The present invention relates to cosmetic applicators and more particularly to those that comprise a support stem and an application member borne by the stem, the latter comprising a flexible portion.

Applicators of this type are described in applications US 2005/0031400 A1 and FR 2 996 739.

In application US 2005/0031400 A1, the flexible portion is defined by a narrowing of the cross section of the stem, possibly combined with the use of an elastically deformable material from which to make this flexible portion.

The applicator described in application FR 2 996 739 seeks to allow better control over the flexibility of the applicator by giving the flexible portion a flattened cross section and a particular length.

Application FR 2 868 265 discloses an applicator comprising a flexible portion which may be defined by a helical spring or by axial or helical threads of material. That document also divulges a flexible portion in the form of a diabolo or a succession of hollowed annular parts or parts in the form of a bellows spring.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,540 describes an applicator with a flexible portion constituted by a spring.

Application EP 2 027 792 discloses a vibrating applicator comprising an application member carried out by a stem provided at its end with a flexible portion configured to increase the amplitude of vibration of the application member. The flexible portion is in one embodiment a helical or wavy portion.

There is a need to improve this type of applicator further in order notably to allow the user better control over the loading of the application member with product and the application of the makeup.

The invention achieves this using a set comprising a makeup product and an applicator for applying this product, comprising a flexible portion of wavy shape, of flattened cross section on a major axis of the section, the flexible portion defining a succession of elementary patterns, the flexible portion having its angular deflection about the major axis of the section limited by at least two consecutive elementary patterns coming into mutual abutment.

In the invention, the fact that the flexible portion has a limited angular deflection allows the user better control over the loading of the application member with product, because once the flexible portion is in abutment, the user can more easily control the force applied by the application member to the product or to the surface that is to be made up, by pressing the applicator more or less firmly.

When using it to apply the product, the user can thus control more precisely the application and the pressure applied by the application member to the surface that is to be made up.

Likewise, the user can more easily control the loading of the applicator with product.

Finally, the flattened cross section increases the rigidity in one direction, something that allows the user to move the application member in this direction with less deformation of the flexible portion, so as to apply makeup accurately.

The applicator preferably comprises a stem and the application member is borne by the stem, the latter comprising the flexible portion.

The elementary patterns are in the form of crenulations.

The maximum angular deflection is less than 90° with respect to a rest configuration.

The flexible portion connects to a handle of rectangular cross section with its major sides parallel to the major axis.

The shape factor M/n of the cross section of the flexible portion is comprised between 1 and 30.

The flexible portion defines a succession of grooves alternately opening onto opposite sides of the applicator. For preference, there are as many grooves on one side as on the other, but as an alternative, the number of grooves differs. Thus, the term “wavy” is to be understood in the broadest sense, as having at least one wave, and the flexible portion of wavy shape may comprise a portion, the corresponding grooves of which open onto just one side.

The number of grooves opening onto one side may be comprised between 1 and 10, the total number of grooves preferably being less than 10.

The flexible portion is moulded with a handle.

The flexible portion and the handle are in the same material.

The flexible portion is moulded with an extension which constitutes a core for the application member.

The extension is covered on all sides about its axis with a covering, notably made of foam.

The covering extends axially beyond the extension.

The extension is of flattened shape in a direction parallel to the said major axis.

The total length of the applicator, excluding the application member, is comprised between 3 and 40 mm, better between 3 and 15 mm, better still between 10 and 15 mm.

The application member exhibits symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry, notably perpendicular to the major axis, and better still exhibiting axial symmetry.

