Abstract: The present invention relates to surfactant compositions comprising a mixture of at least one cationic surfactant, at least one anionic surfactant, preferably a sulfonated methyl ester and/or a sulfonated fatty acid, and at least one “bridging surfactant” selected from semi-polar nonionic, ethoxylated alkanolamide, and amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to stable, synergistic mixtures of cationic, anionic, and bridging surfactants that are useful primarily as shampoos and/or body washes. The instant invention further provides both a method for preparing the inventive surfactant compositions, i.e., shampoos, and a method of treating hair with the shampoo compositions. When applied to hair or skin, the surfactant shampoo compositions of the instant invention generally provide for cleaning, conditioning, bodifying, and/or moisturization of the hair or skin.