Revlon · Lipstick & Lip Products
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick
Skip. Waterproof cosmetics often contain PFAS; Revlon discloses nothing.
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate is a waterproof liquid lipstick with durable topcoat technology, but brand provides no PFAS disclosure. Waterproof cosmetics frequently use PFAS compounds; consider alternatives with transparency.
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Material
liquid acrylate polymer film with waterproof topcoat
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
ColorStay Ultimate is a liquid acrylate polymer film that dries to a flexible, long-wear finish with a waterproof topcoat. The acrylate polymer base is a common film-former in modern liquid lipsticks, designed to adhere to lips and resist removal. The waterproof topcoat is the critical unknown: waterproof cosmetics frequently contain PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to repel water and sweat, though Revlon provides no ingredient breakdown or safety statement on this point.
The brand's record and disclosure
Revlon does not publicly commit to PFAS avoidance or disclose PFAS presence in waterproof products. The company has faced recalls and regulatory action on other products (e.g., bacterial contamination in mascaras, 2021), indicating variable quality control. For ColorStay specifically, no major recalls or established safety violations are on record, but Revlon's silence on PFAS in waterproof formulas is a transparency gap consistent with industry-wide opacity on this issue.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof liquid lipsticks are inherently higher-risk for PFAS than conventional alternatives due to their water-repellent function. ColorStay Ultimate is a mainstream budget product; premium or clean-beauty brands often market PFAS-free or water-resistant (not waterproof) alternatives, though verified testing is rare. Non-waterproof liquid lipsticks or traditional long-wear formulas avoid this specific concern but may trade off durability.
If you buy it
Patch test on inner lip or small area 24 hours before full application to screen for allergic sensitization. Apply sparingly and avoid ingestion (common with lip products due to eating and drinking); assume some product transfer to mouth occurs. Replace after 12 months or if texture, smell, or separations appear, as liquid cosmetics can support bacterial growth if caps are left loose. Do not use if lips are broken, sunburned, or irritated.
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.”
PFAS in waterproof topcoat
Waterproof liquid lipsticks commonly use fluorinated polymers or Teflon-type coating-derived coatings; Revlon discloses nothing and provides no ingredient list detail. Assumption of PFAS presence is warranted pending lab verification.
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium in colorants)
Cosmetic colorants, especially reds and oranges in lipstick, may contain trace heavy metals if sourced from synthetic or mineral pigments not pre-screened. FDA sets limits but does not require pre-market testing; occasional reports exist for mass-market brands.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Revlon ColorStay formulas typically contain fragrance and fragrance compounds; no ingredient list is provided by the brand. Fragrance is a common trigger for lip dermatitis and allergic contact reactions, particularly in long-wearing formulas that occlude the delicate lip skin.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservative systems
Liquid cosmetics require antimicrobial preservatives; some brands use formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) to prevent spoilage. Revlon's specific preservative package is not disclosed, and these agents can cause contact sensitization or low-level formaldehyde migration over time.
Microplastic or non-biodegradable polymer residue
The acrylate polymer film itself is a synthetic polymer that does not biodegrade. Environmental impact from rinse-off is established; direct health risk during use is low, but accumulation in water systems is documented.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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.
Safer alternatives in Lipstick & Lip Products
Revlon
Super Lustrous Lipstick
wax, oils, pigments, emollients
Lower PFAS risk likely, but no brand transparency or testing.
⚠Risky category by default
Revlon
Super Lustrous Ultra Lipstick
wax, oils, pigments, emollients
Typical lipstick with no known PFAS risk markers.
⚠Risky category by default
Covergirl
Continuous Color Lipstick
Wax, oils, pigments, standard cosmetic bases
Lower concern lipstick, but no PFAS transparency from brand.
⚠Risky category by default
More lipstick & lip products 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.