NARS · Eyeliner
NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
Lower concern, traditional wax pencil formulation with no known PFAS triggers, but brand silent on ingredient sourcing.
NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil is a conventional wax-based cosmetic pencil with no confirmed Teflon-family coating coatings, water-resistance claims, or other typical PFAS vectors. NARS does not disclose PFAS status for this product.
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Wax-based pigmented pencil with graphite core
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
The Soft Touch Shadow Pencil is a wax-based colored pencil with a graphite core, designed for creamy application on the eyelid. Wax pencils are generally more stable than liquid or powder formulations because the wax binder holds pigments in a solid matrix, reducing migration into skin. The graphite core serves structural purposes and is not a significant exposure hazard in pencil form since it does not become airborne or leach readily into skin moisture.
The brand's record and disclosure
NARS is owned by Shiseido and operates under EU and FDA cosmetics compliance frameworks. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety certifications for individual products, which is typical for prestige cosmetics lines but limits transparency. No recalls, lead contamination, or formaldehyde incidents have been publicly documented for NARS eyeshadow or eyeliner products. The brand has not made public statements on PFAS avoidance, suggesting either passive avoidance of legacy formulations or lack of proactive screening.
How it compares in its category
Wax-based eyeliner pencils are among the safest formats in the color cosmetics category because they avoid aerosolization (powder risk) and reduce skin contact time compared to liquids. NARS positions at the prestige price point, which typically correlates with stricter raw material vetting than mass-market alternatives, though this is not guaranteed. Competitors like MAC Technakohl and Urban Decay 24/7 use similar wax formulations with comparable disclosure practices, making NARS unremarkable but not outlier in safety profile.
If you buy it
Keep the pencil sharpened to a clean point before each use to minimize bacterial accumulation on the surface. Do not share the pencil or allow it to contact eyes if there are active infections or cuts on the eyelid. Replace every 12 months or sooner if the tip becomes frayed, contaminated, or if the wax hardens. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources, as wax can soften and lose shape if left in direct sunlight or near radiators.
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.”
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium)
NARS products sold in regulated markets (EU, US) are subject to cosmetics heavy metal limits. No lead or cadmium incidents documented for this brand's eyeshadow or eyeliner lines. Wax pencil format makes leaching less likely than powder or cream alternatives.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or resins
Wax-based pencils do not typically require formaldehyde releasers; traditional antimicrobial approaches (e.g., phenoxyethanol) are standard in this format. No formaldehyde incidents reported for NARS cosmetics.
Talc contamination
Talc is not a primary ingredient in wax eyeliner pencils. NARS does not use talc in this product line based on published ingredient lists, though the brand has not made broad talc-free commitments.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
NARS shadow pencils may include fragrance or fragrance compounds as part of the wax base or as a processing aid. The brand lists 'fragrance' as a catch-all term on labels rather than naming individual aroma chemicals, so specific allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool) are not disclosed to consumers.
Bacterial contamination from repeated sharpening and contact with eyes
Pencil sharpeners and pencil tips can harbor bacteria if not cleaned between uses. Eye contact with contaminated eyeliner carries infection risk independent of formulation; hygiene is the primary control.
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.
More eyeliner 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.