Best drugstore mascara for volume

If there's one cosmetic product that I'm super picky about, it's definitely mascara. As a natural blonde, I have very light eyelashes. It actually looks like I don't have any eyelashes at all when I'm sans mascara.

As a beauty consultant, I used to get samples all the time. The pay wasn't great, but the perks made it worth it. I got to try all kinds of prestige brands. 

But every now and then, you find a drugstore product that knocks the fancy stuff out of the water. For me, I've been loyal to one such product for years now ... Cover Girl Lash Blast. There are a few variations, but I usually stick with the orange tube or black tube, which is the 24-hour long-wearing version. Having used this product for so long, I thought I'd give you guys an honest review on it!

Cover Girl Lash Blast review:

The pro's: 

• The wand! The wand that comes with this mascara is so perfect for giving volume and length, while keeping lashes separated. My biggest pet peeve with mascaras is when my eyelashes are grouped together. I like my eyelashes to look full, but also nicely separated. This brush combs lashes out while adding major volume.
• The color! I use black mascara. And I like it to actually be black. Have you ever bought a black mascara and had to apply coat after coat to get your eyelashes to look noticeable? I'm not a fan of those light black mascaras that are made to look "natural." I definitely go for the false eyelashes look. If you're looking for a cheap drugstore mascara that makes your eyes look like you're wearing false lashes, this is it.
• Volume and length! Like I said, this mascara gives awesome volume and length. There are some really great more expensive mascaras you can pick up at Sephora that will give this same effect. But that's the thing ... this drugstore mascara can give the same effect as say, your favorite Lancome or Benefit mascara. Looks wise, no one would know the difference.
• Fat tube = easy to find in purse/makeup bag! It's a small thing, I know, but the packaging of this mascara is pretty cool. It comes in a bright orange tube, which is pretty thick, and I find it easy to pick out from my makeup bag.

The con's:

• Won't last 12+ hours. With this Cover Girl Lash Blast orange tube, I have noticed that this mascara will start to flake off by late evening. This is very annoying, as it agitates my eyes. However, the Cover Girl Lash Blast 24-Hour mascara, in a black tube, will not flake off and really does last aaaaaaaalllll day without a problem. When I wear my regular orange-tube Lash Blast, I apply blinc tubing mascara on top to keep it in place, and I have no problems with flaking. Problem solved.

This is me wearing Cover Girl Lash Blast, my fave!