MAC Frost Lipstick vs 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick: which is safer?

MAC Frost Lipstick is the clear pick. Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.

Our pick

MAC Frost Lipstick

MAC Fix+

MAC Frost Lipstick

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

wax, oils, pigments, emollients (typical lipstick base)

Confidence

72%

PossibleHeavy metal pigments (lead, cadmium, iron oxide impurities)

PossibleAzo dyes and synthetic colorants (allergic sensitization)

PossibleFragrance and flavor oils (allergen, aspiration risk)

Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick

Maybelline SuperStay

24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick

PFAS grade

Poor 30/100

Overall grade

Bad 18/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

liquid pigments, film-forming polymers, waterproof topcoat

Confidence

45%

PossiblePFAS in waterproof topcoat

PossibleContact dermatitis or lip sensitization from film-forming polymers

PossibleOral ingestion risk and polymer safety if ingested

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Heavy metal pigments (lead, cadmium, iron oxide impurities), Azo dyes and synthetic colorants (allergic sensitization) and Fragrance and flavor oils (allergen, aspiration risk) on the MAC Fix+ and not on the Maybelline SuperStay.
  • We flag PFAS in waterproof topcoat, Contact dermatitis or lip sensitization from film-forming polymers and Oral ingestion risk and polymer safety if ingested on the Maybelline SuperStay and not on the MAC Fix+.
  • The MAC Fix+ is wax, oils, pigments, emollients (typical lipstick base) where the Maybelline SuperStay is liquid pigments, film-forming polymers, waterproof topcoat, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the MAC Fix+ is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Maybelline SuperStay grade, at 45% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.

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