Drugstore Beauty Finds

Today the original CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara has a *major* reputation; millions of ladies love it with almost cult-like devotion!

I, unfortunately, am not one of them.

Not that I hate it (because I don’t). I’ve just always thought it was only okay (it clumps a little on me).

That said, I can appreciate die-hard beauty fanaticism, and with LashBlast’s reputation in mind, I was looking forward to trying CoverGirl’s new LashBlast Length Mascara ($7).

New for fall

The full-scale deployment begins in September, with the little yellow tubes invading stores by the truckload, but if you can’t wait that long, mark your calendar for August 17… That’s when CoverGirl will pre-sell a limited number of tubes through CoverGirl.com before the big September launch.

Some marketing background

CoverGirl is claiming their newest member of the LashBlast family lengthens lashes by up to 80%. Wow, right?

They say that’s made possible by nylon fibers in the mix and a new ultra-long brush with more than 450 bristles (for precise, clump-free application).

Colorwise, the product will be available in four shades — Very Black, Black, Brown Black and Brown — and I tried Black.

First, the good stuff

Staying power — it’s no joke. There’s absolutely no smudging or flaking (yay!) even after a full day with it on.

Bare lashes

Yet at the end of the day, it’s still easy to remove, thoroughly washing out with my regular cleanser and a few splashes of water to rinse.

One layer of LashBlast Length

Up to and including two layers, I like the way it makes my lashes look. I feel like they’re smoother, thicker and noticeably longer, too, but when I go beyond two layers, things get kinda sketchy, with my lashes beginning to look bumpy and fibrous, ew.

Two layers of LashBlast Length

How well does it lengthen?

Pretty well, in that it does appear to add some length to my lashes.

How much?

Not quite 80%. I’d say the difference is more like 40% on me, but that’s a 40% I’ll happily take. 🙂

Changes I’d like to see

If I could, I’d make a couple tweaks to the product.
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I feel so secret squirrel when I’m browsing beauty aisles at the drugstore, like I’m always just moments away from a huge discovery and the unearthing of some ancient treasure lost to womankind for centuries.

Case in point: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner ($7).

Because it’s from a big brand like CoverGirl, the logical part of me knows I’m totally late to the party. It’s been out for months. Millions of women are well aware of the product, but such is the power of the major budget beauty score!

I’ve been wearing Exact Eyelights all weekend long, and if you don’t throw one in your basket on your next trip to Walgreens, I may have to come over to wherever you are and shake you silly. 🙂

This. Stuff. Rawks.

Exact Eyelights Eyeliner twist-up pencils don’t require sharpening and come in four shades, each designed to complement a different eye color:

• Vibrant Pearl: a deep black for girls with brown eyes
• Radiant Sapphire: a dark navy for blue eyes
• Vivid Ruby: a dark reddish brown for green eyes
• Majestic Jade: a dark green for hazel eyes

Lasts and lasts

CoverGirl claims Exact Eyelights Eyeliner “brightens eyes by 4x.” I didn’t notice particularly brighter eyes, but I like it as a basic liner that stays put for a *very* long time.

I’ve been using the Vibrant Pearl pencil for the past few days, and this puppy stays put like nobody’s bidness.

When I’ve worn it along my lash and water lines, it hasn’t migrated, smudged or disappeared, even after 12 hours of wear. It’s not marketed as waterproof, but it might as well be.
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