Laura Mercier · Waterproof Mascara
Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Shadow and Extravagant Mascara Bundle
Waterproof mascara likely contains water-resistant polymers; PFAS risk unclear.
Laura Mercier does not disclose PFAS use in these cosmetics. Waterproof mascara typically uses synthetic film-forming agents that may contain PFAS, though the specific formulation is proprietary and unverified.
The safe 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
eyeshadow pigments, binders, mascara polymers with waterproof film-formers
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Lead
Eyeshadow pigments, especially reds and yellows, may contain lead or cadmium if sourced from non-EU suppliers; Laura Mercier does not publish pigment sourcing or metal testing. Eye tissue absorption is low, but repeated use near eyelids carries low cumulative exposure risk.
Source: ATSDR ↗PFAS
Waterproof mascaras often use acrylate or silicone polymers; water-resistant durability sometimes achieved with PFAS-based surfactants or fluorinated compounds not always listed. Product documentation does not clarify chemistry. Risk is inhalation/ocular contact, not ingestion.
Source: ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Eyeshadows and mascaras may use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) to prevent microbial growth; Laura Mercier ingredient lists do not highlight preservative type. Eye irritation or allergic contact dermatitis possible in sensitive individuals.
Source: ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Laura Mercier eyeshadow and mascara bundles may contain fragrance notes (synthetic or natural) listed only as 'fragrance'; individual allergens are not named. Risk is contact sensitization or eye irritation if fragrance ingredients migrate to lid skin.
What’s reassuring
Talc contamination if used as filler
No public evidence that this specific bundle uses talc; however, many eyeshadow formulations do. If present and sourced from uncontrolled suppliers, asbestos fiber contamination remains a theoretical risk. Laura Mercier does not publish talc sourcing or testing.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Laura Mercier eyeshadows typically contain iron oxides, mica, and synthetic pigments suspended in binders like silicones and film-formers; mascaras rely on waterproof polymers (likely acrylates or silicones) to resist water. The waterproofing chemistry in mascara is the main concern: water-resistant formulations sometimes incorporate PFAS-based surfactants or polymers to achieve durability, though not always disclosed. Pigment provenance and heavy metal content (lead, cadmium, chromium in colorants) are standard risks in eyeshadows across the luxury category but rarely published by brands.
The brand's record and disclosure
Laura Mercier does not publish ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing results, or PFAS statements on their website or in product documentation. The brand has no known third-party certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, EWG verification) for cosmetics lines. No recalls specific to this bundle have been recorded; however, the brand's silence on formaldehyde releasers, talc sourcing, and waterproof polymer chemistry reflects industry-standard opacity rather than commitment to transparency.
How it compares in its category
Luxury eyeshadow and mascara bundles typically do not disclose pigment heavy metal limits or PFAS use; Laura Mercier sits in the middle-to-upper tier on pricing but offers no safety data advantage over drugstore alternatives. Brands like Ilia or RMS Beauty publish third-party testing and PFAS-free claims; Laura Mercier does not. Waterproof mascaras across all price points share the same PFAS uncertainty unless explicitly labeled otherwise.
If you buy it
Remove with oil-based cleanser or micellar water to avoid tugging and skin irritation from dried mascara. Replace mascara every 2-3 months; eyeshadow palettes are stable for 1-2 years if kept dry. Avoid applying to sensitive eye areas (waterline, lower lash line) if you have contact sensitivity or inflammatory eye conditions. If you have known PFAS concerns or metal sensitivities, request an ingredient CoA from the retailer or consider brands with published heavy metal and PFAS testing.
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
- Laura Mercier has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Mascara
Burt's Bees
100% Natural Nourishing Mascara, Black Brown
Wax, pigments, natural oils (typical mascara base)
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Limited concern
Bacterial growth and contamination in wax formula
Limited concern
Lower concern; conventional non-waterproof formula with no identified PFAS drivers.
⚠Risky category by default
More 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.