bareMinerals Mineral Makeup vs Define-A-Lash Lengthening Washable Mascara: which is safer?
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup is the clear pick. Maybelline Define-A-Lash Lengthening Washable Mascara carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals in mineral pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium)
PossibleFragrance allergens and skin irritation
PossibleBismuth oxychloride sensitivity
Maybelline
Define-A-Lash Lengthening Washable Mascara
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals in iron oxide pigments
PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed components
ReportedBacterial or mold growth with extended use
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Heavy metals in mineral pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium), Fragrance allergens and skin irritation and Bismuth oxychloride sensitivity on the Bare Minerals and not on the Maybelline.
- We flag Heavy metals in iron oxide pigments, Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components and Bacterial or mold growth with extended use on the Maybelline and not on the Bare Minerals.
- The gap is 35 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Bare Minerals is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the Maybelline grade, at 45% confidence against 100%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More cosmetics, see the full ranking