Abstract: A container and a related brush for applying mascara are disclosed. A sleeve (3) with a non-circular opening (4) is freely rotatably mounted in the neck (2) of the container (1), and a brush (8) with a non-circular cross-section matching the shape of the opening (4) is supported by a rod (6) that also has a non-circular cross-section and is shaped to fit said opening (4). The rod is attached to a cap (5) thus enabling the brush (8) to be inserted into the neck (2) of the container (1) and withdrawn therefrom in such a way that excess mascara is effectively scraped off the brush (8) at the opening (4) of the sleeve (3). Mascara may thus be applied accurately to the eyelashes alone.