Protected transport of an applicator

A method for assembling, storing and/or transporting cosmetic applicators, wipers, and cosmetic receptacles, the method comprising the steps of:

• associating a wiper with a cosmetic applicator, wherein the cosmetic applicator has a handle, a wand attached to the handle, and a bristle set attached to the wand extending radially from the longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator, and the wiper has a wiper lip, a protective section, and a collar;
• sliding the wiper at least partially over the bristle set of the cosmetic applicator to form a cosmetic applicator unit having the bristle set at least partially contained by the protective section of the wiper, wherein the inner cross-section of the protective section of the wiper tapers with the outer diameter of the bristle set along the longitudinal axis;
• stowing the cosmetic applicator unit with a plurality of cosmetic applicator units in a container for storage and/or transport until assembly;
• associating the cosmetic applicator unit with a cosmetic receptacle, wherein the cosmetic receptacle has a neck forming an opening, the neck configured to lock in the wiper and to couple to the handle of the cosmetic applicator;
• aligning the wiper with the opening of the cosmetic receptacle;
• sliding the wand of the cosmetic applicator through the wiper until the collar of the wiper contacts the handle of the cosmetic applicator;
• and
• coupling the neck of the cosmetic receptacle to the handle of the cosmetic applicator, thereby locking the wiper within the neck of the cosmetic receptacle.