Makeup trends move fast. One minute everyone is obsessed with DIY lash extensions, and the next, we're all trying to make our eyelashes look like "clean girl" wisps that barely exist. But honestly, if you walk into any CVS or Walgreens right now, you’re going to see a chunky orange tube that hasn't changed its look in over a decade. I’m talking about Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara. It’s a staple. While other brands launch "innovative" new formulas every three months with celebrity endorsements and $30 price tags, LashBlast just sits there, consistently selling millions of units because it actually works.
It’s weirdly nostalgic, right? You probably remember seeing the commercials with Drew Barrymore or Taylor Swift back in the day. But this isn't just about nostalgia. In a world of overhyped TikTok beauty trends, this specific waterproof formula remains a holy grail for people who have stick-straight lashes or eyes that water the second a breeze hits them.
The Plastic Bristle Revolution
When LashBlast first dropped, the big deal was the brush. Before this, most mascaras used those fuzzy, wire-bristle brushes that tended to clump if you looked at them wrong. Covergirl introduced this massive, molded plastic wand with hundreds of tiny little spikes. It looked intimidating. Honestly, it still looks a bit like a medieval mace. But that design is the secret sauce for the Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara's success.
Because the bristles are so short and stiff, they don't just coat your lashes; they comb through them. It forces the lashes apart. You get volume without that "spider leg" look that happens when three lashes get stuck together in a goopy mess. If you have thin lashes, this wand is your best friend because it finds the tiny hairs you didn't even know were there.
Why the Waterproof Version Hits Different
Let’s get real about the difference between the "Regular" and "Waterproof" versions of this mascara. Usually, people choose waterproof because they’re going to a wedding or expect to cry at a movie. But for the LashBlast loyalists, the waterproof version is a tool for physics.
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If you use a lash curler, you know the heartbreak of crimping your lashes into a perfect 90-degree angle, applying a wet mascara, and watching them instantly go flat. It's devastating. Standard mascaras are often water-based. Water weighs down the hair. Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara is wax-based. Think of it like hairspray for your eyelashes. The wax dries quickly and "locks" the curl in place. It’s the only way some of us can keep our lashes visible past 10:00 AM.
What Most People Get Wrong About Application
Most people swipe on mascara like they’re painting a fence. Back and forth, quick and dirty. With the LashBlast wand, that’s a mistake. Because the brush is so thick, you have to wiggle it at the base. Get it right into the lash line. This creates the illusion of a thicker lash bed, almost like you’re wearing a very thin eyeliner.
Another thing? Don't wait too long between coats.
Since the waterproof formula dries so fast to hold that curl, trying to add a second coat five minutes later is a recipe for flaking. You want to do "wet on wet." Apply one eye, do the other, then go back to the first eye immediately. This allows the formulas to bond without creating a crusty texture. If you’ve ever felt like your mascara was "crunchy," you probably waited too long to layer.
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The Removal Struggle is Real
We have to talk about the downside. This stuff does not want to leave your face. That’s the point of waterproof, obviously, but LashBlast takes it seriously. If you try to wash this off with just a regular foaming cleanser, you’re going to lose three eyelashes and end up with gray smudges under your eyes for two days.
You need an oil-based remover. Period. Whether it’s a cleansing balm, micellar water with the blue cap (the oily kind), or just straight-up coconut oil, you have to break down those waxes. Pat, don't rub. Press a soaked cotton pad against your eye for thirty seconds. Let the chemicals do the work so you don't have to scrub your delicate eye skin.
Comparing the Orange Tube to High-End Rivals
Is it better than Dior or Lancôme? That’s the million-dollar question.
If you look at the ingredient list of Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara, you'll see a lot of petroleum-derived waxes and iron oxides. It’s not "clean beauty" by any stretch of the imagination. But when you compare it to a $30 luxury mascara, the results are often indistinguishable in a blind test. In fact, many professional makeup artists—people like Pat McGrath or Lisa Eldridge have mentioned drugstore staples in the past—keep LashBlast in their kits because it's reliable. It doesn't flake. It doesn't smudge on the brow bone.
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Luxury mascaras often focus on "conditioning" ingredients like castor oil or panthenol. That's great for lash health, but it often makes the formula too heavy to hold a curl. LashBlast isn't trying to be a lash serum. It’s trying to be a structural engineer for your face.
The "Dry Out" Factor
Here is a weird tip: LashBlast actually gets better after it’s been open for about a week.
When you first crack open a brand-new tube, the formula is very "wet." It can be a little messy. But once a tiny bit of air gets in there and the formula thickens up slightly, it reaches its peak performance. It becomes creamier and builds volume much faster. However, because it's a waterproof wax formula, it also expires faster than others. If you start seeing little black flakes on your cheeks halfway through the day, it's time to toss it. Usually, three months is the limit.
Dealing With Sensitivity
Some people find the waterproof formula irritating. It’s heavy. If you wear contact lenses, you have to be careful. The tiny fibers that build volume can occasionally migrate into your eye if you’re a chronic eye-rubber. If you have super sensitive eyes, you might want to stick to the LashBlast Clean version, though be warned—it won't hold a curl nearly as well as the waterproof OG.
How to Get the Best Results
If you want the maximum impact from your Covergirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara, follow this specific workflow.
- Clean your lashes. Any leftover oils from your moisturizer will act as a makeup remover and cause smudging later.
- Curl. Use a high-quality curler (like the Shiseido or Kevyn Aucoin ones) and hold for 10 seconds per eye.
- Wiggle. Start at the root and wiggle the wand horizontally as you pull up.
- Don't forget the back. Lightly brush the topside of your lashes to ensure they are fully encased in the wax. This adds serious thickness.
- Comb. Use a metal lash comb if you see any clumps starting to form, but do it quickly before it sets.
Final Actionable Steps
Stop spending $30 on mascara if your primary goal is just volume and hold. It's a waste of money. Instead, go grab the orange tube. To make it work perfectly, ensure you have a dedicated bi-phase (oil and water) makeup remover ready in your bathroom. Use the "wiggle" technique at the base of your lashes to maximize the density, and make sure you replace the tube every 90 days to avoid flaking. If you’ve been struggling with lashes that refuse to stay curled, this is the specific tool designed to fix that problem. It isn't fancy, it isn't "new," but it's arguably the most consistent performer in the drugstore beauty aisle.