‘This $9 TikTok-Famous Mascara Is Like Lash Extensions In A Tube’

Photo credit: Courtesy
Photo credit: Courtesy


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I’m probably biased, but I feel like Indian women are often renowned for their thick, luscious hair—from their head to their full brows and lashes, too. I, on the other hand, am missing that particular hair gene, which is why no makeup look of mine is complete without at least eight layers of three different types of mascara—till I tried Maybelline's Sky High Mascara ($9, Amazon).

Before trying this TikTok and Instagram-viral mascara, I really did have a three-step mascara routine involving a lash primer, followed by a thickening mascara, all topped off with a lengthening, lash-separating mascara. I still do that routine on days I want some more drama, but it's no longer the everyday occurrence it used to be.

No one product really did all these three things for my sparse lashes, which is why I was extremely wary of all the hype around Maybelline's new mascara—until I actually tried it.

Here are my honest thoughts on Maybelline's Sky High Mascara, and why it's been a staple in my makeup routine for over a year now:

You have to use it correctly.

To be honest, the first time I tried this mascara I didn't like it at all. I couldn't believe that all the hype I'd seen online was real. The formula felt so wet that when I first used it, I was left with super clumpy lashes. There was so much excess product on them that I could actually feel and see them drooping.

Here's the trick: Wipe the bristles of the brush on the rim of the tube before applying it. Once I did that, it was like I was using a totally different product. It thickened, lengthened, and curled my sparse lashes like no singular product had before.

It has a great brush.

I love the plastic brush and abundance of bristles it has on it to enhance separation and feign a fuller lash line. Each of my lashes grip on to the bristles to the point at which my lashes even hit my glasses when I'm wearing them.

The brush also moves flexibly, so that I can curve it to the shape of my eye to hit those stubborn little hairs on the outer edges of my lash line.

Photo credit: Courtesy
Photo credit: Courtesy

It looks natural.

My favorite part about using this is that my lashes look totally natural and like I got extensions rather than like I am actually wearing mascara. If I do want a more extra look, I simply layer more coats for some added thickness and drama.

OK, fine. There’s one downside.

The only downside I'll mention is the lasting power. For the most part, this likely isn't noticeable to anyone but myself, but I do avoid using it on my lower lash line because it ends up under my eyes. (I'm also really picky about what I use on my lower lashes, and have only ever sworn by Maybelline's Lash Discovery Mascara for them.)

On the upper lashes, I'll notice the slightest decrease in curl and length after several hours, but the change is so subtle that the end-of-day result is still better than most mascaras I've tried. It's been my go-to for days filled with low-key video calls and errands since I started using it for the past year.

Sure, I love my three-step routine, but it's great to be able to reserve that for special occasions now that I have something that's almost just as good for under $10.

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