This Maybelline Sky High Mascara review is the 60-day verdict from someone who mostly tests Korean mascaras. Sky High became a TikTok favorite because of the lengthening claim, and US drugstore brands rarely break through my Seoul beauty routine. So I gave it a fair fight against my usual Clio Kill Lash and ETUDE Curl Fix. Here is what 60 days of daily use revealed, including who should pick the Korean options instead.
If you want a K-beauty mascara comparison instead of a drugstore mascara, I put my picks in this best Korean mascaras on Amazon for straight lashes guide.
Quick context: I have stick-straight Asian lashes that resist curling, and I went into this test wanting Sky High to win because a drugstore mascara is easier to replace than anything I have to ship from a K-beauty shop. Here is whether it earned the spot.
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After years of obsessing over lash serums, lash lifts, and every K-beauty mascara on the Olive Young shelves, the mascara I was most curious about was not Korean. It was Maybelline Sky High, mostly because people kept saying it gave length without the heavy clump situation.
I've been testing the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara for 60 days straight, through Seoul summer humidity, 12-hour work days, and one very sweaty subway commute. Here's my honest take.
Quick Verdict: Is Maybelline Sky High Mascara Worth It?
Best for: Everyday wear, sensitive eyes, beginners who want length without clumps
Not for: Those who want extreme volume or bold black payoff
Score: 4.2 / 5 for my straight lashes
Price: Usually drugstore-friendly, but check the current listing
Check current Sky High Mascara price on Amazon
What Is the Maybelline Sky High Mascara?
Maybelline Sky High launched in 2020 and became one of the most visible drugstore mascaras online. The formula promises length, definition, and buildable curl without flaking or smudging.
The washable version is what I tested: a lightweight, fiber-infused formula with a flexible brush designed to reach even the tiniest corner lashes.
How I Tested It for 60 Days
I tested it the same way I test Korean mascaras: on curled lashes, over sunscreen and cushion makeup, through subway commutes, and on days when my under-eye area gets a little oily by late afternoon. I did not judge it from one perfect first application. I watched the curl drop, smudging, flaking, removal, and whether the brush made my inner corner lashes look cleaner.
My lashes are straight and not naturally lifted, so I care more about length plus separation than fluffy volume. If your lashes already curl easily, you may like this more than I did. If your lashes fall the second you blink, the Korean waterproof options still have an advantage.
What Changed During the 60-Day Test
Week 1: I liked the brush immediately. It reached the inner corners without leaving dots on my lid, which is where chunky mascara wands usually betray me. The first coat looked clean and long, but not thick.
Week 2: I stopped trying to make it a volume mascara. Two thin coats looked better than three heavy coats. When I pushed for drama, the lashes started looking spidery. When I used it for length and separation, it looked much prettier.
Week 4: The weakness became clear. Curl hold was fine for a washable mascara, but not on the same level as Etude Curl Fix or Clio Kill Lash. On humid days, my outer lashes dropped faster than I wanted. Still wearable, just not locked.
Week 8: I understood why people keep repurchasing it. It is easy. It removes without a fight, does not clump if you use a light hand, and gives enough lash for daily makeup. It is not my strongest mascara, but it is one of the easiest.
First Impressions: The Sky High Mascara Brush Is Doing Real Work
The first thing you notice is the brush. It is longer than most and has a tapered tip that bends slightly when you apply pressure.
"This brush gets into the corners better than I expected."
My friend grabbed it immediately. She has hooded eyes. She has not given it back.
How to Apply Maybelline Sky High Mascara: The 2-Coat Method
Coat 1: Apply from root to tip with a slight zigzag motion. Lashes look naturally defined, more clean than dramatic.
Coat 2: Wait 30 seconds, apply a second coat focusing on the tips. Long, fanned-out, and surprisingly separated.
By day 14 I was doing 3 coats for special occasions and the formula handled it without clumping. That's rare.
Sky High Mascara Formula: What's In It
What makes Sky High work is the bamboo extract and fiber complex in the formula. The fibers help extend the look of the lash tips without making the first coat too chunky.
- Lengthening: noticeable from the first coat
- Curl hold: decent with a lash curler before application
- Volume: moderate, not a drama mascara
- Separation: strong for this price category
The Honest Downsides of Maybelline Sky High Mascara
Let me be direct: this is not the mascara for intense black drama. The color payoff is more "your lashes but better" than editorial. Compared to Korean brands like Clio Kill Lash or Etude Lash Perm, the depth is slightly softer.
Also: the washable formula means exactly that. One humid Seoul subway ride did not ruin it for me. But if your eyes tear easily, mild transfer under the eyes by late afternoon is possible. Not panda eyes, but worth noting.
Sky High Mascara vs. Korean Alternatives: Full Comparison
| Maybelline Sky High | Clio Kill Lash Superproof | Etude Curl Fix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lengthening | Best of the three | Good | Good |
| Volume | Moderate | Strongest | Moderate |
| Smudge resistance | Good, not superproof | Strongest | Strong |
| Curl hold | Decent | Strong | Strongest for straight lashes |
| Removal | Easiest | Hardest | Needs proper remover |
| Best for | Daily length | Dramatic waterproof lashes | Straight lashes that drop fast |
Check Maybelline Sky High Mascara on Amazon
If you are building a full K-beauty routine, check out my review of the Jung Saem Mool Essential Skin Nuder Cushion. The wrong base can make any mascara smudge faster around the lower lash line.
Who Should Buy the Maybelline Sky High Mascara
Great for: Monolids, hooded eyes, downturned eyes, first-time mascara users who do not want clumps, daily wear, and budget-conscious buyers.
Skip if: You need full waterproof for outdoor activities, you want high-drama inky black volume, or your eyes are very sensitive to fiber formulas.
What Other Buyers Usually Like About Sky High
The praise usually centers on three things: length, separation, and the flexible brush. That matches my experience. The complaints usually come from people who expected waterproof-level hold or thick volume. That also matches my experience.
Choose a Korean Mascara Instead If This Is Your Problem
If your lashes are extremely straight and drop even after curling, I would choose ETUDE Curl Fix before Sky High. ETUDE feels stiffer, but that stiffness is exactly why it holds curl better. It is less casual, more committed.
If you want a sharper makeup look, I would choose Clio Kill Lash. Clio gives more presence and better waterproof wear. The tradeoff is removal. You need a proper eye makeup remover, and you need to be patient. Clio is not the mascara I reach for when I am half-asleep at night.
If you hate waterproof removal and just want daily length, Sky High makes more sense. That is its lane. Clean lashes, easy removal, drugstore access, and enough length to make a soft eye look finished.
Minji's Final Verdict on Maybelline Sky High Mascara
For the usual drugstore price range, this is one of the better lengthening mascaras I have tested, especially compared with the Korean favorites I have spent years with. The volume is moderate and hardcore waterproof fans will want something stronger. But for everyday length, a non-clumping formula, and a brush that works well around East Asian eye shapes, it earns a spot.
I keep a backup tube in my desk drawer. That should tell you everything.
Check Maybelline Sky High Mascara on Amazon
About the Author: I'm Minji, a Seoul-based beauty writer who tests makeup on my own face before writing the review. No brand gifting accepted without full disclosure.
FAQ: Maybelline Sky High Mascara
Is Maybelline Sky High good for sensitive eyes?
Generally yes, the washable formula is gentler than waterproof. Contact lens wearers should do a patch test first.
How do you remove Maybelline Sky High mascara?
Warm water and a gentle cleanser work well for the washable version. I still prefer using a gentle eye makeup remover so I do not rub my lashes.
Is Sky High mascara suitable for monolid eyes?
Yes, it is a good option for monolids. The flexible brush adapts to the eye shape and reaches inner corner lashes well.
Sky High vs. Telescopic: which is better?
Sky High is better for everyday separation and length. Telescopic is more precise and dramatic. Pick Sky High for daily use and Telescopic for stronger lash days.
Does Maybelline Sky High mascara flake?
I saw minimal flaking in 60 days of testing. Apply on fresh lashes and avoid layering over dried-out product.
Is Sky High mascara waterproof?
The version I tested is washable. A waterproof version exists, so choose that one for pool, beach, or heavy sweat days.