I’ve seen a thousand mascara launches come and go. Honestly, most of them are just the same old waxy formula stuffed into a slightly chunkier tube with a neon cap. But then there’s the Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel. It’s been out for years now, and despite the beauty world’s obsession with "the next big thing," this skinny purple tube refuses to die.
It’s weird. It’s thin. It doesn’t even look like a "real" mascara brush.
If you’re used to those massive, bushy wands that look like a pipe cleaner on steroids, the Falsies Push Up Angel is going to confuse you at first. It’s basically a comb. But for people who struggle with hooded eyes or lashes that point straight at the floor, it’s kinda the only thing that actually works.
What Makes the Push Up Angel Brush So Polarizing?
Most mascaras try to do everything at once. They want to give you volume, length, curl, and maybe even grow your lashes while you sleep. Most of them fail at least two of those. The Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel doesn't try to be a jack-of-all-trades. It’s a specialist.
The brush is a "wing-tip" comb. Look at it closely and you’ll see the bristles are only on one side. It’s tiny. This is a massive win if you have small eyes or a shaky hand. You can actually get the bristles right into the root of the lash line without stabbing yourself in the eyeball or getting black smudge all over your eyelids.
Professional makeup artists like Wayne Goss have often talked about the importance of "tightlining" with mascara. This wand does that automatically. Because the bristles are so short, they grab every single tiny hair, even those invisible ones in the inner corner. It creates this fanned-out, "winged" look that makes your eyes look wider and more awake.
It’s not about clumps. It’s about separation.
The Waterproof vs. Washable Debate
You’ve got choices. But honestly? The waterproof version is the one that actually holds the "push up" part of the name.
Think of mascara like hairspray. If you have straight lashes and you use a heavy, wet, washable formula, the weight of the water in the product is going to pull your lashes down within twenty minutes. It doesn't matter how well you curled them. The Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel waterproof formula acts like a permanent press for your lashes. It sets fast.
The washable version is fine if you already have a natural curl, but for the rest of us, the waterproof is the secret sauce. Just make sure you have a solid oil-based remover, because this stuff is like cement once it dries.
I’ve noticed some people complain that the formula is "too thin." It’s supposed to be. If it were thick and goopy, those tiny comb bristles wouldn't be able to pull through your lashes. It’s a "plastic" feeling formula that coats each hair in a film. This prevents the dreaded "spider leg" look that plagues so many other volume-heavy mascaras.
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Why the "Angel" Effect Actually Works for Hooded Eyes
If your eyelids hang a bit low, you know the struggle. Big brushes are your enemy. You end up with mascara on your brow bone before you’ve even finished your first coat.
The Falsies Push Up Angel is basically a surgical tool for hooded eyes. Because the wand is so slim, you have total control over where the product goes. You can focus the product on the outer corners of your eyes to create a "cat-eye" lift without needing eyeliner.
It’s a different kind of "push up." It’s not about making your lashes look like thick curtains; it’s about lifting them up and out so they don't get lost under your eyelid fold.
Does it actually replace falsies?
Let's be real. No mascara replaces a physical strip of false lashes. That’s just marketing fluff. However, if you hate the feeling of glue and plastic on your lids, this is the closest you’ll get to that "wispy" lash extension look. It gives you length and a very clean, defined separation.
If you want "clumpy-thick" volume, you’ll hate this. You’d be better off with something like Maybelline Great Lash or a L'Oreal Lash Paradise. But if you want people to ask if you got a lash lift, this is the one.
How to Apply It (The Non-Obvious Way)
Don't just wiggle it from root to tip. That works for big brushes, but the Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel requires a bit of technique to get the "wing" effect.
- The Root Press: Take the comb side and press it hard into the base of your lashes. Hold it for three seconds. This "sets" the lift at the base so they don't droop later.
- The Comb-Out: Instead of pulling straight up, pull the wand toward the outer corner of your ear. This fans the lashes out horizontally.
- The Tip-Only Second Coat: Wait thirty seconds. Then, only apply a second coat to the very tips of your outer lashes. This adds that extra "flick" that mimics the look of an "Angel" wing.
It's also worth noting that this mascara is incredible for bottom lashes. Most wands are way too big for the lower lash line, leaving you looking like a raccoon. The tiny comb on the Angel wand puts just enough pigment on the bottom hairs to define them without making them look heavy.
The Competition: Is There Anything Better?
Lately, we've seen a lot of "tubing" mascaras hit the market. Brands like Thrive Causemetics or Caliray have taken over social media. These are great for length, but they often lack the "hold" that the Falsies Push Up Angel provides.
Compared to high-end options like Benefit’s Roller Lash, the Maybelline Angel is actually more "stiff." That sounds like a bad thing, but in the world of lash curling, stiffness is your best friend. It means the curl you see at 8:00 AM is the same curl you’ll see at 8:00 PM.
The price point is also a massive factor. You're looking at about $10-$13 depending on where you shop. In a world where prestige mascaras are hitting $30, it’s hard to justify the extra twenty bucks when this purple tube performs just as well—if not better—for specific lash types.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake people make with the Maybelline Falsies Push Up Angel is trying to build up too many coats. Because the formula dries down to a firm, plastic-like finish, trying to add a third or fourth coat once it’s fully dry will lead to flaking.
You want to work quickly. Do one eye, do the other, then maybe one more quick pass on the first eye while it’s still slightly tacky. Once it’s set, leave it alone.
Another tip? Don't pump the wand. This is true for all mascaras, but especially for this one. Pumping air into the tube will dry out the thin formula faster than usual. Just twist and pull.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Lash Look
If you’re ready to give this a shot or want to maximize the tube you already have, here is what you need to do:
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- Check the wand: When you pull it out, make sure there isn't a huge glob of product on the very tip. Wipe it off on the rim. That's where the messes happen.
- Layering: If you absolutely need massive volume, try using a volumizing primer first. Let it dry, then use the Push Up Angel to comb through and separate the bulk. It’s the best "de-clumping" tool in the business.
- Removal: Use a dual-phase (oil and water) makeup remover. Don't rub your eyes. Soak a cotton pad, hold it against your lashes for thirty seconds, and let the oil break down the waterproof seal. Your lashes will thank you.
- Storage: Keep the cap tight. The thin formula in the Falsies Push Up Angel is prone to drying out if it’s even slightly cracked open.
This mascara isn't for everyone. If you have naturally thick, curly, long lashes, you might find it unnecessary. But for the rest of us—the straight-lashed, the hooded-eyed, the seekers of the "winged" look—it remains one of the most effective tools in the drugstore aisle. It’s precise, it’s affordable, and it actually does what it says on the tube. Just don't expect a big, fluffy brush when you open it. Embrace the comb.