Maybelline Eye Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Skip until Maybelline discloses waterproof ingredient composition.
This gel eyeliner's waterproof claim likely involves Teflon-family coating, but Maybelline shares no coating or polymer chemistry details. No third-party testing is public.
The better-graded swap
Ere Perez
Jojoba Eye Pencil
85/100 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
gel eyeliner base with waterproof polymers
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Maybelline Eye Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Eye Lasting Drama is a gel-based eyeliner formulated with waterproof polymers that create a long-wear film on the eyelid. Gel eyeliners typically use a combination of film-forming resins, volatile solvents, and pigments suspended in an oil or silicone base to achieve durability and water resistance. The waterproofing mechanism in this product likely relies on synthetic polymers or silicone-based ingredients, but Maybelline does not publicly specify which ones, raising questions about whether PFAS compounds are present as water-repellent additives.
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.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
Gel eyeliners often contain ethoxylated polymers or surfactants that may harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing residue; Maybelline does not publish purification or distillation data. At cosmetic-use concentrations on the eyelid, residual 1,4-dioxane levels in finished products are typically below concern, but full exposure assessment requires brand disclosure.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Gel eyeliners require antimicrobial preservation; if the formula includes imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin, these release trace formaldehyde over shelf life. Maybelline does not specify its preservative system, though common preservatives in gel cosmetics are typically within regulatory limits for external eye use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergen sensitization
Maybelline Eye Lasting Drama may contain fragrance compounds; consumer reports on makeup forums describe occasional eye irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Fragrance is listed as a potential ingredient in gel eyeliners, and the eye area is a higher-sensitivity zone.
Polymer film buildup and ocular irritation
Waterproof gel polymers are designed NOT to dissolve easily; daily reapplication without thorough removal can cause buildup along the lash line, triggering chronic low-grade inflammation, milia, or bacterial infection in the follicles. This is a use-hygiene issue rather than a formulation toxicity issue, but is common with wear-all-day gel products.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
FDA-approved colorants (CI 77499 iron oxides, CI 77266 nano-sized silica, etc.) are listed in the formula; no recalls or safety alerts for Maybelline gel eyeliners related to lead or cadmium contamination are on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal USA) maintains general compliance with FDA cosmetic regulations and follows standard color additive restrictions, but has not published detailed ingredient sourcing or PFAS avoidance commitments as of recent public records. The brand does not prominently market free-of claims regarding waterproofing chemistry. No major safety recalls specific to this eyeliner line are documented, but the lack of proactive polymer transparency is notable given the cosmetics industry's growing scrutiny of "forever chemicals" in long-wear formulas.
How it compares in its category
Gel eyeliners as a category carry inherent waterproofing trade-offs; most competing products (Bobbi Brown, MAC, Clinique gel liners) similarly avoid public PFAS disclosure. Maybelline's formula sits in the mass-market price tier, which often correlates with less premium sourcing transparency than luxury brands. Pencil or liquid liners without waterproof claims tend to have simpler chemistry, though they sacrifice longevity; water-resistant gel formulas universally require some polymer technology whose composition remains proprietary across most brands.
If you buy it
Apply thinly to the lash line to minimize absorption; avoid application to the waterline (inner lid) where absorption into mucous membranes is higher. Remove with makeup remover or oil cleanser nightly to prevent polymer buildup and irritation. Replace the product every 3 months once opened, as gel formulas are prone to drying out and bacterial colonization in the pot. If any irritation, redness, or swelling develops around the eye, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Maybelline Eye Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner?
- Jojoba oil, wax, pigments
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (typical pencil formulation)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Jojoba oil, waxes, pigments (natural eye pencil formulation)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens or essential oil irritants
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More eyeliner 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.