Abstract: Provided is a method for styling mammalian hair that includes contacting the hair with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a first carrier, contacting the hair with a composition that includes a bisulfite and a second carrier, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention and straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair. Also provided is a method for controlling fizz by applying the copolymer and bisulfite compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for styling mammalian hair that includes contacting the hair with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a first carrier, contacting the hair with a composition that includes a citrate and a second carrier, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention and straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair. Also provided is a method for controlling frizz by applying the copolymer and citrate compositions.

Abstract: Provided is method of strengthening keratinous fibers that includes contacting the fibers with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a carrier, wherein the treated fibers exhibit an improvement in strength. Also provided are methods for improving strength of fibers that have been damaged, e.g., as a result of having been subjected to chemical and/or thermal treatment processes that diminish fiber strength, by contacting the fibers with the composition.

Abstract: Provided is a method for styling mammalian hair that includes contacting the hair with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a first carrier, contacting the hair with a composition that includes a bisulfite and a second carrier, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention and straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair. Also provided is a method for controlling fizz by applying the copolymer and bisulfite compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for styling hair that includes contacting the hair with a compositions that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and conditioning agents, applying heat to the hair in an amount effective to at least semi-permanently style the hair, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention or straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair.

Abstract: Provided is method of strengthening keratinous fibers that includes contacting the fibers with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a carrier, wherein the treated fibers exhibit an improvement in strength. Also provided are methods for improving strength of fibers that have been damaged, e.g., as a result of having been subjected to chemical and/or thermal treatment processes that diminish fiber strength, by contacting the fibers with the composition.

Abstract: Provided is a method for styling mammalian hair that includes contacting the hair with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a first carrier, contacting the hair with a composition that includes a citrate and a second carrier, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention and straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair. Also provided is a method for controlling fizz by applying the copolymer and citrate compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for styling mammalian hair that includes contacting the hair with a composition that includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer and a first carrier, contacting the hair with a composition that includes a cysteine and a second carrier, and styling the hair. The method of the present invention promotes improved hair styling properties such as improved curl retention and straightness retention, e.g., under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature. The method can be used for semi-permanently straightening or curling the hair. Also provided is a method for controlling frizz by applying the copolymer and cysteine compositions.

Abstract: Provided is a hair-styling composition, which preferably includes a poly(vinylamine-vinylformamide) copolymer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, and water, wherein the composition when applied to human hair, exhibits at least about 50% curl retention after about 2 hours under conditions of about 90% relative humidity and about 75° F. Also provided are methods for styling mammalian hair and controlling frizz with the composition of the present invention, and a personal care product that includes the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair conditioning composition that comprises stearalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride. The hair conditioner composition of the invention preferably imparts a silky wet feel to hair and inhibits fly-away at 34% relative humidity when applied as a rinse off conditioner. In some embodiments, the hair conditioner of the invention is essentially free of an amidoamine; is characterized by a weight ratio of cetrimonium chloride to stearalkonium chloride of from about 0.65 to about 2; and/or the total combined amount of stearalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride is at most about 1% by weight of the composition. The present invention also provides a method of conditioning hair.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hair conditioning composition that comprises stearalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride. The hair conditioner composition of the invention preferably imparts a silky wet feel to hair and inhibits fly-away at 34% relative humidity when applied as a rinse off conditioner. In some embodiments, the hair conditioner of the invention is essentially free of an amidoamine; is characterized by a weight ratio of cetrimonium chloride to stearalkonium chloride of from about 0.65 to about 2; and/or the total combined amount of stearalkonium chloride and cetrimonium chloride is at most about 1% by weight of the composition. The present invention also provides a method of conditioning hair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for applying a cleaning solution to a surface and for applying a scrubbing action to such surface. The device comprises a reservoir, a piercable closing means enclosing the reservoir to retain the cleaning solution therein and an abrasive scrubbing pad over the open mouth of the reservoir through which cleaning solution can be extruded onto the soiled surface and which can be used to provide a scrubbing action to the soil.