Beauty Sky High Waterproof Face-Off: Brownish Black vs Very Black
Sky High waterproof comes in Very Black and Brownish Black, and the choice changes your whole look. Very Black is intense and dramatic, while Brownish Black is soft and natural. Here is the detailed comparison.
| Factor | Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara i | Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara i |
|---|---|---|
| Shade | Very Black, intense black | Brownish Black, soft brown black |
| Intensity | Maximum drama | Natural softness |
| Best for | Evenings, photos, glasses | Daytime, office, minimal makeup |
| Fair skin | Can look harsh | Flattering and soft |
| Blue/green eyes | Strong contrast | Makes eye color pop |
| Length | Limitless length claim | Limitless length claim |
| Water resistance | Full waterproof seal | Full waterproof seal |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
Our Verdict
Very Black wins for evening looks, deep skin tones and glasses wearers who need contrast. Brownish Black wins for daytime, fair skin and anyone who finds black mascara harsh. Both share the same waterproof lengthening formula, so match the shade to your coloring.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Committed fans saving per tube
Maybelline Sky High Waterproof Mascara Very Black, 2 Pack
- Two full-size Very Black tubes
- Waterproof lengthening formula
- Flex Tower brush in each
Pros
- Best per-tube value
- Covers six months of use
Cons
- Second tube waits unopened
- Only Very Black shade included
Brownish Black vs Very Black in a Waterproof Formula
Shade choice behaves differently in waterproof formulas, because waterproof wear amplifies whatever you chose: the color stays exactly as applied for the full day, with no softening from smudging or fading. Very Black in waterproof is the most committed option in the lineup, intense from morning to night, which suits evening events, photography, and deep eye colors. Brownish Black softens the frame around the eye while keeping the staying power, making it the better daily choice for fair skin, blonde lashes, and professional settings.
Consider the removal cost alongside the look. A shade you wear daily in waterproof means daily oil-based removal, with the cumulative lash friction that implies. Many buyers find the practical split is Brownish Black waterproof for regular days, when they want softness that lasts, and Very Black reserved for occasions that justify both the drama and the removal effort. The 2-pack of Very Black exists for the devoted, but honest rotation beats shade loyalty when lash health is the priority.
Lower lashes deserve special thought in waterproof: they take the most removal friction and show harshness most visibly. Brownish Black on the lower lashes with Very Black on top is a combination makeup artists use to keep the eye open while keeping intensity where it counts.
When Waterproof Earns Its Keep: Swimming, Workouts, Tears, and Humidity
Waterproof is not a daily default, it is a specialist tool, and knowing when it earns its keep prevents both raccoon eyes and unnecessary lash damage. Swimming is the clearest case: pool water dissolves washable mascara within minutes, while a true waterproof like Sky High Waterproof holds through laps. Heavy workouts are the second case, where sweat streams through washable formulas but beads off waterproof film-formers. Emotional days, weddings, and outdoor events in humid heat complete the list.
Just as important is knowing when waterproof is overkill. Office days, dry climates, and short outings do not need it, and wearing it daily means daily aggressive removal for no benefit. Humidity alone, without sweat or water contact, is handled fine by most modern washable formulas, so do not reach for waterproof just because the forecast is muggy. The buyers who damage their lashes with waterproof are rarely the swimmers; they are the daily wearers who never needed it. Keep a washable formula in the drawer as the default and reach for waterproof deliberately, not habitually.
For the days in between, when you want more staying power than washable but less commitment than waterproof, tubing formulas are the middle path. Our Clinique Lash Power tubing guide explains how tubing delivers smudge resistance with warm-water removal.
Sensitive Eyes and Waterproof Formulas: Reducing Irritation
Waterproof mascaras irritate sensitive eyes more than washables as a rule, for two reasons: the film-forming solvents are harsher, and the removal requires more rubbing with stronger removers. If your eyes water, itch, or redden with waterproof but tolerate washable formulas fine, the formula family is the problem, not the brand. No amount of brand-switching within waterproof fixes a sensitivity to the waterproof mechanism itself.
Mitigation starts with the minimum effective dose: one coat instead of two, applied with a light hand, since less product means less solvent exposure and easier removal. Remove with the soak-first method using a fragrance-free dual-phase remover, and rinse the lash line with water afterward so no remover residue sits against the eyes overnight. Never sleep in waterproof mascara: the hardened film flakes into the eyes during sleep and the morning removal becomes twice as harsh.
Know when to step down to a gentler formula for everyday wear. If irritation persists despite careful application and removal, switch the daily formula to washable and reserve waterproof for the specific occasions that need it. For wand and formula factors that affect comfort more broadly, the volumizing mascara guide covers how different formula types feel on sensitive eyes through a full day of wear.