Maybelline Sky High Mascara Review: Pink vs Black (2024)
Maybelline’s Sky High mascara has become a phenomenon since its 2020 debut, racking up devotees on TikTok and Instagram for delivering what many consider impossible: both dramatic length and everyday wearability. With a formula built around bamboo extract and a Flex Tower brush designed to catch every lash, it promises full, fluttery results without the clumpy mess. Whether you’re torn between the pink and black tubes or just wondering if the hype is real, this breakdown covers what works, what doesn’t, and which shade to grab.
Launch Year: 2020 · Key Ingredients: Bamboo extract and fibers · Brush Type: Flex Tower · Volume: 7.2 ml · Formulas Available: Washable (pink), Waterproof (black)
Quick snapshot
- Viral on TikTok and Instagram Marie Claire
- Unique Flex Tower brush (Maybelline Official Site)
- Bamboo extract for length (Maybelline Official Site)
- Pink: washable, more shades (Maybelline Official Site)
- Black: waterproof, long-wear (Layers of Beauty)
- Same brush and formula base (Layers of Beauty)
- High ratings on Boots (Boots)
- Affordable drugstore price (Boots)
- Possible smudging on oily lids (Layers of Beauty)
- Top 5 in beauty roundups (Marie Claire)
- Outperforms many high-end mascaras in length (Boots)
- Strong competitor to L’Oréal Telescopic (Layers of Beauty)
Here are the key specifications for Maybelline Sky High mascara:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Formula Type | Washable (pink) / Waterproof (black) |
| Brush | Flex Tower (bending, pointed comb) |
| Shades Available | 8 (including Very Black, Brown, Glitter, Plum) |
| Average Rating | 4.5 / 5 on Boots |
| Price Range | $8–$12 USD (varies by retailer) |
Why is Sky High Mascara so popular?
What makes the formula unique?
Six ingredients, one surprising effect: bamboo extract and microfibers bond to each lash without the heavy clumping typical of volumizing formulas. The Maybelline Official Site states the washable version is infused with bamboo extract for lightweight, fallout-resistant lashes. The finish is pigmented color with a semi-matte effect, and the packaging features a tube with a built-in flexible mascara wand. Buildable length and volume with each coat is key — users can layer without the spidery look. The Flex Tower brush bends to the lash curve, a design that gives better control than many fixed-wand competitors.
The implication: a formula that solves two problems — length and weightlessness — in one tube is rare in the drugstore aisle.
How did TikTok virality boost its popularity?
Short videos of before-and-after lash transformations racked up millions of views. Beauty editors took notice; Marie Claire called it a standout for its ability to coat each lash individually without blobs. Social proof, paired with an $11 price tag, pushed Sky High from a new launch to a top seller faster than most of Maybelline’s previous mascaras.
The pattern: when a product performs visibly on camera and stays affordable, the algorithm does the marketing for free.
What’s the difference between the pink and black sky high?
Two tubes, one base formula, but very different wear profiles. Six comparisons, one takeaway: your lash goals determine which tube to grab.
| Feature | Pink Tube (Washable) | Black Tube (Waterproof) |
|---|---|---|
| Formula type | Washable | Waterproof |
| Shades available | 7 (Blue Mist, Pink Air, Burgundy Haze, True Brown, Very Black, Blackest Black, Cosmic Black) | Black shades only |
| Brush | Flex Tower | Flex Tower |
| Best for | Everyday wear, dry heat, easy removal | Humidity, swimming, long days |
| Removal | Standard remover | Waterproof remover |
| Price (approximate) | $9–$11 | $9–$11 |
Per Layers of Beauty, the waterproof version offers more staying power but is only available in black shades. The pink tube holds up in dry heat but won’t survive a swim. For most users, the washable formula is the everyday workhorse.
Pink tube: Washable formula
- Infused with bamboo extract for lightweight wear (Maybelline Official Site)
- Available in 7 shades including Pink Air, a statement shade
- Easy removal with any makeup remover
The trade-off: pigment differences in black shades are more visible in bright outdoor light, according to Layers of Beauty. Cosmic Black offers slightly darker pigment than the original black shades with minimal brush differences, per a Review Rate Repeat YouTube comparison.
Black tube: Waterproof formula
- Waterproof version is only available in black shades (Layers of Beauty)
- No waterproof options in pink shades exist
- Both washable and waterproof blacks give similar full lash effects with long wear (Review Rate Repeat YouTube)
Why this matters: if you want colored lashes that won’t budge, you’ll need to compromise. No pink, burgundy, or blue shade in waterproof format is currently available.
Is Maybelline Sky High mascara worth it?
Pros of Sky High mascara
- Lengthening and volumizing effect per coat
- Flake-free wear on most lash types
- Buildable without clumping
- High ratings: 4.5/5 on Boots (Boots)
- Affordable drugstore price point ($8–$12)
Cons and potential drawbacks
- May smudge on oily lids (washable formula)
- Not waterproof in pink shades
- Some users report difficulty removing waterproof version without heavy remover
The catch: the washable version performs beautifully in dry heat but is not a water-resistant formula for humid days or workouts, per Layers of Beauty.
User reviews and ratings
It’s a plastic and pointed comb head, which perfectly coats each individual hair in just the right amount of product — never too much, never too little.
— Marie Claire beauty review
The innovative washable mascara formula is infused with bamboo extract, providing you with long, beautifully full lashes.
— Boots product description
The Story of Maybelline’s NY Sky High Impact Mascara highlights its rapid rise as a best-seller.
— L’Oréal (Maybelline parent company) narrative
What this means: the product has strong backing from both editorial reviewers and the brand itself, but individual experiences vary with skin type and climate.
What are the top 5 best mascaras?
How does Sky High compare to Lash Sensational?
- Both are Maybelline products, but Sky High offers more shades (Maybelline)
- Sky High features the Flex Tower brush; Lash Sensational uses a different wand design
- Sky High launched in 2020 while Lash Sensational has been on shelves longer
- Sky High is currently Maybelline’s best-selling mascara; Lash Sensational is the runner-up
Sky High vs Too Faced Better Than Sex
- Sky High is drugstore-priced ($8–$12) vs. Too Faced at $27
- Both offer lengthening and volumizing, but Too Faced uses a different fiber composition
- Sky High has a more flexible brush; Too Faced uses a hourglass-shaped fiber wand
Sky High vs L’Oréal Telescopic
- Sky High offers more color variety than L’Oréal Lash Paradise, which is limited to brown and black (Layers of Beauty)
- Flex Tower brush provides better control and lash separation than Lash Paradise (Layers of Beauty)
- Price is comparable at $9–11 per tube
The implication: Sky High’s color range and brush design give it distinct advantages over drugstore competitors while undercutting prestige brands on price.
What is Maybelline’s most popular mascara?
Sky High vs Lash Sensational
- Sky High launched in 2020 and gained rapid popularity, becoming the current top seller
- Lash Sensational has a loyal fanbase but has been overtaken in shelf space and social mentions
Why Sky High took the top spot
The combination of a viral social proof + affordable price + visible results made Sky High the drugstore mascara that rivals prestige brands. For a mascara that costs under $12, the bamboo extract formula and Flex Tower brush deliver results that previously required a $30+ tube.
The pattern: Maybelline identified the gap between lengthening and clump-free formulas and delivered a product that solved both at a price point that made trial risk-free.
The washable formula holds up in dry heat but not for swimming; the waterproof black provides more staying power but sacrifices shade variety. No colored waterproof options exist, so if you want a blue or pink lash that survives a workout, you’ll need to compromise.
Related reading: Maybelline Official Site – Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara · Layers of Beauty – Maybelline Sky High Mascara Colors Comparison
For a detailed breakdown of how the pink and black tubes compare, check out our full Sky High mascara review on a UK beauty site.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sky High mascara contain fibers?
Yes, the formula contains bamboo extract and microfibers that bond to lashes for length and volume, as confirmed by the Maybelline Official Site.
Is Sky High mascara safe for contact lens wearers?
There is no specific claim on the official product page about contact lens safety. Users with sensitive eyes should patch-test, and the formula is not labeled as ophthalmologist-tested.
How to remove Sky High mascara?
The washable formula removes with standard makeup remover or micellar water. The waterproof version requires an oil-based remover or double cleansing for full removal, per Review Rate Repeat YouTube.
How long does Sky High mascara last before replacement?
Like most mascaras, Sky High should be replaced 3 months after opening. The tube contains 7.2 ml of product, which typically lasts through daily use within that window.
What is the price of Sky High mascara?
Prices range from $8–$12 USD depending on the retailer (drugstores, Amazon, Boots, Ulta). The waterproof and washable versions are similarly priced.
Where can I buy Sky High mascara?
Available at major drugstore chains, Boots, Amazon, Ulta, and directly from Maybelline.
Does Sky High mascara come in a travel size?
Maybelline occasionally releases mini versions as part of gift sets or travel kits, but the standard full-size tube is 7.2 ml.
Is Sky High mascara cruelty-free?
Maybelline is not certified cruelty-free by PETA or Leaping Bunny, as the brand sells in mainland China where animal testing is required for imported cosmetics.
Maybelline Sky High mascara proves that drugstore brands can compete with prestige formulas on performance, not just price. For the $10 buyer, the winner is clear: pink washable for color variety and easy days, black waterproof for humidity-proof wear.
For anyone shopping for a mascara that delivers visible length without the high-end price tag, Maybelline Sky High is the formula that changed the drugstore game. The choice between pink and black tubes is a simple one after you know your lash goals: color variety and easy removal favor the pink washable version; all-day staying power in humidity demands the black waterproof tube. For the budget-conscious buyer looking for salon-level lashes at a drugstore price, this is the tube to grab.
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