Before I get into my ~*thoughts*~ on Maybelline New York's Sky High Mascara, I need to give you some background info first: I am that person who always wants longer, thicker, more voluminous lashes—and I've tried it all to reach my goal. False lashes, eyelash tints, lash extensions...if it exists, I've given it a shot. I've even considered regular lash lifts! But here's the thing—all of these options are both pricey and a commitment, and my money and time are not things I'm willing to part with. For this reason, I keep going back to good old mascara.
I mean at this point I've probably tried over 100 different formulas—I'm pretty much a mascara expert and am always on the hunt for the best formulas. So when I kept seeing people raving about Maybelline New York's Sky High Mascara on TikTok, I knew I had to give it a try. Keep reading for my official review on Maybelline New York's Sky High Mascara, including the pros and cons, how it made my lashes look, and most importantly, if it's worth your money.
The quick info:
- The mascara: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- What it does: Lengthens and adds volume to lashes with bamboo extract and tiny fibers
- Where to buy it: maybelline.com, ulta.com, amazon.com, target.com, and most drugstores
- What it costs: $8.99 to $11.50
- Extras: Comes in four different shades of black and a waterproof version
What I liked about the mascara during testing:
It has a great brush
The first thing I noticed about this drugstore mascara was the plastic brush. It's slim, flexible but not too bendy, slightly tapered, and is so easy to maneuver. It easily glides through lashes and is amazing at grabbing the tiny, hard-to-reach lashes on the inner and outer corners of the eyes and coating them with fibers and pigment.
It's affordable
Compared to many mascaras on the market—and again, I've tried basically all of them—Maybelline's Sky High is a really great value from one of my favorite drugstore makeup brands. If you use it everyday, the tube should last you about three months so the cost-per-wear is basically pennies.
It really makes your lashes look longer and thicker
I applied two quick coats of Sky High to my lashes and loved the result. Instantly my lashes looked longer, more voluminous, and well defined too. The formula laid beautifully on my lashes and did not come off “twiggy” or brittle. I love a sleek and smooth lash look, and Sky High delivered just that. Just check out my before and after pics below for proof.
My lashes without the mascara.
My lashes with two coats of the mascara.
It lasts for hours
The formula goes on really wet which made me nervous at first, but once it sets it doesn't budge. As I went through my day I noticed that there wasn’t any smudging, which I was most impressed by. IMO there's nothing more disappointing than your mascara melting off your eyes in the middle of the day.
It's easy to remove
You won't have to aggressively tug at your lashes—or even use a specific eye makeup remover—to remove Maybelline's Sky High Mascara at the end of the day. The formula is "washable," so all you need is a little bit of warm water to dissolve the black fibers in seconds—a total game changer on late nights.
What I didn't like about the mascara:
Okay, so if you apply this mascara in the morning and then want to add more layers to beef up your lashes before you go out, you may run into some issues. I did just this and the formula got suuuuuper flaky, and for the rest of night I felt like I had to constantly monitor the skin under my eyes for rogue flakes. Honestly, everything was going well until I added those extra coats, so I wouldn't call the formula buildable or layer-able—especially once it dries—by any means.
4 similar mascaras to try
The final verdict:
So Maybelline's Sky High Mascara isn’t the absolute *best* mascara I've ever used (sorry, but Benefit's They're Real Lengthening Mascara takes the cake for me), but it's still a really great option—especially considering the affordable price point. Overall, I loved how it made my lashes look long and sleek and how the innovative brush coated each and every lash with ease. So if you're in the market for a new mascara and aren't looking to drop a ton of $$ bank, it's def worth giving Sky High a try.
Celeste Polanco
Celeste Polanco is a digital creator and freelance writer. Her work has been featured in InStyle Magazine, Essence, and Cosmopolitan. She is currently based in New York City and has a passion for content creation and storytelling.