대표
청구항
▼
1. An applicator assembly, comprising:a product comprising a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, wherein the first end portion comprises a first portion surface; at least one application member surrounding at least part of the product, wherein the application member comprises an application face; and an actuatable product holder movable relative to the application member, the second end portion of the product being held by the product holder, wherein the assembly is configured such that, in the absence of actuati...
1. An applicator assembly, comprising:a product comprising a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, wherein the first end portion comprises a first portion surface; at least one application member surrounding at least part of the product, wherein the application member comprises an application face; and an actuatable product holder movable relative to the application member, the second end portion of the product being held by the product holder, wherein the assembly is configured such that, in the absence of actuation of the product holder, the first portion surface is disposed in a first position located substantially level with or below the application face, wherein the assembly is configured such that actuation of the product holder causes the first portion surface to be moved to at least a second position relative to application face, the second position differing from the first position, wherein the assembly is configured such that the first portion surface elastically returns to substantially the first position when actuation of the product holder ceases, and wherein the assembly is configured such that, in the absence of actuation of the product holder, the application face is capable of becoming substantially level with the first portion surface or is substantially level with the first portion surface. 2. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is configured such that, in the absence of actuation of the product holder, the application face is capable of becoming substantially level with the first portion surface in response to force exerted on the application member.3. The applicator assembly of claim 2, wherein the application face is capable of becoming substantially level with the first portion surface in response to an axial force exerted on the application face and directed toward the first portion surface of the product.4. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member comprises an end located opposite to the application face and, in the first position, the first portion surface of the product is located between the end and the application face.5. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member defines a passage extending through a dimension of the application member, the passage defining an opening in the application face.6. The applicator assembly of claim 5, wherein the first portion surface of the product is configured to move through the opening in response to the actuation of the product holder.7. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member is at least partially elastically compressible.8. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member comprises an elastically compressible material.9. The applicator assembly of claim 8, wherein the application member comprises a foam element.10. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastic return is caused by an elastically deformable element that is configured to elastically deform in response to actuation of the product holder.11. The applicator assembly of claim 10, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, an elastically compressible element, and a diaphragm made of elastic material.12. The applicator assembly of claim 11, wherein the elastically compressible element comprises a foam block.13. The applicator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support for holding the application member.14. The applicator assembly of claim 13, wherein the application member is coupled to the support by a coupling mechanism chosen from adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, and magnetic attraction.15. The applicator assembly of claim 13, further an elastically deformable element having a first portion coupled to the support and a second portion coupled to the product holder, the elastically deformable element causing the elastic return.16. The applicator assembly of claim 15, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, a diaphragm made of an elastic material, and an elastically compressible element.17. The applicator assembly of claim 13, wherein the support is hollow and comprises a first end on which the application member is configured to be mounted and a second open end configured to receive the product holder.18. The applicator assembly of claim 17, wherein the first end of the support terminates in an annular wall.19. The applicator assembly of claim 18, further comprising a removable plug configured to be engaged with the support proximate the second open end and configured to maintain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.20. The applicator assembly of claim 19, wherein the removable plug defines an opening configured to permit access to the product holder so as to actuate the product holder.21. The applicator assembly of claim 19, further comprising at least one bead formed on an internal surface of the support proximate the second open end, the at least one bead being configured to retain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.22. The applicator assembly of claim 19, further an elastic diaphragm configured to be coupled to the support and to the product holder, the elastic diaphragm causing the elastic return.23. The applicator assembly of claim 22, wherein the elastic diaphragm has a peripheral portion configured to be coupled to the support and a central portion configured to be coupled to the product holder.24. The applicator assembly of claim 22, wherein the elastic diaphragm is configured to be coupled to the support proximate the second open end.25. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product holder is configured to be removably mounted relative to the application member.26. The applicator assembly of claim 13, wherein the holder is configured to be removably mounted relative to the support.27. The applicator assembly of claim 5, wherein the passage has a substantially constant cross-section.28. The applicator assembly of claim 27, wherein the entire cross-sectional area of the passage opens out onto the application face via the opening.29. The applicator assembly of claim 1, further comprising an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder and the application member, the elastic element causing the elastic return.30. The applicator assembly of claim 13, further comprising an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder, the application member, and the support, the elastic element being configured to cause the elastic return.31. The applicator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to cover the application face.32. The applicator assembly of claim 31, wherein the lid is removable from a covering position covering the application face.33. The applicator assembly of claim 13, wherein the support is configured to be grasped for holding the application member.34. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member comprises at least one block of foam having one of open cells, semi-open cells, and closed cells.35. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member is made of a material chosen from polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, elastomers of styrene butadiene rubber, elastomers of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, elastomers of silicone, and elastomers of nitrile.36. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member is configured to be one of uniformly and preferentially compressible.37. The applicator assembly of claim 36, wherein the application member comprises at least one groove formed on at least a portion of th application member.38. The applicator assembly of claim 37, wherein the at least one groove is on an exterior surface of the application member.39. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the application member comprises one of flocking, a textile, a weave, and a screen on an exterior surface portion of the application member.40. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product is in the form of a stick.41. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product is chosen from blushes, face powders, eyeshadows, lip make-ups, rouges, foundations, care products, sun protection products, self-tanning products, and hair products.42. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product comprises a make-up product.43. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product holder is configured to fixedly hold the product.44. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the application member is configured to cause the elastic return.45. The applicator assembly of claim 44, wherein the application member comprises an elastically compressible material.46. The applicator assembly of claim 45, wherein of the product holder causes elastic compression of the portion of the application member.47. The applicator assembly of claim 46, further comprising a protruding member that engages the application member so as to isolate compression of the portion of the application member from the remainder of the application member.48. The applicator assembly of claim 45, wherein the portion has a compressibility that differs from a compressibility of the remainder of th application member.49. The applicator assembly of claim 44, wherein the portion of the application member is configured to be engaged with the product holder.50. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one application member comprises a plurality of foam blocks.51. The applicator assembly of claim 50, wherein the foam blocks are concentrically disposed with respect to each other.52. The applicator assembly of claim 50, wherein the foam blocks are stacked vertically upon each other.53. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion surface is configured to move in an axial direction between the first position and the second position.54. An applicator system comprising:the applicator assembly of claim 1; and at least one additional application member. 55. The applicator system of claim 54, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having a differing characteristic.56. The applicator system of claim 54, wherein each of the application members has a differing compressibility.57. The applicator system of claim 54, further comprising at least one additional product holder, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.58. The applicator system of claim 57, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.59. An applicator system comprising: the applicator assembly of claim 1; and at least one additional product holder.60. The applicator system of claim 59, further corn rising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having differing characteristic.61. The applicator system of claim 59, further comprising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has a differing compressibility.62. The applicator system of claim 59, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.63. The applicator system of claim 62, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.64. A method of applying a product to a surface to be treated, the method comprising:providing the applicator assembly of claim 1; placing the application face of the application member in contact with the surface to be treated; and placing the first portion surface of the product in contact with the surface to be treated. 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the placing of the application face in contact with the surface to be treated comprises compressing the application member.66. The method of claim 65, wherein the of the application member causes the application face to be brought substantially level with the first portion surface of the product so as to enable the placing of the product in contact with the surface to be treated.67. The method of claim 64, further comprising actuating the product holder so as to move the first portion surface of the product to the second position, wherein the first portion surface of the product one of protrudes beyond the application face and is substantially level with the application face.68. The method of claim 67, further comprising ceasing the actuating of the product holder after product has been applied so as to use the elastic return of the first portion surface of the product to substantially the first position.69. The method of claim 68, further comprising smearing the applied product using the application face.70. The method of claim 69, wherein the smearing of the applied product occurs after the first portion surface of the product has elastically returned to substantially the first position.71. An applicator assembly, comprising:at least one application member comprising an application face, the application member defining a passage having an opening in the application face; an elastically moveable product holder configured to be capable of being moved relative to the application member in the absence of a force exerted on the application face and configured to hold the product such that at least part of the product is received in the passage, wherein the assembly is configured such that, in response to exertion of an elastic deformation force on the product holder, a surface of the product moves relative to the application member from a first position wherein the product surface does not protrude beyond the opening to at least a second position wherein the product surface one of protrudes beyond the opening and is substantially level with the opening. 72. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein, in response to the removal of the exertion of the elastic deformation force on the product holder, the product surface elastically returns to substantially the first position.73. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein, in the absence of the elastic deformation force exerted on the product holder, the application face is capable of being brought substantially level with or is substantially level with the product surface.74. The applicator assembly of claim 73, wherein the application face is capable of being brought substantially level with the product surface by exerting a force on the application member.75. The applicator assembly of claim 74, wherein the application face is capable of being brought substantially level with the product surface by exerting an axial force on the application face in a direction toward the product surface.76. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member comprises an end located opposite to the application face and, in the first position, the product surface is located between the end and the application face.77. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the passage extends through a dimension of the application member.78. The applicator assembly of claim 77, wherein the product surface is configured to move through the opening in response to the elastic deformation force exerted on the product holder.79. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member is at least partially elastically compressible.80. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member comprises an elastically compressible material.81. The applicator assembly of claim 80, wherein the application member comprises a foam element.82. The applicator assembly of claim 71, further comprising an elastically deformable element configured to elastically deform to cause elastic movement of the product holder.83. The applicator assembly of claim 82, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, an elastically compressible element, and a diaphragm made of elastic material.84. The applicator assembly of claim 83, wherein the elastically compressible element comprises a foam element.85. The applicator assembly of claim 71, further comprising a support for holding the application member.86. The applicator assembly of claim 85, wherein the application member is coupled to the support by a coupling mechanism chosen from adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, and magnetic attraction.87. The applicator assembly of claim 85, further comprising an elastically deformable element having a first portion coupled to the support and a second portion coupled to the product holder, the elastically deformable element causing the elastic movement of the product holder.88. The applicator assembly of claim 87, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, a diaphragm made of an elastic material, and an elastically compressible element.89. The applicator assembly of claim 88, wherein the elastically compressible element comprises a foam element.90. The applicator assembly of claim 85, wherein the support is hollow and comprises a first end on which the application member is configured to be mounted and a second open end configured to receive the product holder.91. The applicator assembly of claim 90, wherein the first end of the support terminates in an annular wall.92. The applicator assembly of claim 90, further comprising a removable plug configured to be engaged with the support proximate the second open end and configured to maintain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.93. The applicator assembly of claim 92, wherein the removable plug defines an opening configured to permit access to the product holder so as to exert the elastic deformation force on the product holder.94. The applicator assembly of claim 90, further comprising at least one bead formed on an internal surface of the support proximate the second open end, the at least one bead being configured to retain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.95. The applicator assembly of claim 90, further comprising an elastic diaphragm configured to be coupled to the support and to the product holder, the elastic diaphragm causing the elastic movement of the product holder.96. The applicator assembly of claim 95, wherein the elastic diaphragm has a peripheral portion configured to be coupled to the support and a central portion configured to be coupled to the product holder.97. The applicator assembly of claim 95, wherein the elastic diaphragm is configured to be coupled to the support proximate the second open end.98. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the product holder is configured to be removably mounted relative to the application member.99. The applicator assembly of claim 85, wherein the product holder is configured to be removably mounted to the support.100. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the passage has a substantially constant cross-section.101. The applicator assembly of claim 100, wherein the entire cross-sectional area of the passage opens out onto the at least one application face via the opening.102. The applicator assembly of claim 71, further comprising an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder and the application member, the elastic element causing the elastic movement of the product holder.103. The applicator assembly of claim 85, further an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder, the application member, and the support, the elastic element being configured to cause the elastic movement of the product holder.104. The applicator assembly of claim 71, further comprising a lid configured to cover the application face.105. The applicator assembly of claim 104, wherein the lid is removable from a covering position covering the application face.106. The applicator assembly of claim 85, wherein the support is configured to be grasped for holding the application member.107. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member comprises at least one block of foam having one of open cells, semi-open cells, and closed cells.108. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member is made of a material chosen from polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, elastomers of styrene butadiene rubber, elastomers of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, elastomers of silicone, and elastomers of nitrile.109. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member is configured to be one of uniformly and preferentially compressible.110. The applicator assembly of claim 109, wherein the application member comprises at least one groove formed on at least a portion of the application member.111. The applicator assembly of claim 110, wherein the at least one groove is on an exterior surface of the application member.112. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the application member comprises one of flocking, a textile, a weave, and a screen on an exterior surface portion of the application member.113. The applicator assembly of claim 71, further the product, wherein the product is held by the product holder.114. The applicator assembly of claim 113, wherein the product is in the form of a stick.115. The applicator assembly of claim 113, wherein the product is chosen from blushes, face powders, eyeshadows, lip make-ups, rouges, foundations, care products, sun protection products, self-tanning products, and hair products.116. The applicator assembly of claim 113, wherein the product comprises a make-up product.117. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the product holder is configured to fixedly hold the product.118. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein a portion of the application member is configured to cause the elastic movement of the product holder.119. The applicator assembly of claim 118, wherein the application member comprises an elastically compressible material.120. The applicator assembly of claim 119, wherein the elastic deformation force exerted on the product holder causes elastic compression of the portion of the application member.121. The applicator assembly of claim 120, further comprising a protruding member that engages the application member so as to isolate compression of the portion of the application member from the remainder of the application member.122. The applicator assembly of claim 119, wherein the portion has a compressibility that differs from the remainder of the application member.123. The applicator assembly of claim 118, wherein the portion of the application member is configured to be engaged with the product holder.124. The applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein the product surface is configured to move in an axial direction between the first position and the second position.125. An applicator system comprising:the applicator assembly of claim 71; and at least one additional application member. 126. The applicator system of claim 125, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having a differing characteristic.127. The applicator system of claim 125, wherein each of the application members has a differing compressibility.128. The applicator system of claim 125, further at least one additional product holder, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.129. The applicator system of claim 128, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.130. An applicator system comprising:the applicator assembly of claim 71; and at least one additional product holder. 131. The applicator system of claim 130, further comprising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having a differing characteristic.132. The applicator system of claim 130, further comprising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has a differing compressibility.133. The applicator system of claim 130, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.134. The applicator system of claim 133, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.135. A method of applying a product to a surface to be treated, the method comprising:providing the applicator assembly of claim 71, wherein a product is held by the product holder; placing the application face of the application member in contact with, the surface to be treated; and placing the product surface in contact with the surface to be treated. 136. The method of claim 135, wherein the placing of the application face in contact with the surface to be treated comprises compressing the application member.137. The method of claim 136, wherein the compressing of the application member causes the application face to be brought substantially level with the product surface so as to enable the placing of the product in contact with the surface to be treated.138. The method of claim 135, further comprising exerting an elastic deformation force on the product holder so as to move the product surface to the second position, wherein the product surface protrudes beyond the application face or is substantially level with the application face.139. The method of claim 138, further comprising removing the elastic deformation force from the product holder after product has been applied so as to cause the product surface to elastically return to substantially the first position.140. The method of claim 139, further comprising smearing the applied product using the application face.141. The method of claim 140, wherein the smearing of the applied product occurs after the product surface has elastically returned to substantially the first position.142. An applicator assembly, comprising:at least one at least partially elastically compressible application member comprising an application face, the application member defining a passage having an opening in the at least one application face; and an elastically moveable product holder configured to be capable of being moved relative to the application member in the absence of a force exerted on the application face and configured to hold the product such that at least part of the product is received in the passage, wherein the assembly is configured such that, in response to movement of the product holder relative to the application member, a surface of the product elastically moves relative to the application member. 143. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the assembly is configured such that the product surface moves between a first position therein the product surface does not protrude beyond the opening to at least a second position wherein the product surface is substantially level with the opening or protrudes beyond the opening.144. The applicator assembly of claim 143, wherein the product surface moves to at least the second position in response to a force exerted on the product holder and wherein the product surface returns to substantially the first position in response to removal of the force on the product holder.145. The applicator assembly of claim 144, wherein the force comprises an elastic deformation force.146. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein, in the absence of movement of the product holder relative to the application member, the application face is capable of being brought substantially level with or is substantially level with the product surface.147. The applicator assembly of claim 146, wherein the application face is capable of being brought substantially level with the product surface in response to axial pressure exerted on the application face and directed toward the product surface.148. The applicator assembly of claim 143, wherein the application member comprises an end located opposite to the application face and, in the first position, the product surface is located between the end and the application face.149. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the passage extends through a dimension of the application member.150. The applicator assembly of claim 149, wherein the product surface is configured to move through the opening in response to movement of the product holder.151. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the application member comprises a foam element.152. The applicator assembly of claim 142, further comprising an elastically deformable element configured to elastically deform to cause elastic movement of the product holder.153. The applicator assembly of claim 152, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, an elastically compressible element, and a diaphragm made of elastic material.154. The applicator assembly of claim 153, wherein the elastically compressible element comprises a foam element.155. The applicator assembly of claim 142, further comprising a support for holding the application member.156. The applicator assembly of claim 155, wherein the application member is coupled to the support by a coupling mechanism chosen from adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, and magnetic attraction.157. The applicator assembly of claim 155, further comprising an elastically deformable element having a first portion coupled to the support and a second portion coupled to the product holder, the elastically deformable element causing the elastic movement of the product holder.158. The applicator assembly of claim 157, wherein the elastically deformable element is chosen from a spring, a diaphragm made of an elastic material, and an elastically compressible element.159. The applicator assembly of claim 158, wherein the elastically compressible element comprises a foam element.160. The applicator assembly of claim 155, wherein the support is hollow and comprises a first end on which the application member is configured to be mounted and a second open end configured to receive the product holder.161. The applicator assembly of claim 160, wherein the first end of the support terminates in an annular wall.162. The applicator assembly of claim 160, further comprising a removable plug configured to be engaged with the support proximate the second open end and configured to maintain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.163. The applicator assembly of claim 162, wherein the removable plug defines an opening configured to permit access to the product holder so as to move the product holder.164. The applicator assembly of claim 160, further comprising at least one bead formed on an internal surface of the support proximate the second open end, the at least one bead being configured to retain the product holder in a mounted position relative to the support.165. The applicator assembly of claim 160, further comprising an elastic diaphragm configured to be coupled to the support and to the product holder, the elastic diaphragm causing the elastic movement of the product holder.166. The applicator assembly of claim 165, wherein the elastic diaphragm has a peripheral portion configured to be coupled to the support and a central portion configured to be coupled to the product holder.167. The applicator assembly of claim 165, wherein the elastic diaphragm is configured to be coupled to the support proximate the second open end.168. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the product holder is configured to be removably mounted relative to the application member.169. The applicator assembly of claim 155, wherein the product holder is configured to be removably mounted to the support.170. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the passage has a substantially constant cross-section.171. The applicator assembly of claim 170, wherein the entire cross-sectional area of the passage opens out onto the application face via the opening.172. The applicator assembly of claim 142, further comprising an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder and the application member, the elastic element causing the elastic movement of the product holder.173. The applicator assembly of claim 155, further comprising an elastic element molded as a single piece with one of the product holder, the application member, and the support, the elastic element being configured to cause the elastic movement of the product holder.174. The applicator assembly of claim 142, further comprising a lid configured to cover the application face.175. The applicator assembly of claim 174, wherein the lid is removable from a covering position covering the application face.176. The applicator assembly of claim 155, wherein the support is configured to be grasped for holding the application member.177. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the application member comprises at least one block of foam having one of open cells, semi-open cells, and closed cells.178. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the application member is made of a material chosen from polyvinyl chlorides, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, elastomers of styrene butadiene rubber, elastomers of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, elastomers of silicone, and elastomers of nitrile.179. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the application member is configured to be one of uniformly and preferentially compressible.180. The applicator assembly of claim 179, wherein the application member comprises at least one groove formed on at least a portion of the application member.181. The applicator assembly of claim 180, wherein the at least one groove is on an exterior surface of the application member.182. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the application member comprises one of flocking, a textile, a weave, and a screen on and exterior surface portion of the application member.183. The applicator assembly of claim 142, further comprising the product, wherein the product is held by the product holder.184. The applicator assembly of claim 183, wherein the product is in the form of a stick.185. The applicator assembly of claim 183, wherein th product is chosen from blushes, face powders, eyeshadows, lip make-ups, rouges, foundations, care products, sun protection products, self-tanning products, and hair products.186. The applicator assembly of claim 183, wherein the product comprises a make-up product.187. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein the product holder is configured to fixedly hold the product.188. The applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein a portion of the application member is configured to cause the elastic movement of the product holder.189. The applicator assembly of claim 188, wherein the portion of the application member is configured to be engaged with the product holder.190. The applicator assembly of claim 188, wherein th elastic compression of the portion of the application member causes movement of the product holder.191. The applicator assembly of claim 190, further a protruding member that engages the application member so as to isolate compression of the portion of the application member from the remainder of the application member.192. The applicator assembly of claim 188, wherein the portion has a compressibility that differs from the remainder of the application member.193. The applicator assembly of claim 143, wherein the product surface is configured to move in an axial direction between the first position and the second position.194. An applicator system comprising:the applicator assembly of claim 142; and at least one additional application member. 195. The applicator system of claim 194, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having a differing characteristic.196. The applicator system of claim 194, wherein etch of the application members has a differing compressibility.197. The applicator system of claim 194, further comprising at least one additional product holder, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.198. The applicator system of claim 197, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.199. An applicator system comprising:the applicator assembly of claim 142; and at least one additional product holder. 200. The applicator system of claim 199, further comprising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has an application face for applying product, each of the application faces having a differing characteristic.201. The applicator system of claim 199, further comprising at least one additional application member, wherein each of the application members has a differing compressibility.202. The applicator system of claim 199, wherein each of the product holders holds a product having a differing characteristic.203. The applicator system of claim 202, wherein the differing characteristic is chosen from at least one of product type and product color.204. A method of applying a product to a surface to be treated, the method comprising:providing the applicator assembly of claim 142, wherein a product is held by the product holder; placing the application face of the application member in contact with the surface to be treated; and placing the product surface in contact with the surface to be treated. 205. The method of claim 204, wherein the placing of the application face in contact with the surface to be treated comprises compressing the application member.206. The method of claim 205, wherein the compressing of the application member causes the application face to be brought substantially level with the product surface so as to enable the placing of the product surface in contact with the surface to be treated.207. The method of claim 204, further comprising exerting a force on the product holder so as to elastically move the product holder relative to the application member so as to move the product surface from a first position to at least a second position, wherein the product surface protrudes beyond the application face or is substantially level with the application face.208. The method of claim 207, further comprising removing the force from the product holder after product has been applied so as to cause the product surface to elastically return to substantially the first position.209. The method of claim 208, further comprising smearing the applied product using the application face.210. The method of claim 209, wherein the smearing of the applied product occurs after the product surface has elastically returned to substantially the first position.211. The applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the product holder is movable relative to the application member in the absence of a force applied to the application face.
