Unilever Home and Personal Care Usa, Division of Conopco, Inc.

Stella Arcella

John Brian Bartolone

Alexander C Chan

Allan Robert Burger

The present invention relates to a 2-step methods, and compositions for providing more vibrant, natural and long-lasting color to hair and at the same time reducing hair fiber damage associated with alternative current methods. In the first step the hair is contacted for a period of time with a dye precursor mixture containing specific oxidative hair dye precursors under conditions where these dyes are substantially inactive. Color is then developed in a second step by contacting the hair with a mixture of a peroxide compound and a persulfate salt. Surprisingly the 2-step method leads to considerable 'lift' or lightening without negatively impacting the coloring ability of the oxidative dye. The invention also relates to kits providing the means to accomplish these steps.

Efficient two-step method of coloring and lightening hair with less damage

A two step method of coloring hair is described. The hair is first contacted for a period of time with a dye precursor mixture containing an oxidative dye, specific fatty components and one or more water miscible organic solvents. Color is then developed in a second step by contacting the hair with one or more oxidizing agents. Greater color intensity and longevity are achieved when the fatty component in the dye precursor mixture contains at least one fatty amine and the fatty ingredients and organic solvents satisfy the relationship, &#x3a3;FC&#x3c;0.037(&#x3a3;OS)&#x2212;3.35(&#x3a3;OS)+63, where &#x3a3;FC and &#x3a3;OS are respectively the total weight of fatty ingredients and the total weight of water miscible organic solvents in the precursor mixture.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, NJ, United States of America

Stella Arcella