Abstract: Methods for preparing hair relaxer compositions which comprise a lithium salt and an alkaline earth hydroxide, wherein the lithium salt is in molar excess to the alkaline earth hydroxide. Compositions, kits containing the compositions, and methods for using the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Powders that have been obtained from a homogenized and dehydrated oil-in-water emulsion containing (a) a structuring and emulsifying agent, (b) at least one fat, (c) at least one cosmetically active substance, and (d) an aqueous phase, may be reconstituted to regive the oil-in-water emulsion by hydration. The powder can be used, as is, in cosmetic or dermatological products.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition is provided whose major component is petroleum jelly and incorporates a C.sub.18 -C.sub.30 acyl lactylate. Most preferred is behenoyl lactylate. Relatively nongreasy and easily spreadable compositions result which have improved skin healing, moisturization and other skin benefit properties.

Abstract: The present invention is for long lasting, physically stable, moisturizing lipstick compositions essentially free of water. Said lipsticks contain lipophilic materials with high levels of moisturizers distributed throughout. Said lipsticks resist separation of the moisturizing material from the body of the lipstick.

Abstract: A two-package pretreatment and hair relaxer system comprising: a first package comprising a neutral pretreatment composition containing a polyampholyte terpolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from about 4 thousand to 4 million, of the formula: ##STR1## wherein said polyampholyte terpolymer is present in amounts sufficient to coat hair and prevent excessive brittleness and roughness to relaxed hair; and a second package containing calcium hydroxide in amounts sufficient to relax hair and a polyampholyte terpolymer having a weight average molecular weight of from about 4 thousand to 4 million, of the formula: ##STR2## in amounts sufficient to impart significant amounts of moisture, softness and sheen to relaxed hair.

Abstract: A mild permanent wave reducing agent-containing composition and method of permanently waving or straightening human hair that provides a strong, long lasting curl, or long lasting straight hair formation, while minimizing hair damage. The composition includes two ionic compounds, one cationic and the other anionic, that complex in solution over a molar ratio of cationic compound to anionic compound in the range of about 1:1.2 to about 1.2:1, preferably in the range of about 1:1.1 to about 1.1:1, to provide synergy in waving efficiency, thereby providing a strongly reconfigured hair configuration (curled or straightened). At least one of the ionic compounds functions as a reducing agent for hair, capable of breaking the disulfide bonds in the hair so that the bonds later can be reformed via oxidation, when the hair is in the desired configuration. Examples of cationic compounds include thiocholine, choline, cysteineamide, cysteamine, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A hair setting agent composition is disclosed, which comprises: (A) 0.01 to 10% by weight of a water-dispersible polyester resin; (B) 0.01 to 10% by weight of at least one silicone derivative; and (C) 0.1 to 40% by weight of a C.sub.8-40 hydrocarbon oil. The hair setting agent composition according to the present invention exhibits excellent hair setting properties and set retaining properties and provides hairs with a nonsticky smooth finish touch and a natural gloss.

Abstract: A cosmetic with good water resistance, perspiration resistance and oil resistance, as well as long lasting cosmetic effects, which characteristically containing an organofluorated modified silicone resin comprising units (1), (2) and (3) shown below:(1) R.sub.3 SiO.sub. 1/2 units(2) SiO.sub.2 units(3) Rf.sub.2 SiO unit and/or RfRSiO unitsin which R denotes a hydrocarbon group with a carbon number of 1-6 or a phenyl group, and Rf denotes --(CH.sub.2).sub.m C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1, m is an integer 2-4, and n is an integer 1-12.

Abstract: A hair cosmetic composition including (a) at least one compound selected from fatty acids containing a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12-40 carbon atoms, salts thereof and fatty acid esters composed of one of the fatty acids and a polyhydric alcohol; (b) at least one aromatic alcohol represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 means a hydrogen atom or a methyl or methoxy group, Y denotes a single bond or a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene group having 1-3 carbon atoms, Z is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and p and q stand individually for a number of 0-5; and (c) at least one cationic surfactant.

Abstract: The skin care system of the present invention incorporates mixtures of water, dried herbs, leaves, fruits, roots and/or flowers, plant extracts and oils with non-irritating lipids, binders, surfactants, emulsifiers and preservatives. Spring mineral water is the basis of all moisturizing compositions within the inventive skin care system, with the active ingredients being incorporated into the solution by boiling the ingredient in water, as if making a tea. The tea solution may be used alone or combined with ingredients to create moisturizing lotions.

Abstract: A rinse-off skin conditioning composition employs a hydrocarbon oil, a di-block or tri-block copolymer as a viscosity improver, optionally a fatty acid ester as an emollient, and a surfactant soluble in the mixture of the hydrocarbon oil, copolymer and fatty acid ester, and capable of dispersing said composition in water. The composition may be applied when showering and then rinsed away, leaving a residue of approximately 3-25 percent by weight of the total applied after rinsing. The residue has a skin-conditioning effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powder bleaching composition for bleaching hair or keratinous fiber and methods for the production and use of the composition. The powder bleaching composition comprises a conditioner of about 2% to about 15% by weight of said composition, a bleach accelerator of about 40% to about 60% by weight of said composition, a thickener of about 1% to about 10% by weight of said composition, a silica component of about 2% to about 11% by weight of said composition, and a hydrogen peroxide source of about 15% to about 23% by weight of said composition, with a sufficient amount of water to provide a water-activated composition. The above composition prevents damage to the hair during bleaching and provides limited ammonia odor during use.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition according to the present invention incorporates a new combination of ingredients particularly designed to provide significant protection of the skin from several damaging components of environmental pollution, while also providing significant protection against moisture loss and damage due to free radical activity and ultraviolet light, both UV-A and UV-B, and controlling oil.

Abstract: A hair perming method including a first, reduction step using cysteamine or salt thereof, and a second, oxidizing step, is characterized in that a composition containing a monoaldehyde compound in a cosmetically acceptable carrier is applied to the hair before or after the oxidizing step, whereby the residual odor of reducing agent may be controlled effectively.

Abstract: The invention is directed to increasing the strength and firmness of the skin and reducing the signs of cellulite. The inventive method includes applying to the skin a composition that includes inositol phosphate, particularly phytic acid and its salts, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Oil-in-water type emulsions having a pH below or equal to 3.5, especially a pH below or equal to 3, and comprising as a stabilizing agent a substantially water-soluble crosslinked anionic copolymer consisting of units derived from the reaction between (i) acrylamide, (ii) 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and (iii) at least one compound possessing multiple olefinic unsaturation (crosslinking agent), in which the compound possessing multiple olefinic unsaturation is present in the copolymer at a concentration of between 0.06 and 1 mmol per mole of the collective monomer units, are stable.

Abstract: A hair styling composition for imparting body and/or stylability to hair, comprises(a) at least one of surfactant, conditioning agent and water or other volatile solvent, together with(b) a per-alk(en)yl hydrocarbon material.