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.

1 . A method for packaging and using a cosmetic composition, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of 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.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing the plurality particles further comprises providing 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.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the dried food particles further comprises providing a starchy food that acts as a binding agent in the mixture when a liquid or gel is mixed in with the mixture.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein providing the starchy food particles further comprises providing at least one of wheat, rice, flour and oats.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the at least one type of essential oil further comprises providing said essential oil in a particle form.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the at least one type of essential oil further comprises providing said essential oil in a liquid form.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the at least one type of essential oil further comprises providing said essential oil selected from among the group consisting of almond, grape seed, geranium, tea tree and juniper oil.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising mixing said particles and at least one essential oil with a liquid or gel and forming a moist cosmetic composition for treating a user's skin and/or hair.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the particles further comprises providing both coarsely grounded particles and ungrounded particles.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the container with a first fill line and a second fill line and wherein mixing in a suitable liquid or gel further comprise adding a sufficient amount of said liquid to fill the container to said first fill line or adding a sufficient amount of said gel to fill the container to said second fill line.