Method of applying makeup to provide a more natural appearance and compact

Description

COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright and/or mask work protection. The copyright and/or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and/or mask work rights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/550,082 filed Mar. 4, 2004 entitled PERFECT PIGMENT which application is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to makeup and cosmetics, and more particularly to a method for applying makeup and the system enabling such application.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cosmetics, makeup, and the like are known in the art. Particularly, many people take pains in order to present an attractive physical appearance. For women, particularly, this pursuit includes the application of makeup to their faces. Lipstick, rouge, eye shadow, and facial powder are all items of makeup well known in the art.

Additionally, current trends in fashions generally prefer a more natural, as opposed to an artificial, appearance. As a result, there is a tendency to seek an appearance that lacks artifice and design in an overt manner. Instead, some variation and variegation of the appearance is considered to be attractive, appealing, and is sought after by many people.

An example of this is the use of hair dyes. When hair is dyed, the dye generally gives a uniform appearance of the hair as a result. This uniform coloring of the hair is generally not one that is considered to be natural as very often hair has some highlights and lowlights that give a different appearance than one that is uniform. Consequently, some highlights or other variation may be added either by additional dye, or if hair supplements are used, different color of such additions to obtain a more natural appearance for the hair.

As with hair coloring, the same variegation of appearance may be subliminally detected by the eye and mind of the viewer in looking at a model, companion, or otherwise. To provide some variation in the application of face powder and the like, the use of a uniformly-colored material generally achieves only a uniform coloration in makeup and so presents a disadvantage that is present in the known art. Consequently, it would be an advantage to provide a makeup kit or system that would enable the application of a variety of face powders or other colorings in order to achieve a more natural appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of makeup systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new makeup system and method for applying makeup wherein a more natural appearance can be achieved by the use of available compacts and brushes.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a system by which those who apply makeup can achieve a more natural appearance or, alternatively, a variety of individual makeup materials and/or colors can be carried in one simple compact for use which may be applied with a brush, not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, taught, or even implied by any of the prior art makeup systems, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The new makeup method and system disclosed herein is designed to add natural, youthful pigments to the skin, to cover skin imperfections, and to makeup the entire face with one compact and one brush in a very convenient and efficient manner. The powder used in the is compact may be made of natural minerals, including light refracting mica and pearl, which may be nature's own youthful pigments. As an individual swirls the brush over the four colors of the palette in the compact, the brush picks up the individual color pigments and lays those individual pigments onto the skin upon application. In doing so, time's effect on the face may be blended away, imperfections may be covered, and a healthy, youthful radiance may be added back to the appearance of the skin.

The makeup method set for the herein may be advantageously implemented for those with acne, rosacea, scars, and other imperfections. Additionally, it is contemplated that all skin types can enjoy the advantages provided by the present system. The makeup method set forth herein is generally easy to use and convenient, such that it is contemplated that it can be applied without a mirror, without making mistakes that might ruin the application of the makeup. Generally, the right amount of each color is automatically added as the brush is swirled over the powder compartments.

Additionally, by adjustment of the retractable brush, each of the individual colors can be used separately in order to make up the entire face, including the bronzing, sculpting, concealing, highlighting, and general makeup of the eyes and cheeks, generally in the time of under a few minutes.

The choice of color palettes may be matched to the skin type for better complementing of the underlying skin color. In one embodiment, fair, light, and medium skin tones may be addressed in one set of color palettes while natural, olive, tan, and darker complexions may be addressed in a second palette configuration.

The compact may take a variety of shapes but can generally be considered a thin disc having a hinged cover that enjoys a snap fit over the compartment-holding base. The cover may have a mirror by which one can observe the application of the makeup, and the base holds the individual powder compartments which may number, generally, three or more.

A brush is approximately several inches long and has a retractable sleeve that retracts into a handle portion. The retractable sleeve telescopes into the handle portion and generally shields or exposes the bristles of a brush. The brush may be swirled in a circular or other manner over and into the compartments of compressed facial powder. The bristles of the brush pick up the variety of colors which are then applied to the face. As the compressed facial powders have different colors, these same differences in color are transferred to the person's face and provide at least a subliminal appearance of variegation in color, preferably one that appears to be more natural.

Furthermore, as the telescoping sleeve is slid out and away from the handle, the bristles of the brush are restrained by the emerging circular collar. This allows the person applying the makeup to control the stiffness of the brush. The brush is generally very soft, and the bristles are able to move sideways much more when the collar is fully slid into the handle while the bristles are much stiffer when the open end of the telescoping sleeve is slid outwardly from the handle towards the end of the bristles. In this way, the person applying the makeup can control the stiffness of the brush. This is particularly helpful when one of the individual powders in the compact are used for eye shadow and a single color is desired for use with the compact.

In one embodiment of the present system, a method for applying makeup method to provide a more natural appearance is provided using a compact having a plurality of separate makeup powder compartments of differing colors. A brush with adjustable bristles engages the plurality of powder compartments to adhere powder of different colors to the brush. Applying the brush to a person's face thereby imparts powder particles of different colors to the person's face such that the different colors of the powders provides a more natural appearance of the powders to the face with respect to a powder of uniform color.

In another embodiment of the present system, a method for applying makeup method to provide a more natural appearance is set forth using a compact having a plurality of separate makeup powder compartments of differing colors, the powder compartments of the compact being three, four, five, six, seven, or eight in number. A brush with adjustable natural bristles collinear with a handle is used with the brush having a telescoping sleeve selectably and slidably passing into and out of the handle according to user adjustment. The telescoping sleeve generally compresses the bristles together when the telescoping sleeve is extended with the telescoping sleeve extending past the bristles when the telescoping sleeve is fully extended. A cover covers the telescoping sleeve when fully extended and generally engages the handle in a flush manner to enclose the bristles.

The brush engages the plurality of powder compartments to adhere powder of different colors to the brush by engaging the bristles with a lighter colored powder at approximately a 12 o'clock position and moving circularly to engage powders of increasingly darker color to adhere powder particles to the bristles. The brush is then applied to a person's face to thereby impart powder particles of different colors to the person's face such that the different colors of the powders imparts a more natural appearance of the powders to the face with respect to a powder of uniform color.

In another embodiment, A compact for use in applying makeup method to provide a more natural appearance is disclosed with the compact having a plurality of separate makeup powder compartments of differing colors, the powder compartments of the compact being three, four, five, six, seven, or eight in number. Each of the compartments are of generally equal area distributed generally evenly about a central axis.

In another embodiment, an applicator brush for use in applying makeup method to provide a more natural appearance is provided with the brush having adjustable and natural bristles collinear with a handle. A telescoping sleeve selectably and slidably passes into and out of the handle according to user adjustment with the telescoping sleeve generally compressing the bristles together when the telescoping sleeve is extended. The telescoping sleeve extends past the bristles when the telescoping sleeve is fully extended. A cover covers the telescoping sleeve when fully extended and generally engages the handle in a flush manner to enclose the bristles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the brush with the telescoping sleeve slid into the handle and the bristles fully exposed, the cap removed from the sleeve, as well as the compact shown in an open configuration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the method of applying makeup set forth herein.

FIG. 3-10 show a variety of compartment configurations and compact geometries for use in the compact shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, where like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout, it will be noted that the compact and brush system 100 has a makeup applicator brush 102 as well as a compact portion 104.

The brush 102 has a handle 110, a telescoping sleeve 112, the brush bristles 114 having a rounded top end 116, and a cover 118. The brush 102 is approximately four to six inches long, and the telescoping sleeve 112 slides into the handle 110 as well as extending outwardly to cover the round top end 116 of the bristles in order to protect them. A cover or cap 118 then covers the extended telescoping sleeve 112 and encases the entire brush in a compact and convenient manner.

The compact 104 has a top or lid 130 which snap-fits to the base 132 via opposing snap portions 134, 136. The top 130 is hingeably or otherwise moveably or pivotably connected to the base 132 as by the hinge 138.

A mirror 140 may be present in the top 130 and enables the person applying the makeup to view her own face. As shown in FIG. 1, a variety of facial powders 150 are present in the base 132. Using the hinge 138 as designated at the 12:00 position, a “fair” powder 152 is generally centered upon the 12:00 position, a blush powder color 154 is centered upon the 3:00 position. A golden color powder 156 is centered upon the 6:00 position, and a bronze color powder 158 is centered upon the 9:00 position. Alternative configurations and allocations of the compact and its compartments are shown in FIGS. 3-10 with FIG. 7 closely resembling the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

The fair powder color 152 may be established as an industry-standard color, such as Pantone® color 7506 U. The blush powder color 154 may also be an industry-standard color, such as Pantone® color 7415 U with the golden 156 and bronze 158 powders being Pantone® colors 466 U and 7515 U, respectively.

Alternatively, another color scheme may be used. Starting at 12 o'clock and rotating clockwise, the following colors may be used for those with darker skin. Pantone® color 726U for the fair powder 152, a balance between Pantone® colors 487U and 486U for blush 154, 721U for golden 156, and lastly, 723U for bronze 158.

The specific colors for the facial powders 150 given above are currently contemplated as being those for a person having a fair complexion. With respect to those persons having darker complexions, any relative colors between the fair, blush, golden, and bronze powders 152, 154, 156, 158 may be relatively displaced in a color-wise manner so that the relative color differentials between the facial powders 150 is maintained. Alternatively, there may be certain ratios present that are known in the art having to do with color displacement and human skin tone. These proportional relationships may also control the particular colors achieved for individuals having darker skin.

The colors are generally chosen to mimic, resemble, and translate to the skin with regards to natural pigments and colors found in healthy and youthful skin tones. Of course, this is relative to the person's skin type and skin coloring. However, statistically, such mimicry of natural pigments and their colors can be established through reasonable experimentation in similar populations of people. As the skin is not just one color, the variegation and variation of colors in the application of the facial powders helps to augment and complement the appearance of the person to whom the makeup is applied.

The positioning of the colors is contemplated as having an optimal configuration as set forth herein with the colors generally transitioning from light (12:00) to dark (9:00). In a preferred embodiment, the individual facial powders 150 are kept separate from one another, and not blended together, in order to enhance the effect. According to one viewpoint, the mixing of the different colors provides a kaleidoscope effect due to the lack of homogeneity within the individual facial powders 150. As a result, micro-fine gradations may not be achieved due to the absence of a single uniform powder color. However, the powders are such that the individual colors are preferably subliminally detected by a viewer without the indication that the facial powders responsible for the healthy and youthful skin tone experienced by the person to whom the makeup is applied.

In order to apply the facial powders 150, a brush 102 of natural fibers, as opposed to synthetic fibers, is generally preferred. The architecture and construction of natural fibers are generally seen as being preferred, as synthetics may not have the texture and/or surface qualities that natural fibers, such as natural oolong hair fibers (obtained from goats, a common source of makeup brush bristles) may provide.

In the application of powders (particularly to the face), the telescoping sleeve 112 is generally retracted entirely into the handle 110 in order to expose the brush 102 with its rounded top 116. A rounded top 116 is contemplated as performing better than other brush geometries such as flat top brushes. When makeup is be applied to the face of the person, the brush 102 is swirled around the base 132 of the compact 104 in order to pick up all of the facial powder colors with the bristles generally coming into contact with the aluminum or other separating dividers separating each of the pie-shaped tins containing the facial powders 150. In doing so, each of the colors of the facial powders 150 adhere to the bristles 114 particularly at the rounded top 116 so that the brush may convey the facial powders 150 to the person's face. The circular swirling motion is generally in a clockwise fashion which is particularly convenient for a right-handed person. However, a left-handed configuration can also be obtained in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner. For the counterclockwise motion, a mirror image of the base 132 of the compact 104 of the facial powders 150 is achieved that basically switches the blush powder 154 with the bronze powder 158 and vice versa.

The brush 102, with the abraded and adhering facial powders 150, is then applied to the face in the usual manner. The multiplicity of facial powder colors then provide micro-mottling of the facial powders 150 and the colors of the facial powders 150 upon the person's face. This micro-mottling is preferably such that it is only subliminally detected visually by the casual viewer. Preferably even the person who scrutinizes the person wearing the makeup's face does not readily detect the use of makeup in order to obtain a natural, healthy, and youthful appearance to the skin of the face. By using the retractable brush and gently swirling it in a circular motion over all of the colors of the facial powders 150 and then lightly dusting the entire face and neck with the powders on the brush 102, an individual can obtain facial powdering in a manner that is convenient, useful, and that provides means by which a more attractive appearance can be achieved. This process may be repeated especially in areas where more color is desired.

In particular applications, a variety of approaches may be used. For more color on the cheeks, the blush and/or bronze powders 154, 158 may be applied by themselves or individually, to add a natural flow of color, the mixed colors may be added to the outline of the jaw and neck. For covering redness, application of the neutral, yellow-based golden powder 156 to red areas may be made by adjusting the brush 102 so that its telescoping sleeve 112 is halfway between its retracted and extended positions. After the red areas have been covered, the telescoping sleeve 112 may be retracted to return the brush bristles 114 to their normal length, and the combination of colors as set forth in the preferred embodiment above may be performed either over foundation or by itself.

In order to provide shading, the brush may be adjusted so that the telescoping sleeve 112 is two-thirds (⅔) of the way up between extended and retracted positions, with the bronzer used for hollowing cheeks, defining the jawline, under the chin, and/or for reducing the hair line.

For highlighting, the brush may be maintained in the two-thirds sleeve-extended position using the lightest “fair” powder 152. The highlights are accomplished by dusting the fair powder 152 over the brow, the cheekbones, the center of the nose, as well as the center of the forehead, chin, and/or jawline.

In order to provide eye makeup, the telescoping sleeve 112 may be extended outwardly until only three-eighths (⅜) of an inch of the brush end 116 is exposed. The eye lid and the eye crease may both be dusted over with the bronze powder 158 with a touch of blush added to the outside of the brow. With the brush 102, these two colors may be blended together by buffing the brush between the two colored areas.

With respect to eye brows, those with blonde hairs may use the golden powder 156 while others may use the bronze powder 158 in order to add color.

If too much powder is applied to the brush 102, the brush may be wiped off gently on a tissue and the telescoping sleeve 112 retracted halfway. The face may be buffed over with the cleansed brush which will blend and remove the excess powder. Alternatively, with either the lightest or neutral base powder color, such as the fair powder 152, the areas where too much color has been applied may be buffed over, and this will help blend and balance the colors.

Overall, the compact and brush system 100 as well as the method set forth above, was developed to give everyone the same natural color, healthy, and sun-kissed complexion through a flawless and mistake-proof application system. The combination of natural pigments found in healthy, youthful skin tones can be worn either over foundation or by itself, with the facial powders 150 containing a hint of pearl to give made up skin an extra special glow. The colors chosen for the facial powders 150 may be universal in order to match almost every skin tone.

The process set forth above is set forth in exemplary manner in the schematic shown in FIG. 2, where the compact is open and the makeup is exposed 170. The brush 102 is then moved as by swirling in a circular manner to engage the powders of different colors 172 and thereby provide the variegated color base in powder form adhering to the brush 102. The powders are then applied to the face 174 in order to provide such variegated color that provides a more natural appearance with colors that complement and enhance a person's natural beauty.

Where extra coverage is needed, the sleeve 112 of the brush may be extended so that only ⅜ of an inch of the brush end 116 is showing. The brush 102 may then be dipped or brushed into the color most closely matching the person's skin type. This will give added coverage for blemishes or other imperfections. The same steps may be taken in order to provide highlights or emphases on certain facial features according to the facial powder 150 chosen.

The mixing of colors can enhance the matching of the powders to the skin type. For those with rosacea, a blemish, or other skin imperfections may generally need extra coverage. The use of the golden powder 156 helps to conceal and cancel any redness. Furthermore, the golden powder 156 can be mixed with the fair powder 152 in order to match lighter complexions. For darker complexions, the golden powder 156 can be mixed with the bronze powder 158. Depending upon the skin type, epidermal redness will generally be diminished or disappear completely.

The bronze powder 158 may be used for contouring the cheeks, concealing a double chin, defining the jawline, as eye shadow, or simply to add a natural sun-kissed look to the face. The bronze powder 158 can also be mixed with the blush powder 154 for a pinker, bronzed look. The bronze powder 158 and the blush powder 154, when mixed, add a more youthful look and may be used on the brow as well.

For eye brows, the golden powder 156 is an excellent match for blondes and the bronze powder 158 is a good match for redheads and brunettes. To set foundation, blend all of the colors of the palette and dust over makeup foundation. This will set the makeup foundation, help it stay all day, and add youthful pigments to the skin for a more natural look.

For eyelash thickener, dust any or all of the colors over the eyelashes with the eyes closed. This will make the eyelashes appear thicker when applying mascara.

The fair, golden, or the bronze powders 152, 156, 158 can be used alone as foundation. Then, all the colors of the palette are mixed by swirling the brush 102 over all the colors and then can be used to accentuate and add back natural pigments to the desired areas of the face, neck, and decollate.

Ingredients in the face powders 150 may include natural minerals, mica and pearl, which are added to create a soft focus look to the skin. Deflecting light away from wrinkles and skin imperfections create the appearance of luminous, younger looking skin, and are among the several aims of the present system.

While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.