Too Faced · Waterproof Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Waterproof mascara with undisclosed waterproofing; skip if PFAS-concerned.
Waterproof cosmetics often use PFAS-based water-repellent coatings, but Too Faced does not disclose the waterproofing agent. No lab data or brand PFAS claim available.
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
wax, polymers, waterproofing agent unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof is made of, ingredients and materials
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara is a wax and polymer-based formula with an unspecified waterproofing agent. The wax base (typically beeswax or synthetic wax) provides color and coating; polymers add film-forming and adhesion properties. The waterproofing mechanism is not disclosed on packaging or in brand materials, which is standard industry practice but prevents verification of whether PFAS compounds or silicone-based water-repellent films are the active ingredient. The formula contacts delicate eye tissue and the eyelid margin, where absorption risk is elevated compared to face or body cosmetics.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
Heavy metals
Mascaras routinely contain iron oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491) and mica for black color and shimmer. Too Faced does not publish heavy metal testing or contamination limits; lead and cadmium in cosmetic-grade pigments are regulated by FDA but not actively monitored post-market.
Source, FDA ↗1,4-dioxane (process contaminant)
Polyethylene glycol and ethoxylated polymers used in some waterproof mascaras can carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing residue. Too Faced does not publish distillation or purity specifications; this contaminant is not ingredient-listed because it is unintentional.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Mascaras in this price and positioning category often contain fragrance compounds. Too Faced does not disclose specific fragrance constituents (common allergens include limonene, linalool). Eye-area application increases sensitization risk in fragrance-reactive individuals.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea) are listed on publicly available ingredient disclosures for this product. Mascaras typically use phenoxyethanol or parabens instead.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination or inclusion
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara does not list talc in its ingredient declaration. The formula relies on wax and polymers for texture.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Too Faced (owned by Estee Lauder) does not publish ingredient sourcing transparency reports or PFAS avoidance commitments. The brand has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosed waterproofing agents across its waterproof cosmetic line. No major recalls specific to this mascara formulation have been recorded, but the silence on PFAS and waterproofing chemistry reflects a category-wide opacity rather than brand-specific assurance. Estee Lauder parent company has made limited public statements on PFAS in cosmetics.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof mascaras universally require water-repellent additives; most brands do not disclose whether these are PFAS, silicones, or other polymers. Too Faced's formula is typical in this respect. Brands with explicit PFAS avoidance statements (e.g., some indie and clean beauty lines) do exist but are a minority. Conventional mascaras without waterproof claims typically avoid this disclosure gap, making them lower-friction from a transparency standpoint, though non-waterproof formulas may require more frequent reapplication.
If you buy it
Remove with oil-based or micellar cleansing at end of day; prolonged wear increases eyelid irritation and follicle buildup risk. Do not sleep in the product. Replace mascara every 3 months or immediately if clumping, odor, or eye irritation occurs; waterproof wax formulas degrade faster than water-soluble types and harbor bacteria. If you have sensitive eyes, atopic dermatitis, or contact lens wear, perform a patch test on inner forearm first. Consider reserving this product for occasional use (events, travel) rather than daily wear to reduce cumulative exposure.
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
- Too Faced has made none
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.
Chanel
Le Volume de Chanel Mascara
- pigments, waxes, polymers (unspecified)
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Estée Lauder
Lash Drama Mascara Gift Set
- pigments, waxes, film-formers in liquid mascara
- Heavy metals
5 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.