Isn't it dangerous and/or bad business to sell products that aren't universally applicable?
ALL cosmetic lines sell products that aren't approved for use on every surface. Lipsticks are not FDA tested and almost always contain dyes and pigments that aren't eye-safe.

What is dangerous is people not heeding FDA saftey precautions. There is nothing inherently dangerous with a dye or pigment as long as it is used in the appropriate areas. You wouldn't use household clorox bleach on your hair would you? Or permanent Sharpie markers for eyeliner? Same deal. Use things as they are intended, and there is no problem.

A lot of people have this conception that everything MAC (and it's crossing over into opinions on theatrical cosmetics too) puts out is intended as street makeup for the general public. This just isn't so. This is why the PRO line was created, but due to customer complaint the PRO line has been opened up to the general public and is being combined with the standard line. This does not mean that everything is for conventional use though. Sure, few people would use black loose powder as anything but eyeshadow in the CONVENTIONAL makeup realm of street makeup, but for photoshoots, high-fashion, artistic, and theatrical makeup it is used often.

So, what can happen if you use a product in a non-approved area?
The most frequent reasons for things not being eye-safe are either an ingredient that eyes are sensitive to (a dye or pigment), or particulate matter (like glitter) that can abrade the cornea. Here are the basic consequences of those:

(1) If it's an ingredient that the FDA finds a majority percentage of people are allergic to or react to, the damage is usually short-term. Most people get an allergic reaction of variable severity, like swollen eyelids, bloodshot eyes, watery or itchy eyes, etc. In an extreme case, this could need treatment by a doctor.

(2) If it is a dye or pigment that the FDA finds to be an optical carcinogen, or caustic to optical tissues, the damage is long-term. One often overlooked location of many non-eye safe dyes is craft glitter. Craft glitter should never be used near the eyes for reasons stated in number 3, but also because the dyes used on the plastic and/or metal of the glitter is not safe for the eye area. This can include chemical burns to the sclera and/or cornea, staining of the sclera and/or cornea, cysts, clouded coreas, clouded vision, blurred vision, and blindness. Optical carcinogens can cause optical cancers. Damage of this sort to the cornea is repairable only via corneal transplant from a cadaver. Minor damage to the sclera is repairable via optical surgeries, large scale damage is not.

(3) If it's particulate matter, the damage can be long-term... and potentially devastating. Glitters or other particles can fall into the eye (even if you don't see any noticeable fallout) and rub on the surface of the eye. If you're lucky, your eye will just be irritated for a few days. If you're less fortunate... it can scratch the eye and cause far worse damage. People have lost sight due to particles scratching the eye. It's something to be very cautious about. As metioned above, damage to the cornea can result in needed a corneal transplant. Damage to the sclera can be irrepairable.

What about products with a non lip-safe status?
Again, your lips are mucus membranes, so leeching is a problem they're just like your eyes. Other possible effects are swelling, numbing, discoloration, mouth ulcers, and toxicity when ingested (even small amounts can make you quite ill- I work in theatre a lot doing scenic design as well, and there is a wood that will kill you if you get a splinter of it- just 'cause things are in small amounts doesn't mean it can't do you harm).

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So MAC makeup isnt suitable for everyday use? :confused: