Mascara applicator

An applicator for selectively combing and applying fluent mascara to eyelashes, comprising:

• an elongated applicator shaft having a handle portion disposed on one end thereof and a bristle brush portion disposed on an opposite end thereof, said brush portion including alternating sets of relatively long and short bristles of which approximately 10-50% are long bristles of about 0.125 inches to 0.375 inches in length and approximately 50-90% are short bristles of about 0.125 inches to 0.185 inches in length, said sets of long bristles extending from about 20.degree. to 75.degree. around said shaft and said sets of short bristles extending from about 20.degree. to 75.degree. around said shaft, said sets curcumferentially disposed substantially parallel to said shaft or spirally disposed about said shaft with said bristles radially extending outward therefrom;
• a reservoir containing fluent mascara into which said brush portion of said applicator is dipped;
• a cover removably engagable with said reservoir, forming at least part of said handle portion of said shaft;
• and
• a wiper means associated with said reservoir disposed at an inlet to said reservoir for removing essentially all fluent mascara from said sets of long bristles upon removal of said applicator from said reservoir while allowing fluent mascara to be retained on said short bristle sets;
• wherein said sets of long bristles and said sets of short bristles are disposed about said shaft and are of a length sufficient to enable the wiper means to coact therewith to wipe the sets of long bristles essentially free of mascara and allow mascara to be retained on said sets of short bristles and to enable a user to selectively apply mascara with said sets of short bristles and to comb said eyelashes with the sets of long bristles.