It’s True: Every Single Beauty Editor Owns This Viral Drugstore Mascara

Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that’s taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.

I’m going to make a bold statement: There are few things that actually live up to internet hype. But then there’s Maybelline’s Sky High Mascara ($9). This little tube of magic has sold out more times than I can count on one hand, and I can wholeheartedly say that I understand why. It’s not a regular mascara, folks. It’s a cool mascara. With a metallic pink tube and an incredibly flexible wand (Maybelline calls it its “flex tower” brush) with bristles that grip and reach for every lash, including those teeny tiny ones that are hard to coat, this mascara actually makes it look like you have lash extensions, no joke.

It’s formulated with bamboo extract and fibers that help moisturize lashes, give them more volume, and create a flutter effect that I’m a true sucker for. The first time I used the mascara and looked at myself in the mirror, my husband had to pick my jaw up off the floor for me. It’s made my ’60s-doe-eye dreams come true, and now I never want to take it off. (Though I assure you I will.)

And I’m not alone in my sentiment. Most of the Who What Wear beauty team is equally as into this mascara as I am, so we’re all sharing our reviews (and before-and-after photos) below. Do what you want with this information, but I suggest you buy a tube for yourself before it sells out again.

“I’ve had a very enlightening, life-changing experience with this $9 mascara, and I’m not being dramatic. Let me fill you in: When I was a teenager and in my early 20s, I wore mascara religiously. It was always my go-to makeup product. But as soon as I moved to Los Angeles, my eyes became extremely sensitive for whatever reason, and my eyelids would almost always swell whenever I put on mascara. Even my tried and true favorites! I eventually decided it wasn’t worth the pain to wear mascara every day, so typically, I only pull it out for “special” occasions (or anytime I want to go out, which isn’t much these days). Not only does this mascara give me the longest lashes of my life, but it causes my eyes zero irritation—zip, zilch, nada. And I’ve worn it multiple days in a row. I’m bursting with joy!

“Aside from the formula being suitable for sensitive eyes, the wand is what makes this extra special. Think of it as the Gumby of mascara wands: It’s flexible and can bend in every possible way to coat each lash from root to tip. And even with a few heavy coats, it comes off surprisingly easily. I’m sold and definitely plan to stock up on tubes.”

“I’ve actually had this mascara in my arsenal for a while, and I can confidently say that it’s my favorite drugstore mascara. I really like how it lengthens my lashes. I will say that if it’s volume you’re after, this is not the mascara for you. This one is really good for length (as the name might imply), but not so much for adding volume. I’m really picky about mascara because I feel like 75% of the formulas I try smear under my eyes by the end of the day, but this one never does, and it holds a curl until you take it off.”

“This mascara is really worth the hype. I have very sparse, thin lashes, so some mascaras can really weigh them down or make them look clumpy—not Maybelline’s Sky High, though! My lashes looked so defined and long after applying this mascara. And I love the brush so much. The bristles are a little shorter, so it’s a lot easier to use on my sparse lashes because I’m able to coat every single lash.”

“I won’t lie. Overall, I wasn’t too impressed with this mascara. I didn’t really love the wand shape. It was slightly bent, which I realize some people like (for curl), but I don’t because it usually takes longer to use and achieve the length I would like.

“After building for quite some time, I didn’t see a massive difference in my lashes. It was pretty on par with a lot of other formulas out there. Sorry, Maybelline. I don’t think I’ll be repurchasing this one, but I love you anyway.”

“I’m incredibly particular when it comes to mascara, and ever since my first swipe (probably back in junior high), there are only a few formulas that have truly ticked every box for me. I won’t beat around the bush here: This one delivers. The ultimate mascara, in my opinion, needs to curl and lift (no easy feat when you have naturally long and straight lashes like I do), lengthen, and thicken without getting clumpy and goopy. Check, check, and double check!

“A true mascara maximalist, I don’t even know what it would feel like to apply just one coat of mascara (my minimum is two), so how well a mascara formula layers is another important factor for me. I did two coats with this one with zero flaking or that spidery effect, and I don’t think I’d recommend doing too much more than that. It stays put and doesn’t smudge or crumble as the day goes on, and while it’s still not my favorite mascara in the world, I would give it a 4.5 out of a 5-star rating, and think it’s an A+ pick, especially considering the price! I’m also obsessed with the brush because I always prefer rubber mascara wands, and it’s the perfect not-too-small, not-too-big size to hug and swipe each and every lash without getting mascara all over your eye and lid.”