Suede Splash Lipstick vs Exhibitionist Ultra Matte Lipstick: which is safer?

Burt's Bees Suede Splash Lipstick is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Burt's Bees Suede Splash Lipstick

Burt's Bees

Suede Splash Lipstick

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 67/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Wax, oils, pigments, beeswax base

Confidence

78%

PossibleFragrance allergens (essential oils, fragrance compounds)

PossibleOil rancidity and skin irritation over time

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Ultra Matte Lipstick

CoverGirl

Exhibitionist Ultra Matte Lipstick

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Wax, pigments, oils, emollients

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde releasers in preservatives

PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components

PossibleWax degradation and rancidity over time

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Fragrance allergens (essential oils, fragrance compounds) and Oil rancidity and skin irritation over time on the Burt's Bees and not on the CoverGirl.
  • We flag Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives, Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components and Wax degradation and rancidity over time on the CoverGirl and not on the Burt's Bees.
  • The Burt's Bees is Wax, oils, pigments, beeswax base where the CoverGirl is Wax, pigments, oils, emollients, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: 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 lipstick: see the full ranking