Honestly, the makeup world moves so fast that a product launched a few years ago usually feels like ancient history. But Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High lengthening mascara somehow skipped the "trend" phase and went straight to "staple." You remember the TikTok craze back in 2021 where everyone was showing off lashes that literally touched their eyebrows? That wasn't just clever lighting or filters. It was this specific pink tube.
I’ve spent years testing everything from five-dollar drugstore finds to forty-dollar boutique cylinders that promise the world and deliver a smudge. Most mascaras choose a side. They either give you volume that looks like a spider died on your eye, or they give you length that disappears the second you blink. Sky High is weird because it manages to do both without making your lashes feel like stiff plastic.
It’s about the Flex Tower brush.
Most brands use a rigid plastic wand. They think it helps "comb" the lashes, but usually, it just scrapes the formula off as you apply it. Maybelline went the other way. The wand is bendy. If you push it against your lashes, it gives way, which actually helps it coat every single tiny hair from the root to the very tip. If you have those stubborn, short lashes at the inner corner of your eye, you know exactly how frustrating it is to reach them without poking yourself in the iris. The flexibility here makes that less of a gamble.
What Actually Makes Sky High Work?
If we look at the ingredients, it’s not just black ink and wax. They put bamboo extract and fibers in there. Now, "fibers" can be a scary word for contact lens wearers because old-school fiber mascaras used to shed like a husky in the summer. You’d end up with little black specs inside your eye by noon. This formula is different. The fibers are integrated into the liquid, so they build on top of each other to create that "sky high" extension without the fallout.
It’s thin.
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That is the biggest shock for people switching from something like Too Faced Better Than Sex or Monsieur Big. Those are thick, mousse-like formulas. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High lengthening mascara is wet and fluid. Because it’s thinner, you can layer it. You can do one coat for a "I woke up like this" vibe, or you can do three coats for "I’m wearing falsies." And it doesn't get chunky. That’s the magic of it.
The color "Very Black" is exactly what it sounds like. It’s deep. It’s dark. It creates that contrast that makes the whites of your eyes look brighter. There is also a "Blackest Black" and a "Cosmic Black" if you want to go even more intense, though for most people, the standard black is plenty.
The Waterproof vs. Washable Debate
We have to talk about the removal process.
The washable version is great for everyday use. It stays on through a workday, but it’ll come off with a standard micellar water. However, if you have straight lashes that refuse to hold a curl, you need the waterproof version. It’s a known trick among makeup artists: waterproof formulas contain more wax and less water, which acts like hairspray for your lashes. If you curl them with a heated curler and then swipe on the waterproof Sky High, they aren't going anywhere until you hit them with an oil-based cleanser.
Don't try to take the waterproof one off with just soap and water. You’ll lose three lashes and end up frustrated. Get a dedicated dual-phase remover. Your eyelids will thank you.
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Why the Competition Fails to Keep Up
A lot of people compare this to the L’Oréal Lash Paradise. While that one is iconic, it dries out in the tube after about three weeks. It gets clumpy fast. I’ve had tubes of Sky High last the full three months (which is when you're supposed to toss mascara anyway for hygiene) without the formula turning into a brick.
Then there’s the high-end comparison. Take the Tower 28 MakeWaves mascara. It’s a fan favorite for sensitive eyes. It’s great. But it’s double the price. For a product you have to replace four times a year, the price point of Maybelline makes it hard to justify spending twenty-eight dollars elsewhere. You're getting the same pro-level lift for the price of a fancy burrito.
The Technique Matters More Than You Think
If you just wiggle the wand at the tips, you’re doing it wrong. To get the actual benefit of the lengthening fibers, you have to start at the base.
- The Root Press: Place the wand at the base of your lashes and wiggle it horizontally before pulling up. This deposits the most product at the bottom, which creates the illusion of a thicker lash line (kinda like eyeliner).
- The Slow Pull: Don't rush the stroke. Pull the wand slowly toward the ceiling. The slow movement allows the fibers to latch onto the ends of your natural lashes.
- Vertical Combing: Use the very tip of the wand to "paint" the individual lashes that look a bit sparse.
It’s surprisingly effective.
One thing people get wrong is "pumping" the wand in and out of the tube. Please, stop doing that. All you’re doing is forcing air into the bottle, which dries out the formula and introduces bacteria. Just swirl the wand inside if you need more product. It’s a small change, but it makes the mascara perform better for much longer.
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Addressing the Smudge Factor
Is it perfect? No. Nothing is. If you have very oily eyelids or you use a really heavy eye cream in the morning, you might see some "transfer" on your brow bone by 4:00 PM. This happens because the oils in your skin break down the waxes in the mascara.
If this happens to you, try dusting a tiny bit of translucent setting powder under your bottom lashes and on your eyelid before you apply the mascara. It creates a barrier. It’s a thirty-second fix that saves you from the "raccoon eye" look halfway through a dinner date.
Also, it’s worth noting that this mascara is allergy-tested and ophthalmologist-tested. I’ve talked to plenty of people with sensitive eyes who can’t handle the heavy fragrance in some luxury brands, but they have zero issues with Sky High. It feels lightweight. You don't "feel" it on your eyes all day, which is a big deal if you wear glasses or work at a computer where your eyes already feel tired.
Final Verdict and Actionable Steps
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High lengthening mascara isn't just hype. It’s a rare instance where the viral trend actually matched the quality of the product. It’s accessible, it’s affordable, and it actually does the one thing it claims to do: it makes lashes look incredibly long.
If you’re ready to try it or want to get better results from the tube you already have, here is the move:
- Check the Tube Color: If you want the original, look for the metallic pink tube. For the "Cosmic Black" (which is even darker), look for the black tube with the raised pink lettering.
- Prime the Lashes: If you have very thin lashes, use a lash primer first. It gives the fibers more "grip."
- Timing is Everything: Apply your second coat while the first one is still slightly tacky. If you wait for it to dry completely, the second coat might get a bit "crunchy."
- Removal Strategy: Use a cleansing balm or a bi-phase (oil and water) remover. Don't rub your eyes. Press a soaked cotton pad against your closed eye for ten seconds, then gently wipe downward. This preserves your natural lashes and prevents wrinkles from tugging on the delicate skin.
Switching to a new mascara can be a gamble, but this one is about as safe a bet as you can make in the beauty aisle. It’s a solid performer that holds up against products triple its price.