Point-of-sale body powder dispensing system

1. A custom cosmetic dispensing method, comprising:

a) providing at a retail purchase site an automated cosmetic dispenser including at least one automated metering device and being adapted for dispensing a plurality of ingredients to a receptacle having a storage portion and an applicator associated therewith, in preselected proportions from a selection of ingredients contained in a plurality of individually packaged ingredients containers to create a custom selection, wherein among the selection of ingredients are at least one effect selected from glitter, sparkles, luminescence, phosphorescence, ingredients for pearlizing or providing a matte finish, fragrance, a medicinal additive, a functional additive such as moisturizer, sunscreen, vitamins (including anti-oxidants), antibiotics, fungicides, anti-aging ingredients, or an exfoliator; and

b) operating a computer for dispensing the ingredients in an appropriate predetermined proportion on the basis of a selection by a user into the receptacle having a storage portion and an applicator associated therewith, the computer being programmed for displaying menus of color schemes or effects.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of mixing the ingredients while the receptacle is on a platform associated with the automated dispenser.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of dispensing ingredients that further comprise a preservative selected from the group consisting of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, grapefruit seed extract, potassium sorbate, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinyl), Vitamin C, sorbic acid, benzoic acid or mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ingredients containers consists essentially of a powder.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of operating the computer to detect the installation of ingredients and to recalculate inventory amounts.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a communication system for enabling a user to make a cosmetic selection via the internet.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automated dispenser includes a dispenser that contains one or more motor translatable nozzles that will dispense the different ingredients to a single location.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising placing the receptacle upon a translatable platform.

9. A custom cosmetic dispensing method, comprising:

a) providing at a retail purchase site an automated dispenser adapted for dispensing a plurality of ingredients to a receptacle having an applicator associated therewith, in preselected proportions from a selection of ingredients contained in a plurality of individual packaged ingredients containers to create a custom selection;

b) operating a computer for displaying menus of color schemes and effects available for selection at the retail purchase site;

c) operating the computer for causing the automated dispenser to dispense into the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith, at the retail purchase site, a colorant selected from titanium dioxide, manganese violet, ultramarines, carmine, iron oxides, red 7 lake, yellow 6 lake, yellow 10 lake or mixtures thereof, and at least one effect selected from glitter, sparkles, luminescence, phosphorescence, an ingredient for pearlizing or an ingredient for providing a matte finish; and

d) dispensing into the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, grapefruit seed extract, potassium sorbate, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinyl), Vitamin C, sorbic acid, benzoic acid or mixtures thereof.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a step of dispensing a functional additive selected from a moisturizer, a sunscreen, a vitamin, an antibiotic, a fungicide, an anti-aging ingredient, or an exfoliator.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a step of providing a plurality of individually packaged ingredient containers each having a removable closure or a rupturable membrane.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step of detecting the installation of ingredients and recalculating inventory amounts.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising providing a communication system for enabling a user to make a cosmetic selection via the internet.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a step of operating the computer to select a formulation different from the custom selection while the custom selection is being dispensed.

15. A cosmetic dispensing method for dispensing a plurality of different custom cosmetic selections at a retail purchase site, comprising:

a) providing at a retail purchase site an automated dispenser adapted for dispensing a plurality of ingredients to a receptacle having an applicator associated therewith, in preselected proportions from a selection of ingredients contained in a plurality of individual packaged ingredients containers to create a custom selection;

b) operating a computer for displaying menus of color schemes and effects available for selection at the retail purchase site;

c) operating the computer for causing the automated dispenser to dispense into the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith, at the retail purchase site, a first selection including at least one powder and at least one effect selected from glitter, sparkles, luminescence, phosphorescence, an ingredient for pearlizing or an ingredient for providing a matte finish; and

d) mixing the ingredients of the first selection while the receptacle is on a platform associated with the automated dispenser; and

e) dispensing selections consecutively that are different from the first selection from the automated dispenser.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising a step of a user operating the computer to select a formulation different from the first selection while the first selection is being dispensed.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising a step of dispensing into the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, grapefruit seed extract, potassium sorbate, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinyl), Vitamin C, sorbic acid, benzoic acid or mixtures thereof.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith includes an applicator portion including a brush in fluid communication with a storage portion into which ingredients are dispensed.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising a step of dispensing into the receptacle having an applicator associated therewith at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, grapefruit seed extract, potassium sorbate, tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitamin A (retinyl), Vitamin C, sorbic acid, benzoic acid or mixtures thereof.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising steps of (i) providing a plurality of individually packaged ingredient containers each having a removable closure or a rupturable membrane and (ii) detecting the installation of ingredients and recalculating inventory amounts.