Bottom Line
Best drugstore mascara I’ve tried – actually delivers length and volume for under $11
I’ve been using the Maybelline Sky High mascara every single day for the past six months, and I’m honestly surprised at how much I reach for this over the expensive mascaras collecting dust in my drawer. At $10.82, I was skeptical it would live up to the hype, but this thing has proven itself worth every penny.
What I like about it
The Flex Tower brush is genuinely different from other mascara wands I’ve used. It’s flexible and bends to actually coat every lash, even those tiny corner ones I usually miss. The bristles are short and densely packed, which means I can get right up to my lash line without poking myself in the eye. The bamboo extract and fiber formula doesn’t feel heavy or crunchy – my lashes stay soft and separated throughout the day.
After applying just two coats, I get noticeable length without that spider-leg clumping situation. I wear this to my office job, and by hour eight, it still looks fresh – no flaking onto my cheeks or smudging under my eyes. I have somewhat sensitive eyes and wear contacts daily, and this hasn’t caused any irritation or watering. The Blackest Black shade is truly jet black, not that weird grayish-black some drugstore mascaras end up looking like after a few hours.
✅ The good stuff
- Lengthens without clumping – I get about 40% more visible lash length
- Actually washable with just warm water and gentle pressure, no aggressive rubbing needed
- Flexible brush reaches every single lash, including short inner corner ones
- Doesn’t flake or smudge even after 10+ hour workdays
- Under $11 but performs better than $25+ mascaras I’ve tried
❌ Worth knowing
- The plastic tube feels cheap and the cap gets loose after a few months of daily use
- No instructions for building volume – I had to figure out the right technique myself (zigzag at roots, then pull through)
- Dries out faster than expected, around the 3-month mark it gets a bit thick
My honest take
For someone who’s budget-conscious like me, this mascara delivers real value. I used to think I needed high-end mascara to get decent results, but Sky High changed that. The formula with bamboo extract and fibers actually works – my lashes look longer and fuller without feeling weighed down or stiff. It’s buildable too, so I can do two coats for work and three for going out without it turning into a clumpy mess.
The only real disappointment is durability. Around month three, mine started getting a bit dry and I had to add a couple drops of saline solution to extend its life. The packaging also feels flimsy – the tube itself is fine but the cap doesn’t have that satisfying click anymore and sometimes comes loose in my makeup bag. That said, at this price point, I can replace it every three months and still spend less annually than one tube of high-end mascara. It’s become my daily go-to, and I keep a backup tube on hand because I genuinely don’t want to be without it.
Want dramatic length without falsies or extensions | Have sensitive eyes or wear contacts | Are looking for an affordable everyday mascara that actually performs | Prefer a natural-looking lengthening effect over super-thick volume | Need something that lasts through long workdays without touch-ups
Skip it if you…
Want extreme volume and thickness (this is more about length) | Need mascara that stays fresh for 6+ months (it dries out around month 3) | Prefer waterproof formulas for swimming or sweaty activities
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Disclaimer: Reviews are based on publicly available information and verified buyer feedback. Results may vary. Always check product details before purchasing.