The hair shaping composition for permanent shaping of hair has a pH of from 6 to 9 and contains one or more conventional cosmetic additives, which can include water; perfume oil and/or a surface active compound, and from 5 to 25 percent by weight of 2-hydroxy-3-mercaptopropionic acid and/or its salts as active keratin-reducing agent. Preferably the 2-hydroxy-3-mercaptopropionic acid and/or its salts are the only keratin-reducing components in the composition. The method for permanent shaping of hair using this hair shaping composition allows a ready and uniform shaping of the hair without allergic or sensitizing reaction.
A composition which is one comprising water, a wax ester, and at least one of other components usable in cosmetics, and contains an ester composed of C.sub.18-34 fatty acid--C.sub.18-44 higher alcohol, and an amphoteric surface active agent, and can further contain a C.sub.18-34 higher fatty acid. It is possible to provide an intermediate composition for cosmetics and the above final product which are excellent in feelings in use to skin, and have physical and chemical characteristics for making their stable storage possible, and can be advantageously used particularly for foundation, lipstick, eye shadow, etc.
