Covergirl Outlast Longwear Lipstick
Long-wear lipstick likely has water-resistant coating. No PFAS disclosure provided.
CoverGirl hasn't disclosed PFAS use or absence in this product. Long-wear waterproof cosmetics often use fluorinated polymers.
The better-graded swap
MAC
MAC Lipstick Matte
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
pigments, waxes, oils, waterproof resin coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Covergirl Outlast Longwear Lipstick is made of, ingredients and materials
Outlast Longwear uses a film-forming resin system (likely acrylate or similar polymer) layered over pigments, waxes, and oils to create the 16-hour wear claim. The waterproof resin coating is the functional backbone that prevents smudging and fading, which also raises the possibility of PFAS-based water-resistance chemistry, though CoverGirl has not disclosed the specific resin type. Pigments in lip color are regulated FDA cosmetic colorants, generally tested for heavy metals, but the exact pigment palette for this shade is not publicly itemized.
What’s concerning
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance chemicals
Outlast Longwear contains fragrance (listed in ingredients), which is a known allergen source in cosmetics. Individual sensitivity varies widely; fragrance may trigger contact dermatitis in users with sensitive lips or perfume sensitivities.
Microplastic particles or plastic film degradation ingestion
Synthetic polymer-based long-wear lipsticks shed microscopic flakes over time; users inadvertently ingest small amounts through eating, drinking, and lip contact. This is a category-wide concern for film-forming lip products, not CoverGirl-specific, but the extent of shedding varies by formula.
PFAS
Water-resistant 'longwear' claims often rely on fluorinated chemistry; CoverGirl's silent stance on PFAS use and the resin's need for water repellency suggest possible PFAS presence, though no testing or disclosure exists. This is assessed separately under PFAS grade (30/100).
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Lead
FDA-approved colorants used in lip products are pre-screened for heavy metal content, and CoverGirl has no public record of lead or cadmium violations. However, the specific pigment list for Outlast Longwear is not published, so independent verification is not possible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No reports of formaldehyde detection in CoverGirl lip products. Long-wear resins do not inherently require formaldehyde, though some preservative systems may release trace amounts; without full ingredient disclosure, this cannot be ruled out entirely.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
CoverGirl is owned by Coty Inc. and does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing, or PFAS use statements for most products. The brand has not faced major recalls for lead or cadmium in lip products in recent years. CoverGirl does not hold third-party cosmetic certification (like EWG Verified or Leaping Bunny) that would strengthen transparency around chemical content. No public commitments to phasing fluorinated polymers or water-resistant coatings have been announced.
How it compares in its category
Long-wear lipsticks as a category commonly rely on film-forming resins and waterproof binders; CoverGirl's approach is standard industry practice, not an outlier. Brands like MAC, Urban Decay, and Maybelline use similar resin chemistries without fuller disclosure. Higher-priced or indie brands (Bite, Tower 28) sometimes emphasize water-resistant formulas using silicones or botanical waxes instead of synthetic polymers, offering a more transparent alternative if PFAS concern is primary. CoverGirl's price point and performance claims place it in the mass-market long-wear tier, where ingredient transparency is typically lower than prestige lines.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, moisturized lips to reduce irritation from the film-forming resin; remove with an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover rather than harsh scrubbing, which can degrade the coating and potentially increase particulate ingestion. Replace the product every 6-12 months if used daily, as wax and oil bases can oxidize and harbor bacteria over time. Avoid applying to very hot food or beverages immediately after application, as heat can soften the resin matrix. Monitor for any lip irritation or allergic reaction (fragrance or preservatives), which are more common in long-wear formulas than in the resin itself.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- CoverGirl has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More lipstick 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.