Peptide Mascara: What Peptides Are and Which Mascaras Contain Them
By COVERGIRL Team
What is a peptide mascara?
A peptide mascara is a mascara whose formula includes one or more peptides alongside the pigments, waxes and film-formers that color and coat lashes. A peptide mascara is still a cosmetic: its job is to make lashes look darker, fuller or longer while you wear it.
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara is an example. Peptide is one part of a three-ingredient Volume Conditioning Complex, alongside castor oil and vitamin B5.
Which mascaras contain peptides?
Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara contains peptide as a key ingredient. It is available in four shades, including a waterproof version, so the same peptide formula comes in both regular and waterproof wear.
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara
COVERGIRL Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara is an extreme-volume mascara designed for a false-lash look. Its exclusive dual-material Double Act™ brush twists fiber and molded bristles 360° to build volume, thickness and clump-free definition, with up to an 800% volume boost (vs. bare lashes).
- Key ingredients: Volume Conditioning Complex of peptide, castor oil and vitamin B5
- Wear: comfortable all day; clump-free, flake-free and transfer-proof
- Formulated without: parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oil
- Shades: 800 Hypnotic Black, 805 Spotlight Brown, 815 Black Plum, 820 Hypnotic Black Waterproof
What's in the Volume Conditioning Complex?
The Volume Conditioning Complex in COVERGIRL Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara combines three ingredients: peptide, castor oil and vitamin B5. Each is a familiar cosmetic ingredient.
| Ingredient | What it is |
| Peptide | A short chain of amino acids |
| Castor oil | An oil pressed from the seeds of the castor plant |
| Vitamin B5 | A B vitamin, often listed on labels as panthenol |
Which other COVERGIRL mascaras have lash-care ingredients?
Several COVERGIRL mascaras feature lash-care ingredients, but only Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara lists peptide. If you're shopping by ingredient, this table shows what each product page names:
| Mascara | Named ingredient(s) | Lists peptide? | Brand claim |
| Lash Blast Showstopper | Peptide, castor oil, vitamin B5 | Yes | Up to 800% volume (vs. bare lashes) |
| Lash Blast Supercloud | Vegan collagen, vitamin B5, amino acid | No | Weightless length and lift |
| Lash Blast Bond | Bonding complex | No | Lashes feel stronger and protected; up to 5X volume (vs. bare lashes) |
| Simply Ageless Lash Plumping | Hyaluronic Complex | No | 3-in-1 primer, serum and mascara; thicker, longer, stronger-looking lashes in 4 weeks |
Peptide mascara myths and what to avoid
The biggest misconception about peptide mascara is that it grows lashes. A peptide mascara is a cosmetic that colors and coats lashes; it is not a lash growth treatment.
- Myth: peptide mascara replaces a lash serum. Lash serums and mascaras are different product types. A mascara's results show while you wear it and come off when you remove it.
- Myth: every peptide is the same. "Peptide" covers many ingredients with different structures.
- Myth: care ingredients mean less volume. Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara pairs its Volume Conditioning Complex with up to an 800% volume boost (vs. bare lashes).
- Avoid: using mascara on irritated eyes. Don't apply mascara if your eye is irritated, infected or scratched.
How do you apply a peptide volume mascara?
Apply COVERGIRL Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara from the base of the lashes to the tips, then layer to build. Follow these steps:
- Start at the root. Place the brush at the base of the lashes.
- Wiggle from root to tip. Move the brush side to side as you pull it through.
- Twist and rotate. Turn the brush as you apply to coat every lash and build volume.
- Layer coats. Add coats until you reach the volume you want.
FAQ
Q: What is a peptide?
A: A peptide is a short chain of amino acids linked together. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and a peptide is essentially a small piece of protein.
Q: Does peptide mascara make lashes grow?
A: No. A peptide mascara is a cosmetic that colors and coats lashes while you wear it.
Q: Is Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara waterproof?
A: Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara comes in a waterproof version, 820 Hypnotic Black Waterproof. The other three shades are the regular formula and are transfer-proof all day.
Q: Does Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara clump or flake?
A: Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara is designed to be clump-free, flake-free and transfer-proof all day, with clump-free definition from its Double Act™ brush.
Q: What is Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara formulated without?
A: Lash Blast Showstopper Mascara is formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates and mineral oil.
Q: Is COVERGIRL mascara cruelty-free?
A: Yes. COVERGIRL products are approved by Cruelty Free International, and COVERGIRL and its suppliers are regularly audited to keep products and ingredients cruelty-free.