Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara (Blackest Black) Review

What This Product Is

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara in Blackest Black is a lengthening and volumizing mascara formulated to deliver what the brand calls “Sky High” lash impact from every angle. It’s a washable, non-waterproof formula that comes in a slim rose-toned tube with a built-in Flex Tower silicone brush designed to bend and coat each lash from root to tip.(maybelline.com)

This particular shade, Blackest Black, is the deepest black in the washable Sky High lineup, intended to give maximum contrast and definition, especially on darker lashes. The formula is liquid but relatively lightweight, with a semi-matte finish rather than a glossy, wet look. The tube contains approximately 0.24 fl oz (7.2 ml) of product, which is standard for a drugstore mascara.(maybelline.com)

In most major retailers, Sky High sits in the mid-range of drugstore mascara pricing, often around $10.82 depending on promotions and location, making it accessible while still slightly premium compared to very budget lines.(ulta.com)

Why It Matters

Mascara is one of the most crowded product categories in makeup, and many formulas specialize in either length or volume, but not both. Sky High is positioned as a hybrid: a mascara that can noticeably lengthen, volumize, and fan out lashes while staying relatively lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.(maybelline.com)

The product also matters because it’s designed with:

Sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers in mind – it’s ophthalmologist-tested and advertised as suitable for sensitive eyes.
A washable formula that removes more easily than waterproof mascaras, which can be important for lash health and for users who want strong performance without harsh removal.(maybelline.com)
A modern flexible wand that aims to grab even shorter inner lashes and lower lashes with less clumping.

This combination makes Sky High a compelling option for people who want an everyday mascara that can also build up to a more dramatic, evening-appropriate look without switching products.

Key Advantages

1. Strong Lengthening Performance

The standout feature is noticeable length. The Flex Tower brush, with its slim, flexible design and short silicone bristles, is engineered to comb through lashes and extend them from root to tip. Users and retailers consistently highlight lengthening as the primary visible effect, often more prominent than volume.(maybelline.com)

2. Buildable Volume Without Extreme Weight

While not the thickest, most dramatic volumizing mascara on the market, Sky High offers buildable volume that you can layer. The formula is comparatively lightweight, which helps lashes stay lifted instead of drooping under heavy product. Two to three coats can deliver a fuller, more plush lash look without the crunchy stiffness some high-volume mascaras cause.(maybelline.com)

3. Deep, Impactful “Blackest Black” Shade

The Blackest Black shade is formulated to be deeper and more intense than standard “Very Black” options in the line. This richer pigment gives extra definition along the lash line and is especially effective on medium to dark hair and deeper skin tones, where softer blacks can look muted.(maybelline.com)

4. Suitable for Sensitive Eyes and Daily Wear

The mascara is allergy tested and ophthalmologist tested, and Maybelline markets it as suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. For those who find waterproof formulas irritating or difficult to remove, this washable Sky High variant can be a gentler alternative while still delivering visible impact.(maybelline.com)

5. Easier Removal Than Waterproof Variants

Compared with waterproof Sky High versions, the washable formula is designed to come off with standard makeup remover or micellar water, reducing the need for excessive rubbing that can lead to lash breakage or eye irritation. Many users report that it dissolves effectively with oil-based or bi-phase removers.(maybelline.com)

6. Competitive Drugstore Value

At around $10.82 per tube in many U.S. drugstores and mass retailers, Sky High is priced slightly above the absolute cheapest mascaras but below many prestige brands, offering a strong performance-to-price ratio for those seeking length and impact without department-store prices.(ulta.com)

Key Limitations

1. Smudging or Flaking on Some Eye Types

Although the formula is marketed as long-wearing with minimal flaking, actual experience can vary. People with very oily lids, hooded eyes, or who frequently rub their eyes may notice smudging along the lower lash line or minor flaking after several hours. For those users, the waterproof version often performs better at the expense of easier removal.(maybelline.com)

2. Can Clump With Heavy Layering

Sky High is buildable, but applying too many coats—especially if you don’t allow enough drying time between layers—can lead to clumping and spidery tips. The silicone brush helps separate, but this isn’t a mascara that rewards six or seven coats; beyond two to three, the risk of clumping rises noticeably.

3. Not the Boldest Volumizer

If your priority is extreme thickness and a false-lash effect, Sky High may feel a bit more length-focused than volume-focused. It adds fullness, but there are other formulas—both within Maybelline’s range and from competitors—that create a denser, more dramatic fringe at the cost of subtlety and comfort.

4. Learning Curve With the Flexible Wand

The Flex Tower brush can bend as you apply, which some users appreciate for accessing tiny inner lashes. However, if you’re used to stiff bristle brushes, this flexibility may initially feel less precise and slightly wobbly until you adjust your technique (slower strokes, light pressure).

5. Not Ideal for Very Wet Environments

Because this is a washable formula rather than waterproof, it’s not the best option for situations with heavy sweating, swimming, or emotional events where you anticipate tears. In those scenarios, the waterproof Sky High counterpart is more appropriate.

Who It’s For

You’re likely to appreciate Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara in Blackest Black if:

You want dramatic length with moderate volume. Length is its strongest feature, with noticeable extension even on naturally short lashes.
You prefer washable over waterproof formulas. If you prioritize easy removal and lash health over absolute smudge-proof wear, this strikes a good balance.
You have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses. The ophthalmologist-tested formula and relatively lightweight texture make it a strong daily-wear candidate.(maybelline.com)
You like intensely dark lashes. The Blackest Black shade enhances definition and contrast more than a standard black shade.
You’re seeking a mid-priced drugstore mascara. It’s suitable if you want something more elevated than ultra-budget formulas, but still firmly in the affordable range at approximately $10.82 per tube.

This product particularly suits everyday makeup users, students, professionals, and anyone who wants a single mascara that can go from subtle daytime to more dramatic nighttime looks with a few extra coats.

Who Should Skip It

You may want to look elsewhere if any of the following sound like you:

You need maximum smudge resistance. If your eyes water frequently, you have very oily lids, or your mascara always transfers to your brow bone, a fully waterproof formula (including Sky High Waterproof) will likely outperform this washable version.(maybelline.com)
You only care about extreme volume. If your ideal mascara creates very thick, dense, false-lash-style volume, a more traditional heavy-volumizing formula may suit you better.
You dislike silicone or plastic brushes. The Sky High wand is slim and rubberized; if you strongly prefer big, fluffy bristle brushes, this applicator may not feel satisfying.
You frequently apply many layers. Makeup wearers who routinely pile on four or more coats may experience more clumping and uneven texture with this formula.

Final Recommendation

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Washable Mascara in Blackest Black is a well-balanced, length-forward mascara that delivers impressive lash extension, respectable volume, and strong definition in a deeply pigmented shade. Its combination of a flexible silicone brush, lightweight yet buildable formula, and easier removal than waterproof options makes it particularly attractive as a daily go-to mascara for many users.

It isn’t perfect: people with very oily lids or those seeking the most dramatic, thickening effect may be better served by waterproof or high-volume alternatives. But for most users who want noticeably longer, darker, and more defined lashes without sacrificing comfort, ease of removal, or budget, Sky High Washable in Blackest Black is a strong, high-value choice in the drugstore category.

If your priorities are length, depth of color, and comfortable wear—and you’re happy with a washable formula—this mascara is easy to recommend as a staple in your everyday makeup routine.