Côte · Nail Polish
Cote Beauty Color Crush Set
Lower-concern category, but brand offers no PFAS transparency.
Côte's Color Crush Set is a color cosmetic (eyeshadow/lip product) with no known PFAS-prone coating or treatment triggers. Cosmetic pigments and binders are generally lower PFAS-use categories than waterproof formulations or treated textiles.
Shop Côte on Amazon →Material
pigmented color cosmetics (eyeshadow/lip set)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Côte Color Crush sets are pigmented eyeshadow and lip products formulated as pressed or liquid cosmetics. The hazard profile depends on colorant source (synthetic iron oxides, mica, talc alternatives, or organic dyes) and binder chemistry. Pressed eyeshadows commonly use talc, silica, or talc-free mineral blends; pigment stability and impurity levels vary by supplier. Lip products add emollients and may contain dyes regulated differently than eye-safe pigments, so cross-application carries mild risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Côte maintains no publicly available ingredient transparency portal or third-party certifications (Clean Beauty, Leaping Bunny, EWG Verified). The brand has not issued statements on heavy metal testing, formaldehyde releasers, or PFAS avoidance despite industry movement toward disclosure. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this brand. Silence on safety protocols is typical of emerging indie brands but limits consumer confidence in manufacturing standards.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market eyeshadow palettes and lip sets face consistent concerns around talc dust inhalation, lead/cadmium traces in synthetic pigments, and fragrance allergens. Côte's lower-PFAS tier suggests formulation without water-resistant Teflon-type coating or polyfluoroalkyl additives, positioning it ahead of long-wear cosmetics. However, without third-party testing disclosure, it offers no advantage over certified brands (e.g., Pacifica, Ilia, RMS) that publish heavy metal limits or talc-free claims.
If you buy it
Patch-test eyeshadow on inner eyelid 24-48 hours before full use to screen for pigment or fragrance sensitivity. Apply with brushes rather than fingers to minimize inhalation of pressed powder dust. Do not use eye products on lips unless labeled safe for dual use. Replace after 6-12 months or if odor, texture change, or moisture ingress occurs, as pressed cosmetics degrade and can harbor bacteria if stored in humid bathrooms.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Talc or talc-contaminated mineral powders
Pressed eyeshadow formulations commonly use talc for texture unless marketed talc-free. No public specification available for Côte products; if present, chronic inhalation carries mild respiratory irritation risk, especially with repeat application in poorly ventilated spaces.
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in synthetic pigments
Colorants in eyeshadow and lip products are sourced from third-party pigment suppliers; FDA limits exist but are not pre-market enforced. Côte has not disclosed testing data. Risk is low for occasional use but cumulative with repeated daily application over years.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
If Color Crush products contain fragrance (common in tinted lip products), individual allergens are not listed on packaging under US regulations. Cross-reactivity with other fragranced products and eye-sensitive individuals poses mild contact dermatitis risk.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
No public record of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) identified in Côte formulations. Standard risk for this product category, but brand provides no formulation transparency to confirm absence.
Bacterial contamination from packaging or storage
Pressed eyeshadow and open-pan lip products are vulnerable to contamination if stored in humid bathrooms or touched with unclean applicators. Brand guidance on airless vs. open packaging unknown; standard hygiene measures (brush cleaning, replacement) mitigate risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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More nail polish 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.