Abstract: Compositions for application and methods of application of a composition to modify hair. In one embodiment, a composition includes a compound (molecule) represented by: wherein A and B are individually selected from a hydrogen, a hydroxyl group and a halogen, with the proviso that when one of A and B is a hydroxyl group, the other of A and B is a hydrogen and when one of A and B is a halogen, the other of A and B is a halogen or a hydrogen; wherein Z is, for example, an aryl moiety; and wherein X1 and X2 are, for example, individually selected from a hydrogen and an alkyl moiety, wherein R1 and R2 are individually selected from an oxo, a hydroxyl or an ester group; wherein y is 0 or 1, x is 0 or 1 and x and y are not both 1, or a salt.