We’re ditching black mascara for this surprisingly wearable £13 alternative
When Maybelline announced three brand new vibrant additions to their wildly popular Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara line in December, it was the talk of the team. Coloured mascara is set to make a major comeback this year, and after trying it for ourselves, it’s not as daunting as you might first think.
The OG formula skyrocketed to the top of the beauty charts soon after its 2021 launch, going viral on TikTok for delivering gravity-defying lashes, and remains a firm favourite in the beauty arsenal of influencers, makeup lovers and more. In 2023, it was the best-selling self-selection makeup product at Boots by volume for the second year running.
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Now coming in daring shades of pink, blue and burgundy, the latest launches still have the best-loved bamboo extract and fibres formula, as well as the exclusive Flex Tower mascara brush that bends to volumise and extend lashes from root to tip - all that’s new is the pop of colour they’ll add to your peepers.
Our fashion and beauty team tried out the new Burgundy Haze version of the best-loved mascara and found that, although on very different skin tones and eye colours, it has been a welcomed new product in each of their make up bags.
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Bethan Shufflebotham
Maybelline's Burgundy Haze mascara is designed to make blue eyes popThe original Sky High formula is one of my favourites, second only to the more affordable 17 Extreme Extension Lengthening mascara, which is a ludicrously cheap £4. The Maybelline product is a huge hit with Mirror readers, too, who purchased it on Amazon last year.
As for the latest burgundy version, it’s safe to say I’m converted and I may well ditch black mascara all together. The Boots website suggests that the deep, plummy shade will make blue or hazel eyes pop, adding: “Perfect for a softer day look, or a brown smokey eye. For best results, hold brush against lashes, wiggle at root and sweep through to tip. Apply second coat when semi-dry for even more extended length.”
The packaging is gorgeous and I love that they’re colour-coded so that you know exactly what you’re reaching for in your makeup bag. Opening it up, I was met with the familiar Flex Tower wand which does a wonderful job of simultaneously coating, lengthening and separating lashes so you don’t end up with spidery lashes.
As someone with blue eyes, pale skin and naturally red hair, I’ve often found myself reaching for brown mascara in my 20s, but this burgundy shade is such a chic alternative for a more elevated look. It’s surprisingly flattering, not too in-your-face, and really opens up the face for a fresh and bright look.
The Burgundy Haze mascara from Maybelline makes a subtle but impactful difference to the overall look and opens up the faceWearing the mascara throughout the day, it was very comfortable, leaving my lashes still feeling flexible rather than brittle, and I had a number of compliments from friends and family who asked if I'd done something different with my hair, got my brows done, or changed something else before I put them out of their misery and told them about the new mascara. I like that it's a really subtle and soft change, but it certainly does make a noticeable difference.
Whether I'll be brave enough to try out blue or pink mascara in 2024 is another question... but mark my words: black mascara's days are numbered.
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Eve
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I think I'm a burgundy mascara convert... (Eve Rowlands)
The burgundy gives the mascara a softer finish (Eve Rowlands)The original Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High mascara has been my go-to since its launch in 2021 after being heavily influenced to buy it after seeing incredible real-life results on the likes of TikTok (it's a powerful tool). My lashes aren't naturally long or curly and they are annoyingly stubborn; finding a mascara that gives them height, drama and curl has always been a challenge. But Maybelline's Sky High always does the trick - without making them look or feel caked in product and leaves them long, feathered out and my eyes looking bright (seconded only to Huda Beauty's One Coat Wow and Iconic London's Triple Threat).
The mascara is a gorgeous aubergine colour (Eve Rowlands)
My left eye has nothing on it. My right eye has the Burgundy Haze applied (Eve Rowlands)So I was buzzing to get my hands on its newest iteration that comes in a gorgeous burgundy shade (alongside an electric blue and pink) that is aptly named Burgundy Haze and is said to enhance the colour of hazel, blue and brown eyes.
Well, it's safe to say I'm a fan. Firstly, it comes packaged in a lovely, deep red wine-coloured casing, as opposed to Sky High's usual metallic pink, that matches the colour of the mascara inside. When I unscrewed the lid and took out the familiar Flex Tower brush - that always delivers volume from root to tip - I was surprised and pleased by the vibrancy of the burgundy pigment. I was expecting a more brownish hue (akin to a ... brown mascara) and was excited to see its effect on my lashes.
However, when applied to my already dark lashes, the reddy-tinge was subtle. Not a difference that stops you in your tracks yet still made an impact. When compared with black mascara, I certainly noticed one side looked slightly softer, warmer and while the green in my eyes didn't pop out and wave, I could see its olivey hues were a smidge brighter.
One my left eye, I have Huda Beauty's One Coat Wow. On my right, it's Maybelline's Burgundy Haze (Eve Rowlands)Like its original recipe, the mascara isn't irritable on the eyes either and is comfortable to wear for hours on end (and as a contact lense wearer with sensitive eyes... that's essential) - and best of all it kept my lashes stay flake free and voluminous until I took it off before bed, which I loved.
While I adore the drama my black mascaras give me, this burgundy shade is a gorgeous alternative for when I want a softer appearance that'll gives my eyes - and face - a bit of a boost. And while I'm not completely ditching my trusty OG Sky High completely in 2024, it's safe to say that Burgundy Haze will certainly be a staple in my make up bag from here on out.
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