Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner
Skip. Waterproof cosmetics carry concern, and brand discloses nothing.
Maybelline withholds PFAS status and waterproofing chemistry for this eyeliner. Waterproof formulas frequently contain fluorinated polymers, but no verification exists.
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
liquid formula with polymeric film-forming resins; waterproof liner
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner is made of, ingredients and materials
Maybelline Hyper Easy is a liquid eyeliner based on polymeric film-forming resins (likely acrylates or similar synthetic polymers) suspended in solvent carriers and water. Waterproofing in liquid eyeliners typically relies on hydrophobic resins and sometimes silicones; the exact formulation is proprietary and not fully disclosed. Liquid cosmetics applied near the eye carry inherent contact risk, making ingredient transparency and safety testing documentation important.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid eyeliners may contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (common in waterproof formulas to prevent microbial growth). Maybelline does not publicly disclose preservative type; formaldehyde or releasers are not named on the package but may be present as unspecified preservative systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane
Liquid cosmetic carriers and emulsifiers can carry 1,4-dioxane as a processing contaminant. Waterproof eyeliners often rely on ethoxylated surfactants that are known sources; no independent testing results for this specific product are on record.
Eye irritation and contact sensitization from synthetic polymers and solvents
Liquid film-forming resins and solvent carriers are inherently irritating to eyes and mucous membranes in sensitive individuals. While not a manufacturing defect, waterproof eyeliners concentrating these materials near the eye warrant cautious use and rapid removal.
Fragrance allergens
Maybelline does not disclose fragrance components in Hyper Easy; undisclosed fragrance blends can contain allergens (limonene, geraniol, etc.). Eye-area application increases risk of contact dermatitis in fragrance-sensitive users.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Iron oxides and synthetic organic dyes used in black eyeliners are regulated cosmetic colorants; no specific recalls or contamination reports for Maybelline Hyper Easy are on record. Standard cosmetic heavy metal limits (lead, cadmium, mercury) are assumed to apply under FDA oversight, but independent verification is unavailable.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Maybelline (L'Oreal-owned) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commitment to PFAS-free formulations across its product range, despite growing industry momentum on this issue. The brand lists broad ingredient categories on packaging but does not provide detailed formulation safety certifications (e.g., dermatologist-tested claims appear on packaging, but third-party certifications like EWG Verified or Leaping Bunny are absent). No major recalls specifically tied to Hyper Easy eyeliner are on record, though individual adverse event reports may exist in FDA databases.
How it compares in its category
Liquid eyeliners as a category carry similar eye-contact and solvent-exposure risks; waterproof variants specifically are more likely to rely on synthetic film-formers and solvents than water-based pencils or gels. Maybelline Hyper Easy is mainstream-budget positioned and competes with brands like Wet n Wild and Rimmel in formulation simplicity and disclosure opacity. Premium alternatives (e.g., Stila, Urban Decay) often provide more detailed ingredient breakdowns but are not necessarily lower-risk; indie and clean brands (e.g., Ilia, Glossier) may emphasize fewer synthetic polymers, though waterproofing trade-offs are real.
If you buy it
Apply only to the lash line and upper lid; avoid contact with mucous membranes and eye interior. Patch test on inner arm 24 hours before first use, especially if you have sensitive or reactive eyes. Remove completely with gentle makeup remover or oil cleanser daily; residue buildup can irritate. Replace every 3 months or if the formula thickens, separates, or develops an off odor, as microbial growth risk increases in opened liquid cosmetics.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% 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 Hyper Easy Liquid 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.