Patent Picks—Solid Hair Dye, Illuminated Effects Packaging, Hollow Micronized Wax and More in Color

Patent Picks are compiled by Cosmetics & Toiletries editors. Taken from publicly available sources, they cover recent patents issued, or applied for, in the cosmetic and personal care industries and relevant peripheral markets. This edition features inventions related to color in makeup and hair applications.

Preparing metal oxide-coated aluminium effect pigments
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/175339
Publication date: Nov. 28, 2013
Assignee: BASF SE, BASF Schweiz AG and BASF (China) Co. Ltd.

This invention relates to a process for preparing colored effect pigments comprising: a) coating aluminium-based substrate particles in an aqueous medium with at least one metal oxide layer selected from a titanium oxide, an iron oxide or any mixture thereof; b) creating a mixture of the coated particles and the particulate inorganic non-metallic material in the aqueous coating medium; and c) separating the mixture of particles and particulate inorganic non-metallic material from the aqueous coating medium, then subjecting this mixture to a thermal drying step to obtain a dry effect pigment.

These inventors report that the combination of the wet coating process, along with mixing the aluminium-based effect pigment particles with appropriate inorganic particles in the liquid coating medium, results in a method that minimizes the risk of initiating aluminothermic reaction. This process reportedly is easy to perform but still provides an effect pigment with stable coloristic properties.

Mascara containing hollow, oil-dispersible micronized wax
U.S. Patent 8597627
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to this patent, aqueous mascaras mainly contain a surfactant system based, for example, on triethanolamine stearate, which makes it possible to obtain a stable dispersion of wax particles agglomerated in an aqueous phase. However, such mascaras are often dry and have poor flexibility and/or consistency. There is thus a need for a composition that smoothly and evenly deposits on eyelashes that is easy to work with after application, and has improved volumizing, curling and/or shine properties. This mascara invention, comprising at least one micronized wax, reportedly meets this need.

Washable, long-wearing waterproof mascara
U.S. Patent 8597626
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

Conventional mascaras that are both washable and long-wearing but not waterproof reportedly require the use of latex film-formers in combination with oil-in-water emulsions. According to these inventors, such compositions have numerous drawbacks. First, latex film-formers are relatively expensive and are required at higher use levels, adding to the cost of the finished goods. Second, latex film-formers can be difficult to formulate with, due to the large solid content load required, thus making them unstable or sensitive to added ingredients. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an eye makeup composition that is waterproof, long-wearing and washable that also has a gel-like texture and feel but without the use of latex film-formers or surfactants/emulsifiers.

It has been surprisingly found that a composition according to the present invention is shiny, water- and smudge-resistant, and has enhanced water washability and texture. Thus, disclosed is a long-wear, washable yet waterproof eye mascara composition that includes: a) at least one sugar silicone surfactant, b) at least one oil-soluble polar modified polymer, and c) at least one oil-soluble high carbon polar modified polymer.

Shine-imparting, hydrating and moisturizing lipstick emulsion
U.S. Patent 8597621
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to this patent, conventional lipsticks that claim to hydrate and moisturize the lips tend to incorporate only a small amount of water, which evaporates quickly and yields little to no hydrating effects. However, the addition of more water often results in poor stick structure and payoff. In addition, these types of lipsticks require surfactants in order to form an emulsion. Further, conventional lipsticks impart a high degree of shine or gloss to the lips, typically requiring the use of silicone fluids that have poor environmental profiles and are relatively expensive.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a lipstick composition that imparts high shine while hydrating and moisturizing the lips without silicone fluids. Another objective is to incorporate significant amounts of water in a stable emulsion without using an emulsifier. The disclosed formula that meets these requirements incorporates: a) at least one polyamine; b) at least one oil-soluble high carbon polar modified polymer; c) water; d) at least one non-volatile solvent; e) at least one wax with a high melting point; and e) optionally, at least one colorant.

Illuminated cosmetic package for modifying visual perception
U.S. Patent 8599306
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: Matthew Rolston Photographer, Inc.

Disclosed in this patent are various embodiments directed at modifying and enhancing visual perception. One is directed to a camera that includes a lens system for capturing images, a processor, and an attached illumination system that modifies the captured images. This system may be applied in a video camera mirror system, seating system, cosmetic package, lipstick packaging, polarized mirror, cosmetic brush and/or personal portrait photography management system. One example provided is a lipstick package wherein the lighting system is positioned along a ridge portion of the container and provides a light source in the direction of the open end of the container. In another example, an illuminated cosmetic brush comprises a brush head and a handle whereby the lighting system surrounds the handle.

Gentler indoles and indolines for hair dyeing
U.S. Patent 8597373
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to this invention, there is a need to develop dyeing processes for hair that obtain powerful colors using indoles or indolines, while at the same time limiting the bleaching of keratin fibers and resisting external agents; i.e., light, weather, shampooing, etc. This reportedly is achieved by the present invention, which consists of two main compositions. Composition 1 includes: a) one or more indole or indoline compounds; b) one or more metal salts; and c) hydrogen peroxide or one or more systems that generate hydrogen peroxide. Composition 2 incorporates one or more basifying agents.

Foam oxidative hair colorant composition
U.S. Patent 8597372
Publication date: Dec. 3, 2013
Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.

Disclosed in this patent is an oxidative hair colorant dispensed as a foam from a manually-actuable, non-aerosol dispenser. The hair colorant contains a foam stabilizing agent and is essentially free of surfactant. According to the inventors, it has been found that the reduction of surfactants addresses several outstanding needs of hair dye products and provides further benefits, including reducing messy application.

Solid, dissolvable hair colorant
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/176666
Publication date: Nov. 28, 2013
Assignee(s): The Procter & Gamble Company, TJ Felts, G Zhang, JM Sunkel and BP Murphy

An object of the present invention is to provide a soluble hair-coloring product from an open-celled, porous solid that can be conveniently and quickly dissolved in the palm of the consumer to reconstitute a liquid product for ease of application to hair. In addition, the product provides sufficient delivery of the active agents for partial or whole-head hair application, with similar performance to current liquid products. A soluble solid hair-coloring article is described that includes zwitterionic direct dye and one or more soluble porous solids containing nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, or a mixture thereof, such that the porous solids have a density of from 0.03 g/cm3 to 0.15 g/cm3. Methods of applying the soluble solid hair coloring article to hair also are described.

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