NARS The Notorious Mascara Duo Full-Size 2-Piece Set Starstruck Black and Infamous Brown
Insufficient PFAS disclosure. No third-party verification available.
NARS provides no public PFAS statements for this mascara. Mascaras typically contain polymeric film-formers; without brand testing or certification, PFAS risk cannot be ruled out. Consider brands with transparent PFAS testing or verified certifications.
The better-graded 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
mascara pigments, waxes, resins, film-forming polymers
Lab data
No public lab test
What NARS The Notorious Mascara Duo Full-Size is made of, ingredients and materials
This mascara duo contains film-forming polymers (likely acrylates or cellulose acetate butyrate), waxes (beeswax, carnauba, or synthetic), resins, and iron oxide or synthetic pigments for color. The two shades use different pigment loads to achieve Starstruck Black and Infamous Brown; iron oxides are regulated colorants with low toxicity, but synthetic organic pigments require supplier documentation to rule out heavy metal impurities. Waxes and polymers themselves are low-hazard, but manufacturing and supplier practices vary.
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.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance chemicals
Product name and marketing suggest aromatic appeal, but NARS does not disclose whether fragrance or essential oils are in the formula. If present, fragrance is not listed individually under EU or FDA rules when below concentration thresholds, creating a transparency gap for sensitive consumers. Eye-area use increases risk of irritation if undisclosed allergens are present.
Bacterial or fungal contamination from repeated wand contact
Mascaras are high-risk products for microbial growth if opened frequently or if the wand is not air-dried fully between uses. This is not a manufacturing defect but a user-side risk; NARS formulation is not specifically designed to prevent this, nor is brand practice documented.
What’s reassuring
Lead
Iron oxide and synthetic organic pigments used in black and brown mascaras are regulated color additives under FDA rules; NARS has no recalls for heavy metal contamination. However, the brand does not publicly test or disclose pigment supplier validation, so assurance relies on regulatory compliance rather than brand transparency.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-donor preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are typically used in modern mascaras because water content is minimal and film-formers naturally resist microbial growth. NARS has not disclosed preservative chemistry, but industry practice and lack of reported incidents suggest low concern.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
This mascara formulation (wax, polymer, pigment) does not require talc as a filler or anti-caking agent. Talc is not on the ingredient list for typical NARS mascaras and is not a concern for this product type.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
NARS does not publicly disclose ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing protocols, or formaldehyde-releaser screening. The brand has not published a PFAS policy or third-party certifications (e.g., Clean Beauty, Leaping Bunny safety testing). No recalls or regulatory actions specific to NARS mascaras for heavy metal or formaldehyde contamination are on record in FDA or EU databases. The brand's silence on chemical safety transparency is typical of prestige beauty but limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Most prestige mascaras (MAC, Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury) do not disclose heavy metal or formaldehyde testing either; the category standard is low transparency. Brands with explicit commitments (Glossier, Milk Makeup) publish third-party safety data and ingredient transparency. NARS sits in the middle, no red flags, but no proactive disclosure. Iron oxide pigments in black mascaras across the industry carry minimal lead/cadmium risk if pigment suppliers meet color additive regulations.
If you buy it
Store mascara in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; heat or UV exposure does not degrade wax-resin formulas the way it does some plastics, but oxidation can increase. Replace every 3 months after opening to prevent bacterial growth and dry-out. Do not heat the wand or bottle. Discontinue use immediately if you experience eye irritation, rash, or swelling; mascaras are near the eye and mucous membrane, so allergic response risk is higher than face products. If concerned about pigment purity, contact NARS directly for supplier certifications.
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
- NARS has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded 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
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.