Morphe Cosmetics Lawsuit

photo courtesy of Morphe.com

Morphe Cosmetics by Forma Brands lands a lawsuit in late 2022 due to harmful ingredients in their products. Walnut Grove students had varying opinions when informed.
by Jordan Jones and Cheyenne Seagraves

The 52 page complaint made on ClassAction.org by plaintiffs, Crystal Damato, Amanda Montgomery, and Taylor Maxwell, explains that Morphe products  “contain color additives and ingredients that are dangerous when used on the immediate eye area.” And, according to The Fashion Law, “[Morphe is] failing to alert consumers – including children – about the risks of such known dangers.” 
 The makeup brand Morphe included additives that the FDA banned for use of face cosmetics near the eye area. These include, FD&C Red No. 4 and D&C Violet No. 2; Ext. D&C Violet No. 2; to name a few, but this list is quite extensive on ClassAction.org. 

The eyeshadow palettes that contain these additives are some of the most popular and highly rated palettes according to Morphe’s website, including celebrity endorsed palettes. For example, the James Charles palette, Morphe X Jaclyn Hill Volume 2, and Madison Beer Channel Surfing Artistry Palette. Listed by Erin Shaak on Class Action.org, the total list of all products and ingredients included within the lawsuit can be found on the site. 

photo courtesy of Yolanda Jeftha

Junior at Walnut Grove, Kaylee Fagan, feels as though Morphe, “is not right to not inform customers or mislead us . . .  Let us make that decision to still use the product.”

Individuals that use Morphe products have experienced acne, skin irritation, rashes, and staining as said on Class Action. When asked about her experience with the brand, Senior Carys Moon says that “It made [her] break out.” 

On the Morphe website, they say pressed pigments are not recommended for use around the eye area. As explained by The Fashion Law website, Morphe also put on the back of the palettes a tiny eye symbol with a line through it. This does not allow consumers to properly distinguish the difference between the eyeshadows and pressed pigments.

Class Action states that customers go through the entire buying process without ever being properly warned about the harmful ingredients that are contained within the eyeshadow palettes.  

Senior Ansley Sentelle said she’s been using their products for five or more years, and they have never made her skin break out or have given her any issues. Sentelle also says that their eyebrow pencils are really good. When asked if she thought the allegations were true, she said, “I just don’t know how true it is. I hope [it's] not . . . I just gotta see how the lawsuit ends.” She said she will continue using her Morphe products until the lawsuit is finalized. 

Similarly, Senior Samantha Brito has also had a positive experience with her use of Morphe products. She says she uses their “Continuous Setting Spray, Makeup tools, eyeshadows, and setting powder.” She further explains that the lawsuit is “sad because their products are actually good and affordable.” Brito said she will continue to buy their makeup tools “because they’re [her] everyday products.” However, she made the distinction that their eye products are a “no.” 

Students offered alternatives to the Morphe products. Senior Abryonna Nestor says “I use Nyx, it’s more smooth and not as cakey.” When asked why she uses Nyx instead of Morphe she states, “Morphe relies more on their brand ambassadors, not the skin tones of customers,” which is important to her. 
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Fagan also gives her view that “Kosas, Ilia Beauty, and Milk Makeup are better alternatives… They don’t harm the environment or people when creating their products.” She also states that, “They are clean, vegan and animal cruelty free; they’re safe on varying skin types and combinations.” 

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photo courtesy of BeautyMatter.com

Morphe is facing more than five million dollars in damages due to this lawsuit, and lead plaintiffs are trying to enable thousands of customers to be added to the list of plaintiffs according to the Class Action website. This is also ahead of their parent company Forma Brands filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy this past January, and the immediate closing of all stores in the United States, states Retail Dive.

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