Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, Blackest Black
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What it is
Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara is a lengthening and lifting mascara in an intensely pigmented Blackest Black shade. It features a flexible, tapered brush designed to reach every lash from root to tip, including the shortest corner lashes that most wands miss. The buildable, lightweight formula promises dramatic length without the heavy, clumped texture that can weigh lashes down by day's end.
Who it's for
Sky High is a strong fit for anyone who prioritizes length and lift over maximum volume. It works particularly well for people with naturally straight or downward-pointing lashes, since the flexible brush and lengthening formula help create an upswept effect without a lash curler. Those who prefer a clean, defined lash look rather than a bold, dramatic fringe will get the most out of it.
If you want intense, full-on volume comparable to a fiber or tubing mascara, this formula may underwhelm. People with very oily lids who struggle with smudging under the eyes should patch-test carefully, as lengthening mascaras tend to be less smudge-resistant than tubing formulas. Contact lens wearers should, as always, take care during application near the waterline.
How to use it
Start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the brush side to side before sweeping upward in one fluid motion. The tapered tip of the wand allows you to work the inner and outer corner lashes individually, which is where the length gain is most visible. For everyday wear, one to two coats delivers a natural-to-polished result; for a more dramatic look, allow each coat to dry for 30 to 60 seconds before adding the next to avoid clumping.
Mascara belongs at the end of your eye makeup routine—after eyeshadow, liner, and any under-eye concealer—so fallout does not land on fresh mascara. For best results, replace the tube every three months to maintain formula integrity and hygiene. Remove with a gentle oil-based or micellar cleanser to avoid tugging on the lash line.
Key ingredients
Maybelline has not published a full ingredient deck prominently for this product, so the specific actives are not confirmed in our data. That said, the formula uses a flexible polymer base—a common approach in lengthening mascaras—that coats each lash without creating stiff, brittle texture. The Blackest Black colorant delivers a true, high-contrast black rather than the slightly warm or blue-toned black some drugstore mascaras produce. The wand construction itself does significant lifting and separating work here; the brush material and taper are as important to the result as the formula.
Pros & cons
- Reaches corner lashes that wider, stiffer brushes routinely miss
- Buildable coverage—one coat reads as polished, two reads as dressed up
- Blackest Black shade provides genuine depth of color
- Lightweight feel that does not weigh down fine or sparse lashes
- Exceptionally well-reviewed across a very large shopper base (4.5 out of 5 from over 184,000 ratings)
- Adds less volume than a volumizing or fiber mascara
- Not marketed as waterproof in this version—may not hold up through humidity or long wear days
- Formula feedback in reviews sometimes notes inconsistency between tubes, likely due to formula drying during use if the cap is left off
- Ingredient transparency from the brand is limited
How it compares
The most direct drugstore alternative is L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Carbon Black. Voluminous leans into a thickening, volumizing effect with a larger, denser brush—it builds fullness and a bolder lash. Sky High, by contrast, stays focused on elongation and lift with a more defined, fanned-out result. If your goal is a wispy, lengthened look, Sky High is the stronger choice; if you want a fuller, more dramatically widened lash, Voluminous is worth considering. Both are widely available, and neither requires a significant financial commitment, making it easy to try both and decide which effect you prefer for your lash type.
The verdict
Maybelline Sky High Mascara in Blackest Black earns its reputation as a drugstore standout, particularly for shoppers who want a lengthening, lifting formula that does not neglect the corner and lower lashes. The flexible brush is genuinely well-engineered for reaching short lashes, and the Blackest Black shade delivers real pigment depth. It is not the mascara to reach for if volume is your primary goal, and it does not have the staying power of a dedicated waterproof formula. But for everyday wear that reads polished without feeling heavy, it is one of the more reliable options in the drugstore mascara category—and the sheer number of consistent ratings it has accumulated over time speaks to broad, cross-demographic satisfaction rather than a narrow niche following.
What shoppers say
Shoppers consistently praise Sky High for delivering genuine length and a natural, separated-lash finish without clumping. Many note it works well in a single coat, making it an easy everyday choice, and several reviewers switched from pricier mascaras without missing the splurge.
The most common complaint is a noticeable alcohol scent that some find off-putting. A few reviewers also point out that volume gain is modest—those expecting dramatic, heavily amplified lashes may feel underwhelmed. Best suited for fans of a clean, elongated look rather than bold, full glamour.
I’ve been using the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara for a couple of weeks now, and overall I’m really impressed. The biggest standout is the length. It genuinely makes my lashes look noticeably longer without needing multiple coats. The flexible brush does a great job grabbing even the smaller lashes, and I didn’t have much issue with clumping as long as I applied it carefully. It also holds a curl better than I expected for a washable formula, which is a big plus. Another thing I appreciate is how lightweight it feels. My lashes don’t get that heavy, stiff feeling some volumizing mascaras can cause. It’s also easy to remove at the end of the day, which makes it great for everyday use. That said, it’s not perfect. While it does add some volume, if you’re looking for a very bold, thick lash look, you might find it a bit lacking. I also noticed a tiny bit of smudging under my eyes after a long day, though nothing too extreme. Overall, this is a great mascara for length and a more defined, lifted look. I’d definitely repurchase, especially for daily wear, but I’d pair it with something more volumizing for special occasions.
Read on Amazon ↗I have been searching for my ultimate, every day mascara for at least 10 years & I actually tried this one about 4 or 5 years ago (not in this shade though) and I remember it being a strong like at the time but not “the one”. Buuut this might be the one. Went on smoothly with minimal clumping. Elongated and curved my lashes upwards without using an eyelash curler. Held up for 9 hours in humid, sticky conditions and is still going strong. No flaking, smudging or transfer. I do wish the brush was different, or had longer bristles at least, but not enough to dock a star over. The plum shade is gorgeous and veers toward black in some lighting but has just enough color to enhance the eyes. It didn’t add a ton of volume, but enough to be noticeable and I actually prefer that because I have sensory issues with my eyes and that is why I sadly can’t do falsies. All in all, this is a 5 star, every day, natural glam mascara and now I want to try the green.
Read on Amazon ↗I’ve tried a ton of mascaras but this one definitely far exceeds my expectations compared to other mascaras. I wouldn’t go as far as to say your lashes will be unbelievably long and fake looking- but it definitely adds volume and depth to my lashes while maintaining a real lash look. I don’t have issues with clumping or lash breakage with this mascara. It washes off easily without leaving you with raccoon eyes. Also it does not cause eye sensitivity for me.
Read on Amazon ↗I recently just used the rest of my favorite mascara which is Too Faced’s Better than Sex original mascara in black, so I was looking to see if this would be a cheaper alternative with similar results. I saw that this was the #1 selling mascara at the moment so I ordered this in both the Very Black shade and the Burgundy Haze shade. I was impressed that this is marketed as being washable mascara, with no fallout or smudges. Normally when using a new mascara the first few applications you use tend to be clumpy but with this new Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High line there is absolutely no clumps even from the first few applications. That’s impressive!! It’s also very buildable. The wand itself is flexible silicone and is very soft. The Very Black shade is rich and coated my lashes beautifully! It gives length AND fullness with ZERO CLUMPS and looked beautiful! I love the Very Black shade!! The burgundy shade is nice but it didn’t quite look burgundy on my blue eyes, more like a brown. I was little disappointed in the burgundy for that reason. But once again, no clumps, and nice length. Less volume in this shade. While they were both impressive with their results, I did realize that they had a strong odor of alcohol that I’ve never smelled with any other mascara. I’m not sure what ingredient it is that creates that smell but it’s definitely a bit off putting. Even after a minute or two of wearing I could smell the alcohol from my lashes! Not even the applicator. It did dissipate, and after those initial first couple minutes I couldn’t smell it again. When I went to remove each shade at the end of a 10 hour work day, I could see that there had been no smudging and no fallout under my eyes at all. That’s impressive to me! I use Elemis’ Pro Collagen cleansing balm to remove makeup and I did have a little bit of a struggle to remove. It seemed to really coat my lashes similar to tubing mascara. But with a little extra effort I was able to fully remove just fine. Overall I would recommend the Very Black shade version because it’s a very budget friendly mascara with great results (I was able to get each of them on sale for $7.49!) but I wouldn’t repurchase the burgundy shade again.
Read on Amazon ↗I have been buying a more expensive product from Loreal. I saw a tv commericial on the Sky High and tried it. Wow! I don't normally write product reviews, but this is great. This is the best mascara on the market today. The product I get from Loreal was 4 times the price and dried out half the time when I receive. I am just amazed this Sky High is this good. It thickens and makes the lashes longer. I have tried every brand out there, but will continue to use this.
Read on Amazon ↗Reviews are from verified Amazon customers, shown for reference. We don't edit or endorse individual reviews.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, Blackest Black: frequently asked questions
What is Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara Blackest Black?
Sky High is Maybelline's lengthening mascara built around a flexible fiber brush that fans lashes from root to tip. Blackest Black is the deepest shade in the lineup — a pure, high-pigment black with no brown or blue undertone — designed for a bold, defined look. The buildable formula layers without clumping, and the tapered wand reaches even short corner lashes.
What is the difference between Very Black and Blackest Black in Sky High?
Very Black is a classic true black — rich and wearable for everyday use. Blackest Black is formulated with higher pigment concentration for a more intense, ink-like finish. If you want maximum drama or your lashes tend to look slightly lighter after mascara dries, Blackest Black delivers a noticeably deeper result. For most people, the difference is subtle but visible on fair skin or light lashes.
What is the difference between Sky High Blackest Black and Cosmic Black?
Blackest Black is a flat, opaque matte-black shade — no shimmer, no tint. Cosmic Black contains fine iridescent particles that add a subtle dimensional shimmer along the lashline, giving a slightly galactic effect in direct light. For everyday wear or a clean editorial look, Blackest Black is the more versatile choice; Cosmic Black suits evening or festival looks where a little sparkle reads well.
What's the difference between the Sky High versions (original vs. Lash Sensational Sky High)?
The original Sky High launched as a standalone mascara; Lash Sensational Sky High merges that sky-high lengthening technology with the fan-brush concept from Maybelline's Lash Sensational line. The result is a more feathered, 360-degree lash effect compared to the straightforward lengthening of the first version. Both share the same bendable wand DNA, but Lash Sensational Sky High tends to give a fuller, more layered look.
Which Sky High shade works best for brown eyes?
Blackest Black creates the highest contrast against brown irises, making eyes appear larger and more defined. That said, brown eyes also benefit from brownish-black shades for a softer daytime look. If you want your eye color to pop and prefer one mascara for all occasions, Blackest Black is the most flattering and flexible option for warm or dark eye colors.
How does Sky High Blackest Black compare to other dark mascaras?
Sky High Blackest Black is among the most pigmented drugstore formulas available, prioritizing length and separation over extreme volume. If you want serious volume alongside deep color, L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara Carbon Black is a thickening alternative worth comparing — it uses a different bristle style that builds more bulk. Sky High suits fine or straight lashes that need lift and definition rather than added weight.
Why is Sky High Mascara so popular?
The mascara went viral largely because its flexible-bristle wand adapts to different lash shapes and lengths, delivering visible lengthening without the stiff, clumped look common at its price point. The Blackest Black shade specifically gained traction for delivering pigment intensity that held up against far more expensive options. It layers well, doesn't flake heavily mid-day, and removes easily — practical qualities that keep it in rotation beyond the initial hype.
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