MAKEUP APPLICATION TOOL

Abstract

A makeup application tool has a substantially flat basic body with a relatively stiff center and a periphery formed with soft, pliable marginal edges. The center of the basic body is gripped by a user's hand. When the marginal edges are placed flat against the skin they fit snuggly and sealingly on the skin to form a masking border or a guide for the application of makeup product. In a plan view, the soft edges of the tool are formed with defined contours for makeup application, including straight edges, convex curves, and concave curves with variable radii of curvature. The tool is freely reversible between makeup applications at the right eye and the left eye.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a makeup applicator tool and to a method of applying makeup.

Makeup is applied in many different ways. Generally, it is possible to cover up skin imperfections such as dark spots or blemishes with concealer, even skin tones with foundation, add bronzer to add additional glow to the skin, to blur uneven skin texture with powder, to emphasize contours with creams, to draw individual lines, or to paint or powder shadows, and the like. Certain makeup techniques around the eyes and brows can alter the appearance of eyes, making them look larger or brighter, or even a different shape. In recent years, makeup application techniques have become much more complex, with looks that are often difficult to achieve, requiring multiple layers of makeup and skilled application. Besides applicator pencils, brushes, and sponges, there also exist a plethora of guides and stencils that aid in the application of makeup.

Published patent application US 2004/0107975 A1 (WO 2004/052161 A1), for example, describes a stencil which forms a guide for lining the top and the bottom of the eye. The stencil has a variety of rounded shapes on its periphery, with curvatures that allow eyes to be lined at the top and at the bottom. The stencil may be reversed so as to allow the same shape to be applied to the left eye and to the right eye.

The product “W7 Perfect Guide Complete Liner Guide for Eyes and Lips” (Google Search, “W7 Perfect Guide,” last accessed Jul. 12, 2022), also provides a stencil for lining eye makeup, and other applications around the eye area. On use, the stencils are quite difficult to hold in place and they require some training. The devices are quite small, they are substantially flat, and they do not have surface structuring that would allow them to be securely grasped.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,040 describes a sponge for stamping eye shadow around the eyes. The functionality of the device is limited to eye shadow stamping.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,260,614 describes a makeup applicator that shields other parts of the face from makeup products where they are not intended. The device is not suitable to be used as a stencil or a guide.

Makeup sponges are used for applying foundation and concealer. The sponges are generally not suitable as stencils or guides, nor are they useful for the application of eye liner or eye shadow.

Due to the vicinity to the eye, which is quite sensitive to mechanical pressure application and also with regard to exposure to foreign substances, it is important that any applicator edges that come into contact with pressure-sensitive areas be as soft as possible. It should not be necessary, for instance, to press down hard onto the eyeball when applying eye shadow. Yet, the structural shape for a stencil or guide should be maintained as well as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a makeup applicator tool and a method of applying makeup which overcomes a variety of disadvantages and shortcomings of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for a versatile tool that enables various makeup techniques to be performed in the eye area.

With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a makeup application tool, comprising:

• • a substantially flat basic body with a center and a periphery formed with a plurality of marginal edges;
  • said center of said basic body having a given thickness that decreases gradually towards at least two of said marginal edges;
  • said center of said basic body being formed with a relative stiffness configured to be gripped by a hand of a user;
  • said at least two marginal edges being formed with a relative stiffness that is substantially lower than the relative stiffness of said center of said basic body, enabling one of said at least two marginal edges to be pliably bent and to conform to a shape of an underlying skin surface (i.e., to sit snuggly, to tightly adapt to the shape without substantially impressing into the soft tissue) when a torque is applied to said basic body by the hand of the user, enabling makeup product to be applied next to said one of said marginal edges, with said one of said marginal edges forming a guide or masking boundary for the application of the makeup product;
  • said at least two marginal edges being formed with defined outline shapes at peripheral edges thereof, with said shapes, in a plan view of said basic body, including at least one segment with a convex curve, at least one segment with a concave curve, and at least one segment with a substantially straight edge.

The novel tool is provided for filling in the brow with powder, and for more complex makeup techniques, such as creating a cut-crease or cut crease with cat eye, and creating a wing, or cat eye design on the outside of the eyes.

It is also not only for use with eye liner. It is optimal for use with any type of makeup that is commonly used to create these makeup designs, specifically, liquid eye liner, powder shadow or liner, gel, charcoal, concealer, and foundation.

The marginal edges of the novel tool flatten out to become paper thin. This allows the user to create sharp lines, using a broad range of makeup products and consistencies. The user can brush or draw onto the device and onto the skin with no ridge between. The tool becomes more of a stencil than a guide.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a makeup applicator tool and a method of applying makeup, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a plan view onto an exemplary embodiment of the makeup applicator tool according to the invention, showing various section lines referring to FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 2A-2D are sectional views taken along the vertical line A-A, B-B, C-C, and D-D in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C are sectional views taken along the horizontal lines I-I, II-II, and III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view onto the applicator tool according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary alignment of the applicator tool at a user's eye;

FIG. 6 is a similar illustration of an exemplary alignment of the applicator tool at a user's eyebrow;

FIG. 7 is a further illustration of an exemplary alignment of the applicator tool at a user's eye; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a user's eyebrow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIGS. 1 and 4 thereof, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the makeup applicator tool 1. The tool 1 is a substantially flat basic body with a generally square peripheral shape. The periphery is formed with defined curves and straight segments. Each of the segments is formed to serve a specific purpose. The outline segments are usable as guides or stencils, forming a makeup tool for aiding in applying makeup to the eye area, and specifically for filling in eyebrows and to achieve certain advanced make-up looks, such as winged eyeliner, cat-eye, cut-crease and cut-crease with a cat eye.

The tool 1 is formed with thin, pliable marginal edges 2, 3, and 5, as well as with a relatively thicker marginal edge 4. The tool 1 is relatively thicker in the center and towards the marginal edge 4. The edge 4 and the center, therefore, are sturdier and allow the tool 1 to be held by the user's hand. The approximate outline dimensions are 80 mm×80 mm (3″×3″) and the general thickness of the device varies from approx. 4-8 mm to approx. 1-2 mm (0.3″-0.007″). That is, a ratio between the thickest portion of the tool 1 and the thinnest edges may be in a range of 8:1-5:1, but may also approach 3:1 or 2:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the tool 1 is formed entirely of a polymer, such as silicone (polysiloxane), synthetic rubber, or another rubber-like substance. The selection of the material of the device is driven by its functionality. Here, the center and the marginal edge 4 must be sturdy and rigid enough to be held by the user's hand so as to allow the respective edge 2, 3, or 5 to be pressed against the face. The edges must be soft so as to allow the edge to tightly lie against the skin during the application of the makeup, while not otherwise depressing the skin and leaving creases or similar impressions. The edges, in their applied state, while they are being pressed against the skin, resemble masking tape and thus form transitory stencils.

In other words, the thin (silicone) edges, when pressed against skin, will sit completely flush, even along rigid or textured areas such as the orbital bone structure. The ergonomic shape of the tool 1, along with the thicker edge 4 and the center, facilitate the user to press the device down using only the forefinger and thumb, allowing the user to be able to apply makeup with the dominant hand rather than needing that hand to hold the tool 1.

Silicone or silicone rubber is also beneficial with regard to its surface structure, i.e., it serves as anti-slip material and it may be slightly textured and matte rather than shiny. The flat silicone edge is able to sit flush along a user's face mimicking tapes such as in painting or so the users can paint all along an edge or line, without the stencil lifting or product slipping underneath. In mimicking tape, this also frees the user to use any product, not just products with pointed tips which are the only applicator optimized for traditional guides. When used with powders or gel consistencies, this unique feature allows the user to blend the product during application by either patting down or brushing back and forth, with no gap between the skin and device, which aids in achieving a much sought-after airbrushed finish. Tape is also commonly used to achieve such makeup looks, which smudges any makeup such as foundation or concealer that is already under the tape. By mimicking the tape, the novel tool allows the user to create more advanced makeup looks without sacrificing the quality of application or prior-applied makeup. The tape effect is especially important for applying powder or concealer, for example, when filling in the brows with powder, or drawing the inside of a cut-crease with concealer, which cannot be achieved without the flexibility, thinness and ergonomic structure that is unique to the device.

The material of the tool 1 may have a durometer hardness of between 15 and 50 Shore A. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hardness is between 20 and 40 Shore A, or more preferable between 22 and 35 Shore A, or between 24 and 30 Shore A. The material may also be chosen to be extra soft, such as <15 Shore A, or 20-40 Shore 00, as long as the structural integrity of the thin edges 2, 3, 5 is not impaired so as to easily tear or fray.

In an alternative embodiment, the tool may be formed with a gradient material structure, with the center and the edge 4 being formed of a harder material (e.g., 25-40 Shore A) and the marginal edges 2, 3, 5 being formed of a softer material (e.g., 15-22 Shore A).

A similar gradient in the local flexibility of the device may also be achieved by incorporating one or more reinforcement elements into the mold. Exemplary reinforcement elements 6 are indicated in FIGS. 2-4. In that case, the tool 1 may be formed of a uniform material throughout, and a reinforcement fabric patch, a thin wire lathe, a fabric ply, a plastic insert, or several wire strings may be integrated inside the less flexible portions in the center and/or at the marginal edge 4.

In the case of this alternative embodiment, the difference between the thickness at the center of the tool 1 and the soft marginal edges 2, 3, 5 need not be as pronounced as outlined above and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, it suffices for the center and the marginal edge 4 to have a thickness that allows the user's hand to safely grip and hold the tool 1 during the application of the makeup. In an embodiment of the invention, the ratio between the thickest portion of the tool 1 and the thinnest edges may be in a range of 4:1, or 3:1, or 2:1. It may even approach 1:1. With a proper selection of materials, the tool 1 may be entirely flat (i.e., a thickness ratio of 1:1), with the handle portion—the center and the marginal edge 4—being formed of a harder, less flexible material than the marginal edges 2, 3, and 5, or having integrated therein reinforcement elements.

The tool may be embodied in a further variation, where the marginal edge 4 is also formed with a pliable, soft margin, similar to the edges 2, 3, and 5. The center of the tool 1 is still formed with sufficient stiffness (either by increased thickness, by an added reinforcement layer or ply 6, or by a harder material) to allow the device to be securely held by the user's hand.

The elasticity of the tool 1 is of considerable importance. The material of the tool 1, its structural dimensions, and any optional reinforcements should be selected to ensure permanent elasticity so that the body returns to its original shape following each use. Especially the straight bending behavior, its flexure or twisting in torsion should be adjusted so as to ensure its proper elasticity yet enable soft and easy pliability on the user's skin.

The marginal edge 2 of the tool 1 is a substantially straight line. With reference to FIG. 7, the straight line edge 2 may be used for the outside of the eyes, held at an angle, for creating cat-eye or wing eyeliner. A further use is for the straight part of the eyebrows, namely, the small vertical edge on the inside of the brow right above the nose, as well as the top lines.

The marginal edge 3 of the tool 1 first is very slightly convex at a first segment 3a, before it merges into a substantially straight line, and then curves along a graduating arch into the edge 4. The graduating arch 3b is defined with a decreasing radius from the straight segment of the edge 3 towards the edge 4. The curve 3b may be described as a flattened arc from a Fibonacci sequence, say, with the radius of the outline decreasing at the transition from r=∞ to r=15 mm within an arc length of only 40 mm.

With reference to FIG. 6, the edge 3 may be used for filling in eyebrows with powder. The graduating curve allows the user to align the edge 3 using any portion of the arch that mimics their own arch. This allows the edge to be adapted to any of a multitude of eyebrow shapes.

The marginal edge 5 of the tool 1 configured for a more advanced makeup technique called the “cut-crease.” The arch is the same dimensions as an eye lash curler, as eye lash curlers are often used as a stamp to start a cut crease with a line that can be a guide. The arch of the device also slopes up at one end, so the user can achieve a cut crease with cat eye, which is a common form of the cut-crease. Unlike other cut-crease stencils, the segments 5a and 5b of the edge 5 are concave. This allows the user to draw onto the eye with powder or concealer, rather than the stencil going on the eyeball.

The above comments with regard to the utility of the individual curves and outline shapes should be understood as being exemplary only. The user may freely use the general arch, the lines, the convex and concave curves for any other makeup application, on the face or other body parts. The manner of holding the device allows a user to change the angle the device is held onto the skin and thus altering the arc especially of the concave side. The specific shapes are selected as they relate to human facial features and to popular makeup techniques. The tool is freely reversible so that one and the same edge (i.e., curve contour) may be used for one side and, after turning it over, for the other side. Left and right side makeup thus is applied symmetrically with minimal effort.

The tool 1 may also be used as a stamp. The user can apply (e.g., paint) makeup product directly onto the tool, then either press it onto the skin to create a guide line, or lay it flat against the skin and drag it in the desired direction.

Claims

1. A makeup application tool, comprising:

a substantially flat basic body with a center and a periphery formed with a plurality of marginal edges;

said center of said basic body having a given thickness that decreases gradually towards at least two of said marginal edges;

said center of said basic body being formed with a relative stiffness configured to be gripped by a hand of a user;

said at least two marginal edges being formed with a relative stiffness that is substantially lower than the relative stiffness of said center of said basic body, enabling one of said at least two marginal edges to be pliably bent and to conform to a shape of an underlying skin surface when a torque is applied to said basic body by the hand of the user, enabling makeup product to be applied next to said one of said marginal edges, with said one of said marginal edges forming a guide or masking boundary for the application of the makeup product;

said at least two marginal edges being formed with defined outline shapes at peripheral edges thereof, with said shapes, in a plan view of said basic body, including at least one segment with a convex curve, at least one segment with a concave curve, and at least one segment with a substantially straight edge.

2. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, wherein said at least one concave curve follows a progressive curvature with a radius of the curvature gradually decreasing from a substantially straight edge to approximately r<40 mm within an arc length of less than 70 mm.

3. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, wherein said marginal edges of said basic body, in a plan view, include a first marginal edge following a substantially straight line contour, a second marginal edge following a contour with a slightly convex curve that merges into a substantially straight line that merges into a concave curve, a third marginal edge following a substantially straight line contour, and a fourth marginal edge following a contour with a concave curve that merges into a convex curve that merges into a concave curve.

4. The makeup application tool according to claim 3, wherein said first, second, third and fourth marginal edges merge into one another at rounded corners of said basic body.

5. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said center of said basic body is at least twice a thickness of said at least two marginal edges.

6. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of said basic body at the center is about 4-8 mm and a thickness at said at least two marginal edges is about 1-2 mm.

7. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, wherein said basic body is made of silicone, silicone rubber, rubber, or mixtures thereof.

8. The makeup application tool according to claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement element integrated into said center of said basic body to increase a stiffness of said basic body at said center.