Patent Application
20170347731
This disclosure relates generally to compositions that have been formulated for use with eyelash extensions and, more specifically, to systems that include multiple compositions that have been formulated for use with eyelash extensions and natural eyelashes at different phases, or stages, throughout the lifetime of a set of eyelash extensions, which is also referred to as a “lash cycle.”
An eyelash extension typically comprises an individual lash or small group of lashes that are secured to individual natural eyelash of an individual. The eyelash extension is usually secured to the natural eyelash with an adhesive material. Over time, the eyelash extension falls off of its corresponding natural eyelash, or falls out of the individual's eyelashes, as the adhesive material deteriorates or as new growth replaces an older natural eyelash to which the eyelash extension has been secured. A noticeable number of the eyelash extensions that have been applied to an individual's natural lashes will typically begin falling out about one or two weeks after they have been applied. After about three weeks (e.g., three weeks to six weeks), the eyelash extensions have usually thinned appreciably and noticeably. Accordingly, many individuals have their eyelash extensions filled or redone about once every three to six weeks.
Some individuals use mascara to touch up their eyelash extensions. The use of conventional mascaras on eyelash extensions may make the individual's eyelashes appear too full and unnatural. The use of mascaras on eyelashes that already appear to be full because of the eyelash extensions—even when some or many of the eyelash extensions have shed—may make the eyelashes look like “goopy” or “clumpy” mascara has been applied to them, even if the mascara was not goopy or clumpy when applied.
Furthermore, conventional mascaras often include ingredients, such as glycols, oils, and oil-based materials, that damage the adhesive materials that are typically used to secure eyelash extensions to natural eyelashes. Many conventional mascaras are also formulated in a way that makes them difficult to remove from eyelashes. Often, the removal of conventional mascaras requires the use of lotions, creams or soaps, as well as significant mechanical effort, all of which may deteriorate and/or weaken the adhesive material that bonds each eyelash extension to a natural eyelash. For these reasons, the use of conventional mascaras may weaken the adhesive material and cause eyelash extensions to shed prematurely.
A system for maintaining eyelash extensions may include a number of components that are configured for use at different phases, or stages, throughout the lifetime, or lash cycle, of a set of eyelash extensions. The components of such a system may be formulated to extend the lifetime of the eyelash extensions and to maintain a somewhat consistent appearance throughout the lifetime of the eyelash extensions. The system may include a series of sealing and/or volumizing mascaras that are formulated to be used in harmony with the lash cycle for a set of eyelash extensions; each component of the system is more voluminous than the previous component to accommodate the replacement of older eyelashes by new growth and the shedding of eyelash extensions. Each component of such a system may be free or substantially free of ingredients (e.g., glycols, oils, oil-based materials, etc.) that weaken the adhesive materials that are used to secure eyelash extensions to natural eyelashes. Components of the system that add color to lashes may also be formulated for removal with a gentle cleanser that will not damage the eyelash extensions or the adhesive material that secures them to natural lashes. In some embodiments, a system according to this disclosure may also include a gentle cleanser.
Each component of such a system may include a bottle and lid for containing the component and a brush (e.g., a mascara brush) for applying the component to the individual's natural lashes and to eyelash extensions that have been secured to her natural lashes. In a specific embodiment, a system for maintaining eyelash extensions includes a sealer, a sealer/thickener, and a thickener. Of course, embodiments of systems that include any two of the components are also within the scope of this disclosure, as are systems that include more than three components (e.g., a number of sealer/thickeners having varying degrees of mascara thickness, various types and/or thicknesses of mascaras, etc.). These components may be packaged together to provide a convenient system for maintaining the look of new eyelash extensions throughout the entire lash cycle.
The sealer may be formulated for use during an initial phase, or stage, of the lifetime of the eyelash extensions, in which 100% to 70% of the eyelash extensions that were originally applied remain in place (e.g., during the first and second weeks after application of the eyelash extensions, during the first week after application of the eyelash extensions, etc.). The sealer may include nutrients to maintain or enhance the health of (i.e., condition) the individual's natural lashes, strengthen the individual's natural lashes, and promote the growth of healthy, strong new eyelashes. In some embodiments, the sealer may be formulated to reinforce the adhesive bond between each eyelash extension and its corresponding natural eyelash. In some embodiments, the sealer may include a colorant (e.g., black, brown, auburn, etc.). The sealer may also form a protective coat over each natural lash and over each eyelash extension, which may increase the longevity of each eyelash extension, as well as the length of time the adhesive material may retain each eyelash extension on a natural eyelash. Such a component may be formulated for daily application (e.g., once daily, etc.). In addition to referring to such a component as a sealer, it may also be referred to as a “minimum sealer” due to the minimal coverage in thickness it provides over each eyelash, and as an “initial component.”
The sealer/thickener may be formulated for use during an intermediate phase, or stage, of the lifetime of the eyelash extensions, in which fewer than 70% down to 40% of the eyelash extensions that were originally applied remain in place (e.g., during the third week after application of the eyelash extensions, during the second and third weeks after application of the eyelash extensions, etc.). The sealer/thickener may be formulated to provide at least some of the same functionality (e.g., provide nutrients, seal, etc.) as the sealer, as well as color and a so-called “volumizing” effect. Thus, the sealer/thickener may mitigate at least some of the loss in eyelash volume that occurs as eyelash extensions start to fall out, or shed. In some embodiments, the sealer/thickener may have the viscosity of a thin (i.e., low viscosity) mascara. Such a component may be formulated for daily application (e.g., once daily, etc.).
In a more specific embodiment, a sealer/thickener according to this disclosure may include nutrients for the natural lashes, at least one conditioner for the natural lashes, a binder for forming a film on the lash extensions, the adhesive material and the natural lashes, and a thickener for adding volume and color to the lash extensions and the natural lashes. As the binder coats the eyelash extensions, the adhesive material and the natural lashes, the binder may hold the nutrients and the at least one conditioner in contact with the natural lashes.
The sealer/thickener may also be referred to as a “medium sealer/thickener” due to the intermediate coverage in thickness it provides over each eyelash, and as an “intermediate component.”
The thickener may be formulated for use during a final phase, or stage, or an end phase, or stage, of the lifetime of the eyelash extensions, in which fewer than 40% of the eyelash extensions remain (e.g., during the fourth week after application of the eyelash extensions, during the fourth and fifth weeks after application of the eyelash extensions, etc.). In the final phase, since many of the eyelash extensions have fallen out or are close to falling out, and they may soon be replaced, the thickener is formulated to provide the individual's natural eyelashes and her remaining extensions with a full, voluminous look, while continuing to preserve the remaining extensions. Accordingly, the thickener may include ingredients that coat the natural eyelashes and the eyelash extensions while imparting them with color to enable the individual to retain the full look provided that was provided by newer eyelash extensions until she is able to receive new eyelash extensions. In some embodiments, the thickener may have the viscosity of a medium or thick (i.e., medium viscosity, high viscosity, etc.) mascara. Such a component may be formulated for daily application (e.g., once daily, etc.). In addition to referring to such a component as a thickener, it may also be referred to as a “maximum thickener” due to the maximal coverage in thickness it provides over each eyelash, and as a “final component” of the system.
Methods for maintaining natural eyelashes and eyelash extensions throughout the lifetime of the eyelash extensions are also disclosed. Such a method includes maintaining the adhesive bonds between the eyelash extensions and the natural eyelashes to which they are secured, sealing the natural eyelashes and eyelash extensions, adding a more voluminous look to the eyelashes after eyelash extensions begin falling out, and increasing the voluminous look of the eyelashes as more of the eyelash extensions fall out.
Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
In the drawings:
As illustrated by
Once the eyelash extensions 10 have been secured to natural eyelashes 20, the adhesive material 15 may cure, either on its own or with the aid of a sealer, such as that available from Bella Lash Extensions, LLC, of Vineyard, Utah, as intelliSeal sealer. Such a sealer may be formulated to (i.e., include ingredients in effective amounts that will) encourage or accelerate curing of the adhesive material 15, as well as binders for coating and sealing the eye lashes, including each natural eyelash 20 and the eyelash extension 10 that has been secured thereto. Since the sealer may be washed away or wear off in a relatively short period of time (e.g., a day or two, etc.), the eyelash extensions may still be very new when they are no longer protected.
With returned reference to
In a specific embodiment, such a sealer 40 may include water, SDA 40 alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf extract, Chondrus crispus (carrageenan/Irish Moss) extract, Equisetum hiemale (Horsetail) extract, xanthan gum, sodium hyaluranate and phenoxyethanol. The water carries the other ingredients of the sealer 40. The alcohol serves as an adhesive support agent.
The PVP is a water-soluble synthetic polymer that functions as a binder, which may form a film on and, thus, coat the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20. Since the binder forms a film that coats the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20, the binder seals the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20.
The aloe vera leaf extract, the Irish Moss extract and the Horsetail extract are natural extracts that include vitamins and other nutrients and, thus, provide nutrients to the natural lashes 20. Sodium hyaluronate, which is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring polysaccharide found in connective tissues, conditions the natural lashes 20 and, thus, acts as a conditioner. The nutrient(s) and/or the conditioner(s) may be dispersed throughout the binder; thus, as the binder forms a coating on an eyelash extension 10, adhesive material 15, and a natural eyelash 20, the nutrient(s) and/or the conditioner(s) may contact, nourish and condition the natural eyelash 20.
The phenoxyethanol serves as a fragrance and/or as a preservative.
Xanthan gum is a thickening agent, which is used to control the viscosity of the sealer 40.
In some embodiments, the sealer 40 may also act as a low viscosity (i.e., thin) mascara. Such an embodiment of sealer 40 may include a colorant; for example, one or more pigments to impart it with a desired color (e.g., black, brown, auburn, etc.). Additionally, a sealer 40 may include one or more thickeners.
A specific embodiment of a sealer 40 that seals and acts as a low viscosity mascara includes water, alcohol, PVP, Equisetum hiemale (Horsetail) extract, bentonite clay, phenoxyethanol, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, caprylic/capric triglycerides, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, algae extract (e.g., Chondrus crispus (carrageenan/Irish Moss) extract, etc.), triethanolamine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium hyaluranate and, optionally, iron oxides.
The water of the sealer 40 carries the other ingredients of such an embodiment of the sealer 40. The alcohol serves as an adhesive support agent.
The PVP functions as a binder and will form a film that coats the natural lashes 20, the adhesive material 15, and the eyelash extensions 10. The acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, which is a copolymer of octylacrylamide and one or more monomers consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters, also acts as a binder. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a semisynthetic polymer based on cellulose, and may also function as a binder. Again, since a binder forms a film that coats the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20, the binder seals the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20.
The Horsetail extract, the aloe vera leaf juice, and the algae extract are natural extracts that include vitamins and other nutrients and, thus, provide nutrients to the natural lashes 20. Caprylic/capric triglycerides are a mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids that may condition, or function as a conditioner for, the natural lashes 20. The sodium hyaluronate may also condition, or function as a conditioner for, the natural lashes 20. When dispersed throughout the binder, the nutrient(s) and/or the conditioner(s) may contact, nourish and condition the natural eyelash 20 as the binder(s) form(s) a coating on an eyelash extension 10, adhesive material 15, and a natural eyelash 20.
The bentonite clay helps the mascara dry quickly and may serve as a thickener. The algae extract and the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose may also increase the viscosity of the sealer 40.
Triethanolamine may serve as a surfactant to emulsify non-soluble particles in the sealer 40. The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose may stabilize the emulsion.
Triethanolamine may also be used to adjust the pH (i.e., acidity/alkalinity) of the sealer 40 due to its strong alkalinity.
The iron oxides may impart the sealer 40 with a desired color.
As illustrated by
Returning reference again to
A specific embodiment of the sealer/thickener 50 includes water, alcohol, PVP, Equisetum hiemale (Horsetail) extract, bentonite clay, phenoxyethanol, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, caprylic/capric triglycerides, Aloe barbadensis (aleo vera) leaf juice, algae extract (e.g., Chondrus crispus (carrageenan/Irish Moss) extract, etc.), triethanolamine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium hyaluranate, and, optionally, iron oxides. Notably, these are the same ingredients that are present in an above-described embodiment of the sealer 40, albeit with greater amounts of one or more thickeners (e.g., bentonite clay, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.) to render the sealer/thickener 50 more like mascara than the sealer 40.
Application of the sealer/thickener 50 to eyelashes 1′ that are in the intermediate phase of the lash cycle (e.g., while at least 40% but fewer than 70% of the eyelash extensions 10 remain, etc.) (e.g., during the second and third weeks of the lash cycle, during the third week of the lash cycle, etc.) is depicted by
With reference once again returned to
In a specific embodiment, the thickener 60 may include water, beeswax, stearic acid, ozokerite wax, carnauba wax, Equisetum hiemale (Horsetail) extract, alcohol, cyclomethicone, PVP, acrylates/octylacrylamide copolymer, Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, algae extract (e.g., Chondrus crispus (carrageenan/Irish Moss) extract, etc.), phenoxyethanol, magnesium aluminum silicate, triethanolamine, and, optionally, iron oxides.
The water of the thickener 60 carries the other ingredients of such an embodiment of the thickener 60. The alcohol and the cyclomethicone (a silicon-based compound) may also serve as solvents.
The beeswax (purified wax from honeycomb), the ozokerite wax (a hydrocarbon wax derived from mineral sources or from petroleum), and/or the carnauba wax may increase the viscosity of the thickener 60 and, thus, contribute to the thickness of the thickener 60.
The PVP, the beeswax, the ozokerite wax, and/or the acrylates/octylacrylamide may function as binders and will form films that coat the natural lashes 20, the adhesive material 15, and the eyelash extensions 10. To repeat: because the binder forms a film that coats the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20, the binder seals the eyelash extensions 10, the adhesive material 15, and the natural eyelashes 20.
Horsetail extract, the aloe vera leaf juice, and the algae extract are natural extracts that include vitamins and other nutrients and, thus, provide nutrients to the natural lashes 20. The cyclomethicone is an emollient and may, therefore, condition the natural lashes 20, or function as a conditioner. The horsetail extract, the aloe vera leaf juice, the algae extract, and/or the cyclomethicone, when dispersed throughout the binder, may contact, nourish and condition the natural eyelash 20 as the binder(s) form(s) a coating on an eyelash extension 10, adhesive material 15, and a natural eyelash 20.
The beeswax, the stearic acid, the ozokerite wax, the algae extract and/or the cyclomethicone may impart the thickener 60 with its thickness, or viscosity. Notably, the thickener 60 includes more viscosity-increasing components than the sealer/thickener 50, imparting the thickener 60 with a greater ability than the sealer/thickener 50 to volumize lashes that are in the final phase of the lash cycle.
The beeswax, the stearic acid, the ozokerite wax, the algae extract and/or the cyclomethicone may also serve as surfactants and/or stabilize the emulsion that defines the thickener 60. Triethanolamine may serve as a surfactant to emulsify non-soluble particles in the thickener 60.
Since Triethanolamine is a strongly alkaline substance, it may also be used to adjust the pH (i.e., acidity/alkalinity) of the thickener 60.
The beeswax, the stearic acid, and/or the phenoxyethanol may act as fragrances that contribute to the aroma of the thickener 60.
The phenoxyethanol may also function as a preservative.
The iron oxides may impart the thickener 60 with a desired color.
With reference to
Since the sealer/thickener 50 and the thickener 60 may be formulated to be removed with a gentle cleanser, both of these components may be periodically removed from an individual's lashes without causing the removal of any additional eyelash extensions 10 (
Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of each claim is, therefore, indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.
