Maybelline Colossal Mascara
Skip until Maybelline discloses waterproofing agents used.
Maybelline Colossal Mascara is waterproof, which typically requires water-repellent coatings. The brand does not disclose which agents are used, making PFAS risk unclear without independent testing.
The better-graded swap
Bare Minerals
bareMinerals Mineral Makeup
100/100 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
wax, film-forming polymers, waterproofing agent (unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Colossal Mascara is made of, ingredients and materials
Colossal Mascara is a wax-based formula with film-forming polymers (likely acrylates or similar resins) that build and volumize lashes, plus an unspecified waterproofing agent. The wax and polymers themselves are not novel hazards in cosmetics; the concern centers on what waterproofing chemistry Maybelline used. Waterproof mascaras commonly rely on silicones, acrylics, or fluorochemicals (PFAS); Maybelline has not disclosed which, leaving the PFAS risk unquantified.
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
Maybelline has not disclosed the waterproofing chemistry. Waterproof mascaras often contain PFAS or polyfluorinated compounds; the brand's silence prevents confirmation. This is a known gap in transparency for this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial or fungal growth in tube over time
All liquid/cream mascaras are prone to microbial colonization if stored warm, humid, or past 3 months of opening. Maybelline's preservative system should prevent gross spoilage, but regular replacement is standard practice to mitigate this low but real risk.
Contact dermatitis or eye irritation from fragrance or resins
Mascaras may contain fragrance or acrylate polymers that trigger sensitivity in some users. Colossal does not list a specific fragrance concentration on the label. Individual tolerance varies; incidence is sporadic, not a batch-specific pattern.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or reports of formaldehyde releasers in Colossal Mascara. Standard cosmetic preservatives in mascaras are typically parabens or phenoxyethanol, which do not release formaldehyde. Not a documented concern for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Iron oxides and carbon black are standard, regulated colorants in mascaras and carry low contamination risk if sourced under FDA/EU cosmetic rules. No known heavy metal contamination in Maybelline mascaras on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal subsidiary) does not publish full ingredient disclosures beyond the label, and has not publicly committed to phasing PFAS or certifying PFAS-free status. The brand has no known recalls or major cosmetic safety controversies on file for this product. However, silence on waterproofing agents is a red flag for consumers concerned about persistent chemicals; competitors like Physicians Formula and some indie brands explicitly state 'PFAS-free' or use named silicones.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascara formulations carry inherent PFAS risk across the category, but disclosure varies. Maybelline's opacity here is typical of legacy mass-market brands; premium or indie brands increasingly state whether they use PFAS-containing agents. Most waterproof mascaras (Loreal, Clinique, drugstore lines) face the same chemical ambiguity unless they volunteer disclosure. The difference is transparency, not necessarily the chemistry itself.
If you buy it
Use as directed and replace every 3 months to minimize exposure to formula degradation or bacterial colonization in the tube. Do not heat the mascara or store it in direct sunlight; heat can compromise polymers and wax stability. If you experience eye irritation, discontinue and patch-test the formula on inner forearm first before reapplying. Remove thoroughly with makeup remover nightly; incomplete removal can lead to lash brittleness and buildup.
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
- Maybelline has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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