Abstract: Nail enamel compositions containing a monoester containing at least one alkyl ether group; or an ester of benzoic acid, or a diester formed by the reaction of a dicarboxylic acid where the two carboxylic acid groups are separated by a straight or branched chain alkyl group or an aryl group, and an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol and said diester further comprising at least one alkyl ether group; or a triester formed by the reaction of aromatic tricarboxylic acid and an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, or by the reaction of a polyol having primary hydroxyl groups with an aliphatic carboxylic acid; and a method for reducing the hardness of one or more film forming polymers in a nail enamel composition, and/or improving nail enamel wear comprising adding such compounds to the nail enamel composition.

Abstract: A nail enamel composition comprising, by weight of the total composition, about 10-95% solvent, and 5-95% of a film forming polymer having a glass transition temperature in the range of 5 to 90° Centigrade, and containing about 2 to 29% by weight of the total polymer of at least one polar monomer; a two container kit for polishing the nails containing the nail enamel composition of the invention and a second composition comprising 1-99% solvent and 1-99% of an film forming polymer; and method for polishing nails using the composition and kit of the invention.

Abstract: A method for improving and/or treating one or more conditions of the skin selected from the group consisting of texture, luminosity, radiance, fine lines, wrinkles, skin pigmentation irregularities, sallowness, and photodamage comprising applying to the skin a cosmetic composition comprising 0.01-30% by weight of the total composition of 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and the compositions used therefor.

Abstract: A nail enamel composition comprising, by weight of the total composition:10-95% solvent, and5-90% of a copolymer resulting from the polymerization of monomer units A, B, and C wherein: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.3, and R.sub.5 are each independently H, a C.sub.1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl, aralkyl; R.sub.2 is a pyrrolidone, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, alicyclic, or bicyclic ring where the substitutents are C.sub.1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, or COOM wherein M is a C.sub.1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, pyrrolidone, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, alicylic, or bicyclic ring where the substitutents are C.sub.1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl ##STR2## wherein ##STR3## straight or branched chain alkyl, m is 1 to 5, n is 1 to 30, y is 0 to 50; and Z=H or a C.sub.1-30 straight or branched chain alkyl, and a method and kit for coating the nails with said composition.