HK1135656B - Shaper, a method of shaping a tip portion of a cosmetic unit and a cosmetic article - Google Patents

Description

Shaper, method for shaping a tip portion of a cosmetic unit, and cosmetic article

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is a non-provisional application corresponding to and claiming priority from the pending U.S. application No. 60/921,815 filed on 4/2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to cosmetic articles, and more particularly to articles for shaping and/or shaping the tip portion of a cosmetic unit that has become worn and methods of using the same.

Background

Some cosmetic products contain cosmetic units made of deformable solid or semi-solid materials whose tips wear during use. Typically, the tip or a portion of the tip disappears. Additionally, or conversely, the prongs may become irregularly shaped, with areas of material accumulating and areas of material wearing out.

Worn tips may not provide accurate and consistent results. More specifically, the line drawn with such a sharp tip may be wider than desired, the area of material accumulation may leave a large spot on the consumer's face, and the area of material loss may not be painted with cosmetic.

Experienced consumers will shape the tip with a paper towel or other method. The result may only be slightly better than a worn tip because an unstable tip portion has actually formed.

To improve this situation, cosmetic manufacturers provide shapers in cosmetic products. Known shapers are removably disposed at an end of the retainer opposite the tip. The consumer must remove the shaper from the distal end, readjust the retainer, shape the tip, evaluate the results, and if satisfied, replace the shaper back at the distal end of the retainer.

For cosmetic products related to pencils, it is known to arrange the shaper on the cap. The holder includes a solid cosmetic unit. The retainer is secured within the cap interior cavity at the proximal end of the interior cavity until the consumer desires to use the product.

The holder is removed, sharpened if necessary, and the cap is rotated so that the second, distal end is opposite the tip of the holder. The holder is then inserted into the second cavity and the sharpening blade removes a portion of the pencil and cosmetic unit, as is well known in the art, to sharpen the nib. However, to prevent injury from the sharp edge, a second cap typically covers the cap, adding an additional step to the process.

Each product lacks the inherent convenience of a shaper disposed in the cap that can shape and/or shape a portion of the tip of the cosmetic unit.

Herein, a cosmetic product refers to a product used by a consumer, including a cosmetic unit and a holder, for example, a lipstick including a holder and a lipstick unit. A cosmetic unit refers to a product that includes a cosmetic preparation (agent) applied to the body of a consumer.

Disclosure of Invention

A shaper for shaping a tip portion of a worn cosmetic unit includes a shaping surface for smoothing a surface of the tip portion and a slot in the shaping surface. The shaping surface is selectively user-positionable in contact with the tip portion. A blade is disposed at the slot and is engageable for removing material of the tip portion when the shaping surface is in contact with the tip portion. The removed material passes through the slot.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shaper for shaping the tip portion of a worn cosmetic unit that includes a reservoir for holding a shaping chemical that interacts with the cosmetic material of the cosmetic unit. The shaper also includes a shaping surface for delivering a shaping chemical to the tip portion to smooth the surface of the tip portion. The contoured surface may be selectively placed in contact with the tip portion by a user.

Drawings

FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1b is a plan view of the shaper.

Figure 1c is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaper at its slot.

Figure 1d is a cross-sectional view of the shaper with a guide shoulder.

Fig. 1e is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic article according to fig. 1a, wherein the cosmetic unit is being shaped.

Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the first cosmetic unit before use.

Fig. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the first cosmetic unit after use.

Fig. 2c is a cross-sectional view of the second cosmetic unit before use.

Figure 2d is a cross-sectional view of the second cosmetic unit after use.

Figure 2e is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2f is a plan view of the shaper of figure 2 e.

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to another embodiment of the invention in a first position.

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic article of FIG. 3a in a second position.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic using a button according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article utilizing a cosmetic chemical according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5b is a plan view of a shaper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5c is a plan view of a shaper in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5d is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article employing a cosmetic chemical and a biasing member, according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5e is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic using a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6a is a plan view of a shaper in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6b is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaper of figure 6a at the slot thereof.

Figures 7A-7e show multiple shapers and their shaped tips.

FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic article of FIG. 8 a.

Fig. 8c-8e are side views of the cosmetic article of fig. 8 a.

FIG. 8f is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8g and 8h are cross-sectional views of the cosmetic article of fig. 8f having shapers in first and second positions, respectively.

Detailed Description

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic article 10 includes a holder 12 and a cap 14, the cap 14 serving to shape and/or shape the tip portion of the cosmetic unit held by the holder.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from the further description herein, the cosmetic article 10 may be any suitable article. Specifically, but not exclusively, the cosmetic article 10 may be a full-line lipstick, a thin-line lipstick, a trim-line lipstick, an eye shadow, concealer, lip liner, eyeliner, mechanical pencil (mechanical pencil), or any other suitable article.

Thus, the holder 12 may have any suitable shape that is convenient for the user, that is suitable for holding a cosmetic product, and/or that is useful for any reason. For example, the holder cross-section may be circular, have a small diameter for holding a lip pencil, or have a large diameter for holding a lipstick. Thus, the holder 12 may be polygonal in cross-section when the holder 12 is a pencil, or may be rectangular when the holder 12 is configured as a full-line lipstick, for example.

As is known in the art, the holder includes a body 12a that securely holds the cosmetic unit 16.

The retainer 12 maintains the prongs 16a of the cosmetic unit outside the proximal end of the body 12a so that the consumer can apply the cosmetic formulation of the cosmetic unit to the consumer's body.

The cosmetic unit 16 may be solid or semi-solid, allowing a portion of the tip to be shaped or set to modify the surface when the material distribution in the tip is uneven. For example, as shown in fig. 2a and 2b, where fig. 2a is the cosmetic unit before use and fig. 2b is the cosmetic unit after use, the cosmetic unit 16 may comprise a material that becomes uneven, with a high spot 17a and a low spot 17b appearing on the surface.

Preferably, the material has properties that allow modification of the shape. Thus, when a surface less plastic than the material of the cosmetic unit is applied to the cosmetic unit and the cosmetic unit is rotated relative to the surface, material is moved from the accumulation area to the material absence area or removed from the cosmetic unit. Likewise, it is preferred that the cosmetic unit 16 be responsive to heat and/or chemicals so that material is moved from the stacked area to the missing area or removed from the cosmetic unit.

The cosmetic unit 16 may have any suitable shape, as the cosmetic article 10 may be any suitable article. As shown in fig. 2c and 2d, the cosmetic unit may be relatively wide, so that the embodiment of the invention as depicted in fig. 2e and 2f is dimensioned appropriately compared to fig. 1 a.

Referring back to fig. 1, i.e., fig. 2e, the cap 14 may be made of a suitable material by any suitable process, including a snap-fit assembly. Preferably, cap 14 is sized to fit over holder 12 to protect tines 16a from damage by external forces. The cap 14 may be unitary or may be removable separately.

Referring to fig. 1a, the cap 14 includes an inner section 14a that mates with a shoulder 12b of the body of the holder 12 to retain the holder in any suitable manner, such as by a friction fit.

The cap 14 also includes a shaper 18 that shapes and/or shapes the worn cosmetic unit tip portion. The shaper 18 may be mounted in the cap in any manner; for example, the shaper may be integral with the cap or inserted into the cap in a friction fit or snap assembly.

Shaper 18 includes a shaping surface 18a that is a generally conical or frustoconical surface. The angle of the conical surface may be any angle suitable for the particular material to be shaped and/or shaped. The shaping surface 18a may be tapered as shown in fig. 1, but it may also be a surface of another configuration, such as a plug with a conical surface facing the tip.

The shaper 18 may include a shoulder 18b as shown in fig. 1d that guides and/or holds the tip 16a into the shaper. Preferably, the shoulder 18b is sized to be larger than the diameter of the tip cross-section by a predetermined amount to guide the tip and retain it on the surface 18 a.

The surface 18a may include one or more slots 18c, each defined by one or a pair of single or double-sided blades 18d that remove a portion of the pointed material. Preferably, the removed material is discharged to the cap inner space 14 b. Preferably, the space 14b is sized to retain accumulated removed material.

In use, when a consumer wants to apply a cosmetic preparation, the holder and the cap are moved relative to each other. The user rotates the cap by a predetermined amount and then removes the holder from the cap. During rotation, the shaping surface moves over the tip and smoothes the tip outer surface. Excess material may be expelled through the slot and/or smoothed by moving material from the accumulation region to the absence region.

To facilitate rotation of the cap relative to the holder, the inner section 14a and shoulder 12b may be threaded and thus interengaged. In this way, shaper 18 may engage when the consumer is using up with the cosmetic product, the cap is placed on the holder, and when the cap is removed and the cosmetic product is used.

While the inner section 14a and shoulder 12b may also be threaded, the cap may be attached to the holder without rotation and may be removed with or without rotation. In this way, the swage is engaged only when the consumer wants to engage.

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 3a and 3b, shaper 18 may be movably biased along the longitudinal axis relative to cap 14. Wherein the cap 14 may include a biasing member 20 that moves in a longitudinal slot of one or more caps in which the guide 18e may move. The biasing member 20 comprises a biasing element 20a, such as a spring, preferably confined in a housing 20b, such as a sleeve.

The shaper 18 may be positioned appropriately rearward of the opening of the cap so that the nib 16a does not contact the shaper when the retainer is engaged in the cap. In this case, when it is desired to reshape the point, the user engages the retainer further into the cap, past a limiting structure, such as a low protrusion, to seat the point against the shaper. The longitudinal force applied by the user to the tip through the retainer determines the degree of contact of the tip with the shaper.

The user then rotates the retainer relative to the cap a predetermined amount, causing the tip to rotate relative to the shaper. The shaping surface is then drawn over the tip, the outer surface of the tip being expelled through the slot and/or smoothed by moving material from the accumulation region to the missing region.

Referring to fig. 4, cap 14 includes a button 22 for selectively contacting shaper 18 with tip 16 a. The button 22 is removably secured in a hole 14c through the cap top 14 d. The touchable surface 22a is connected to a piston 22b, which piston 22b may include a biasing member 22c passing through the bore. Piston surface 22d transmits the consumer's pushing force to biasing member 22c, and in turn, biasing member 22c brings the shaping surface of the shaper into contact with the tip of the cosmetic unit.

According to another embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 5, a cosmetic article 50 comprises a holder 52 and a cap 54 for shaping and/or shaping the tip portion of the cosmetic unit held by the holder.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from the further description herein, cosmetic article 50 may be any suitable article. Specifically, but not exclusively, cosmetic article 50 may be a full-line lipstick, a thin-line lipstick, a decorative lipstick, an eye shadow, a concealer, a lip liner, an eye liner, a mechanical pencil, or any other suitable item.

Thus, the holder 52 may have any suitable shape that is convenient for the user, i.e. suitable for holding a cosmetic unit, and/or suitable for any reason. For example, the holder cross-section may be circular, with a small diameter for holding a lip pencil, or with a large diameter for holding a lipstick. Thus, the holder 52 may be polygonal in cross-section when the holder 52 is a pencil, or may be rectangular when the holder 52 is configured as a full-line lipstick, for example.

As is known in the art, the retainer includes a body 52a that securely retains the cosmetic unit 56.

The retainer 52 holds the nib 56a of the cosmetic unit outside the proximal end of the body 52a so that the consumer can apply the cosmetic formulation of the cosmetic unit to his body.

The cosmetic unit 56 may be solid or semi-solid, allowing a portion of the tip to be shaped and/or shaped to modify the surface when the tip material is unevenly distributed. For example, the cosmetic unit 56 may include materials that become non-uniform, with high and low spots appearing on the surface. Preferably, the material has properties that allow correction.

Thus, when a surface less plastic than the material of the cosmetic unit is applied to the cosmetic unit and the cosmetic unit is rotated relative to the surface, the material moves from the accumulation area to the material absence area.

The cap 54 may be made of a suitable material and by a suitable process, including a snap-fit assembly. Preferably, cap 54 is sized to fit over holder 52, protecting tines 56a from damage from external forces. The cap 54 may be unitary or may be separately removable.

The cap 54 includes an inner section 54a that mates with a shoulder 52b of the body of the retainer 52 to retain the retainer in any suitable manner, such as by a friction fit.

Cap 54 also includes a shaper 58 that shapes and/or shapes the worn cosmetic unit tip portion. Shaper 58 may be mounted in the cap in any suitable manner; for example, the shaper may be integral with the cap or may be inserted into the cap by way of a friction fit or snap assembly.

Shaper 58 includes a shaping surface 58a that can be filled with or deliver a shaping chemical stored in reservoir 60 that shapes the tip by removing a predetermined portion of the tip material. The surface may be a generally conical or frustoconical surface and, preferably, the shoulder 58b guides the tip 56 a. The angle of the conical surface may be any angle to suit the particular material to be shaped and/or shaped. The shaping surface 58a may be made as a cone, but it may also be a surface of another structure, such as a plug with a conical surface facing the tip.

Preferably, the shoulder 58b is sized to be larger than the diameter of the tip cross-section by a predetermined amount to guide the tip and constrain it to the surface 58 a.

In use, when wishing to apply a cosmetic preparation, the consumer rotates the cap by a predetermined amount and then removes the holder from the cap. In this way, the shaping surface is drawn over the tip and smoothes the tip outer surface. Excess material is discharged through the slot.

To assist in rotating the cap relative to the holder, the inner section 54a and the shoulder 52 may be threaded to engage one another. In this way, shaper 58 may engage when the consumer is finished with the cosmetic product, the cap is seated on the holder, and when the cosmetic product is used with the cap removed.

Also, the inner section 54a and shoulder 52b may be threaded, but the cap may be mounted on the holder without rotation and removed with or without rotation. In this way, the swage is engaged only when the consumer wants to engage.

To supply a predetermined amount of the shaping chemical, a reservoir 60 containing a predetermined amount of the chemical is positioned at a convenient location. The cosmetic chemical may be any suitable chemical that reacts with one or more compounds in the cosmetic material to cause a physical change in the cosmetic material.

The reservoir may be located next to the shaper. In this manner, the button 62 may cause a predetermined amount of chemical to be released.

Button 62 is mounted in cap 54 to selectively allow the shaping chemical to contact tip 56a through shaper 58. The button 62 is removably secured in a hole 54c through the cap top 54 d. The touchable surface 62a is connected to a piston 62b, which piston 62b may include a biasing member 62c passing through the bore. The piston surface 62d transmits the consumer's thrust to the reservoir, which in turn releases a predetermined amount of the shaping chemical.

Shaping surface 58a may include a material that absorbs and is impregnated by the shaping chemical. By contacting the tip 56a, the cosmetic material changes material properties, which are shaped by the consumer's rotation.

In one or more embodiments, the shaping surface can have a plurality of holes 58c or slots 58d that allow the shaping chemical to directly contact the tip 56 a.

As shown in fig. 5d, the cap 54 may also be constructed using a biasing member and be similar to that of fig. 3a, 3b, and/or 4. Wherein when the user advances the retainer to the shaper 68, the shaper is caused to move relative to the cap and compress the reservoir, which releases the shaping chemical from the reservoir 60.

In another embodiment, instead of using chemicals, one or more batteries 64 are used, and the one or more batteries 64 are activated when the user advances the retainer to the shaper, causing the shaper to move relative to the cap and complete the circuit. The battery provides current to heat the circumferential resistive heating disk 66. The hotplate 66 releases a predetermined amount of heat to soften the tines, which the consumer rotates to reshape.

Similar to fig. 1a, also fig. 2e, according to an embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 6a and 6b, a shaper 19 may be used instead of a shaper 18. Shaper 19 includes a shoulder 19a and may include a continuous or discontinuous slot 19b with one or more blades 19 c.

Wherein the slot can be made helical. In this way, the blades 19c reshape the cusps when the user rotates the holder with respect to the cap. Since the slot is helical, it can rotate to a lesser extent than the slot 18 c.

Preferably, the slot 19b is at least helically circumferential to allow a user to move the retainer relative to the rotation of the cap (i.e., shaper), instead of or in addition to moving the retainer relative to the cap (i.e., shaper) longitudinally. When the user moves the retainer longitudinally relative to the cap, the prongs contact the shaping surface, a predetermined amount of the outer surface of the prongs is expelled through the slots, and/or the prong surface is smoothed by moving material from the accumulation region to the absence region.

In particular, as shown in figures 3a, 3b and 4, the shaper 19 can also be used in association with a biasing member for better results.

In another embodiment, as shown in at least fig. 6c and 6d, shaper 21 comprises a frustoconical shape with a portion 21a, which portion 21a defines an opening 21b at a distal end to allow cosmetic material removed from tip 16a to remain in inner space 14 b.

The shaper 21 may be made of a material having relatively high friction properties, such as pumice or a coarse wax. In use, the user rotates the retainer relative to the cap by a predetermined amount, causing the prong to rotate relative to the shaper. The shaping surface is then drawn over the tip, abrading the outer surface of the tip and/or smoothing the surface of the tip by moving material from the packed area to the missing area. Preferably, the user orients the cosmetic product so that abraded material residue falls into interior space 14b and can be removed through lid 14e in cap 14, lid 14e being hinged by any suitable means, including living hinge (living hinge)14g, as is known in the art.

It will be readily appreciated that the shaper 21 may suitably be used in the configuration shown in figures 3a, 3b and 4.

It will be appreciated that the invention described above may be used as a separate unit, need not be integrated into the cap, or may be integrated into the distal end within the holder.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, although any of the shapers shown in the present invention are suitable, such as shapers 19, 21, 58 and 68, a plurality of shapers 30a-30e similar to shaper 18 are provided herein, as generally shown in fig. 7a-7e, to allow the user to select the type of shape of the tips 31a-31e that is most suitable for their use. Thus, a user who prefers a very precise and fine line will use a shaper with a high vertex, such as the shaper of fig. 7 b. A more accurate tip can be obtained using the shaper of fig. 7e, whereas a blunt tip can be obtained with a suitable shaper as in fig. 7 c. The chisel (chitel) tip can be obtained by a shaper with a special structure, like the one in fig. 7 d.

Each of the various shapers can be provided in an assembly that allows for easy and safe insertion and removal from the cap. Additionally, or alternatively, each of the various shapers may be mounted in its own cap. The cosmetic articles may be provided with a selection of various caps with shapers of different roles, or separately, to allow the user maximum flexibility in using one or more cosmetic articles.

Each shaper or capped shaper may include a unique identifier suitable for a user to recognize its shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic article 100 comprises a holder 102 and a cap 104 which shapes and/or shapes the tip portion of the cosmetic unit held by the holder.

Although the cosmetic article 100 may be any suitable article; preferably, however, the cosmetic article is configured with a cosmetic unit comprising a chisel-shaped tip.

As is known in the art, the holder 102 includes a body 102a that securely holds a cosmetic unit 106. The retainer 102 holds the nib 106a of the cosmetic unit outside the proximal end of the body 102a so that the consumer can apply the cosmetic formulation of the cosmetic unit to the consumer's body.

As previously discussed, the cosmetic unit 106 may be solid or semi-solid, allowing the tip portion to be shaped and/or shaped to modify a surface when the tip material is unevenly distributed, and the material properties of the cosmetic unit allow shaping, i.e., modification.

The cap 104 may be made of any suitable material and by any suitable process, including snap-fit assemblies. Preferably, cap 104 is sized to fit over holder 102, protecting prongs 106a from external forces. The cap 104 may be a unitary or separately removable cap.

Referring to fig. 8a, the cap 104 includes an inner section 104a that mates with a shoulder 102b of the body of the retainer 102 and restrains the retainer in any suitable manner, such as by a friction fit.

The cap 104 also includes a shaper 108 that shapes and/or shapes the tip portion of a worn cosmetic unit. The shaper 108 may be mounted in the cap in any suitable manner, for example, the shaper may be integral with the cap or may be inserted into the cap via a friction fit or snap assembly.

Shaper 108 includes a surface 108a with one or more blades 108b, preferably extending from a proximal location on the wall of cap 104 to a distal location at or near the opposite wall of the cap. The cap 104 also includes a user operable grip 109 connected to the shaper. The grip and/or the shaper move in a guide 104c mounted in the cap. As shown in fig. 8c-8e, the guide may be straight, angled, curved, or any other shape that helps to reshape the tip.

In use, the user moves shaper 108 along the guide to walk from first position a to second position B or vice versa, as shown in fig. 8B, and removes a portion of tip 106a, forming a chisel-shaped tip or other suitably shaped tip.

In one or more of the embodiments shown in fig. 8f-8h, a shaper 110 similar to shaper 108 has one or more blades 110a that move in one or more guides 104d disposed on the inner wall of the cap. A user operable button 112 is provided which is in operative association with the shaper via a piston 112 a. The button 112 may include a biasing member 114 to extend the range of the piston from the first position and retract the shaper.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description.

Claims (21)

1. A shaper for shaping a tip portion of a worn cosmetic unit, the shaper disposed in a cap, the shaper comprising:

a shaping surface for shaping a surface of the tip portion, the shaping surface being selectively disposable by a user into contact with the surface of the tip portion when the cosmetic unit is received in the cap;

a slot in the shaping surface; and

a blade disposed in the slot and engageable for removing material of the tip portion when the shaping surface is in contact with the tip portion, the removed material passing through the slot.

2. The shaper of claim 1, wherein the shaping surface comprises one of a generally conical and frustoconical surface.

3. The shaper of claim 1, further comprising an interior space for storing the removed material.

4. The shaper of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member that maintains the shaping surface away from the tip portion until a user selectively places the shaping surface in contact with the tip portion.

5. The shaper of claim 1, further comprising a button for enabling a user to selectively place the shaping surface in contact with the tip portion.

6. The shaper of claim 1, wherein the shaper comprises a shoulder that guides the tip portion to the shaping surface.

7. The shaper of claim 1, wherein the slots are disposed on the shaping surface in a spiral circumference.

8. The shaper of claim 1, wherein the shaper is disposed in a cap associated with a holder that holds the cosmetic unit.

9. The shaper of claim 8, wherein the shaping surface is rotatable relative to the tip portion to engage a surface of the tip portion.

10. The shaper of claim 1, further comprising a guide for guiding the shaping surface.

11. A shaper for shaping a tip portion of a worn cosmetic unit, the shaper disposed in a cap, the shaper comprising:

a reservoir holding a cosmetic chemical for interacting with a cosmetic material of the cosmetic unit;

a shaping surface for delivering a shaping chemical to the tip portion to smooth a surface of the tip portion, the shaping surface being selectively disposable by a user into contact with the tip portion when the cosmetic unit is received in the cap.

12. The shaper of claim 11, wherein the shaping surface comprises a plurality of apertures for delivering the shaping chemical.

13. The shaper of claim 11, wherein the shaping surface comprises a plurality of grooves for conveying the shaping chemical.

14. The shaper of claim 11, wherein the shaping surface is impregnated with a shaping chemical and the shaping chemical is transferred to the tip portion.

15. The shaper of claim 11 further comprising a biasing member that maintains the shaping surface away from the tip portion until a user selectively places the shaping surface in contact with the tip portion.

16. The shaper of claim 11, further comprising a button for enabling a user to selectively place the shaping surface in contact with the tip portion.

17. A method of reshaping a tip portion of a cosmetic unit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a shaping surface and a cosmetic article with a cosmetic unit, the shaping surface being disposed in a cap of the cosmetic article;

setting the shaping surface against a tip portion of the cosmetic unit when the cosmetic unit is received in the cap; and is

The shaping surface is engaged with the tip portion to move material of the tip portion from the material accumulation region on the one hand and to remove material of the tip portion from the material accumulation region on the one hand.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises rotating a cap comprising the shaping surface relative to a holder comprising the cosmetic unit.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises releasing the shaping chemical from the reservoir.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises sliding the shaping surface in a guide from a first to a second position.

21. A cosmetic product comprising:

a holder including a cosmetic unit with a pointed portion; and

a cap, comprising:

a shaping surface for smoothing a surface of the tip portion, the shaping surface being selectively disposable by a user to contact the tip portion when the cosmetic unit is received in the cap;

a slot in the shaping surface; and

a blade disposed in the slot and engageable to remove material from the tip portion when the shaping surface is in contact with the tip portion, the removed material passing through the slot.