I have short, straight lashes that point down, and for years I assumed dramatic lashes were simply not in the cards for me without extensions. I had cycled through prestige mascaras at $30 a tube with mediocre results. Then Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High started going viral, and at $11 I figured I had nothing to lose.

What Makes It Different

Sky High pairs a bamboo-extract formula with flexible fibers and a soft, flexible-tip brush. The bendable brush is the star here—it lets you reach every lash from root to tip, including the tiny inner and lower lashes that a stiffer brush misses. The formula builds in layers without clumping, which is exactly what short lashes need.

My Experience

The first coat separates and lengthens. The second coat—applied while the first is still wet—adds real volume and lift. By the second coat, my lashes looked visibly longer and more curled without a curler. It wears all day without flaking or smudging, even on my oily lids. At night it comes off with warm water, which is gentler than scrubbing with oil.

The Caveats

• It is the washable formula, so it won’t survive a swim or a serious cry.
• The formula is wet at first—give it a minute to set or it can transfer.
• The brush can feel large for precise lower-lash work until you get used to it.

Who It’s For

Anyone who wants length and lift without clumping, especially people with short, straight, or sparse lashes. It is also perfect if you prefer a mascara that removes easily at the end of the day.

The Verdict

Sky High is the best drugstore mascara I have used, full stop. It outperformed several $30 tubes I have owned. At around $11, it is an easy rebuy, and I don’t see myself going back to prestige mascara anytime soon.

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