Tarte Limited-Edition Tartelette Tubing Mascara
No public PFAS data available; low-risk category but brand silent.
Mascara formulations typically do not require PFAS, but Tarte makes no public disclosure. No third-party testing found for this product.
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
liquid formula, brush applicator
Lab data
No public lab test
What Tarte Limited-Edition Tartelette Tubing is made of, ingredients and materials
Tartelette Tubing Mascara is a liquid formula applied via brush applicator; the 'tubing' refers to the polymer coating that forms around lashes rather than a rigid applicator material itself. Liquid mascaras typically contain film-forming resins (acrylics or silicones), pigments (iron oxides or organic colorants), thickeners, and preservatives. The tube and brush are standard plastics or synthetic fibers; no specialty coatings are named in product documentation.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid mascaras routinely use preservatives such as imidazolidinyl or dmdm hydantoin that release formaldehyde over time. Tarte does not publicly disclose preservative type for this product; low migration risk into eyes during normal use, but contact dermatitis is possible in sensitive individuals.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Black and colored mascaras rely on iron oxide pigments or synthetic dyes; lead and cadmium contamination in pigment sources is monitored by FDA but not brand-tested publicly for individual products. No specific contamination report exists for Tartelette mascara, but pigment purity is not guaranteed without third-party assay.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergen undisclosure
Product lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient without specifying components. Fragrance mixes often contain contact allergens (cinnamal, limonene, eugenol); individuals with fragrance sensitivity or periocular dermatitis may react. No brand-specific sensitization claims are on record, but the ingredient opacity is standard industry practice.
Bacterial or mold growth from improper storage or age
Liquid formulas left uncapped, exposed to moisture, or used beyond recommended replacement intervals can develop microbial growth. Mascara is applied directly to mucous membranes and eyelid skin; contaminated product increases risk of conjunctivitis or stye. This is a user-maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect.
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing byproduct
Cosmetic formulas using ethoxylated ingredients or specific emulsifiers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a process impurity. Tarte does not disclose 1,4-dioxane testing or removal steps. Ocular exposure limits are not established, but ingestion or inhalation of trace amounts in cosmetics is considered low-risk by regulatory bodies.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Tarte does not publish detailed ingredient toxicology or third-party safety certifications on this product. The brand has not faced major mascara-specific recalls or contamination controversies on public record. Ingredient lists are available but lack transparency statements on heavy metals in pigments, preservative choices, or fragrance allergen disclosure beyond 'fragrance' labeling.
How it compares in its category
Tubing mascaras are a mainstream subcategory with no higher inherent hazard profile than traditional mascaras. Pigment sourcing and preservative selection vary widely across brands; Tarte's formula does not stand out as exceptionally transparent or opaque relative to competitors at similar price points. Most liquid mascaras carry the same formaldehyde releaser and heavy metal pigment risks, managed via industry compliance rather than brand differentiation.
If you buy it
Replace every 3 months or sooner if dried out, clumpy, or showing visible separation; dried formulas may concentrate preservatives or bacteria. Keep the cap tightly sealed to prevent contamination and evaporation. Avoid applying near the eye area if you have fragrance sensitivities or known contact allergies; perform a patch test on inner arm if new to the brand. Do not share applicators with others to prevent cross-contamination.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tarte 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.