The advertisement for Covergirl’s new “Bombshell Volume” mascara was certainly intriguing. Who doesn’t crave “bombshell lashes”?

This mascara, which is large and slightly unwieldy, is double-sided in a unique two-step system (one base coat, followed by an intensifying top coat):

The wand at each end is shaped differently as well.

See end #1 (thicker wand, shorter bristles):

See end #2 (slimmer wand, longer bristles):

And for the ultimate test! (Top row: bare lashes –> Second row: one coat of each –> Third row: two coats of each)

The results are good, producing fairly impressive long thick lashes.

There are a couple of caveats, however. Most of the volume and drama in the above photos was achieved by applying mascara from end #2 (the end with the slimmer wand and longer bristles). In fact, I have ceased applying the base coat (end #1) since it adds so little pigment to the lashes. Also, this mascara occasionally clumps, as it did in the photograph (third row, right eye). Even so, this mascara is still above-average for the drugstore/Wal-Mart, although not as excellent as L’Oreal’s “Voluminous Million Lashes Excess” mascara.

Final Verdict: 3.5/5 Stars

Available at Wal-Mart, ULTA, Rite Aid, Target, CVS, & Walgreen’s for $9