Beauty Clump Crusher Compared: Very Black vs Black Brown vs Black
Clump Crusher comes in Very Black, Black Brown, classic Black, and an Extensions fiber formula. Each shade and variant serves different coloring and goals. This comparison finds your perfect tube.
| Factor | CoverGirl Lash Blast Clump Cru | CoverGirl Lash Blast Clump Cru | CoverGirl Lash Blast Clump Cru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Dramatic definition | Fair, daytime wear | Everyday versatility |
| Intensity | Highest | Softest | Medium |
| Ideal coloring | Deep brunette | Blonde, redhead | All |
| Volume | 20x claim | 20x claim | 20x claim |
| Clump control | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Wear time | 8 hours | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Removal | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Value | Great drugstore | Great drugstore | Great drugstore |
Our Verdict
Choose 800 Very Black for maximum drama on deep coloring. Pick 835 Black Brown for the most natural definition on fair hair and daytime wear. Go with 805 Black as the versatile everyday default. Try the Extensions 2-pack if short lashes need length plus volume. Most people should start with 805 and branch out. The formula is identical in quality across all options.
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Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Everyday versatile lashes
CoverGirl Lash Blast Clump Crusher Mascara, 805 Black
- 805 classic Black shade
- Curved separating brush
- Versatile everyday volume
Pros
- Universal everyday shade
- Great definition
Cons
- Middle ground, less specialized
- None major
Best for: Length plus volume
CoverGirl Clump Crusher Extensions Mascara, 2-Pack
- Lengthening fiber formula
- Clump-free volume plus length
- 2-pack value
Pros
- Adds visible length
- Best value per tube
Cons
- Fibers need thorough removal
- Can flake if over-applied
Brown vs Black: Who Should Wear Which
The Clump Crusher lineup in the comparison above spans Very Black, classic Black, and Black Brown, and the shade choice changes the face more than most buyers expect. Black Brown is the daytime softening shade: on fair skin, blondes, and redheads, it defines lashes without the stark contrast that can make black mascara read harsh in daylight, and it is the shade makeup artists reach for on mature eyes where black can look severe. Very Black is the maximum-impact shade for evening, photography, and anyone whose coloring can carry high contrast, deeper skin tones and dark hair take it effortlessly.
Classic Black sits in the middle as the safe default, but safe is not always flattering. The test that settles it: wear Black Brown on one eye and Black on the other for a full day, and check both in daylight and indoor light. Most fair-skinned buyers discover Black Brown looks more expensive and intentional in daylight, while Black wins after dark. One more consideration: brown mascaras show wear faster, since fading is more visible in a softer pigment, so Black Brown wearers should check the outer corners by late afternoon. For lashes that need the shade plus extra separation, our volumizing mascara guide on wands and formulas explains how brush design interacts with shade intensity.
Oily Lids: Which Formulas Actually Survive
Oily eyelids are the number one mascara killer, and the standard advice of just buy waterproof misses the real mechanics. Transfer happens when the oils from the lid break down the mascara film, and the formulas that resist best are the ones whose film the oil cannot dissolve: tubing mascaras first, then true waterproof formulas, then water-resistant, with standard washable formulas last. The Clump Crusher family are traditional formulas, not tubing, so oily-lidded wearers need the supporting system, not just the tube.
The system that works: eyeshadow primer or a light dusting of translucent powder on the lid before mascara, which gives the lid oils something to absorb into before they reach the lash line. Apply mascara to the upper lashes only, or keep lower-lash application to a single light coat, since the lower lash line sits directly against the oiliest skin. Set the under-eye with powder if you wear concealer there, because concealer oils migrate upward into the lashes. And blot the lids at midday with a tissue before transfer starts, since prevention beats cleanup. Buyers whose lids defeat every traditional formula should look at tubing options, and our tubing mascara guide explains why tubes survive oils that dissolve everything else.
Hooded Eyes: Stopping the Brow-Bone Transfer
Hooded eyelids create a specific failure: the lash tips touch the skin under the brow bone with every blink, stamping mascara onto the lid crease within hours. Standard application techniques assume clearance that hooded eyes do not have, so the routine needs adapting. The highest-leverage change is curling: a strong curl lifts the lash tips away from the skin, buying hours of transfer-free wear that no formula change can match. Second, concentrate product at the base and keep the tips light, since heavy tips are what stamp the brow bone.
Waterproof or tubing formulas are close to mandatory for hooded eyes in humid weather or long days, because the constant skin contact defeats washable formulas by afternoon. Prime the lid and set the brow bone area with powder to reduce the oil that accelerates transfer. And check the mirror at the two-hour mark on the first wear of any new mascara: if transfer has started by then, that formula will not survive the day on your eye shape, and no technique fully compensates. The Extensions fiber formula in the Clump Crusher comparison deserves caution here, since added length means more lash tip reaching the brow bone, making curl and a transfer-proof formula even more important.