Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick
Avoid. Waterproof cosmetics often contain PFAS. Revlon discloses nothing.
This waterproof liquid lipstick includes durable topcoat technology, but Revlon remains silent on PFAS. Waterproof cosmetics frequently use PFAS compounds.
The better-graded swap
Estée Lauder
Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick
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
liquid acrylate polymer film with waterproof topcoat
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick is made of, ingredients and materials
ColorStay Ultimate is a liquid acrylate polymer film that dries to a flexible, long-wear finish with a waterproof topcoat. The acrylate polymer base is a common film-former in modern liquid lipsticks, designed to adhere to lips and resist removal. The waterproof topcoat is the critical unknown, waterproof cosmetics frequently contain PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to repel water and sweat, though Revlon provides no ingredient breakdown or safety statement on this point.
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.
PFAS
Waterproof liquid lipsticks commonly use fluorinated polymers or Teflon-type coating-derived coatings; Revlon discloses nothing and provides no ingredient list detail. Assumption of PFAS presence is warranted pending lab verification.
Source, ATSDR ↗Lead
Cosmetic colorants, especially reds and oranges in lipstick, may contain trace heavy metals if sourced from synthetic or mineral pigments not pre-screened. FDA sets limits but does not require pre-market testing; occasional reports exist for mass-market brands.
Source, ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Revlon ColorStay formulas typically contain fragrance and fragrance compounds; no ingredient list is provided by the brand. Fragrance is a common trigger for lip dermatitis and allergic contact reactions, particularly in long-wearing formulas that occlude the delicate lip skin.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid cosmetics require antimicrobial preservatives; some brands use formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) to prevent spoilage. Revlon's specific preservative package is not disclosed, and these agents can cause contact sensitization or low-level formaldehyde migration over time.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic or non-biodegradable polymer residue
The acrylate polymer film itself is a synthetic polymer that does not biodegrade. Environmental impact from rinse-off is established; direct health risk during use is low, but accumulation in water systems is documented.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Revlon does not publicly commit to PFAS avoidance or disclose PFAS presence in waterproof products. The company has faced recalls and regulatory action on other products (e.g., bacterial contamination in mascaras, 2021), indicating variable quality control. For ColorStay specifically, no major recalls or established safety violations are on record, but Revlon's silence on PFAS in waterproof formulas is a transparency gap consistent with industry-wide opacity on this issue.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof liquid lipsticks are inherently higher-risk for PFAS than conventional alternatives due to their water-repellent function. ColorStay Ultimate is a mainstream budget product; premium or clean-beauty brands often market PFAS-free or water-resistant (not waterproof) alternatives, though verified testing is rare. Non-waterproof liquid lipsticks or traditional long-wear formulas avoid this specific concern but may trade off durability.
If you buy it
Patch test on inner lip or small area 24 hours before full application to screen for allergic sensitization. Apply sparingly and avoid ingestion (common with lip products due to eating and drinking); assume some product transfer to mouth occurs. Replace after 12 months or if texture, smell, or separations appear, as liquid cosmetics can support bacterial growth if caps are left loose. Do not use if lips are broken, sunburned, or irritated.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Revlon has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More lipstick 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.