When it comes to finding the best mascara, it takes a lot to impress me. In my years as a women’s lifestyle editor, I’ve tried literally hundreds — at this point in my life (I’m 51), I like what I like and I rarely consider changing brands. But after testing this best-selling lash lengthener from Maybelline earlier this month, I’ve changed my tune. The formula is just beyond-the-pale amazing, the kind of product that would be good at any price, but for less than $10? You cannot beat it.
Here’s why: Lash Sensational Sky High mascara is smear-proof and water-proof but somehow also easy to remove. The pigment is dark and inky and made my lashes look so long my husband asked me if they were fake. I rarely come across drugstore makeup this good — and it’s currently on sale.
Maybelline
More than 75,000 reviewers rave about Lash Sensational on Amazon, all stating something along the lines of, «10/10 would recommend, I’ve ordered this six times now … it’s the best mascara I’ve ever used.» Truly, it’s that good.
I reviewed and rated Lash Sensational against two of my current favorite mascaras: Jones Road and Merit (both ring in at $26). The Jones Road, while amazing, does annoyingly flake and smudge and the Merit version — which is a tubing mascara — doesn’t give the fullness of this less expensive drugstore find. Across all testing criteria, I found the Maybelline formula either matched — or exceeded — the quality of these high-end mascaras for a fraction of the cost.
Here are its finest qualities:
The brush: First, is the applicator brush, which is both flexible and streamlined, making it easy to reach (and volumize!) even the finest corner lashes. Women tend to lose hair all over as we age — hello, menopause! —and this mascara is great for coating and filling in my more sparse 50+ lashes.
The formula: My issue with many drugstore mascaras is they can be too harsh for my sensitive eyes, or irritating on the days I wear my contact lenses. But Lash Sensational is both ophthalmologist and allergy tested, making it suitable for even eye wimps like me.
The effect: Ultimately, what you’re here for is long, thick lashes, and this product delivers. It lengthens and thickens without being a globby hassle to apply (I did not have to remove globs from the applicator brush once in the last month — a first!).
The pigment: The dark onyx tints lashes on the first swipe out of the tube without the need to apply several coats to achieve the desired results (though you can — it’s buildable).
No raccoon eyes: Seriously, this is my least favorite thing about most every mascara I’ve ever tried — the smudge-y black residue that appears under the eyes by the end of day, making one appear old, tired and like you haven’t slept in days. I have had zero smudge with Lash Sensational and just the tiniest bit of flake on days when I’m rubbing my eyes a lot due to allergies, exhaustion and the weariness of being a middle-aged woman in this world.
Easy to remove: Wiping off even the hardest-to-remove eye makeup wasn’t a big deal in my 20s and 30s, but now that I am trying to preserve my aging face and avoid every fine line and wrinkle that I can, mascara that is hard to take off is now a deal breaker. That’s because the under eye area is super delicate and I don’t want to damage it. I needn’t have worried with Lash Sensational, which came off in a flash with just my favorite micellar water and a cotton pad.
The best eye makeup removers
Amazon
I love Garnier’s micellar water in general, but I especially love this iteration, which is perfect for aging faces. The no-rinse face cleanser works like a magnet to lift dirt and grime off your face while still conditioning and being extra gentle.
This version also removes waterproof makeup without dragging or damaging your delicate under eye skin (and, potentially, causing more wrinkles). This is truly a good deal on two ample 13.5-ounce bottles that will remove my new favorite Maybelline mascara and anything else your face has collected during the day.
unicharm
These Japanese cotton pads are better than American cotton balls (and pads!) for a million reasons, but here are two important ones: They’re thinner and absorb less product, so your cleansers last longer. They also leave behind zero cotton debris on skin, which can clog pores and make your complexion less glowy overall. The set of five contains 40 in each packet — basically enough to last you half a year.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
