Composition and Method for Dry Application of Mascara

Abstract

A substantially dry mascara formulation, a mascara application composition and a method of applying the formulation is described. The substantially dry mascara formulation may be deposited on the surface of a carrier substrate and applied to the eye lashes by contacting the mascara and substrate to the eye lashes. An application tool may optionally be used to aid application of the formulation to the eye lashes. The present invention allows various desired color gradients, patterns or designs to be imparted to the eye lashes.

1 . A mascara applicator system comprising:
 a foldable transfer sheet having at least one edge of concave curvature configured to approximate the curvature of the eyelid such that when said edge is placed against the lashes, coverage of said lashes by said transfer sheet is maximized;   a solid or semi-solid cosmetic composition disposed on at least a portion of one face of said transfer sheet;   wherein said foldable transfer sheet is conflated to be folded over to encase the lashes such that with the application of pressure on the folded transfer sheet, said cosmetic composition is transferred to the eyelashes and held thereon by said adhesive.   
   
   
       2 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transfer sheet comprises paper. 
   
   
       3 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said transfer sheet comprises perforations or folds roughly in the middle of the sheet to facilitate folding over the eyelashes. 
   
   
       4 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic composition comprises a plurality of cosmetic microdots. 
   
   
       5 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic microdots have a diameter from about 50 microns to about 0.5 mm. 
   
   
       6 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 4 , wherein said cosmetic microdots are arranged in a tilted hexagonal pattern. 
   
   
       7 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic composition comprises carbon black. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic composition comprises a color gradient or pattern on the surface of said transfer sheet. 
   
   
       9 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic composition is transparent. 
   
   
       10 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic composition is applied to said transfer sheet by a printing process selected from the group consisting of a lithography, flexography, xerographic printing, laser printing, release coating, digital printing, ink jet printing, rotogravure, and screen printing. 
   
   
       11 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a release coating layer disposed on said transfer sheet to facilitate separation of said cosmetic composition from said transfer sheet during use. 
   
   
       12 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said release coating layer comprises a non-stick silicone or mixtures of silicones. 
   
   
       13 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a backing sheet laminated onto said transfer sheet by an adhesive layer and overlaying said cosmetic composition to protect said cosmetic composition prior to use, said backing sheet being removable prior to use to expose said cosmetic composition and said adhesive layer. 
   
   
       14 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 13 , wherein said backing sheet comprises a transparent plastic material. 
   
   
       15 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 14 , wherein said backing sheet comprises a biaxially-orientated polyethylene terephthalate polyester film. 
   
   
       16 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
   
   
       17 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , where said transfer sheet comprise an indicator to alter the user when the product has been successfully applied to the eyelashes. 
   
   
       18 . The mascara applicator system according to  claim 1 , where said indicator comprises pressure sensitive ink on the face of the transfer sheet opposite the cosmetic composition. 
   
   
       19 . A method for applying a cosmetic product to eyelashes comprising:
 (i) providing a substrate having an adhesive composition and a dry or substantially dry cosmetic composition disposed on one face thereof;   (ii) folding the substrate over the eyelashes such that at least a portion of said eyelashes are in contact with said adhesive and cosmetic compositions; and   (iii) applying pressure to the opposing sides of said folded substrate to transfer the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18  further comprising heating the composition to facilitate transfer to the eyelashes. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein an applicator device is employed to carry out said step of applying pressure to the opposing sides of said folded substrate.