METHOD FOR APPLYING A HAIRSTYLING COMPOSITION COMPRISING A FIXING AGENT

Abstract

The method for applying a hairstyling composition comprising at least one fixing agent to the hair with the aid of an applicator comprising a plurality of spikes provided with end parts having a flat shape or a cross section that decreases in the direction of their free ends comprises:—a step of loading the end parts of the spikes of the applicator with the hairstyling composition, and—a step of transferring the hairstyling composition retained on the end parts of the spikes of the applicator to the hair by tapping said spikes on the hair.

Claims

1. Method for applying a hairstyling composition comprising at least one fixing agent to the hair with the aid of an applicator comprising a plurality of spikes provided with end parts having a flat shape or a cross section that decreases in the direction of their free ends, comprising: a step of loading the end parts of the spikes of the applicator with the hairstyling composition, and a step of transferring the hairstyling composition retained on the end parts of the spikes of the applicator to the hair by tapping said spikes on the hair.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the hairstyling composition to the hair is realized by directly tapping the end parts of the spikes of said applicator on the hair.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a base delimiting a frontal surface from which the spikes extend, the density of spikes on said frontal surface being between 1 and 20 per cm.sup.2.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said frontal surface of the base of the applicator measures between 10 and 1000 cm.sup.2.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the total number of spikes on the applicator is between 20 and 20 000.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the transverse dimension of the spikes is between 0.3 mm and 3 mm.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the height of the end parts of decreasing cross section is less than or equal to four times the transverse dimension of the spikes.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the spikes is between 2 mm and 40 mm.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is loaded with the hairstyling composition by the latter being picked up directly by the spikes of the applicator from a container containing said composition, or by the spikes being brought into contact with a support impregnated or loaded with composition.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the spikes of said applicator are made of a non-absorbent material.

Description

[0058] The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting example and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0059] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an application method according to one implementation example of the invention,

[0060] FIG. 3 is a front view of an applicator used in the application method in FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0061] FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views on the axes IV-IV and V-V, respectively, in FIG. 3,

[0062] FIG. 6 is a detail view of FIG. 5, and

[0063] FIG. 7 is a detail view of another applicator used in another implementation example of the method of the invention.

[0064] The method according to the invention can be implemented directly by the consumer in order to position or touch up his or her hairstyle, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the method can be implemented in a professional setting.

[0065] The method of the invention is implemented with the aid of an applicator 10 for applying a hairstyling composition comprising at least one fixing agent to the consumer's hair. The composition is transferred from the applicator 10 to the hair by tapping said applicator. In FIG. 2, the amplitude of the movement effected by the consumer to carry out this tapping movement has been exaggerated in order to be more visible.

[0066] The applicator 10 is pre-loaded with composition to be applied before the step of transferring to the hair by tapping.

[0067] As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 3 to 5, the applicator 10 comprises a base 12 and a plurality of pins or spikes 14 extending therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the applicator 10 also comprises a tab 16 to make it easier to hold and handle. The tab 16 extends from the base 12 on the opposite side from the spikes 14. Alternatively, it is possible for the applicator 10 not to have such a tab.

[0068] The base 12 has a circular overall shape. In a variant, it is possible to provide other shapes, for example polygonal, oval, etc. for the base.

[0069] The spikes 14 make it possible to apply the composition to the consumer's hair. The spikes 14 extend transversely with respect to the base 12. The longitudinal axes of the spikes 14 are mutually parallel. The spikes 14 are preferably identical to one another. The spikes 14 extend from a frontal surface of the base 12. This frontal surface is in this case flat. In a variant, it could be slightly convex or concave.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the spikes 14 are spaced apart regularly from one another. Depending on the spacing of the spikes 14, the fixing effect of one and the same composition will be different. By way of indication, the spacing or distance between the spikes 14 may be between 2 mm and 8 mm. Alternatively, it might be possible to provide an inter-spike 14 spacing that is not regular, for example when the composition is intended to be deposited in a particular pattern.

[0071] The spikes 14 have an elongate shape. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the spikes 14 have a cylindrical overall shape. Alternatively, the spikes 14 can have other shapes. The spikes 14 have in this case a height of 5 mm. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide a height of between 2 mm and 40 mm, and preferably between 3 mm and 20 mm. The applicator comprises in this case more than 100 spikes. In a variant, it is possible to provide a different number of spikes.

[0072] As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 6, each spike 14 comprises an end part 14a with a rounded shape, in this case a spherical shape. The height of the end part 14a of the spike is preferably less than or equal to four times the diameter of said spike. By way of indication, the diameter of each spike 14 is in this case 1.5 mm. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide a spike diameter of between 0.3 mm and 3 mm, and preferably between 0.8 mm and 2 mm.

[0073] As indicated above, the end parts 14a of the spikes have in this case a spherical shape. In a variant, it is possible to provide other convex or domed shapes. Alternatively, the end parts 14a can also be in the form of a point. More generally, each end part 14a of the spikes can have a section that decreases in the direction of its free end. In another variant, as is illustrated in FIG. 7, the end parts 14a can have a flat shape. The end parts 14a of the spikes do not have or are free of cavities.

[0074] The applicator 10 can be made in one piece by moulding a rigid plastics material, for example PP, PE, HDPE, etc., or a flexible plastics material. In a variant, it might be possible to produce the spikes 14 by overmoulding on the base, if for example a more flexible material is intended to be used for the spikes.

[0075] For application to the hair, the user can act as follows.

[0076] First of all, the user loads composition onto the end parts 14a of the spikes of the applicator, for example by dipping them into a container containing the composition.

[0077] Then, the user brings the end parts 14a of the spikes of the applicator into contact with the hair and gently taps these end parts against the hair, this having the effect of depositing the composition on the hair by capillary action. Each end part 14a allows the composition to be deposited in the form of a film.

[0078] This application movement by tapping is natural for a user, since it is reminiscent of the manner in which powder is applied to the face with the aid of a powder puff. The hairstyle can thus be shaped and/or touched up in a particularly simple and easy manner.