Testing mascaras is not just part of my job, it's a passion, and I can say with certainty that this mascara is one of the greats - and it costs under £10

I am very particular about mascara because I am very particular about how my lashes should look. I'm not interested in the false lash effect and I don't need extra drama. What I want is the natural look, but oh-so-much more. I have extremely fair hair on my eyes, so without mascara, I look like a mole above ground. Which has meant my years as a beauty editor have largely been spent in search of the very best mascara to help me achieve this. And a couple of years ago, I found it. Since then I haven't looked back. Maybelline's Lash Sensational Sky High is my ride-or-die mascara.

Don't get me wrong there is absolutely a time and a place for a mascara that creates that va-va-voom look. One that I get out during the party season, for evening events, that sort of thing. A mascara that will perfectly compliment my go-to shimmery eyeshadow. (Incidentally, have you seen the Rabanne Highly Pigmented Mini Eyeshadow Palettes? Spectacular.)

But for my everyday make-up, it's the elevated natural look for me. And nothing does that better than Maybelline Sky High.

And I'm not alone, it has amassed a whopping 367.7M views on TikTok. It was on here, where the mascara first found devoted fans. It was already trending on the social media platform ahead of its UK launch.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara reviewed by a beauty editor

So why is it so great? Well, first of all, it doesn't cost a lot. It's £12.99 (and it's sometimes even on sale), which I think is a perfectly reasonable amount to pay for a mascara. In fact, whenever people ask me for beauty recommendations I always tell them to save their money for other products and go for an affordable mascara. The beauty of Sky High is it's so often reduced, so you can almost always find it cheaper. Happy days.

Next up is the wand. It's a plastic and pointed comb head, which perfectly coats each individual hair in just the right amount of product - never too much, never too little. I
genuinely think it would be impossible for this mascara to clump. It's also tapered and flexible so you can get right into the inner corners, meaning no lash is left untouched. It lengthens beautifully - I'm always shocked to discover how long my lashes actually are - which is also down to the lengthening fibres in the formula. This is where the "my lashes, but better" effect comes into play. With one slick I am genuinely so happy, but if I feel like I need a bit extra it layers very well, with no risk of weighing down with extra product.

Another brilliant thing about Sky High is how easy it is to remove. I've read elsewhere that it's tricky to remove, but I've never had any problems. You don't need an oil cleanser, mine typically comes off with micellar water and a cream cleanser. I never wake up the next morning with any trace of the previous day's mascara under my eyes.

Shop the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara collection

Such is the success of Sky High (arguably the best Maybelline mascara?!) it now comes in many other iterations—each one remaining true to its original powers. There's Cosmic Black (if you're after a really deep colour) and a waterproof option. There's an impressive 12 colours available, from deep burgundys, plums and browns to bright pink, blues and even the newest Space Diamond shade. There's also a tinted Primer, formulated with ceramides and vitamin B5 to care for your lashes.