Hair lacquer or hair setting composition containing a tetrapolymer

Abstract

Copolymer of (a) an unsaturated acid having the formula R--CH = CH--(CH.sub.2 --O--CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOH wherein n = 0 or 1, and when n = O, R = CH.sub.3 and when n = 1, R = H, (b) a vinyl ester of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R is CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2 H.sub.5, (c) at least one branched allyl or methallyl ester of the formula ##EQU2## wherein R' represents hydrogen or CH.sub.3, R.sub.1 represents a saturated hydrocarbon chain, linear or branched, having 1-6 carbon atoms and R.sub.2 represents CH.sub.3 or CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, with the proviso that the sum of the number of the carbon atoms in R.sub.1 +R.sub.2 is equal to or less than 7 and (d) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a vinyl ether of the formula CH.sub.2 = CH--O--R.sub.3 wherein R.sub.3 is linear or branched alkyl having 1-12 carbon atoms, a vinyl ester having a fatty chain and having the formula ##EQU3## wherein R.sub.4 is linear alkyl having 7-11 carbon atoms and a linear allyl or methallyl ester of the formula ##EQU4## wherein R' is hydrogen or CH.sub.3 and R.sub.5 is linear alkyl having 1-11 carbon atoms. The copolymer is employed with a cosmetic carrier or vehicle to provide a cosmetic composition for the hair, such as a hair lacquer or hair setting lotion, generally in an amount of about 1-4 weight percent of the composition.