Studio Matte Overlacquer vs New Lengths Nail Color Secrets: which is safer?

MAC Studio Matte Overlacquer is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

MAC Studio Matte Overlacquer

MAC

Studio Matte Overlacquer

PFAS grade

Excellent 90/100

Overall grade

Excellent 78/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

liquid cosmetic spray, alcohol and resin based

Confidence

72%

PossibleAlcohol inhalation from spray

PossibleFragrance allergens and sensitizers

PossibleResin irritation on compromised skin

Sally Hansen New Lengths Nail Color Secrets

Sally Hansen

New Lengths Nail Color Secrets

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 53/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

nitrocellulose, plasticizers, resins, pigments

Confidence

72%

ReportedVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and inhalation risk

PossiblePhthalates (plasticizers)

PossibleFormaldehyde releasers in resins

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Alcohol inhalation from spray, Fragrance allergens and sensitizers and Resin irritation on compromised skin on the MAC and not on the Sally Hansen.
  • We flag Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and inhalation risk, Phthalates (plasticizers), Formaldehyde releasers in resins and Contact sensitization from fragrance or colorants on the Sally Hansen and not on the MAC.
  • The MAC is liquid cosmetic spray, alcohol and resin based where the Sally Hansen is nitrocellulose, plasticizers, resins, pigments, which is most of the difference in these two grades.

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 →

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