Maybelline has given one of its most talked-about mascaras a tubing makeover. That’s right, the brand’s best-selling lash sensational sky high mascara (£8.80, Amazon.co.uk) is now available in a new ‘sky tubes’ iteration , promising longer looking, lifted lashes with added staying power and even easier removal.
Unlike standard mascaras that simply coat lashes in pigment, tubing formulas wrap each lash in lightweight, flexible “tubes”, designed to hold shape and resist smudging, flaking and transfer. Faff free removal is a big part of the appeal here, with the tubes designed to slide off easily using warm water instead of requiring oily cleansers or excessive rubbing. When you’re dealing with the delicate orbital area, these smaller details make all the difference – especially on more sensitive skin types.
The question on all our minds, however, was how can the brand improve on perfection? The original lash sensational sky high formula is perhaps the make-up industry’s most well known mascara, with one tube selling every three seconds on Amazon, according to L’Oréal. In a bid to find out, five of our expert IndyBest testers put the mascara to the test, trialling it across a range of lash types – from short and straight to thicky and curly – to assess how it wears, lifts and lasts throughout the day. Here’s how we got on.
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How we tested
To get a clear picture of how Maybelline’s new sky tubes mascara performed, five of our IndyBest writers gave the formula a whirl over the course of a full day. Testing across a mix of lash lengths, densities and curl types, we assessed everything from lift and length to staying power and ease of removal. You’ll find a more detailed breakdown of our testing criteria further down.
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Maybelline lash sensational sky high sky tubes tubing mascara
Lash effect: Lengthening and lifting
Vegan and cruelty-free: Vegan, but not cruelty-free
Brush type: Plastic 'pyramid-shaped' bristles with a sphere tip
Why we love it
- Impressive lengthening with light grip
- No smudging or flaking after extended wear
- Faff-free removal with just water
- Doesn't weigh down lashes
Take note
- Subtle rather than overt volume
- Non-curling
For droopy lashes, the flexibility of a tubing mascara generally prevents the fibres from undoing the lift from your lash curler. This proved true of the sky tubes mascara and I found it clung to the very tips of my lashes, adding a half millimetre of extra length. This may seem minimal, but the difference I noticed was stark. For context, my lashes have been going through a period of shedding after using a lash serum (this is a normal stage in the lash growth cycle), so I was chuffed to find a formula that disguised this. I also appreciated the inclusion of shea butter and castor oil to aid long-term lash health.
After coating every hair along my lower and upper lash lines (which the plastic spoolie was able to do with ease), the result was va-va-voom eye definition with more density toward the roots. I’ll admit, over zealous application could leave you with spidery lashes, given the paste-like consistency of the formula. That said, if you take things slow and steady you’ll be grand.
Prior to testing, I found myself fascinated by one TikToker’s sky tubes removal video. After putting her swift process – splash warm water, press lashes with fingers, slide tubing fibres away – down to clever editing, I was shocked to find my own removal experience as equally simple. My lashes appeared clean after just one warm water compress and two swipes of a flannel.
Rating: 5/5
– Lucy Smith
Ask any beauty buff what their desert island drugstore product would be, and it’s likely they’ll say Maybelline’s sky high mascara. So I was intrigued how the brand could improve on the OG. The tube version claims to be extra smudge-proof for 24 hour wear, while also being a breeze to remove.
Upon initial application, I loved how long and bristled the brush is, which helped capture every lash. Working to lengthen rather than volumise, the mascara helps achieve that fluttery, doe-eyed look. While I found the formula a tiny bit clumpy, the black pigment had an impressive impact.
Lashes feel soft after use and the coverage lasts long into the day. I sometimes experience irritation with mascaras, but Maybelline’s didn’t cause any discomfort and slid off easily when it came to removing.
Rating: 4.5/5
– Daisy Lester
The mascara definitely gives some volume to my lashes, making them look fuller, but after the initial application there wasn’t much lift. My eyelashes are thick, and this formula was unable to give them the curl that I typically get with more high-end mascaras.
It dries down quickly however, so shouldn’t budge during the day. I was able to remove the majority of mascara on my lashes with lukewarm water and very little rubbing, although it did take a few swipes.
Rating: 4/5
– Sabrina Sahota
I found the grip feels light on lashes while pulling them upwards, creating a lifting and lengthening effect. Tubing mascaras can cause a clumpy spiked effect, but this one offers even volume across the lashes that is subtle yet effective, without being spidery.
It’s easy and mess-free to apply, without residue or smudges appearing. My eyes are sensitive, and there was no irritation during wear.
Removal is simple with just warm water and a cleansing cloth, taking a small amount of rubbing to clean it all off – but not much for a tubing mascara – with the discarded flakes easily wiping away, too.
Rating: 4/5
– Helen Wilson-Beevers
With lots of newly opened mascara tubes, I tend to find that the formulas instantly undo some of the curling that was just previously prepped. This was not the case with sky tubes. I was surprised to see that my lashes maintained their curled shape perfectly and seemed to double in length after a single coat. However, it’s worth noting that I didn’t notice a massive difference in volume.
The worst part of wearing mascara is undoubtedly the end of day removal, so this was the part I was most excited to try. Upon removal, I initially forgot to use warm water. I eventually managed to remove it in chunks, but it didn’t come free without forceful effort. When using warm water, it took four or five swipes to remove everything, but I was still thoroughly impressed with how easily I wiped everything away.
Rating: 5/5
- Niki Cottrell
Buy now £13.99, Amazon.co.uk
Is Maybelline’s new tubing mascara worth it?
Absolutely. While most of our testers were familiar with – and fans of – Maybelline’s classic sky high mascara, we may have found a new favourite in the sky tubes formula. Admittedly, we didn’t feel it tackled every lash concern and, specifically, failed to boost volume for anyone with a sparser lash line. That said, its lift and definition were undoubtedly impressive and, once you get the knack of the warm water removal (it’s all about the press), it beats the old lash sensational mascara out of the park.
How we tested the Maybelline sky tubes mascara
With a goal of seeing see whether the new tubing formula held up beyond the first swipe of product, we put it to the test on five different reviewers. With a mix of lash lengths, densities and natural curl patterns among us, we wanted to see who the mascara was best suited to or – in a best-case scenario – whether it was a true all rounder. Together, we considered the following:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy Lester and Lucy Smith are senior shopping writers at IndyBest, meaning they’ve garnered a breadth of make-up experience between them. While Daisy oversees The Independent’s guide to the best eyelash curlers, Lucy has rounded up 2026’s best mascaras, with both writers having spoken to a number of make-up artists through the years to inform their reviews.
Deputy IndyBest editor Sabrina Sahota oversees a variety of lifestyle content and, when it comes to beauty, she’s tested everything from Urban Decay’s all nighter setting spray to the Summer Fridays blush butter balm.
Helen Wilson-Beevers has been writing for IndyBest since 2020, and frequently takes the helm when it comes to the best products for mature or dry skin types. Specifically, she’s covered the best mascaras for sensitive eyes and the best foundations for dry skin – to name but a few of her many guides.
Lastly, Niki Cottrell runs IndyBest’s social channels, which makes her everyone’s first point of call for the latest viral beauty fascination. From her favourite Laneige lip mask to the mascara she recommends for green eyes, she’s always ahead of TikTok and Instagram’s next trend.
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