanks to that plastic brush.
Sustainability and the Cruelty-Free Factor
This is where CoverGirl actually deserves some credit. They are Leaping Bunny certified by Cruelty-Free International. For a massive, legacy drugstore brand, that’s a big deal. Usually, you have to go to high-end boutiques to find brands that don't test on animals, but this brings that ethos to the aisle of your local CVS or Walgreens.
The packaging for the CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara is also made from 80% recycled paper from well-managed forests. Is it perfect? No. It’s still a plastic tube. But in the world of mass-market cosmetics, it’s a significant step toward a circular economy. They aren't just slapping a "green" label on it; they're actually changing the supply chain.
Is It Right for You?
Honestly, it depends on what you value. If you want a mascara that you can't remove without industrial-grade solvent, this isn't it. If you want your lashes to look like synthetic falsies, you might find this too subtle.
But if you have sensitive eyes, or if you’re trying to transition your beauty routine to more ethical, "cleaner" products without spending $30 a tube, this is probably the best option on the market right now. It fills a very specific gap: affordable, accessible, and high-performing clean beauty.
It’s great for:
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- Contact lens wearers (less flaking means less irritation).
- People with brittle lashes who need the conditioning oils.
- The "no-makeup-makeup" crowd who still wants some definition.
- Anyone tired of the "crunchy lash" sensation.
Expert Tips for Using Lash Blast Clean
Since the formula is a bit "slicker" than traditional mascaras, you have to change your technique slightly. Don't just wiggle the brush at the tips. Start at the very base of your lashes—right at the waterline—and press the wand in. Hold it there for a second. This "stamps" the pigment onto the roots, creating the illusion of a thicker lash line without needing eyeliner.
Then, pull through to the tips.
If you find it’s too wet when you first open a new tube (a common complaint with oil-infused mascaras), leave the cap slightly unscrewed for just an hour. This lets a tiny bit of air in, which "ages" the formula just enough to make it a bit tackier and easier to build. It sounds counterintuitive to let your makeup dry out, but for this specific product, it’s a game-changer.
The Verdict on the Clean Volume Evolution
The beauty industry is full of "greenwashing," but CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara feels like a genuine effort to modernize a classic. It’s not just a marketing gimmick; the removal of talc and the addition of nourishing oils fundamentally changes how the product interacts with your hair and skin.
It’s reliable. It’s accessible. It’s cheap enough that you don't feel guilty tossing it every three months as eye doctors recommend. While it might not have the sheer "oomph" of a heavy synthetic formula, the trade-off for lash health and peace of mind is worth it for the average person.
Next Steps for Your Routine
To get the most out of this mascara, start by curling your lashes with a clean curler for at least 10 seconds per eye. Apply the first coat of CoverGirl Lash Blast Clean Volume Mascara and let it set for 30 seconds before applying a second layer to avoid smearing. At the end of the day, use a dual-phase oil cleanser or a simple micellar water to gently dissolve the formula—it will slide right off without any aggressive rubbing. Check your local retailer for the "Black Brown" shade if you want a softer, more daytime-appropriate look, or stick with "Very Black" for maximum impact.