The Ultimate Covergirl Makeup Review: My Thoughts After a Decade of Use

Hey there, beauty lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best drugstore makeup that delivers great results without breaking the bank. And when it comes to iconic, affordable brands, Covergirl is probably one of the first that comes to mind.

As a lifelong makeup enthusiast, I‘ve been using Covergirl products for over a decade now. I‘ve experimented with everything from their mascaras to their foundations to their lipsticks, and I‘ve gotten to know the brand inside and out. So today, I want to share my ultimate, in-depth review of Covergirl makeup with you.

We‘ll dive into the brand‘s history, most popular products, and I‘ll give you my honest thoughts on what‘s worth picking up and what you might want to skip. Whether you‘re a Covergirl newbie or a longtime fan like me, I hope this review helps you navigate the brand and find your new holy grail products. Let‘s get started!

The Rise of an Icon: Covergirl‘s History

First, let‘s take a quick trip down memory lane and talk about how Covergirl became the drugstore staple it is today. The brand was founded in 1961 by Noxzema co-founder George Bunting in Baltimore, Maryland. His vision was to create a line of makeup that was not only accessible and affordable, but also promoted a fresh, natural look.

One of the defining aspects of Covergirl from the start was their use of "Cover Girls" – celebrity models and spokeswomen who appeared in the brand‘s advertising. In fact, Covergirl was one of the first brands to sign a model to an exclusive cosmetics contract in 1963 with Jennifer O‘Neill. This tradition of partnering with America‘s sweethearts has continued over the decades, with icons like Christie Brinkley, Tyra Banks, Queen Latifah, Taylor Swift, Zendaya, and many more lending their faces to Covergirl.

Beyond just models, Covergirl has also been a pioneer in diversity and inclusivity before it was trendy. In 1992, they made history by signing Lana Ogilvie, the first Black model to land a major cosmetics contract. Queen Latifah‘s partnership in 2001 marked the first time a plus-sized model was a face of a major cosmetics brand. And in 2016, James Charles became the first ever "Cover Boy" ambassador.

Not only that, but Covergirl has consistently been at the forefront of innovation and giving consumers what they want. They were one of the first mass brands to go cruelty-free in 2018 with Leaping Bunny certification, making them the biggest makeup company to do so at the time. They‘ve also expanded their vegan offerings in recent years.

So yeah, when you think about it, Covergirl has quietly led the charge in a lot of ways in the beauty industry. And that‘s on top of selling some really bomb makeup. Which brings me to…

Covergirl Makeup Products Overview

Now, let‘s talk products. Covergirl has a massive range that includes pretty much every type of makeup, from foundation to eyeliner to setting spray. And the best part? Most of it retails for under $15.

Here‘s a quick overview of their lineup and my thoughts:

Face

• Foundations: Covergirl really excels in the complexion category. From the OG Clean Makeup to the Outlast Active to the newer Clean Fresh Skin Milk, there‘s truly a foundation for every skin type and coverage level. The shade ranges are also impressive, with most foundations coming in 20-40 shades.

• Concealers: Likewise, Covergirl has a concealer for everyone, whether you like liquid or stick, matte or radiant. The TruBlend Undercover is my personal favorite for full coverage.

• Powders: For setting and mattifying, you can‘t go wrong with the iconic Pressed Powder or Clean Powder. And for a more radiant finish, the Vitalist Healthy Glow is lovely.

Eyes

• Mascaras: This is definitely where Covergirl shines. They have an endless array of mascaras for volume, length, separation, you name it. The Lash Blast franchise is the most popular, but the Clump Crusher and Exhibitionist lines are also worth checking out.

• Eyeshadows: Over the years, Covergirl has put out some great eyeshadow palettes in fun color stories and finishes. The current Trunaked line has some beautiful everyday neutral options.

• Eyeliners: The Exhibitionist eyeliners are great, as are the classic Perfect Point Plus pencils. They recently discontinued my beloved Ink It! By Perfect Point Plus which was a dupe for the KVD Tattoo Liner, so I‘m hoping they bring that back!

Lips

• Lipsticks: Covergirl makes some seriously underrated lipsticks. The Exhibitionist line has a great cream formula that comes in tons of shades, and the new Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balms are perfect for that blotted, diffused look.

• Lip glosses: The Wetslicks Amazemint glosses are some of my favorite lip products, period. They have a gorgeous shine, a minty tingle, and come in beautiful sheer colors. The Exhibitionist glosses are also great if you prefer non-plumping formulas.

Cheeks

• Blushes, Bronzers & Highlighters: Whether cream or powder, Covergirl‘s cheek products are always reliable. The Cheekers Blush gives a beautiful, natural flush and the TruBlend Bronzer is the perfect sunkissed glow.

The great thing about Covergirl is that they really do have something for everyone. It doesn‘t matter what your age, skin type, makeup style or skill level is – you can find some great products in the line.

In-Depth Covergirl Product Reviews

Alright, now let‘s dive deeper into a few specific products so you can get a better sense of the formulas.

Lash Blast Volume Mascara

The Lash Blast Volume Mascara is easily one of Covergirl‘s most iconic products. This bright orange tube has been a bestseller for over a decade now, and for good reason. The formula is designed to deliver bold, thick, volumized lashes in just a coat or two.

The brush is quite large and fluffy, which allows it to really grab onto the lashes and build them up. I find it provides excellent volume without getting clumpy or spidery. While it‘s not the most lengthening or defining mascara out there, nothing beats it in terms of pure drama. It also holds a curl well throughout the day and doesn‘t flake or smudge on me.

I appreciate that it comes in Very Black, Black, and Black Brown so you can choose your intensity. It‘s also available in a waterproof version, which is just as good as the original. For around $8, this is one of the best volumizing drugstore mascaras, hands down.

Clean Fresh Skin Milk Foundation

For those who prefer a more natural foundation look, the Clean Fresh Skin Milk is a beautiful choice. This liquid foundation comes in 14 shades and provides light, buildable coverage with a dewy, skin-like finish.

The texture really is like milk – it‘s thin, runny, and blends into the skin seamlessly. It evens out the complexion and lightly blurs imperfections without looking or feeling heavy. The coverage is definitely on the lighter side, so you might still need a concealer for more intense discoloration or blemishes.

I love how healthy and glowy this foundation makes my skin look. It contains coconut milk and aloe, which lightly hydrate without feeling greasy. It also wears nicely throughout the day – I don‘t notice it breaking up or separating, even without powder.

The shade range could definitely be more extensive, but it‘s nice to see a few deeper options included. Overall, if you‘re looking for that your-skin-but-better vibe, I highly recommend checking this one out.

TruBlend Undercover Concealer

On the other end of the coverage spectrum, there‘s the TruBlend Undercover Concealer. This full coverage liquid concealer comes in 30 shades and boasts some seriously impressive pigmentation.

The large paddle-shaped doefoot makes it easy to swipe on and blend out. A little goes a long way with this one – it covers dark circles, redness, and hyperpigmentation with ease. I like that it has a thinner consistency than most full coverage concealers, so it doesn‘t look or feel cakey under the eyes.

It sets down to a satin-matte finish that doesn‘t crease or settle into fine lines on me. The longevity is also great; I don‘t notice any fading throughout the day. I will say, if you have very dry undereyes, you might find this a bit drying. But for most skin types, it works beautifully.

At around $11, this concealer is a fantastic value. It really does rival higher-end options like the Nars Radiant Creamy and Tarte Shape Tape, but for a fraction of the price.

Covergirl Pros & Cons

As much as I love Covergirl, no brand is perfect. Here‘s a quick breakdown of what I think the brand excels at and where they could improve:

Pros:

• Affordable prices (most products are under $15)
• Available at virtually every drugstore and retailer
• Frequent sales and coupons to save even more
• Cruelty-free with some vegan options
• Generous shade ranges for face products
• Something for every age, skin type, and makeup style
• Easy to use, beginner-friendly products

Cons:

• Some product inconsistency (formulas changing or being discontinued)
• Limited selection of clean/natural ingredients
• Could expand shade ranges even further
• Constant new launches means standout products get lost
• A lot of the packaging is plastic and not eco-friendly

All things considered, I think the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Covergirl has maintained accessible price points and wide availability without sacrificing quality. And while they may not be the most glamorous or hyped up brand, they deliver reliable, easy-to-use products that work.

Is Covergirl Makeup Worth It?

So, is Covergirl worth your money? In my opinion, absolutely. I‘ve consistently used and loved Covergirl products for over a decade now and see no signs of stopping. While not every product is a home run, I‘d say a good 80% of what I‘ve tried from them has become a staple in my routine.

I think Covergirl is the perfect gateway brand for people just starting out with makeup. The products are affordable, easy to find, and designed to be foolproof. You can walk into any drugstore and grab a solid foundation, mascara, and lip product for less than $30 total.

But beyond just beginners, I believe Covergirl has something to offer makeup lovers of all levels. I‘m a full-blown makeup junkie and I still get excited when I see a new Covergirl display at the drugstore. Especially with retailers like Ulta now carrying the brand, it‘s easier than ever to browse the full selection.

Of course, as with all makeup brands, what works for me might not work for you. Covergirl is not the most natural or clean brand out there, so if that‘s a priority for you, you might want to explore other options. And if you have very specific foundation or concealer needs, you may have better luck with a more extensive shade range.

But in general, I don‘t hesitate to recommend Covergirl to my friends, family, and readers. It‘s the brand I know I can count on for quality, accessibility, and a little bit of that classic American charm.

Where to Buy Covergirl Makeup

If I‘ve convinced you to give Covergirl a try (or to revisit the brand after reading this review), you‘re in luck. Covergirl is one of the most widely available makeup brands out there. You can find it at:

• Drugstores like Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid
• Ulta Beauty
• Target & Walmart
• Grocery stores
• Amazon

The selection might vary a bit from retailer to retailer. Ulta tends to have a wider array of newer launches and limited edition collections, while drugstores usually carry all the core products.

As far as pricing goes, you can almost always find some kind of sale or deal on Covergirl products. Drugstores and Ulta regularly run BOGO 50% off or "buy $15, get $5 off" promotions. It‘s also worth checking your Sunday newspaper inserts for Covergirl coupons.

And of course, you can use a rewards program like Ulta‘s Ultamate Rewards or CVS‘s ExtraCare to earn points or cash back on your Covergirl purchases. If you‘re strategic, you can often score Covergirl products for 40-50% off.

Wrap Up: My Final Thoughts on Covergirl

Phew, this ended up being quite the manifesto on Covergirl! But what can I say, this brand has been a true makeup BFF to me for years now. From the first ColorStay foundation I bought with my allowance money to the Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm I have in my purse right now, Covergirl products have been a constant in my beauty journey.

I think what I love most about Covergirl is that they‘ve never tried to be something they‘re not. In a world of constant beauty launches and trends, Covergirl has remained authentic, accessible, and inclusive since day one. They make easy, breezy, beautiful makeup for the people – no pretense, no fuss.

I hope this in-depth review gave you a better sense of whether Covergirl is right for you. Whether you‘re looking for an affordable mascara that packs a punch, a glowy foundation for everyday wear, or just a trusted brand to explore, I can‘t recommend Covergirl enough.

But hey, don‘t just take my word for it. The next time you‘re at the drugstore, I encourage you to browse the Covergirl aisle and see what catches your eye. Do a little swatch, read some reviews, and maybe even add a new lipstick to your cart. Because with Covergirl, you really can‘t go wrong.

Happy shopping!