Abstract: What is provided herein are conditioning hair care compositions comprising (a) a stabilized silicone product obtained by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, in the presence of discrete microdroplets of a silicone oil in water, (b) an emulsifiers, (c) a thickener, optionally, (d) a cationic surfactant, and the balance being (e) water.

Abstract: What is provided herein are conditioning shampoo hair care compositions comprising (a) a stabilized silicone product obtained by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, in the presence of discrete microdroplets of a silicone oil in water, (b) a surfactant, (c) a foam stabilizer, and the balance being (d) water.

Abstract: What is provided herein are hair and skin care compositions containing discrete microdroplets of an oil in water stabilized by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer and a water-soluble acryl comonomer. The stabilized microdroplets are prepared by dispersing the oil in water, adding the water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, with the comonomer, and copolymerizing the monomer and comonomer in situ such that the oil is stabilized in the resulting copolymer solution as discrete microdroplets.

Abstract: What is provided herein are conditioning hair care compositions comprising (a) a stabilized silicone product obtained by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, in the presence of discrete microdroplets of a silicone oil in water, (b) a surfactant, and the balance being (c) water.

Abstract: What is described herein is a high water content hair spray composition which forms uniform, fine spray patterns having rapid drying characteristics and which provides excellent curl retention, and reduced curl droop properties. These results are achieved herein by incorporating a surface active agent or agents into the hair spray composition which agent or agents substantially decreases the surface or interfacial tension of the hydroalcoholic phase of the composition during use. The decreased surface tension of the water-based composition along the length of the hair shaft enhances its spreading tendencies so that substantially no droplets can form upon application of the composition of the hair. The surface active agent preferably is a surface lactive lactam; and, most preferably an N-alkyl pyrrolidone, where the alkyl group is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.22, branched or linear, alkyl group.

Abstract: What is provided herein are cosmetic compositions for the care of hair and skin containing about 0.2 to 10% by wt. of a strongly swellable, moderately crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers in the form of fine, white powders characterized by (a) an aqueous swelling parameter defined by its gel volume of about 15 to 150 ml/g, (b) a Brookfield viscosity in 5% aqueous solution of at least about 10,000 cps, and (c) being prepared directly by a precipitation polymerization process in an organic solvent, in the presence of about 0.2 to 1% by weight of vinylpyrrolidone of a multifunctional crosslinking agent, preferably about 0.25 to 0.6%, and optimally, about 0.35 to 0.6%.

Abstract: What is provided herein are skin care compositions containing discrete microdroplets of an oil in water stabilized by in situ polymerization of a water-soluble vinyl monomer. The discrete microdroplets are prepared by dispersing the oil, preferably a silicone, in water, adding the water-soluble vinyl monomer, preferably vinylpyrrolidone, and polymerizing the monomer in situ such that the oil is stabilized in the resulting polymer solution as discrete microdroplets.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous hair coloring, bleaching, reducing, oxidizing or permanent structure altering formulation and a conditioning amount of a quaternized compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein m is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4; R is linear alkylene having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group of alkyl, alkyleneoxyalkyl, alkyleneoxyalkenyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, alkyleneamidoalkyl, alkylenecarbamoylalkyl, aryleneamidoalkyl and arylenecarbamoylalkyl radicals, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, together with the quaternized nitrogen atom can form a heterocyclic radical containing from 1 to 2 heteroatoms selected from the group of nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen, in which case R.sub.1 can represent a double bond in the heterocyclic structure or can be any of the aforementioned groups for R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 ; said groups R.sub.1, R.sub.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous preparation on the basis of keratin softening, which contains as a hair swelling and penetration agent, a quaternized amino lactam having the formula: ##STR1## wherein m is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4; R is alkylene having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group of alkyl, alkyleneoxy alkyl, alkylhydroxy, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, and alkylene amidoalkyl radicals, said groups each having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is a radical having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms; and X.sup.- is a chloride, bromide or iodide anion. The invention also relates to the use of said quaternized compounds in hair structure altering compositions.

Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising an absorbent hair wrapping material coated or impregnated with a hair structure altering, water soluble solution and the process of employing the wrapping. The hair wrapping material is capable of retaining between about 5 and about 15 times its weight of water and a water soluble hair reducing lotion. The water soluble hair reducing lotion contains one of an N--C.sub.8 to C.sub.22 alkyl lactam conditioner or an N-- quaternized amino lactam.

Abstract: A permanent hair color altering composition comprising an aqueous preparation on the basis of melanin dissolution and/or oxidation of a hair colorant dye intermediate, which contains as a swelling and penetration agent, a quaternized amino lactam having the formula: ##STR1## wherein m is an integer having a value of from 1 to 4; R is alkylene having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms and is optionally substituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each independently selected from the group of alkyl, alkyleneoxy alkyl, alkylhydroxy, alkoxy, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, and alkylene amidoalkyl radicals, said groups each having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is a radical having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms; and X.sup.- is a chloride, bromide or iodide anion. The invention also relates to the use of said quaternized compounds.

Abstract: A composition comprising an aqueous preparation on the basis of keratin softening, which contains as a swelling and penetration agent, an N-alkyl pyrrolidone wherein the alkyl group contains between 8 and 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A permanent hair color altering composition comprising an aqueous preparation on the basis of melanin dissolution and/or oxidation of a hair colorant dye intermediate, which contains as a swelling and penetration agent, an N-alkyl pyrrolidone wherein the alkyl group contains between 8 and 22 carbon atoms.