Let’s just say it: I love lashes. Like, I want them to look like they’re throwing shade even when I’m not. But I also don’t have 45 minutes every morning to glue a caterpillar to my eyelids. So, I’ve been on the hunt (read: obsessed) with finding a solid drugstore mascara that gives me that full-fan, lifted, lash-extension-but-not-really look—without making my lashes feel like they’ve been coated in cement.
In this post, we are going to review the Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara in Blackest Black. It's got a name longer than my attention span before coffee, but also claims to give that multiplied, fanned-out lash effect. So, I gave it a test run (okay, five test runs) and here’s the lowdown.
What It Says It Does (And Whether It Actually Does It)
But I’m skeptical. I’ve been hurt before.
Spoiler: This one actually delivers. Mostly.
The Formula: Not Too Wet, Not Too Dry, Just Right-ish
You know when a mascara is so watery it ends up all over your brow bone by noon? Or so dry it flakes like croissant crumbs down your face? This one hits a happy middle.
It’s creamy, coats evenly, and doesn’t need ten layers to show up. Plus, it doesn’t smell like a science lab. (If you know, you know.) I wouldn’t say it’s life-changing, but it definitely plays nice with my sensitive eyes and contact lenses.
For those who like ingredient talk: it has some conditioning agents and supposedly “rose wax” for flexibility. Fancy. But I care more about what it does on my lashes than the ingredient résumé.
The Wand: Curved Like My Coffee Cravings at 3PM
The Flex Tower brush is the star of the show here. It's curved and has ten layers of bristles. (Yes, I counted. Kind of.) That shape hugs your lash line like a clingy ex—only this one’s helpful.
The longer bristles do an awesome job catching lashes on the outer corners, and the shorter bristles load product near the root. I noticed a legit difference in how lifted and separated my lashes looked. Not spider-leg separated. Like, the good kind.
One small con: the brush picks up quite a bit of product, so wipe it off slightly if you’re doing a second coat. Unless you're going for bold-and-borderline-too-much. No judgment.
What My Lashes Actually Look Like (a.k.a. The Receipts)
Let’s break it down:
✅ Length & Volume
My lashes looked noticeably longer after the first coat. Second coat? Boom—volume central. It gave me that “I swear these are real” vibe without the fake look. Some mascaras go for chunky drama. This one? It’s more like a natural upgrade. Think: lash lift with attitude.
✅ Separation & Definition
No clumps. NONE. I even did that thing where you blink too soon after applying it—still no blobs. Lashes looked defined and fanned out. Not in a stiff, spidery way. Just clean.
✅ Staying Power
It held up during a three-hour outdoor brunch, a sweaty errand run, and—don’t judge—a nap. No smudges, no flaking. This washable version held its own like a stubborn aunt at a family dinner.
If you’re wondering how it compares to the waterproof version: washable is easier to remove and way gentler on lashes. But if you’re headed to a wedding, pool party, or full-blown cryfest, maybe opt for waterproof.
The Removal: No Tugging, No Drama, Just Micellar Water
I used a cotton pad with micellar water (shout-out to Garnier) and the mascara came off without tugging or turning me into a raccoon. No lost lashes, no residue sticking around like regret.
Waterproof formulas? A different story. You’ll need an oil-based remover and some patience. Also, maybe therapy.
✅ Pros
- Real fanned-out lash look
- Budget-friendly but looks $$$
- Stays put all day
- Easy removal
- Doesn’t flake or smudge
❌ Cons
- Brush picks up a lot of product—wipe it first!
- Not super dramatic in one swipe—needs layering
- Might dry faster if left uncapped for too long
- Waterproof version is a nightmare to take off
Blackest Black still isn’t “pitch-black-hole” black
Compared to the Hype: How It Stacks Up
Let’s be real. Maybelline’s been killing it in the mascara game for a while. Lash Sensational isn’t their flashiest formula (looking at you, Sky High), but it’s reliable. It won’t give you spider-lash TikTok drama, but it will give you a flirty, full-lash vibe that works for 9-to-5 and date night.
Sky High is longer. Colossal is thicker. But this? This one’s balanced, like a really good taco.
Mascara Tips That Actually Work
If you want this to perform at its peak (like mascara Olympics), try these:
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Curl your lashes first. Game-changer. Always.
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Wiggle the brush at the roots. That’s where the volume magic happens.
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Don’t pump the wand. Air equals dry-out city.
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Use a lash comb. For that magazine-lash finish.
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Toss after 3 months. No one wants pink eye, friend.
FAQs You Didn't Know You Had
Q: Is “Blackest Black” actually that dark?
A: It’s darker than “Very Black,” but it’s not “soul of a black hole” level. Pretty intense though.
Q: Can I wear it on lower lashes?
A: Yep! Just use a light hand unless you want Twiggy realness.
Q: Does it work on stubborn straight lashes?
A: If you curl first, yes. Holds decently well—no lash droop halfway through the day.
Q: Flaky mess by 5PM?
A: Nope. I’ve worn it through full workdays and didn’t need a touch-up. Win.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get It?
If you like natural-but-better lashes with a bit of va-va-voom, yes. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara that one mascara you can keep in your purse, your car, or your emergency “oh crap I forgot makeup” kit.
It’s not overly dramatic, and it won’t make your lashes feel like dried twigs. But it will make you feel put together even when you’re late and slightly frazzled. Which, honestly, is most of us.
Is it perfect? No. But it’s really freaking good.