tarte Tubing Mascara vs. Maybelline Sky High: Is the $28 Viral Mascara Worth 3x the Price?

tarte’s tartelette tubing mascara has two versions in Amazon’s Top 10 Beauty best sellers right now. Meanwhile, Maybelline’s Lash Sensational Sky High is still one of the most-reviewed mascaras on the entire site. One costs about $28 and the other about $9. Is the viral tubing mascara really worth three times the price?

Heads up: This post has affiliate links. If you buy through them, Marcy Vanity earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices, ratings and sales numbers were checked on Amazon on October 8, 2026 and can change.

Quick comparison

	tarte tartelette XL Tubing	tarte tartelette Tubing (original)	Maybelline Sky High (Washable)
Type	Tubing mascara	Tubing mascara	Traditional washable mascara
What it promises	XL length, lift and pigment; lash-extension look	Lash-extension look, easy removal	Length and volume with a flexible brush
Notable ingredients	Peptide blend, shea butter, castor oil	Tubing formula	Bamboo extract and fibers
Brush	360° lash-extension comb	Classic tarte wand	Flex Tower brush that bends
Wear claim	24-hour, smudge-proof, flake-free, sweatproof	Smudge-resistant	Washable formula
Amazon rating	4.5★ (3,500+ reviews)	4.4★ (4,300+ reviews)	4.5★ (190,000+ reviews)
Bought last month	90K+	60K+	100K+
Price	About $28	About $28	About $9

What’s the difference between tubing and regular mascara?

Regular mascara paints pigment onto your lashes. Tubing mascara wraps each lash in tiny polymer “tubes.” That’s why it rarely smudges or flakes, and why it slides off with warm water and gentle pressure instead of makeup remover. The trade-off is that tubing formulas usually give a cleaner, more defined look than dramatic, clumpy volume.

tarte tartelette XL Tubing Mascara

The XL version is the newer, bolder upgrade. tarte added a peptide blend and switched to a 360° comb for a more “lash extension” effect. It’s currently the most popular of tarte’s two tubing formulas on Amazon, with 90K+ bought last month. tarte claims 24-hour wear that’s smudge-proof, flake-free and sweatproof, which makes it a strong pick for hot weather, workouts and anyone with oily lids.

Best for: people who get raccoon eyes by noon, and anyone who wants long, separated lashes that come off easily at night.

Check today’s price on tartelette XL Tubing →

tarte tartelette Tubing Mascara (original)

The original formula is the one that went viral first. It’s a little more natural-looking than the XL, and it’s a great choice if you prefer a “my lashes but better” finish.

Check today’s price on the original tartelette Tubing →

Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High

With over 190,000 ratings, Sky High is one of the most-tested mascaras you can buy. Its Flex Tower brush bends to reach every lash, and the formula uses bamboo extract and fibers to build length and volume. You can layer it for drama, and it costs about a third of tarte.

Best for: big, fluttery lashes on a budget, and anyone who likes to build mascara in layers.

Keep in mind: this is the washable version, so it may smudge more on oily lids or in humid weather than a tubing formula. Plan on using a makeup remover at night.

Check today’s price on Maybelline Sky High →

The verdict

Buy tarte tubing if smudging is your biggest problem, you hate scrubbing off mascara, or you want a clean lash-extension look that lasts all day.
Buy Maybelline Sky High if you want maximum length and volume for under $10 and don’t mind a makeup remover at night.
Can’t decide? Try Sky High first. If it smudges on you, that’s your sign tubing is worth the upgrade.

Mascara tips that work with either one

Curl your lashes before applying, never after.
Wiggle the wand at the base, then pull straight up to lift.
Replace mascara about every three months for freshness and hygiene.

Love a good dupe? Check out more budget makeup comparisons.