Abstract: A permanent waving composition which imparts to the hair a substantially increased curl retention, as well as substantially improved hair manageability and improved hair feel and appearance, is attained by combining strong hydrogen bonding amino acids with a water soluble or emulsifiable silicone-based compound as additives to the basic permanent wave ingredients. By employing these two additives, a synergistic effect is achieved, with the resulting permanently waved head of hair possessing substantially increased curl retention, ease of manageability, and substantially improved feel and appearance. Preferably, the strong hydrogen bonding amino acids are formed from hydrolyzed silk protein.

Abstract: Novel forms for use in preparing artificial nails, comprise a flexible liquid-impermeable sheet material having a leading end, a trailing end and opposed lateral edges and having a well extending from the trailing end toward the leading end intermediate the lateral edges of the leading end, said well being adapted to receive a liquid artificial nail coating composition.

Abstract: Novel procedures for preparing artificial nails employing coating compositions which are cured in the presence of ultraviolet light to provide hard, flexible artificial nails having the general appearance of natural nails, which procedures can be used with the known prior art forms; and novel forms or molds for use in preparing artificial nails which are particularly useful with the aforementioned novel procedures but which can be employed with the prior art techniques for coating artificial nail compositions on a digit.

Abstract: By providing a flexible, easily applied carrier which incorporates a combination of cationic hair conditioning agents and a water soluble or emulsifiable silicone-based compound, a unique hair treatment system is achieved. Preferably, the flexible carrier or applicator is constructed for being wrapped either entirely or partially about a head of hair and also incorporates hair enhancing agents, such as plant and herb extracts and, if desired, coloring agents, to further condition and enhance the hair. In the preferred embodiment, the hair treatment applicator is wrapped about the entire head of hair after shampooing, with the hair conditioners and hair enhancing agent contained therein being transferred to all of the hair fibers by the application of a hot towel to the wrapped applicator and subsequent thorough rubbing.

Abstract: By providing high absorbent end wraps staturated with a disulfide, the action of the reducing agent on the porous ends of the hair is controlled, typical overprocessing of the hair ends is eliminated, and a uniform permanently waved head of hair is obtained. Preferably the disulfide saturated into the end wraps is the disulfide of the mercaptan used in the permanent waving lotion.

Abstract: Novel procedures for applying preformed artificial nail tips to provide artificial nails which are characterized as being durable, smooth and even, and as having the general appearance of natural nails, the artificial nail portion being securely adhered to the natural nail portion; and novel procedures for the "filler" maintenance of artificial nails, which procedures employ photocurable (photopolymerizable) compositions.

Abstract: By providing a single wrapping composition capable of wetting and conditioning unbleached hair fibers while simultaneously protecting, equalizing and conditioning bleached hair fiber so that both the bleached and unbleached hair fibers are capable of responsive interaction with a waving or processing lotion, a unique permanent waving system is achieved which allows a head of hair having both bleached and unbleached hair fiber inseparably mixed, to be permanently waved in a single, uniform application and treatment. In order to assure that the bleached hair fibers will be capable of reacting with the waving or processing lotion, the wrapping composition should comprise an aqueous solution incorporating a hair substantive compound containing a lipoidal alkyl chain having ten or more carbon atoms and a disulfide derivative of a mercaptan with a substituent group. Preferably, the respective chemical compounds are those containing a quaternary ammonium group and a dithio derivation of a thioglycolate.

Abstract: By categorizing alternative hair textures and curl configurations in a display having various hair length and corresponding rod diameters displayed therewith, a compact, easily employable rod sector guide is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the rod selector guide comprises a hand holdable instrument and is in the form of an elongated, substantially flat member with the information displayed on both sides thereof in an easily readable, readily identifiable chart format. Furthermore, the rods are preferably color coded by diameter, and the rod selector guide employs the specific color of each rod which is preferred for each combination of factors.

Abstract: By pivotally mounting a pump valve actuating lever to a bottle supporting handle assembly which is removably securable about the threaded portion of the bottle, a spray pump actuating and bottle holding device is achieved in which a plurality of product spray bursts are easily attainable in rapid succession without difficulty or user fatigue. Preferably, the pivot's axis of the actuating lever is located above and in front of the outlet orifice of the pump valve, in a manner which provides a force multiplying effect and allows the operator to use a gentle, light actuating touch to overcome the much higher actuating force requirement of the pump valve. In the preferred embodiment, the actuating lever also incorporates pump valve actuating fins which engage the pump valve and maintain the valve's nozzle orientation.