Bobbi Brown · Waterproof Mascara
Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara
Waterproof mascara with undisclosed waterproofing chemistry; insufficient transparency.
Bobbi Brown does not disclose PFAS status or waterproof ingredient sources. Waterproofing in mascara often involves fluorinated compounds, but no independent testing available.
The better-graded swap
Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
75/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Liquid pigment blend, waterproofing agents unspecified
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara is a liquid pigment suspension with unspecified waterproofing agents, which is the core concern. Waterproof mascaras typically use silicones, waxes, or film-forming polymers to create water resistance, but the exact chemistry here is not publicly disclosed. The pigment blend itself is standard (iron oxides, synthetic colorants), but without transparency on waterproofing additives, you cannot assess whether problematic chemicals are present. This lack of ingredient specificity is unusual for a prestige brand in this price range.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Waterproof mascaras often rely on fluorinated compounds or synthetic polymers; Bobbi Brown does not name these agents. Without ingredient transparency, PFAS risk cannot be ruled out, and polymer particles risk eye irritation or bioaccumulation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial or fungal contamination from liquid formula over time
All liquid mascaras risk microbial growth if used beyond three months or if mascara wand touches non-clean surfaces. Bobbi Brown's preservative system is not disclosed, so resistance to bacterial overgrowth cannot be verified independently.
Eye irritation or allergic reaction from fragrance or essential oils
Mascaras near the eye and eyelid skin are high-risk for contact sensitivity. If fragrance or botanical extracts are present, undisclosed allergens could trigger redness or swelling in sensitive individuals; full ingredient list is not publicly available for this product.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or public warnings specific to this mascara for formaldehyde releasers have been documented. However, waterproof formulations typically use broad-spectrum preservatives that sometimes include DMDM hydantoin or diazolidinyl urea; ingredient list does not specify.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Iron oxides and FDA-approved synthetic colorants are standard and low-risk; no specific contamination reports for this product exist. Standard testing should catch lead or cadmium in pigments, but prestige brands do not always publicly disclose heavy metal testing.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Bobbi Brown (owned by Estée Lauder Companies) has not published substantive commitments on PFAS phase-out or microplastics reduction, and remains silent on waterproofing chemistry in this mascara. The brand does not appear on major clean-beauty certification lists (Leaping Bunny, EWG Verified, etc.), though it does test on animals in some markets. Estée Lauder as a parent company has faced minimal public pressure on PFAS in cosmetics compared to skincare, allowing mascara formulations to escape scrutiny. This silence, combined with the waterproof claim without disclosed agents, suggests either reliance on legacy chemistry or deliberate opacity.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof mascaras fall into two camps, those disclosing silicone or wax bases (e.g., Maybelline, L'Oreal) and premium brands relying on proprietary, undisclosed polymers. Bobbi Brown sits in the latter group. Comparable prestige mascaras like MAC Fix+ or Charlotte Tilbury do disclose base ingredients more clearly. Budget alternatives (e.g., Wet n Wild, Essence) and clean-certified brands (Ilia, Kosas) either avoid waterproof claims or use transparent wax/silicone systems. This product's refusal to name waterproofing chemistry is a relative weak point for its price tier.
If you buy it
Remove with a dedicated makeup remover or oil cleanser, as waterproof formulations resist water alone and residue left on lashes increases infection risk over time. Replace every three months to avoid bacterial contamination (mascara wands are high-touch and liquid formulations age quickly). If you experience irritation, redness, or watery eyes after application, discontinue immediately, as undisclosed additives may trigger sensitivity. Store upright, capped tightly, and discard if the formula becomes clumpy or smells rancid, signaling microbial growth.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Bobbi Brown has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara?
- Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof mascara grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.