Lash Princess vs. Sky High: Best Drugstore Mascara for 2026

Price — essence wins big

essence Lash Princess costs $4.97, while Maybelline Sky High is $10.82. That's a $5.85 difference. For budget shoppers, essence is the clear value winner.

You can buy two tubes of essence for the price of one Sky High. If you're stocking up or trying out a new mascara without commitment, essence is the no-brainer choice.

But if you're willing to spend a bit more, Sky High's performance may justify the extra cost. We break that down below.

Volume Building — essence takes the lead

The conic fiber brush on essence builds dramatic volume in one coat. It separates and defines lashes without clumps. Users report a false-lash effect with just 2–3 coats.

Sky High's Flex Tower brush focuses more on length than volume. It bends to coat each lash from root to tip, but the volume effect is more natural. For bold, full lashes, essence is the winner.

If you want that 'wow' factor for evenings out, go with essence. For everyday natural volume, Sky High works too but requires more coats.

Length Enhancement — Sky High excels

Sky High's bamboo extract formula visibly lengthens lashes beyond what essence can do. In tests, user noticed 30% longer-looking lashes after one layer. The Flex Tower brush grabs even the tiniest lashes at the inner corners.

Essence provides moderate length but doesn't stretch lashes the way Sky High does. Its conic brush adds girth rather than extension. For short lashes that need a lift, Sky High is the better tool.

If lengthening is your top priority, Sky High is the pick. Essence fans can still get good length with multiple coats, but it requires more effort.

Wear Time — Sky High outlasts

Sky High holds up through a full workday without flaking or smudging. It's water-resistant and removes easily with micellar water. Essence can start to flake by late afternoon, especially in humid conditions.

For long, tearful days, Sky High stays put. If you only need mascara for a few hours, essence's performance is sufficient. But all-day reliability belongs to Maybelline.

Humidity-sensitive users should lean toward Sky High. Essence's formula is more fragile and may leave flakes under your eyes.

Waterproof Option — both lack it

Neither mascara is waterproof. Both are washable formulas. Essence does offer a waterproof variant (Lash Princess Waterproof) that we include as an alternative. But as tested, neither withstands swimming or heavy rain.

If you need waterproof, consider essence's waterproof version or L'Oréal Voluminous. For everyday wear, both formulas are suitable.

Clump Resistance — a tie

Both formulas are designed to avoid clumps when applied correctly. Essence's conic brush distributes product evenly; Sky High's Flex Tower separates lashes. Users report minimal clumping with either, provided you wipe excess from the wand.

Both earn high marks for clump-free application. This category is a draw.

Sensitive Eyes — Sky High wins

Sky High is ophthalmologist and allergy tested, making it suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Essence does not claim this testing. If your eyes react easily to mascara, Sky High is the safer choice.

Many essence users report no irritation, but the lack of certification gives the edge to Maybelline. For peace of mind, go with Sky High.

If you've never had issues with drugstore mascara, essence is likely fine. But for sensitive eyes, don't risk it.

Rating and Review Count — split decision

Sky High holds a higher star rating (4.5 vs 4.3), but essence has more than double the reviews (412,856 vs 182,754). Both are top sellers with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Essence's review count is staggering — it's one of Amazon's most-reviewed beauty products ever. Sky High's rating is slightly higher, reflecting its specialization for length and sensitivity.

In summary, essence wins on volume and price; Sky High wins on length, wear time, and eye safety. Your choice depends on your priority.