Cosmetic applicator with interchangeable product tips

Abstract

Disclosed is a cosmetic applicator system having interchangeable cosmetic products. A handle is provided with flexible prongs having mating portions for selectively engaging and disengaging one of a plurality of cosmetic products having a complementary mating portion. A base is provided for holding a plurality of the interchangeable cosmetics products in an arrangement that facilitates engagement and disengagement to allow the user to switch from one cosmetic product to another. The system is suitable for many cosmetics, particularly, eye shadow, lip balm, lipstick, cheek colorant, baked, hot poured, and dipped products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic application system comprising:
 a palette comprising a base defining a plurality of recesses;   a plurality of product assemblies, each removably placed in one of said plurality of recesses, wherein each assembly further comprises:
 a retainer element having two sides, wherein one of the two sides is substantially permanently affixed to a cosmetic product, and the other of the two sides is provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism; and 
 a handle comprising at one end, at least two prongs, wherein each prong is resiliently flexible and outwardly biased with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle; and wherein each prong is provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism which is mated to the half of the mated coupling mechanism present on each of the plurality of product assemblies. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cosmetic product is selected from eye shadow, lip balm, lipstick, and cheek colorant. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cosmetic product is selected from baked, hot poured, and dipped products. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining element is provided with one or more projection, rib, barb, or flange configured to hold the cosmetic product. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mated coupling mechanism is selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and decouple the retaining element to the handle. 
     
     
         6 . A handle for use with a cosmetic product retaining element, wherein the product retaining element is provided with one half of a mated coupling mechanism, the handle comprising:
 at one end, at least two prongs, wherein each prong is resiliently flexible and outwardly biased with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle; and wherein each prong is provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism which is mated to the half of the mated coupling mechanism present on each of the plurality of product assemblies.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the mated coupling mechanism is selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and decouple the retaining element to the handle. 
     
     
         8 . A cosmetic product assembly for use with a handle, wherein the handle is provided with one half of a mated coupling mechanism, the cosmetic product assembly comprising:
 a retainer element having two sides, wherein one of the two sides is substantially permanently affixed to a cosmetic product, and the other of the two sides is provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mated coupling mechanism is selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and decouple the retaining element to the handle.