You've seen the TikToks. You know the ones where a girl swipes a pink tube once and suddenly her lashes are touching her eyebrows? It looks fake. Honestly, I thought it was a filter the first time I saw the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara go viral. But after three years of this product being a permanent resident in the drugstore aisle, it’s clear this wasn't just a flash-in-the-pan trend fueled by paid influencers. It’s actually good. Like, surprisingly good for something that costs less than a fancy salad.
People are picky about mascara. It’s a personal thing. Some want volume that looks like moth wings, while others just want to look like they actually have hair on their eyelids. The Sky High formula sits in this weirdly perfect middle ground. It doesn't give you that chunky, "I slept in my makeup" look, but it definitely isn't subtle.
The Wand That Changed Everything
Most mascara brushes are either giant, fluffy monsters or stiff plastic combs that poke your eyes. The Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara uses what they call the "Flex Tower" brush. It's bendy. Really bendy. If you push on it, the whole wand moves. At first, this feels sort of flimsy. You might think it won't have enough tension to actually pull through thick lashes, but that's where the design is actually pretty smart.
Because it flexes, it doesn't just coat the easy-to-reach middle lashes. It snakes into the corners. It grabs those tiny, invisible hairs near your tear duct that usually stay blonde or naked. The bristles are short and spaced out. This is the secret to why it doesn't clump. Instead of depositing a massive glob of goop, it combs the formula through.
I’ve noticed that if you have stick-straight lashes—the kind that point down no matter what you do—the weight of a mascara matters more than the brush. This formula is lightweight. It’s infused with bamboo extract and fibers. Those fibers are microscopic. They aren't like the old-school fiber mascaras from 2015 that used to drop "fuzz" into your eyes halfway through the day. These just sort of build on top of each other, extending the tip of the lash without adding heavy bulk.
What People Get Wrong About the Formula
There is a huge debate online: Washable or Waterproof?
👉 See also: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
If you get the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara in the washable version (the classic pink tube), it’s easy to remove. That’s the pro. The con? If you have oily eyelids or if you live in a humid place like Houston or Singapore, it might smudge. Not a lot, but you’ll see those "raccoon eyes" by 4:00 PM.
The waterproof version is a different beast entirely. It’s like industrial-strength paint. Your lashes will stay curled even if you’re crying at a wedding or sweating in a spin class. But—and this is a big "but"—you need a real oil-based remover to get it off. If you try to use a regular face wash, you’re going to lose three eyelashes and end up frustrated.
Why It Works Better on Thin Lashes
If you already have thick, lush lashes, this might actually be too much for you. You’ll end up with "spider legs" because the fibers keep building and building. But if your lashes are thin or sparse? This is your holy grail. It adds the definition that a thicker, volumizing mascara usually hides.
The formula is technically a "tubing-adjacent" mascara. While Maybelline doesn't always market it as a strict tubing mascara (where the product forms little tubes around each lash that slide off with warm water), it behaves very similarly. It doesn't flake off in little black dust particles. It stays put.
Real-World Comparisons
Let's be real for a second. There are high-end mascaras that cost $30 or $40. You know the brands. They come in heavy metal tubes and smell like roses. Does the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara beat them?
✨ Don't miss: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
In terms of length, yes.
In terms of luxury feel, no.
The tube is plastic. It feels like a drugstore product. But the actual juice inside? It rivals Lancôme or Too Faced in terms of staying power. In a 2021 blind test performed by various beauty bloggers, many couldn't distinguish the Sky High finish from high-end competitors that cost triple the price. It’s a "working" mascara. It’s what you wear to the office or on a first date when you don't want to worry about whether your makeup is migrating down your face.
The Problem With "Viral" Hype
We have to talk about the "over-hyping" issue. Because this went so viral on social media, some people bought it expecting a miracle. It won't give you the look of professional lash extensions. Nothing in a tube will. If you have three lashes, you’ll have three very long lashes.
The trick is the application. You can't just wiggle it at the base and call it a day. Because the wand is so flexible, you have to use a light hand.
- Start at the very root.
- Pull up slowly.
- Don't let it dry completely between coats.
If you let the first coat dry 100% and then try to go back in, the fibers will catch and create clumps. You want to work while it’s still "tacky." This is a common mistake that leads to bad reviews. People wait too long, and then they're surprised when the second coat looks messy.
🔗 Read more: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
Is It Safe for Sensitive Eyes?
Maybelline claims it’s allergy-tested and ophthalmologist-tested. As someone who wears contacts, I can tell you it doesn't burn. That's a low bar, I know, but you'd be surprised how many mascaras make your eyes red by noon. The bamboo extract seems to keep the formula from becoming "crispy." Your lashes still feel relatively soft to the touch, which prevents that itchy sensation that leads to rubbing your eyes.
However, if you are extremely sensitive to fibers, proceed with caution. The tiny fibers are what give the length, but if one gets loose and falls into your eye, you're going to feel it. It’s rare with this specific formula, but it’s a possibility with any fiber-based product.
The Longevity Factor
How long does a tube actually last? Most experts tell you to toss your mascara every three months to avoid bacteria. Most of us don't do that. But with Sky High, the formula starts to thicken up around the eight-week mark. Because it’s a thinner, more liquid-based consistency when it's fresh, you’ll notice a big change once air gets into the tube.
If it starts to get "gloopy," it’s done. Don't try to save it by adding eye drops. That just messes up the preservative system. Just go buy a new one; it's cheap enough that it isn't a tragedy to replace it.
The Final Verdict on Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
This mascara isn't a miracle, but it's probably the best thing you can buy for under $15. It focuses on length and separation rather than "fake lash" volume. If you want your lashes to look like they’ve been through a wind tunnel—long, sleek, and pointed toward the sky—this is the one.
It has survived the "TikTok Made Me Buy It" era and transitioned into a staple because it actually performs. It's reliable. It’s the Toyota Camry of mascaras. It might not be the flashiest thing on your vanity, but it’s going to get you where you need to go every single time without breaking down.
Actionable Tips for Best Results
- Don't pump the wand: This is mascara 101, but with this formula, it's extra important. Pumping air into the Flex Tower wand will dry out the fibers and make the "flex" useless.
- Wipe the tip: The wand picks up a lot of product at the very end. Wipe it on the rim of the tube before you go near your inner corners to avoid a black smudge on your nose.
- Layer wisely: Stop at two coats. The third coat is where things usually start to look a little too "spidery" for most people's taste.
- Removal: If you went with the Waterproof version, grab a bi-phase (oil and water) remover. Shake it up, soak a cotton pad, and hold it over your eye for 30 seconds. Don't scrub. Let the oil break down the fibers.
- The "Cosmic" Version: If you see the "Cosmic Black" tube, get it. It has extra-black pigments that make a noticeable difference if you have naturally light or medium-brown lashes. It's significantly darker than the standard "Very Black" shade.