Cosmetic applicator with flexible and rigid portions

A system for applying a substance to a keratinous surface comprising:

• a container for holding the substance;
• an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator head arranged along a longitudinal axis, the applicator head comprising:
• a shank joining a proximal portion of the applicator head with a distal portion of the stem;
• a root connected with a distal end of the shank extending in the distal direction from the shank;
• a stiffness modifying portion having a selected cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and comprising a bulge connected with the root;
• and
• a spatula connected with the root and the stiffness modifying portion, the spatula extending along the longitudinal axis and adapted to hold and apply the substance to the keratinous surface, wherein the selected cross section provides a selected resistance to deflection of the spatula away from the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the spatula is substantially planar having a planar main application surface and comprising first and second curvilinear edges extending from the root, wherein the first and second curvilinear edges meet at a distal end of the spatula to form a spatula tip, wherein the first and second curvilinear edges are outwardly convexly curved and extend continuously from the root to the tip, wherein the bulge extends distally partially across the planar surface, wherein the bulge comprises a bulge proximal end joined with the root and a bulge tip at a bulge distal end, and wherein the bulge further comprises a bulge perimeter where the bulge meets the planar surface, wherein the bulge perimeter is offset along the first and second planar surfaces inward from the first and second peripheral edges, wherein the tip is offset from the longitudinal axis in a first direction, wherein the bulge tip is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second, opposite direction.