Not to sound like a total basic white girl, but while I was waiting at the Starbucks drive thru the other day, something AMAZING happened.

But let me back up. Since I could bat my eyelashes (and my mother let me actually wear makeup) I have been on the hunt for the perfect mascara. I have tried all of the major brands, brushes and formulas. I seem to have settled into being a Lancôme lashes girl. Since it’s not cheap, I typically do a “mascara cocktail” of sorts. I start with the Lancôme Hypnose Drama, do a coat or two of Maybelline® Volum’ Express® The Colossal mascara, then finish with another coat of the same Lancôme. Once in a while, I’ll even start with Lancôme ‘Cils Booster XL’ Super Enhancing Mascara Base.

It’s kind of an ordeal. But in my mind, I like the different brushes and textures and the layering. The end result is killer length and volume that stays all day. By adding a coat of the bargain brand in the middle, I tell myself that it’s stretching my hard-earned beauty dollar a little further. But c’mon, it’s a lot to do and in the morning I am usually in a rush. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

I have been seeing ads and raving reviews for this CoverGirl Clump Crusher by Lash Blast. The beauty blogosphere has been all abuzz about this volumizing mascara that promises to be clump free. It’s even been named a “Best of Beauty” Award Winner from Allure Magazine for two years in a row.

On CoverGirl’s website, they promise “Beautifully Separated Lashes. Clump Crusher by LashBlast mascara delivers 200% more volume with zero clumps (vs. bare lashes) for beautifully separated lashes. Clump crusher’s innovative curved brush features a lash loading section to saturate lashes with loads of product and fine-tooth comb bristles to evenly distribute mascara.”

Challenge accepted, CG.

I haven’t bought, or even been tempted to buy, anything from CoverGirl since I was in high school. It always seemed too cheap and the makeup just didn’t have that special something to draw me away from department store brands. Plus, there is no piano playing softly in the background like at Nordstrom. I like it fancy, ya know?

So I bought the Clump Crusher in very black at Target. It’s been kicking around the inside of my car for a few days, so when I had a minute to spare in the drive-thru, I tried it. I even had the foresight to take before and after pics–pretty amazing since I was not yet caffeinated.

And now, we are up to speed. The first thing I noticed was the brush. It’s some sort of bendy plastic, with all different lengths of bristles. I tend to like the more natural bristles, so I was highly skeptical. Of the whole thing, obviously. Plus, I was kind of judging myself for even putting ANYTHING CoverGirl on my face.

But this is where I acknowledge my makeup snobbery and beg your forgiveness, CoverGirl. I was so wrong about you. The mascara is really, really good!!!

First of all, it product itself isn’t too wet or too dry. It’s part of the clump-free magic, I suppose. But seriously, it’s nice and creamy, and doesn’t end up all over the place. It stays soft for a few minutes, so you can apply more if you’d like. It’s a buildable formula–and the whole time, the brush glides right through. I didn’t use a mascara primer or curl my lashes ahead of time like I sometimes do. I just applied it directly to my naked, straight lashes. It really did somehow curl them a little, and gave superb definition. At the end of the day, it was still on and looking good. There wasn’t any transfer to my eyelid, which sometimes happens.

As you can see from my selfies, I like to pile my mascara on kinda thick. You can certainly achieve a more natural look by stopping after a coat or two, and maybe choosing a softer shade or brown. Not me, though. I think this is about 4 coats. Two full coats, then a couple spot touch ups. My lower lashes are just a single coat.

I’ve now used it every day and I am loving it even more. I don’t even reach for another mascara to complete the look. No cocktails here. At least not mascara cocktails, that is.

Are you a mascara snob? What is your favorite formula or do you also make a cocktail?