WO1995009600A1

WO1995009600A1 - Hair care compositions containing low melting point fatty alcohol and crosslinked polymeric thickener

Info

Publication number: WO1995009600A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/010833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Russell Cox
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1993-10-01
Filing date: 1994-09-26
Publication date: 1995-04-13

Abstract

Provided are hair care compositons that can impart enhanced gloss and alignment, and volume reduction to the hair, with low or reduced greasy, oily hair feel, while being formulated in an emulsion having a thick, cream-type rehology with excellent spreading, perception of spreading, and feel. In particular, the compositions comprise: (a) from about 0.1 % to about 10 %, by weight, of a monohydric, fatty alcohol having a melting point of 30 °C or lower, said fatty alcohol being preferably selected from the group consisting of unsaturated straight chain fatty alcohols and saturated, branched chain fatty alcohols, saturated C8-C12 straight chain alcohols, and mixtures thereof; (b) from about 0.1 % to about 10 %, by weight, of a crosslinked polymer comprising the monomeric units (A)m (B)n (C)p, wherein: (A) is a dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof; (B) is a dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate or a quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof; (C) is a nonionic monomer that is polymerizable with (A) or (B); (m) is 0 or greater; (n) is 0 or greater; (p) is 0 or greater; and at least m or n must be 1 or greater; and (c) from about 50 % to about 99.8 %, by weight, water.

Description

HAIR CARE COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING LOW MELTING POINT FATTY ALCOHOL AND CROSSLINKED POLYMERIC THICKENER

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to hair care emulsions that enhance glossiness of the hair, such as cream rinse emulsions, containing low melting point fatty alcohols, and certain crosslinked polymeric thickeners to thicken the composition in the substantial absence of conventional hair rinse thickeners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Scalp hair becomes soiled due to its contact with the surrounding environment and from sebum secreted from the hair follicles. The build- up of sebum and environmental soiling can cause the hair to have a dirty or greasy feel, and an unattractive appearance. In order to ameliorate these effects, it is necessary to shampoo the hair with regularity.

Shampooing the hair removes excess sebum and other environmental soiling but has disadvantages in that the hair can be left in a wet, tangled, and relatively unmanageable state. Shampooing can also result in the hair becoming dry due to the removal of natural oils or other hair moisturizing materials. After shampooing, the hair can also suffer from a perceived loss of "softness." Frequent shampooing also contributes to the phenomena of "split ends," particularly for long hair. Split ends refers to a condition wherein the ends of the hair are split into two or more shafts, resulting in a frizzy appearance.

A variety of approaches have been developed to condition the hair. These range from post-shampooing hair rinses, to leave-on hair conditioners, to the inclusion of hair conditioning components in shampoos. Although many consumers prefer the ease and convenience of a shampoo which includes conditioners, a substantial proportion prefer the more conventional conditioner formulations which are applied to the hair as a separate step from shampooing, usually subsequent to shampooing. These hair conditioners typically are formulated as a thickened product, such as a gel or cream, for ease of dispensing and application to the hair. Hair shine or "glossiness" is a desireable attribute which refers to the contrast between the specular and diffuse light reflected off hair fibers. This contrast creates a visual perception of "sheen" strongly associated with healthy hair. A conventional method for increasing hair shine is to treat the hair with compositions containing hydrocarbon oils and fatty esters. Unfortunately, while these types of materials are effective for achieving their intended effect, they also tend to leave the hair feeling greasy or oily, and cause the hair to resoil relatively quickly.

Hair rinse conditioners have most conventionally been based on the combination of a cationic surfactant, which is generally a quaternary ammonium compound such as ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, and fatty alcohols, such as cetyl and stearyl alcohols. This combination results in a gel-network structure which provides the compositions with a thick, creamy rheology. Nonvolatile silicones have also been added to improve overall conditioning, especially dry combing.

Such compositions as these tend to have a volumizing effect on hair, so that the hair appears thicker or fuller then it would otherwise be. While this approach is effective for consumers with relatively thin or limp hair, who wish to increase body and volume of their hair, it is not ideal for consumers who have naturally coarse, wavy, or curly hair and wish to reduce these natural tendencies, or even for consumers who have relatively straight hair and desire volume reduction and greater alignment of the hair for enhanced glossiness and an orderly appearance of the hair. Improved glossiness can be obtained in hair care formulations through the use of low melting point fatty alcohols. Low melting point fatty alcohols include, for example a variety of branched chain alcohols and unsaturated straight chain alcohols. However, these low melting point fatty alcohols do not form the thick, gel rheology with cationic surfactants as do the saturated straight fatty alcohols, such as cetyl and stearyl alcohols, which are conventionally used in hair rinse formulations. When a combination of low melting point and waxy alcohols are used, a hair volumizing effect may occur rather than volume reduction and increased alignment. This is because fatty alcohols for hair conditioning, such as cetyl and stearyl alcohols, deposit on the hair in crystal or solid form. These crystalline deposits separate the hair follicles to provide a volumizing effect. The net effect is reduced glossiness. Recently, hair rinse compositions having zero or low levels of fatty alcohols as described above, and having rheology similar to those based on fatty alcohol and cationic surfactant, have been provided through the use of a vehicle system based on hydrophobically-modified, nonionic, hydrophilic polymers, such as cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose, and a surfactant, such as a water insoluble cationic surfactant. Although these compositions can provide excellent conditioning to the hair, they typically do not provide the pleasing wet hair feel and perception of spreading through the hair that is provided by conventional creme hair rinses. It is an object of this invention to provide hair care compositions that enhance hair shine and hair alignment, and can reduce hair volume, without causing the hair to become greasy or waxy feeling or to have a dirty or coated appearance.

It is desirable to provide such a composition, as described above in a thickened form, such as a cream emulsion or gel, which can be easily applied and rinsed from the hair. It is a further object of this invention to provide such a hair care composition that has an aesthetically pleasing wet hair feel and perception of spreading upon application to the hair. It is further desirable to provide a method for conditioning hair in accordance with the above compositions.

These and other objects and benefits of the present invention as may be set forth herein as may now or later become apparent to those skilled in the art can be provided according to the invention which is described herein.

Oleyl alcohol, an unsaturated fatty alcohol, and other low melting point fatty alcohols can be highly effective for providing the aesthetic benefits to the hair of enhanced shine, hair alignment, and volume reduction with relatively little greasy or oily feel when applied to the hair at relatively low levels.

It has now been found that low melting point fatty alcohol- containing hair conditioning compositions can be provided in the form of a product with a thickened, cream emulsion or gel-type rheology having excellent wet hair feel, spreadability, and rinseability, through the use of certain cationic crosslinked polymeric thickeners. The invention hereof is described in the sections below. The invention hereof can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements described herein as well as any of the preferred or other optional ingredients described herein.

All percentages herein are by weight of the composition unless otherwise indicated. All ratios are weight ratios unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages, ratios, and levels of ingredients referred to herein are based on the actual amount of the ingredient, and do not include solvents, fillers, or other materials with which the ingredient may be combined in commercially available products.

All documents referred to herein, including all patents, all patent applications and all articles, are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides hair care compositions that can provide enhanced gloss and alignment, and volume reduction to the hair, with low or reduced greasy, oily hair feel, while being formulated in an emulsion having a thick, cream-type rheology with excellent spreading, perception of spreading, and feel. In particular, the present hair care composition comprises:

(a) from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight, of a monohydric, fatty alcohol having a melting point of 30°C or lower, said fatty alcohol being preferably selected from the group consisting of unsaturated straight chain fatty alcohols and saturated, branched chain fatty alcohols, saturated C8-C12 straight chain alcohols, and mixtures thereof;

(b) from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight, of a crosslinked polymer comprising the monomeric units (A)_m (B)_n (C)p, wherein:

(A) is a dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof; (B) is a dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate or a quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof; (C) is a nonionic monomer that is polymerizable with (A) or

(B), preferably acrylamide; (m) is 0 or greater (n) is 0 or greater

(p) is 0 or greater at least m or n must be 1 or greater; (c) from 0% to about 20%, by weight, of a conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, cationic polymers, nonvolatile silicones, nonvolatile hydrocarbons, nonvolatile hydrocarbon esters, and mixtures thereof; (d) from about 50% to about 99.8%, by weight, water.

The present invention also provides methods for conditioning hair by application to the hair of effective amount of the compositions hereof to enhance glossiness of the hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The essential ingredients as well as a variety, but non-exclusive, list of preferred and optional ingredients are described below.

Nonvolatile. Low Melting Point Fatty Alcohol

The compositions of the present invention comprise a nonvolatile low melting point fatty alcohol.

The fatty alcohols hereof have a melting point of 30°C or less, preferably about 25°C or less, more preferably about 22°C or less. The unsaturated fatty alcohols hereof are also nonvolatile. By nonvolatile what is meant is they have a boiling point at 1.0 atmospheres of at least about 260°C, preferably at least about 275°C, more preferably at least about 300°C.

Suitable fatty alcohols include unsaturated monohydric straight chain fatty alcohols, saturated branched chain fatty alcohols, saturated

C8-C12 straight chain fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The unsaturated straight chain fatty alcohols will typically have one degree of unsaturation. Di- and tri- unsaturated alkenyl chains may be present at low levels, preferably less than about 5% by total weight of the unsaturated straight chain fatty alcohol more preferably less than about

2%, most preferably less than about 1%. Preferably, the unsaturated straight chain fatty alcohols will have an aliphatic chain size of from Ci2-C22,^more preferably from C12-C18. most preferably from C^ 6-C18- Exemplary alcohols of this type include oleyl alcohol, and palmitoleic alcohol.

The branched chain alcohols will typically have aliphatic chain sizes of from C12-C22- preferably C14-C20. more preferably C^<|6-Ci8-

Exemplary branched chain alcohols for use herein include isostearyl alcohol, octyl dodecanol, and octyl decanol. Examples of saturated C8-C12 straight chain alcohols include octyl alcohol, caprylic alcohol, decyl alcohol, and lauryl alcohol.

The low melting point fatty alcohols hereof are used at a level of from about 0.1 % to about 10%, by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 5%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%.

The present compositions are preferably limited to levels of monohydric saturated straight chain fatty alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, and other waxy fatty alcohols having melting points above 45°C, of no more than about 5%, by weight of the composition, preferably no more than about 4% since the presence of such waxy fatty alcohols can adversely affect the shine benefits of the present invention. However, it may be desirable to use waxy fatty alcohols for their conditioning benefits. In the event that such saturated fatty alcohols are present, the weight ratio of the liquid to waxy fatty alcohols is preferably no greater than about 0.25, more preferably no greater than about 0.15, more preferably than about 0.10. Crosslinked Polymeric Thickening Agent

The compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 5%, and most preferably from about 0.5% to about 3% of a crosslinked polymer thickening agent. The cationic crosslinked polymers hereof can form a thickened cream or gel-type rheology without the need for solid fatty materials such as saturated straight chain fatty alcohols. However, they can still provide a good perception of spreading upon application to the hair.

Crosslinked polymers of the type for use herein are generally described in U.S. Patent 5,100,660, to Hawe et al., issued March 31, 1992; U.S. Patent 4,849,484, to Heard, issued July 18, 1989; U.S. Patent 4,835,206, to Farrar et al., issued May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent 4,628,078 to Glover et al. issued December 9, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,599,379 to Flesher et al. issued July 8, 1986; and EP 228,868, to Farrar et al., published July 15, 1987; all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The polymers hereof can be characterized by the general formula: (A)_m(B)_n(C)p wherein (A) is a dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate monomer or its quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt, (B) is a dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate monomer or its quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt, (C) is a nonionic monomer that is polymerizable with (A) or (B) having a carbon-carbon double bond, that is polymerizable with (A) or (B), m is an integer of 0 or greater, n is an integer of 0 or greater, either m or n, or both, must be 1 or greater, and p is an integer of 0 or greater.

The (C) monomer can be selected from any of the commonly used monomers. Nonlimiting examples of these monomers include ethylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene, eicosene, maleic anhydride, acrylamide, methacrylamide, maleic acid, acrolein, cyclohexene, ethyl vinyl ether, and methyl vinyl ether. In the cationic polymers of the present invention, (C) is preferably acrylamide. The alkyl portions of the (A) and (B) monomers are short chain length alkyls such as C-i-Cβ, preferably C1-C5, more preferably C1-C3, most preferably C1-C2. When quatemized, the polymers are preferably quarternized with short chain alkyls, i.e., C-j-Cβ, preferably C1-C5, more preferably C1-C3, most preferably C1-C2. The acid addition salts refer to polymers having protonated amino groups. Acid addition salts can be performed through the use of halogen (e.g. chloride), acetic, phosphoric, nitric, citric, or other acids.

These (A)_m(B)_n(C)_p polymers also contain a crosslinking agent, which is typically a material containing two or more unsaturated functional groups. The crosslinking agent is reacted with the monomer units of the polymer and is incorporated into the polymer, forming either links or covalent bonds between two or more individual polymer chains or between two or more sections of the same polymer chain. Nonlimiting examples of suitable crosslinking agents include those selected from the group consisting of methylenebisacrylamides, diacrylates, dimethacrylates, di-vinyl aryl (e.g. di-vinyl phenyl ring) compounds, polyalkenyl polyethers of polyhydric alcohols, allyl acrylates, vinyloxyalkylacrylates, and polyfunctional vinylidenes. Specific examples of crosslinking agents useful herein include those selected from the group consisting of methylenebisacrylamide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, di-(meth)acrylate, di-(meth)acrylamide, cyanomethylacrylate, vinyloxyethylacrylate, vinyloxyethylmethacrylate, allyl pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane diallylether, allyl sucrose, butadiene, isoprene, 1 ,4 di-ethylene benzene, divinyl naphthalene, ethyl vinyl ether, methyl vinyl ether, and allyl acrylate. Other crosslinkers include formaldehyde and glyoxal. Preferred for use herein as a crosslinking agent is methylenebisacrylamide. Widely varying amounts of the crosslinking agent can be employed depending upon the properties desired in the final polymer, e.g. viscosifying effect. The crosslinking agent will typically comprise from about 1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm, preferably from about 5 ppm to about 750 ppm, more preferably from about 25 ppm to about 500 ppm, even more preferably from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, and most preferably from about 250 ppm to about about 500 ppm of the total weight of the polymer on a weight/weight basis.

The intrinsic viscosity of the crosslinked polymer, measured in one molar sodium chloride solution at 25° C, is generally above 6, preferably from about 8 to 14. The molecular weight (weight average) of the crosslinked polymers hereof is high, and is believed to typically be between about 1 million and about 30 million. The specific molecular weight is not critical and lower or higher weight average molecular weights can be used as long as the polymer retains its intended viscosifying effects in water or other aqueous carrier of the compositions hereof. Preferably, a 1.0% solution of the polymer in deionized water will have a viscosity at 25°C of at least about 20,000 cP, preferably at least about 30,000 cP, when measured at 20 RPM by a Brookfield RVT (Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Stoughton, MA, USA).

These cationic polymers can be made by polymerization of an aqueous solution containing from about 20% to about 60%, generally from about 25% to about 40%, by weight monomer, in the presence of an initiator (usually redox or thermal) until the polymerization terminates. The crosslinking agent can also be added to the solution of the monomers to be polymerized, to incorporate it into the polymer. In the polymerization reactions, the temperature generally starts between about 0° and 95°C. The polymerization can be conducted by forming a reverse phase dispersion of an aqueous phase of the monomers (and also any additional crosslinking agents) into a nonaqueous liquid, e.g. mineral oil, lanolin, isododecane, oleyl alcohol, and other volatile and nonvolatile esters, ethers, and alcohols, and the like.

All percentages describing the polymer in this section of the description herein are molar, unless otherwise specified. When the polymer contains (C) monomer, the molar proportion of C, based on the total molar amount of A, B, and C, can be from 0% to about 99%. The molar proportions of (A) and (B) can each be from 0% to 100%. When acrylamide is used as the "C" monomer, it will preferably be used at a level of from about 20% to about 99%, more preferably from about 50% to about 90%.

Where monomer A and B are both present, the ratio of monomer A:monomer B in the final polymer, on a molar basis, is preferably about 99:5 to about 15:85, more preferably from about 80:20 to about 20:80. Alternatively, in another class of polymers, the ratio is from about 5:95 to about 50:50, preferably from about 5:95 to about 25:75.

In another alternative class the ratio A:B is from about 50:50 to about 85:15. Preferably the ratio A:B is from about 60:40 to about

85:15, most preferably from about 75:25 to about 85:15. Most preferred is where monomer A is not present and the ratio of monomer B:monomer C is from about 30:70 to about 70:30, preferably from about 40:60 to about 60:40 and most preferably from about 45:55 to about 55:45.

Cationic polymers useful herein that are especially preferred are those conforming to the general structure (A)_m(B)_n(C)_p wherein m is zero, (B) is methyl quatemized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, the ratio of (B):(C) is about 45:55 to about 55:45, and the crosslinking agent is methylenebisacrylamide. An example of such a cationic polymer is one that is commercially available as a mineral oil dispersion (which can also include various dispersing aids such as PPG-1 trideceth-6) under the trademark Salcare SC92 from Allied Colloids Ltd. (Norfolk, Virginia). This polymer has the proposed CTFA designation, "Polyquaternium 32 (and) Mineral Oil".

Other cationic polymers useful herein, are those not containing acrylamide or other C monomer, that is, p is zero. In these polymers the (A) and (B) monomer components are as described above. An especially preferred group of these polymers is one in which m is also zero. In this instance the polymer is essentially a homopolymer of dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate monomer or its quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt. These diaklylaminoalkyl methacrylate copolymers and homopolymers also contain a crosslinking agent as described above.

Another cationic homopolymer useful herein is one conforming to the general structure (A)_m(B)_n(C)_p wherein m is zero, (B) is methyl quatemized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, p is zero, and the crosslinking agent is methylenebisacrylamide. An example of such a homopolymer is commercially available as a mineral oil dispersion also containing PPG-1 trideceth-6 as a dispersing aid, from Allied Colloids Ltd, (Norfolk, VA) under the trademark Salcare SC95. This product has been designated by the Cosmetics, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association (CTFA) as "Polyquaternium 37 (and) Mineral Oil (and) PPG-1 Trideceth-6". Water

The compositions of the present comprise from about 50% to about 99.8%, by weight, water. The water phase can optionally include other liquid, water-miscible or water-soluble solvents such as lower alkyl alcohols, e.g. C1-C5 alkyl monohydric alcohols, preferably C2-C3 alkyl alcohols . However, the liquid fatty alcohol must be miscible in the aqueous phase of the composition. Said fatty alcohol can be naturally miscible in the aqueous phase or can be made miscible through the use of cosolvents or surfactants. The composition of the present invention is an emulsion, having viscosity at 25°C of at least about 5,000 cP preferably from about 8,000 cP to about 50,000 cP, more preferably from about 15,000 cP to about 35,000 cP. Viscosity is determined by a Brookfield RVT, at 20 RPM.

The compositions of the present invention preferably have a pH of from about 2.5 to about 7, more preferably from about 3 to about 6.8, most preferably from about 3.5 to about 6.5 Higher pH can be utilized as long as the composition retains a viscosity of at least about 8,000 cP at 25°C. Additional Conditioning Agents The compositions of the present invention can also comprise one or more additional conditioning agents, such as those selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, cationic polymers, nonvolatile silicones (including soluble and insoluble silicones), and nonvolatile hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon esters. Preferred additional conditioning agents are cationic surfactants cationic polymers, and silicones (especially insoluble silicones). The components hereof can comprise from 0% to about 20%, preferably, from about 0.1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 10%, of additional conditioning agents. Cationic Surfactants

Cationic surfactants useful in compositions of the present invention, contain amino or quaternary ammonium moieties. The cationic surfactant will preferably, though not necessarily, be insoluble in the compositions hereof. Cationic surfactants among those useful herein are disclosed in the following documents, all incorporated by reference herein: M.C. Publishing Co., McCutcheon's, Detergents & Emulsifiers, (North American edition 1979); Schwartz, et al., Surface Active Agents, Their Chemistry and Technology, New York: Interscience Publishers, 1949; U.S. Patent 3,155,591, Hilfer issued November 3, 1964; U. S. Patent 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975; U. S. Patent 3,959,461, Bailey et al., issued May 25, 1976; and U. S. Patent 4,387,090, Bolich, Jr., issued June 7, 1983.

Among the quaternary ammonium-containing cationic surfactant materials useful herein are those of the general formula:

wherein R1-R4 are n epen ent y an alip latic group of from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms or an aromatic, alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion such as those selected from halogen, (e.g. chloride, bromide, iondide), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate nitrate, sulfate, and alkylsulfate radicals. The aliphatic groups may contain, in addition to carbon and hydrogen atoms, either linkages, and other groups such as amino groups. The longer chain aliphatic groups, eg., those of about 12 carbons, or higher, can be saturated or unsaturated. Especially preferred are di-long chain (e.g., di C<|2-C22- preferably C16-C18. aliphatic, preferably alkyl). di- short chain (e.g., C1-C3 alkyl, preferably C1-C2 alkyl) ammonium salts, Salts of primary, secondary and tertiary fatty amines are also suitable cationic surfactant materials. The alkyl groups of such amines preferably have from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, and may be substituted or unsubstituted. Such amines, useful herein, include stearamido propyl dimethyl amine, diethyl amino ethyl stearamide, dimethyl stearaminβ, dimethyl soyamine, soyamine, myristyl amine, tridecyl amine, ethyl stearylamine, N-tallowpropane diamine, ethoxylated (5 moles E.O.) stearylamine, dihydorxy ethyl stearylamine, and arachidylbehenylamine. Suitable amine salts include the halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrate, citrate, lactate, and alkyl sulfate salts. Such salts include stearylamine hydrochloride, soyamine chloride, stearylamine formate, N-tallowpropane diamine dichloride and stearamidopropyl dimethylamine citrate. Cationic amine surfactants included among those useful in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,275,055, Nachtigal, et al., issued June 23, 1981, incorporated by reference herein.

Cationic surfactants are preferably utilized at levels of from about 0.1% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.25% to about 5%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%, by weight of the composition. Cationic Polymer Conditioning Agent

The compositions of the present invention can also compare one or more cationic polymer conditioning agents, which are distinguished from the crosslinked cationic polymer previously described herein in that the polymer conditioning agent is not a crosslinked polymer. The cationic polymer conditioning agent will preferably be water soluble. Cationic polymers are typically used in the same ranges as disclosed above for cationic surfactants.

By "water soluble" cationic organic polymer, what is meant is a polymer which is sufficiently soluble in water to form a substantially clear solution to the naked eye at a concentration of 0.1% in water (distilled or equivalent) at 25°C. Preferably, the polymer will be sufficiently soluble to form a substantially clear solution at 0.5% concentration, more preferably at 1.0% concentration.

As used herein, the term "polymer" shall include materials whether made by polymerization of one type of monomer or made by two (i.e., copolymers) or more types of monomers. The cationic polymers hereof will generally have a weight average molecular weight which is at least about 5,000, typically at least about 10,000, and is less than about 10 million. Preferably, the molecular weight is from about 100,000 to about 2 million. The cationic polymers will generally have cationic nitrogen-containing moieties such as quaternary ammonium or cationic amino moieties, or a mixture thereof.

The cationic charge density is preferably at least about 0.1 meq/gram, more preferably at least about 1.5 meq/gram, even more preferably at least abut 1.1 meq/gram, most preferably at least about 1.2 meq/gram. Cationic charge density of the cationic polymer can be determined according to the Kjeldahl Method. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the charge density of amino-containing polymers may vary depending upon pH and the isoelectric point of the amino groups. The charge density should be within the above limits at the pH of intended use.

Any anionic counterions can be utilized for the cationic polymers so long as the water solubility criteria is met. Suitable counterions include halides (e.g., Cl, Br, I, or F, preferably Cl, Br, or I), sulfate, and methylsulfate. Others can also be used, as this list is not exclusive. The cationic nitrogen-containing moiety will be present generally as a substituent, on a fraction of the total monomer units of the cationic hair conditioning polymers. Thus, the cationic polymer can comprise copolymers, terpolymers, etc. of quaternary ammonium or cationic amine-substituted monomer units and other non-cationic units referred to herein as spacer monomer units. Such polymers are known in the art, and a variety can be found in the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 3rd edition, edited by Estrin, Crosley, and Haynes, (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C., 1982).

Suitable cationic polymers include, for example, copolymers of vinyl monomers having cationic amine or quaternary ammonium functionalities with water soluble spacer monomers such as acrylamide, methacrylamide, alkyl and dialkyl acrylamides, alkyl and dialkyl methacrylamides, alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, vinyl caprolactone, and vinyl pyrrolidone. The alkyl and dialkyl substituted monomers preferably have C1-C7 alkyl groups, more preferably C1-C3 alkyl groups. Other suitable spacer monomers include vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol (made by hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate), maleic anhydride, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol.

The cationic amines can be primary, secondary, or tertiary amines, depending upon the particular species and the pH of the shampoo. In general, secondary and tertiary amines, especially tertiary, amines, are preferred.

Amine-substituted vinyl monomers can be polymerized in the amine form, and then optionally can be converted to ammonium by a quaterni- zation reaction. Amines can also be similarly quatemized subsequent to formation of the polymer. For example, tertiary amine functionalities can be quatemized by reaction with a salt of the formula R'X wherein R' is a short chain alkyl, preferably a C1-C7 alkyl, more preferably a C1-C3 alkyl, and X is an anion which forms a water soluble salt with the quatemized ammonium. Suitable cationic amino and quaternary ammonium monomers include, for example, vinyl compounds substituted with dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, monoalkylaminoalkyl acrylate, monoalkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, trialkyl methacryloxyalkyl ammonium salt, trialkyl acryloxyalkyl ammonium salt, diallyl quaternary ammonium salts, and vinyl quaternary ammonium monomers having cyclic cationic nitrogen-containing rings such as pyridinium, imidazolium, and quatemized pyrrolidone, e.g., alkyl vinyl imidazolium, alkyl vinyl pyridinium, alkyl vinyl pyrrolidone salts. The alkyl portions of these monomers are preferably lower alkyls such as the C1-C3 alkyls, more preferably C₁ and C₂ alkyls. Suitable amine-substituted vinyl monomers for use herein include dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, and dialkylaminoalkyl meth¬ acrylamide, wherein the alkyl groups are preferably C1-C7 hydrocarbyls, more preferably C1-C3, alkyls. The cationic polymers hereof can comprise mixtures of monomer units derived from amine- and/or quaternary ammonium-substituted monomer and/or compatible spacer monomers.

Suitable cationic hair conditioning polymers include, for example: copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and 1-vinyl-3-methylimidazolium salt (e.g., chloride salt) (referred to in the industry by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, "CTFA", as Polyquaternium-16). such as those commercially available from BASF Wyandotte Corp. (Parsippany, NJ, USA) under the LUVIQUAT tradename (e.g., LUVIQUAT FC 370); copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (referred to in the industry by CTFA as Polyquaternium-11) such as those commercially available from Gaf Corporation (Wayne, NJ, USA) under the GAFQUAT tradename (e.g., GAFQUAT 755N); cationic diallyl quaternary ammonium-containing polymers, including, for example, dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymer and copolymers of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquatemium 6 and Polyquatemium 7, respectively; and mineral acid salts of amino-alkyl esters of homo- and co-polymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, as described in U.S. Patent 4,009,256, incorporated herein by reference.

Other cationic polymers that can be used include polysaccharide polymers, such as cationic cellulose derivatives and cationic starch derivatives.

Cationic polysaccharide polymer materials suitable for use herein include those of the formula:

I

A-0(-R-N⁺~R₃X-)

I R2

wherein: A is an anhydroglucose residual group, such as a starch or cellulose anhydroglucose residual, R is an alkylene oxyalkylene, polyoxyalkylene, or hydroxyalkylene group, or combination thereof, Rl, R2, and R3 independently are alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or alkoxyaryl groups, each group containing up to about 18 carbon atoms, and the total number of carbon atoms for each cationic moiety (i.e., the sum of carbon atoms in R-j, R2 and R3) preferably being about 20 or less, and X is an anionic counterion, as previously described.

Cationic cellulose is available from Amerchol Corp. (Edison, NJ, USA) in their Polymer JR^R and LR^R series of polymers, as salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquatemium 10. Another type of cationic cellulose includes the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium-substituted opoxide, referred to in the industry (CTFA) as Polyquatemium 24. These materials are available from Amerchol Corp. (Edison, NJ, USA) under the tradename Polymer LM-200.

Other cationic polymers that can be used include cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (commercially available from Celanese Corp. in their JaguarR series). Other materials include quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent 3,962,418, incorporated by reference herein), and copolymers of etherified cellulose and starch (e.g., as described in U.S. Patent 3,958,581, incorporated by reference herein).

As discussed above, the cationic polymer hereof is water soluble. This does not mean, however, that it must be soluble in the shampoo composition. Preferably however, the cationic polymer is either soluble in the shampoo composition, or in a complex coacervate phase in the shampoo composition formed by the cationic polymer and anionic material. Complex coacervates of the cationic polymer can be formed with anionic surfactants or with anionic polymers that can optionally be added to the compositions hereof (e.g., sodium polystyrene sulfonate). Silicone Conditioning Agents

The compositions hereof can also include nonvolatile soluble or insoluble silicone conditioning agents. By soluble what is meant is that the silicone conditioning agent is misuble with the aqueous carrier of the composition so as to form part of the same phase. By insoluble what is meant is that the silicone from a separate, discontinuous phase from the aqueous carrier, such as in the form of an emulsion or a suspension of droplets of the silicone.

The silicone hair conditioning agent will be used in the shampoo compositions hereof at levels of from about .05% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.1% to about 6%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, most preferably from about 0.5% to about 3%.

Soluble silicones include silicone copolyols, such as dimethicone copolyols, e.g. polyether siloxane-modified polymers, such as polypropylene oxide, polyethylene oxide modified polydimethylsiloxane, wherein the level of ethylene and/or propylene oxide sufficient to allow solubility in the composition.

Preferred, however, are insoluble silicones. The insoluble silicone hair conditioning agent for use herein will preferably have viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 2,000,000 centistokes at 25°C, more preferably from about 10,000 to about 1,800,000, even more preferably from about 100,000 to about 1,500,000. The viscosity can be measured by means of a glass capillary viscometer as set forth in Dow Corning Corporate Test Method CTM0004, July 20, 1970.

Suitable insoluble, nonvolatile silicone fluids include polyalkyl siloxanes, polyaryl siloxanes, polyalkylaryl siloxanes, polyether siloxane copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Other insoluble, nonvolatile silicone fluids having hair conditioning properties can also be used. The term "nonvolatile" as used herein shall mean that the silicone has a boiling point of at least about 260°C, preferably at least about 275°C, more preferably at least about 300°C Such materials exhibit very low or no significant vapor pressure at ambient conditions. The term "silicone fluid" shall mean flowable silicone materials having a viscosity of less than 1 ,000,000 centistokes at 25°C. Generally, the viscosity of the fluid will be between about 5 and 1,000,000 centistokes at 25°C, preferably between about 10 and about 300,000.

Silicone fluids hereof also include polyalkyl or polyaryl siloxanes with the following structure:

A - i - A

wherein R is alkyl or aryl, and x is an integer from about 7 to about 8,000 may be used. "A" represents groups which block the ends of the silicone chains. The alkyl or aryl groups substituted on the siloxane chain (R) or at the ends of the siloxane chains (A) may have any structure as long as the resulting silicones remain fluid at room temperature, are hydrophobic, are neither irritating, toxic nor otherwise harmful when applied to the hair, are compatible with the other components of the composition, are chemically stable under normal use and storage conditions, and are capable of being deposited on and of conditioning hair.

Suitable A groups include methyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, and aryloxy. The two R groups on the silicone atom may represent the same group or different groups. Preferably, the two R groups represent the same group. Suitable R groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, phenyl, methylphenyl and phenylmethyl. The preferred silicones are polydimethyl siloxane, polydiethylsiloxane, and polymethylphenylsiloxane. Polydimethylsiloxane is especially preferred.

The nonvolatile polyalkylsiloxane fluids that may be used include, for example, polydimethylsiloxanes. These siloxanes are available, for example, from the General Electric Company in their ViscasilR and SF 96 series, and from Dow Corning in their Dow Corning 200 series.

The polyalkylaryl siloxane fluids that may be used, also include, for example, polymethylphenylsiloxanes. These siloxanes are available, for example, from the General Electric Company as SF 1075 methyl phenyl fluid or from Dow Corning as 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid.

Especially preferred, for enhancing the shine characteristics of hair, are highly arylated silicones, such as highly phenylated polyethyl silicone having refractive indices of about 1.46 or higher, especially about 1.52 or higher. When these high refractive index silicones are used, they should be mixed with a spreading agent, such as a surfactant or a silicone resin, as described below to decrease the surface tension and enhance the film forming ability of the material.

The polyether siloxane copolymers that may be used include, for example, a polypropylene oxide modified polydimethylsiloxane (e.g., Dow Corning DC-1248) although ethylene oxide or mixtures of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide may also be used. The ethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide level should be sufficiently low to prevent solubility in the composition hereof. References disclosing suitable silicone fluids include U.S. Patent 2,826,551, Geen; U.S. Patent 3,964,500, Drakoff, issued June 22, 1976; U.S. Patent 4,364,837, Pader; and British Patent 849,433, Woolston. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. Also incorporated herein by reference is Silicon Compounds distributed by Petrarch Systems, Inc., 1984. This reference provides an extensive (though not exclusive) listing of suitable silicone fluids.

Another silicone hair conditioning material that can be especially useful in the silicone conditioning agents is insoluble silicone gum. The term "silicone gum", as used herein, means polyorganosiloxane materials having a viscosity at 25oC of greater than or equal to 1,000,000 centistokes. Silicone gums are described by Petrarch and others including U.S. Patent 4,152,416, Spitzer et al., issued May 1, 1979 and Noll, Walter, Chemistry and Technology of Silicones, New York: Academic Press 1968. Also describing silicone gums are General Electric Silicone Rubber Product Data Sheets SE 30, SE 33, SE 54 and SE 76. All of these described references are incorporated herein by reference. The "silicone gums" will typically have a mass molecular weight in excess of about 200,000, generally between about 200,000 and about 1,000,000. Specific examples include polydimethylsiloxane, (polydimethylsiloxane) (methylvinyl- siloxane) copolymer, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (diphenyl siloxane)(methylvinylsiloxane) copolymer and mixtures thereof.

Preferably the silicone hair conditioning agent comprises a mixture of a polydimethylsiloxane gum, having a viscosity greater than about 1,000,000 centistokes and polydimethylsiloxane fluid having a viscosity of from about 10 centistokes to about 100,000 centistokes, wherein the ratio of gum to fluid is from about 30:70 to about 70:30, preferably from about 40:60 to about 60:40. An optional ingredient that can be included in the silicone conditioning agent is silicone resin. Silicone resins are highly crosslinked polymeric siloxane systems. The crosslinking is introduced through the incorporation of trifunctional and tetrafunctional silanes with monofunctional or difunctional, or both, silanes during manufacture of the silicone resin. As is well understood in the art, the degree of crosslinking that is required in order to result in a silicone resin will vary according to the specific silane units incorporated into the silicone resin. In general, silicone materials which have a sufficient level of trifunctional and tetrafunctional siloxane monomer units (and hence, a sufficient level of crosslinking) such that they dry down to a rigid, or hard, film are considered to be silicone resins. The ratio of oxygen atoms to silicon atoms is indicative of the level of crosslinking in a particular silicone material. Silicone materials which have at least about 1.1 oxygen atoms per silicon atom will generally be silicone resins herein. Preferably, the ratio of oxygen:silicon atoms is at least about 1.2:1.0. Silanes used in the manufacture of silicone resins include monomethyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, monophenyl-, diphenyl-, methyl¬ phenyl-, monovinyl-, and methylvinyl-chlorosilanes, and tetra- chlorosilane, with the methyl-substituted silanes being most commonly utilized. Preferred resins are offered by General Electric as GE SS4230 and SS4267. Commercially available silicone resins will generally be supplied in a dissolved form in a low viscosity volatile or nonvolatile silicone fluid. The silicone resins for use herein should be supplied and incorporated into the present compositions in such dissolved form, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Silicone resins can enhance deposition of silicone on the hair and can enhance the glossiness of hair with high refractive index volumes.

Background material on silicones including sections discussing silicone fluids, gums, and resins, as well as manufacture of silicones, can be found in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Volume 15, Second Edition, pp 204-308, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1989, incorporated herein by reference.

Silicone materials and silicone resins in particular, can conveniently be identified according to a shorthand nomenclature system well known to those skilled in the art as "MDTQ" nomen¬ clature. Under this system, the silicone is described according to presence of various siloxane monomer units which make up the silicone. Briefly, the symbol M denotes the monofunctional unit (CH3)3SiO).5; D denotes the difunctional unit (CHβ^SiO; T denotes the trifunctional unit (CH3)SiO<j 5; and Q denotes the quadri- or tetra-functional unit Siθ2- Primes of the unit symbols, e.g., M^*. D¹, T, and Q' denote substituents other than methyl, and must be specifically defined for each occurrence. Typical alternate substituents include groups such as vinyl, phenyls, amines, hydroxyls, etc. The molar ratios of the various units, either in terms of subscripts to the symbols indicating the total number of each type of unit in the silicone (or an average thereof) or as specifically indicated ratios in combination with molecular weight complete the description of the silicone material under the MDTQ system. Higher relative molar amounts of T, Q, T and/or Q' to D, D', M and or or M' in a silicone resin is indicative of higher levels of crosslinking. As discussed before, however, the overall level of crosslinking can also be indicated by the oxygen to silicon ratio.

The silicone resins for use herein which are preferred are MQ, MT, MTQ, MQ and MDTQ resins. Thus, the preferred silicone substituent is methyl. Especially preferred are MQ resins wherein the M:Q ratio is from about 0.5:1.0 to about 1.5:1.0 and the average molecular weight of the resin is from about 1000 to about 10,000. Other Ingredients

The compositions herein can contain a variety of other optional components suitable for rendering such compositions more cosmetically or aesthetically acceptable or to provide them with additional usage benefits. Such conventional optional ingredients are well-known to those skilled in the art.

A wide variety of additonal ingredients can be formulated into the present composition. These include: other conditioning agents, hair-hold polymers, detersive surfactants such as anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants; additional thickening agents and suspending agents , such as xanthan gum, guar gum, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, starch and starch derivatives, viscosity modifiers such as methanolamides of long chain fatty acids, cocomonoethanol amide, salts such as sodium potassium chloride and sulfate and crystalline suspending agents, and pearlescent aids such as ethylene glycol distearate; preservatives such as benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben and imidazolidinyl urea; polyvinyl alcohol; ethyl alcohol; pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid, sodium citrate, succinic acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate; salts, in general, such as potassium acetate and sodium chloride; coloring agents, such as any of the FD&C or D&C dyes; hair oxidizing (bleaching) agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, perborate and persulfate salts; hair reducing agents, such as the thioglycolates; perfumes, sequestering agents, such as disodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate, and polymer plasticizing agents, such as glycerin, disobutyl adipate, butyl stearate, and propylene glycol. Such optional ingredients generally are used individually at levels from about 0.01% to about 10.0%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 5.0% of the composition.

METHOD OF USE The hair care compositions of the present invention are used in conventional ways to provide the conditioning and shine benefits of the present invention. Such method of use depends upon the type of composition employed but generally involves application of an effective amount of the product to the hair, which may then be rinsed from the hair (as in the case of hair rinses) or allowed to remain on the hair (as in the case of gels, lotions, and creams). By "effective amount" is means an amount sufficient enough to provide a hair shine benefit. In general, from about 1g to about 50g is applied to the hair on the scalp. The composition is distributed throughout the hair by, typically by rubbing or massaging the hair and scalp with ones' hands or by another's hands. Preferably, the composition is applied to wet or damp hair prior to drying of the hair. After such compositions are applied to the hair, the hair is dried and styled in accordance with the desires of the user and in the usual ways of the user. Alternately, the composition is applied to dry hair, and the hair is then combed or styled in accordance with the desires of the user. EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate the present invention. It will be appreciated that other modifications of the present invention within the skill of those in the hair care formulation art can be undertaken without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. All parts, percentages, and ratios herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. Some components may come from suppliers as dilute solutions. The levels given reflect the weight percent of the active material, unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLES l-IV Hair rinse compositions of the present invention are prepared as follows:

Component .Wt.%. Ex. I Ex. II Ex. Ill Ex. IV

Oleyl Alcohol 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.2 2: 5

Salcare^R SC95¹ 2.2 0.8 0.8 0.8

Trioctyldodecyl Citrate 1.0 - - -

Polydimethylsiloxane ² 3.5 4.2 4.2 4.2

Silicone Resin³ 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Pentaphenyl Trimethyl Trisiloxane⁴ 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

DL Panthenol 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04

Panthenyl Ethyl Ether 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Fragrance 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Kathon™ CG⁵ 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Hydroxypropyl Guar Gum 0.5 - - -

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose - - 0.2 0.2

Cetyl Alcohol - 1.2 1.8 1.8

Stearyl Alcohol - 0.8 1.2 1.2

Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.8

Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine - 1.0 0.8 0.8

Glycerol Monostearate - 0.2 0.8 0.8

Citric Acid - 0.2 0.2 0.2

Water q.s q.s q.s q.s ^■ Polyquatemium 37 (and) Mineral Oil (and) PPG-1 Trideceth 6, commercially available from Allied Colloids Ltd., (Norfolk, VA, USA). ² An 85%/15% (wt. basis) mixture of D5 Cyclomethicone and dimethicone gum (weight average molecular weight of about 400,000 to about 600,000). ³ Polytrimethyl hydrosilylsilicate, added as a 50 wt.% solution in decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, General Electric Silicone Products,

SS 4320.

⁴ Dow Corning 705, Dow Coming Corp. (Midland, Ml, USA).

⁵ Methylchloroisothiazoline (and) methylisothiazoline, a preservative from Rohm & Haas Co., (Philadelphia, PA, USA).

For each of the examples, a silicone premix is prepared by mixing: the polydimethylsiloxane, MQ resin, and pentaphenyl trimethylsiloxane in a tank. For Example I, the water is heated to about 80°C: The hydroxypropyl guar gum and quaternary ammonium are sequentially added and mixed into the water. The batch is cooled to about 28°C. The following ingredients are then sequentially well mixed into the batch in the order given, with agitation between each addition: 1.0% (total wt. basis) Salcare™ SC95, trioctyldodecyl citrate, oleyl alcohol, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, silicone premix, perfume, Kathon™ CG, and the remainder of the Salcare™ SC95.

For Examples III and IV, the water is heated to about 25°C and the hydroxyethyl cellulose is added, with agitation. The water is heated to about 80°C and the following ingredients are sequentially added, with agitation between each addition: quaternary ammonium salt, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, and glyceryl monos tea rate. Cool the batch to about 49°C. Sequentially add the following ingredients with agitation between each addition: Silicone premix, citric acid, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, perfume, Kathon™ CG, Salcare™ SC 95, and oleyl alcohol. Cool to 25°C.

For Example II, heat the water to about 80°C and mix into it the quaternary ammonium salt, with agitation. Next add the following ingredients sequentially with agitation between each addition: cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, and glyceryl monostearate. Cool the batch to about 49°C. Next add the following ingredients with agitation between each addition: silicone premix, citric acid, panthenol, panthenyl ethyl ether, perfume, Kathon™ CG, and Salcare™ SC 95. Cool to 25^βC.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hair care composition characterized in that it comprises:

(a) from 0.1% to 10%, by weight, of a low melting point fatty alcohol having a melting point of 30°C or lower;

(b) from 0.1% to 10%, by weight, of a crosslinked polymer comprising the monomer units (A)_m (B)_n (C)_pwherein:

(A) is a dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or a quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof;

(B) is a dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate or a quaternary ammonium or acid addition salt thereof;

(C) is a nonionic monomer polymerizable with (A) or (B); wherein m, n, and p are independently zero or greater, but at least one of m or n is one or greater;

(c) from 50% to 99.8%, by weight, water.

2. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 , wherein said composition has a weight ratio of fatty alcohols having melting points of above 30°C to fatty alcohols having melting points of 30°C or lower of no greater than 0.25.

3. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 or 2 further comprising from 0.1% to 20%, by weight, of an additional hair conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, cationic polymers, and nonvolatile non-crosslinked silicones, and mixtures thereof.

4. A hair care composition as in Claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein said low melting point fatty alcohol has a melting point of 25°C or lower.

5. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 , 2, 3, or 4, wherein said low melting point fatty alcohol is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated C12-C22 ^stra'9^nt ch³'" alcohols, saturated C12-C18 branched chain alcohols, saturated C8-C12 straight chain alcohols, and mixtures thereof.

6. A hair care composition as in Claim 5, wherein said fatty alcohol is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated C-| 6-^18 straight chain fatty alcohols, C^-C-JS branched chain fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof.

7. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein said crosslinked polymer is cationic.

8. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein n is at least 1.

9. A hair care composition as in Claim 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein B is methyl quatemized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate.

10. A method for conditioning hair, said method comprising applying an effective amount for enhancing glossiness of the composition of Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, to the hair.