Cosmetic compositions and container therefor

Abstract

A self-standing container holds particles of a cosmetic composition. The container may be cup-shaped or box-shaped, for example, and made of laminated paper or polystyrene. When ready to use, the user opens the container and adds liquid or gel to mix with the dry particles to form a moist cosmetic composition, so no separate mixing container or measuring cup is necessary. The composition formed is suitable for treating a user's skin and/or hair. A fill mark on the container informs the user of a proper amount of the liquid or gel to add to the container. The particles may include both ground-up and whole particles from substances such as dried botanicals (plant ingredients) and a binding agent. A cosmetic composition includes a ready-to-mix mixture of ingredients including particles from dried herbs and/or flowers and a dried food, and an essential oil.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cosmetic composition and container therefor, comprising: 
 a self-standing, closed, openable container that is constructed to at least temporarily hold a liquid or gel added thereto when the container is opened; and    particles, sealed within the container, and comprising selected ingredients for forming a moist cosmetic composition, when mixed with a suitable liquid or gel, for treating a user's skin and/or hair.    
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , comprising a lid sealed to a top portion of the container for closing the container and sealing the particles therein.  
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is cup-shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , further comprising a package carried within the container which holds the liquid or gel which is to be mixed with the particles.  
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , further comprising a package carried with the container which holds the particles.  
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is disposable.  
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed substantially of at least one of paper and polystyrene.  
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is sized for a single use by the user.  
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is microwavable.  
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the container comprises a fill mark that informs the user of a proper amount of the liquid or gel to add to the container to form the cosmetic composition with a desired consistency.    
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic composition and container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is box-shaped.  
     
     
         12 . A method for packaging and using a cosmetic composition, comprising: 
 providing particles comprising selected ingredients for treating a user's skin and/or hair in a self-standing, closed container that is openable;    closing the container to seal the particles therein; and    opening the container, when ready to use by a user, and mixing in a suitable liquid or gel to form a moist cosmetic composition for treating a user's skin and/or hair.    
     
     
         13 . A cosmetic composition, comprising: 
 a ready-to-mix mixture of ingredients including: (a) particles comprising at least one of dried herbs and flowers, (b) particles comprising a dried food, and (c) and at least one type of essential oil.    
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the dried food includes a starchy food which acts as a binding agent in the mixture when a liquid or gel is mixed in with the mixture.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the starchy food comprises at least one of wheat, rice, flour and oats.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one type of essential oil is provided in particle form.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one type of essential oil is provided in liquid form.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one type of essential oil includes at least one of almond, grape seed, geranium, tea tree and juniper oil.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the particles and essential oil are mixable with a liquid or gel to form a moist cosmetic composition for treating a user's skin and/or hair.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the particles comprise both coarsely grounded particles and ungrounded particles.