NYX Professional Makeup · Eyeliner
NYX Professional Makeup NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil
Lower PFAS concern, standard pencil with no known high-risk coatings or treatments.
NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencils are basic cosmetic pencils with graphite cores, wood barrels, and plastic components. Mechanical pencils typically use no water-resistant, nonstick, or grease-resistant coatings that would signal PFAS use. NYX does not disclose PFAS information, and no public lab testing or recalls exist for this product.
Shop NYX Professional Makeup on Amazon →Material
Wood barrel, graphite lead core, plastic/resin components
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 NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil uses a wood barrel (typical for eyeliner pencils), a graphite-based lead core, and plastic/resin components for the mechanical advance mechanism and ferrule. Wood and graphite are inert materials with negligible dermal absorption risk when used as a cosmetic applicator. The plastic components are standard mechanical pencil construction; the resin likely serves as binding agent in the lead formulation. No volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or heavy metals are characteristic of this material combination at typical use temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
NYX Professional Makeup (owned by L'Oreal) does not publish extensive ingredient transparency or third-party safety certifications specific to mechanical pencils. The brand has not disclosed PFAS-related commitments or faced notable recalls tied to eyeliner pencils. No public record of formaldehyde releasers, azo dyes, or heavy metal contamination in their pencil products exists. Standard cosmetic regulations (FDA in US, EU in Europe) apply; NYX complies with statutory requirements but does not exceed them with voluntary disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Mechanical eyeliner pencils from mainstream brands (e.g., MAC, Bobbi Brown, Urban Decay) follow identical material profiles: wood/plastic barrels with graphite-pigment cores. NYX's price point and construction are typical for mass-market cosmetics. Premium alternatives (e.g., artisanal colored pencils marketed for cosmetic use) are not demonstrably safer, only costlier. The mechanical advance mechanism is a standard feature across this segment and does not introduce novel hazards versus wooden pencils that require sharpening.
If you buy it
Store at room temperature away from direct heat to prevent barrel warping or resin softening. Do not expose to water or solvents, which can degrade the wood and coating. Replace the pencil if the tip becomes jagged or the plastic components crack, as splinters pose a minor eye irritation risk. Wash hands after application if sensitive to preservatives in the core formulation; patch test on inner wrist first if prone to contact dermatitis from cosmetic dyes.
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.”
Azo dyes and synthetic pigments in lead core
No documented cases of azo dyes or heavy metal pigments (cadmium, lead) in NYX eyeliner pencils. Cosmetic-grade pigments used are typically screened for heavy metals per FDA/EU regulations, though NYX does not publish test certificates.
Wood barrel treatment and finish
Standard wood pencil finishes are typically water-based lacquers or wax coatings; no evidence of lead-based paints or formaldehyde-releasing resins in this product line. Splinter risk is minimal if barrel integrity is maintained.
Formaldehyde releasers in resin binders
Graphite pencil cores often use urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resins as binders; these are sealed within the lead and pose negligible exposure during topical cosmetic use. No dermal absorption pathway established for this application.
Contact dermatitis or eye irritation from core ingredients
Eyeliner pencils in general carry low but documented risk of irritation in sensitive individuals due to preservatives, dyes, or fragrance compounds in the pigment formulation. NYX has not issued specific safety warnings, but standard patch testing is prudent for first-time users.
Bacterial or fungal colonization if unmaintained
Mechanical pencils with exposed lead tips and retractable design can harbor bacteria if not capped and stored dry. This is a hygiene risk rather than a manufacturing hazard; clean and dry storage mitigates it.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.