EXHIBIT 10.1

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated this 13th day of November, 2001 (the
"Agreement") among The Lamaur Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Lamaur" or
"Seller"), and Alleghany Pharmacal Corporation, a New York corporation ("Buyer")
(Buyer and Seller being collectively sometimes referred to as the "Parties)".

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Seller desires to sell certain assets relating to its
Willow Lake product lines, including certain intellectual property and
inventory, as further defined in this Agreement, and Buyer desires to purchase
such assets from Seller;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the warranties, representations,
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the Seller and Buyer hereby
agree as follows:

                                    Article 1

             Transfer of Assets, Intellectual Property and Inventory

         1.1 Transfer of Assets. Subject to the terms and conditions herein
expressed, Seller agrees to sell, assign, convey and transfer to Buyer on the
Closing Date (defined in Section 2.1) Seller's trademarks, trademark rights,
trade names, licenses, copyrights and Inventory (as defined below) in each case
relating to Seller's Willow Lake product line, including the right to use the
name "Willow Lake" and any derivation or modification thereof, and Seller's
Willow Lake customer and supplier lists, goodwill, brochures, sales literature,
advertising, promotional and training materials, and product formulations and
methods of manufacture and any other materials and intellectual property using
or relating to Seller's Willow Lake trademark and product line



                                 Exhibit 10.1-1
<PAGE>

throughout the world, in each case as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto
and incorporated herein by reference (collectively, the "Assets").

         1.2 Royalties. In exchange for the Assets of the Seller to be acquired
by Buyer as described in Section 1.1 of this Agreement, and the other rights
assigned to Buyer hereunder, on the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, Buyer shall deliver and pay to the Seller the following amounts on
the dates and in the manner set forth below:

                  (a)(i) On the Closing Date, Buyer shall transfer to Congress
Financial Corporation (Central) ("Congress") via wire transfer $1,000,000.00, in
the form of a non-refundable advance against future royalties payable in
accordance with the terms hereof, as a credit against Seller's outstanding
obligations to Congress.

                  (ii) A. If, within the 12 months immediately following Closing
(as defined below), Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake Products equals a minimum
of $1,666,667.00, a royalty in an amount equal to 60% of Buyer's monthly Net
Sales of Willow Lake Products for the balance of such 12-month period (including
any part of the month in which such Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake Products
equals such amount). This royalty shall be payable, if it becomes due, by wire
transfer to the account of Congress, within 21 days from the end of each thirty
day period during the twelve months from Closing for which it is payable.

                           B. In the event that Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake
Products within the 12 months immediately following Closing do not reach
$1,666,667.00, then 60% of the difference between $1,666,667.00 and Buyer's
actual Net Sales shall be a credit to Buyer against any royalties due under
paragraph 1.2(a)(iii) hereof, provided that in no event shall Seller's liability
for any such credit exceed the amounts of the royalties due Seller under
paragraph 1.2(a)(iii).



                                 Exhibit 10.1-2
<PAGE>

                           For example, if Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake
Products for the first ten months after Closing reaches $1,666,667.00, Buyer
shall pay Seller, in addition to the non-refundable royalty advance due under
Section 1.2(a)(i) above, 60% of Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake Products during
the next two months.

                           If Buyer's Net Sales of Willow Lake Products for the
12 months after Closing is $1,566,667.00, Buyer shall receive a credit of
$60,000.00 (1,666,667.00 - 1,566,667.00 = 100,000 x 60% = 60,000) to be applied
against any royalties due under paragraph 1.2(a)(iii)below, provided that in no
event shall Seller's liability for any such credit exceed the amounts of the
royalties due Seller under paragraph 1.2(a)(iii).

                  (iii) A royalty based upon Buyer's annual Net Sales of Willow
Lake Products for the three years beginning on the first day of the month
following 24 months from the Closing Date. Such additional royalty payments are
to be made annually within 45 days from the end of each such year. At the end of
the three year period, which is five years from the Closing Date, no further
royalty payments of any kind are due. The royalty rate for each year of such
three year period shall be as follows: 1/2% of the first three million dollars
of Buyer's annual Net Sales of Willow Lake Products; 1% of the next million
dollars of Buyer's annual Net Sales of Willow Lake Products; and 2% of the next
million dollars of Buyer's annual Net Sales of Willow Lake Products, provided
that in no event shall such additional royalty payments exceed $45,000 in any
given year.

                  (iv) Net Sales, as used in this Agreement, shall mean Buyer's
invoiced sales, less cash discounts, of Willow Lake Products sold to an
independent third party purchaser. Willow Lake Products, as used in this
Agreement, shall mean all Seller's products using the Willow Lake trademark.
Excluded from Net Sales shall be expenses for co-op advertising



                                 Exhibit 10.1-3
<PAGE>

media, free standing inserts, coupon redemption from clearing houses, rebates
cleared via clearing houses, and quarterly payments for planned promotional
activities. Invoiced sales shall deduct retailer promotional allowances such as
prepayment for unit "scan-downs," and other allowances reflected in a reduced
invoice price per item, or charged back.

         1.3 Inventory. On the Closing Date, Buyer agrees to purchase all of the
useable and saleable Willow Lake Products (including finished goods, raw
materials and components, but excluding obsolete Willow Lake Products) which are
either in Seller's possession as of the Closing Date or which have been ordered
prior to the Closing Date but not yet received by Seller (collectively,
"Inventory"). The purchase price for each piece of Inventory shall equal
Seller's internal standard direct cost rate as set forth in Schedule B. Unless
Congress otherwise agrees in writing, all payments due Seller hereunder shall be
made to The Lamaur Corporation, P.O. Box 1450, Minneapolis, MN 55432. The
parties hereby agree that the following additional provisions shall govern the
terms pursuant to which Buyer agrees to purchase the Inventory from Seller:

                  (a)(1) The Parties agree that following Closing, Buyer shall
be entitled to move from Seller's facilities, or facilities in which Seller
houses Inventory, to Buyer's facilities, all or a portion of the Inventory that
it is purchasing pursuant to the terms hereof, provided that Seller shall pay
any and all costs associated with moving such Inventory, exclusive of freight
and/or shipping costs (collectively, the "Moved Inventory"). The Parties agree
that Buyer shall, within thirty (30) days of the date on which it moves the
Moved Inventory, pay Seller an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price of
the Moved Inventory (which shall be determined in accordance with the prices set
forth on attached Schedule B), less One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00),
which shall be paid to Buyer by Seller in accordance with the provisions set
forth below (such amount being referred to herein as the "Inventory Setoff").
Seller agrees that it shall



                                 Exhibit 10.1-4
<PAGE>

continue to pay all Inventory storage costs until such time as the Inventory,
including the Moved Inventory, is moved by Buyer to Buyer's facilities.

                  (a)(2) The Parties further agree that following Closing,
Seller shall continue to fill orders it receives for Inventory in accordance
with Seller's past practices, and that Seller will remit to Buyer within thirty
(30) days from the date of shipment the proceeds of all such sales, less an
amount equal to Seller's shipping and handling costs, broker commissions owed on
such sales, freight costs and cash discounts (collectively, the "Related
Costs"). Additionally, Buyer shall deduct from the proceeds of any such sale the
cost of the shipped Inventory. The Parties agree that the Related Costs on any
Inventory shipment filled by Seller in accordance with the foregoing shall be
11.0% of the aggregate price of any such Inventory shipment.

                  (a)(3) The Parties further agree that the Inventory Setoff
shall be promptly paid by Buyer to Seller on the date that is twelve (12) months
from the Closing Date, less only any payments due to Buyer, including retailer
chargebacks to Buyer which are Seller's responsibility.

                  (ii) Any Inventory not sold by Buyer within six months from
the Closing Date shall be deemed to be not useable or saleable Inventory. Such
Inventory may thereafter be sold by the Parties as a closeout or destroyed, upon
the mutual agreement of the Parties regarding price and customer. Any such
closeout sales shall accrue as a sale by Seller, with Buyer to be reimbursed by
Seller for Buyer's cost of such Inventory, if previously paid by Buyer, and no
royalty payments to be due from Buyer. Any Willow Lake Products which are
returned as returns or damages to Seller or Buyer after six months from the
Closing Date shall be the responsibility of Buyer; such returns or damages may
be sent back to Buyer or may be sold by the Parties as a closeout, upon the
mutual agreement of the Parties regarding price and customer, with no royalty
payments due to Seller on any such closeout sales. Buyer shall utilize Seller's



                                 Exhibit 10.1-5
<PAGE>

Inventory before using alternative suppliers for use in manufacturing Willow
Lake Products, provided that such products are useable and saleable. Buyer
agrees that any finished goods, raw materials or components which it purchases
from other vendors for use in the production, manufacture, marketing, and/or
advertising of the Willow Lake Products during the time period for which royalty
payments are due to Seller under this Agreement shall be at least equal to the
quality of Seller's products and packaging (in the reasonable judgment of
Seller).

                  (iii) At a time to be determined upon written request made by
Buyer to Seller after Closing, all Inventory sold to Buyer by Seller after the
date of such request shall bear Buyer's UPC Codes label. Any relabeling
necessary to meet this requirement shall be at Seller's expense.

                  (v) Seller has secured the written commitment of Tiro
Industries, Inc. ("Tiro") to extend the same benefits enjoyed by Seller under
its Manufacturing Agreement with Tiro to Buyer until December 22, 2002. A copy
of this written commitment is attached to this Agreement as Schedule F.



                                 Exhibit 10.1-6
<PAGE>

                                    Article 2

                            Closing and Closing Date

         2.1(a) The term "Closing" as used herein shall refer to the actual
conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery of the Assets described in Section
1.1 of this Agreement to Buyer, in exchange for the payment to, and the promises
to pay, Seller the purchase price described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement on
the Closing Date and the royalties set forth in Section 1.2 on the date therein
specified. The Closing shall take place on November 13, 2001 (the "Closing
Date"), or at such other time as shall be agreed upon in writing by the Seller
and Buyer, at a location to be determined in New York City.

                  (b)(i) Buyer and its representatives shall have the right,
prior to the Closing Date, to make such investigation of the Willow Lake line of
products as it reasonably deems desirable for the purposes of evaluating the
business, and ascertaining the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
Seller contained in this Agreement, provided that such investigation does not,
in the opinion of Seller, interfere unreasonably with the operation of Seller.
In any event, all representations and warranties of Seller shall survive
closing.

                  (ii) Buyer and Seller have been exchanging confidential
information about each other's business in connection with the negotiations
leading up to this Agreement, and will continue to exchange such information
after Closing. All information, written or oral, obtained through such exchanges
and investigations from nonpublic sources shall be held in confidence by Buyer
and Seller and their representatives and not used or disclosed to any third
party, except on a confidential basis. This obligation shall survive any
termination of this Agreement. If this transaction is not consummated, all
written material acquired from Seller or Buyer or their



                                 Exhibit 10.1-7
<PAGE>

representatives or developed by or for Seller or Buyer shall be delivered to
Buyer or Seller as applicable.

         2.2      At the Closing on the Closing Date:

                  (a) The Seller shall deliver to Buyer:

                           (i) Such instruments of assignment, transfer, and
conveyance as will be sufficient or requisite, in the opinion of Buyer and its
counsel, to vest in Buyer, its successors and assigns, the full, complete,
absolute, legal and equitable title in and to the Assets of the Seller described
in Section 1.1 hereof, including a written assignment of the trademarks,
trademark rights and trade names listed in Schedule A attached hereto in
recordable form for the United States, and listed foreign countries.

                           (ii) The opinion of counsel for Seller, dated as of
the Closing Date, to the following effect:

                                    (A) The Seller is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of
incorporation;

                                    (B) Seller has full right and power to enter
into, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and it has taken all
requisite corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the sale and purchase of the Assets
and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement; and this Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by the Seller and is a valid, enforceable and
binding obligation of Seller, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights in
general (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law);



                                 Exhibit 10.1-8
<PAGE>

                                    (C) The bills of sale, assignments and other
documents and instruments of sale, assignment, conveyance and transfer delivered
to Buyer by Seller have been duly executed and delivered by Seller and are
binding upon, and enforceable against, Seller and are sufficient to convey and
transfer to, and to vest in Buyer, all right, title and interest, of record and
otherwise, of Seller in and to the Assets described in Section 1.1 of this
Agreement, free and clear of any claims, liens, or encumbrances.

                           (iii) Files, documents and records pertaining to the
business of the Willow Lake Products which are to be transferred to Buyer
hereunder, including formulas, methods of manufacture, and suppliers of each
product and such documents as will identify the location of such products and
all other Assets throughout the world (unless they are delivered to Buyer prior
to the Closing Date).

                  (b) Buyer shall deliver to Seller:

                           (i) The purchase price described in Section 1.2 (a)
of this Agreement;

                           (ii) The opinion of Buyer's legal counsel, dated as
of the Closing Date, to the following effect:

                                    A. Buyer is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York.

                                    B. Buyer has full right and power to enter
into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and has taken all
requisite corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement and the consummation of the sale and purchase of the Assets
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and this Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and is a valid, enforceable and



                                 Exhibit 10.1-9
<PAGE>

binding obligation of Buyer, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights in
general.

                  (c) The Seller and Buyer will take any and all such other
actions and do any and all such other things as may be reasonably necessary or
desirable to consummate the sale and purchase of the Assets contemplated by this
Agreement and to enable such sale and purchase to become effective on the
Closing Date in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

                                    Article 3

                    Warranties and Representations of Seller

         The warranties in this Article 3 shall survive the Closing for the
period of the applicable statute of limitations on written contracts. The Seller
warrants and represents to Buyer, its successors and assigns as follows:

         3.1 Seller is a corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has the corporate
power and holds all rights, privileges, franchises, immunities, licenses,
permits, authorizations and approvals (governmental or otherwise) necessary to
own and operate its properties and to carry on and conduct its business.

         3.2 The Seller has full right and power to enter into, and perform its
obligations under, this Agreement; has taken all requisite corporate action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the sale and purchase of the Assets described in Section 1.1 and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and this Agreement has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Seller and is binding upon,
and enforceable against, the Seller in accordance with its terms.



                                Exhibit 10.1-10
<PAGE>

         3.3 Seller has and will have at the Closing good and marketable title
to all of the Assets covered by this Agreement, free and clear of all claims,
liens and encumbrances.

         3.4 There is no product warranty or liability claim, no litigation at
law or in equity, no arbitration proceeding, and no proceeding or investigation
before or by any commission, agency or other administrative or regulatory body
or authority, pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller, threatened against or
affecting Seller, or the Willow Lake Products, which would impair or adversely
affect the Assets, or prohibit the sale of the rights, properties or Assets
contemplated by this Agreement.

         3.5 Schedule A contains a true, accurate and complete schedule setting
forth all trademarks, trade names, and copyrights, other intellectual property
and all related registrations, rights, privileges, franchises and immunities and
all applications pending or to be filed therefor, related to the Willow Lake
Products. Except as disclosed in Schedule A, no licenses, sublicenses,
covenants, agreements or other arrangements have been granted or entered into by
Seller in respect of any of such trademarks and copyrights, rights, privileges,
franchises, immunities or applications pending or to be filed therefor.

         3.6 Schedule B and C contain a true, accurate and complete schedule
setting forth the costs and sales data reflected therein.

         3.7 No claims or lawsuits have been asserted within the last three
years by any third party alleging that Seller does not have the right to use the
"Willow Lake" mark in its present business. To the best of Seller's knowledge,
there are no infringements by third parties of the "Willow Lake" mark, material
to Seller's present business.

         3.8 No contract rights of any third party shall affect Buyer with
regard to any Assets conveyed herein, except as set forth on Schedule D annexed
hereto.



                                Exhibit 10.1-11
<PAGE>

         3.9 Neither this Agreement nor the sale and purchase of the Assets or
any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement was induced or procured
through any person, firm, corporation or other entity acting on behalf of, or
representing the Seller as a broker, finder, investment banker, financial
advisor or acting in any similar capacity.

         3.10 Schedule E reflects the promotional schedule and costs committed
by Seller with respect to the Willow Lake Products as of the date of Closing.
Seller agrees that it will pay the cost of all such promotions scheduled for
November as outlined on Schedule E. Seller also agrees to pay for those
promotions scheduled for December totaling $78,000.00 as outlined on Schedule E
and the balance of all such promotional costs shall be Buyer's responsibility..
If Seller has failed to list on Schedule E a promotion that was scheduled by
Seller, Seller shall pay the cost of that promotion. Buyer retains the right to
cancel any of the promotions listed on Schedule E after the date of Closing.

                                    Article 4

                     Warranties and Representations of Buyer

         The warranties in this Article 4 shall survive the Closing for the
period of the applicable statute of limitations on written contracts. Buyer
warrants and represents to Seller, its successors and assigns as follows:

         4.1 Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of New York.

         4.2 Buyer has full right and power to enter into, and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and has taken all requisite corporate action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation of the sale and purchase of the Assets and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; and this Agreement has been duly



                                Exhibit 10.1-12
<PAGE>

executed and delivered by the Buyer and is binding upon, and enforceable against
the Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of
creditors rights in general and the general principles of equity (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

         4.3 Neither this Agreement nor the sale and purchase of the Assets or
any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement was induced or procured
through any person, firm, corporation or other entity acting on behalf of, or
representing the Buyer as a broker, finder, investment banker, financial advisor
or acting in any similar capacity.

                                    Article 5

                            Covenants of the Parties

         5.1 (a) Seller covenants that it will make available to Buyer an
employee of Seller who is knowledgeable about the Willow Lake business for
consultation up to 10 hours per week, for 12 months from the Closing Date. Buyer
will pay all travel and other out of pocket expenses incurred by such employee
in the fulfillment of such consultation services, which expenses shall not
include the employee's salary, bonuses, benefits, contributory health insurance,
payroll taxes and other costs incidents to all Seller's employees.

                  (b) Seller covenants that it will continue to operate the
Willow Lake line of products business in the usual and customary manner until
the Closing Date.

                  (c) Seller covenants that it will not sell products designed
to compete with the Willow Lake Products in the United States for a period of
five (5) years from the Closing Date. For the purposes of this Agreement,
products designed to compete with the Willow Lake Products shall be defined as
any new line of hair care products (of the type listed on Schedule A),



                                Exhibit 10.1-13
<PAGE>

which include herbal ingredients and are primarily marketed by means of
advertising the "herbal" and "natural" characteristics of such line of products.
Products shall not be deemed to compete with Willow Lake Products solely because
they contain ingredients that are or could be considered as "herbal" or
"natural," provided such ingredients are shown only on the ingredient listing of
the package. Seller also covenants that it will not sell products copying the
formulas of any of the Willow Lake Products, regardless of whether Seller
markets the products primarily by means of advertising the "herbal" and
"natural" characteristics of such products.

                  (d) Seller covenants that it will not use any of the
trademarks, tradenames, trademark rights, trade dress or copyrights listed on
Schedule A and assigned to the Buyer hereunder, as long as the Buyer, or its
successors and assigns, shall have legal rights in such trademarks, tradenames,
trademark rights, trade dress and copyrights.

                  (e)(i) For six months following Closing, subject to (iii)
below, Seller covenants that it will accept all returns of products (including
returns and damages), chargebacks, credits or allowances of every kind,
including, without limitation, such allowances as slotting allowances, new store
allowances, planogram allowances, arising from products manufactured, sold or
otherwise conveyed or granted by Seller bearing or using the trademarks or
copyrights listed on Schedule A hereto, from the trade, whether received from
the trade by Seller or Buyer. Seller will credit or otherwise fully satisfy the
claims of the parties returning such products, or credit Buyer who shall satisfy
the claims, in the event the products are returned to, or credits demanded from
Buyer. However, for the second 3 months following Closing, Buyer shall be
responsible for any such credits totaling during such period to less than
$5,000.00 from any one account.

                  (ii) Buyer may deduct any such credits or allowances paid or
credited by Buyer from any monies owed to Seller. Any such credits due Buyer
which exceeds the amount



                                Exhibit 10.1-14
<PAGE>

owed to Seller, shall be paid within 30 days of billing to Seller. Buyer shall
promptly advise Seller of all credits or allowances paid or credited by Buyer
which it seeks to deduct from monies owed to Seller or to invoice to Seller.

                  (iii) With regard to any audits conducted or credits withheld
by Seller's accounts after Closing, for Willow Lake Products sold by Seller
prior to Closing, Seller's liability shall be for the full amount that any such
audit finds to be due or any such credits withheld, regardless of how long after
Closing the audit and claim for credit takes place.

         5.2 Buyer covenants that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to
optimize the profits of Willow Lake Products during the time period for which
royalties are due to Seller under this Agreement. Buyer will not suspend,
depress or delay any sales which optimize profits of Willow Lake Products for a
period of one year from the Closing Date.



                                Exhibit 10.1-15
<PAGE>

                                    Article 6

                   Indemnification of the Buyer by the Seller

         6.1 (a) The Seller shall indemnify the Buyer against, and hold the
Buyer harmless from: (i) any and all costs, damages, expenses, liabilities,
claims, obligations or losses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and other
reasonable legal costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith) resulting
from, or arising out of, any material inaccuracy or misrepresentation in, or
breach of, or default in performance of or compliance with, any of the
warranties, representations, covenants or agreements made by the Seller in this
Agreement, and (ii) any and all costs, damages, expenses, liabilities, claims,
obligations or losses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and other reasonable
legal costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith) resulting from or
arising out of the use by any person of the Inventory.

                  (b) Seller shall maintain liability insurance of at least five
million dollars covering the products it has manufactured and sold to Buyer,
naming Buyer as a third party insured. For any such products Seller's insurance
shall be primary.

         6.2 Upon receipt of notice of any claim or demand which could give rise
to a claim for indemnification under Section 6.1 hereof, Buyer shall promptly
notify Seller of such claim or demand and Seller shall have a reasonable time
(not to exceed thirty (30) days) after receipt of such notice to elect to defend
such claim or demand on behalf of Buyer. If Seller so elects to defend such
claim or demand, Buyer shall make available to Seller and its agents and
representatives all records and other materials which are required in the
defense of such claim or demand and shall otherwise cooperate with, and assist,
Seller in the defense of such claim or demand.



                                Exhibit 10.1-16
<PAGE>

                                    Article 7

                   Indemnification of the Seller by the Buyer.

         7.1 The Buyer shall indemnify the Seller against, and hold the Seller
harmless from: any and all costs, damages, expenses, liabilities, claims,
obligations or losses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and other reasonable
legal costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith) resulting from, or
arising out of: (i) any material inaccuracy or misrepresentation in, or breach
of, or default in performance of or compliance with, any of the warranties,
representations, covenants or agreements made by Buyer in this Agreement, and
(ii) the use of any product bearing or using any trademarks or copyrights
assigned or conveyed to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement indicating a date of
manufacture subsequent to the Closing Date.

         7.2 Upon receipt of notice of any claim or demand which could give rise
to a claim for indemnification under Section 7.1 hereof, the Seller shall
promptly notify the Buyer of such claim or demand and the Buyer shall have a
reasonable time (not to exceed thirty (30) days) after receipt of such notice to
elect to defend such claim or demand on behalf of the Seller. If the Buyer so
elects to defend such claim or demand, the Seller shall make available to the
Buyer and its agents and representatives all records and other materials which
are required in the defense of such claim or demand and shall otherwise
cooperate with, and assist, Buyer in the defense of such claim or demand.



                                Exhibit 10.1-17
<PAGE>

                                    Article 8

                                  Miscellaneous

         8.1 Expenses. The Parties will pay their own costs and expenses
(including attorneys' fees, accountants' fees and other professional fees and
expenses) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the sale and purchase of the
Assets and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         8.2 Notices. Unless and until notified otherwise in writing, any and
all notices and other communication required or permitted under this Agreement
shall be effectively delivered for all purposes, if delivered personally or by
telecopier, upon the date delivered or the telecopied message is received, or if
mailed, upon deposit in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid,
and, if directed to the Buyer, properly addressed to Alleghany Pharmacal
Corporation, 277 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York, 11021 Attention:
David Geller with a copy to Jerold W. Dorfman, Esq., 81 Main Street, Suite 502,
White Plains, New York 10601 and, if directed to the Seller, properly addressed
to The Lamaur Corporation, 5601 East River Road, Fridley, Minnesota, 55432-6198,
Attention: Jay Olson., with a copy to Robert Zeglovitch, Esq., Leonard, Street
and Deinard Professional Association, Suite 2300, 150 South Fifth Street,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402.

         8.3 Amendments. Waivers and Consents. Amendments to this Agreement, and
waivers and consents with respect to this Agreement, may be made by an
instrument or instruments in writing signed by authorized representatives of the
Parties and no amendment to this Agreement, and no waiver or consent with
respect to this Agreement shall be effective unless and until made by such an
instrument or instruments in writing.



                                Exhibit 10.1-18
<PAGE>

         8.4 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of, and be binding upon, and enforceable against the Parties and their
successors and assigns.

         8.5 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is
prohibited or made unenforceable by any law, regulation or ordinance, such term
or provision will have no force and effect to the extent prohibited or made
unenforceable but shall not invalidate or terminate any other provisions of this
Agreement.

         8.6 Bulk Sales Statute. The Buyer waives compliance with any applicable
bulk sales statute.

         8.7 Arbitration. Any disputes arising under this Agreement shall be
resolved by three arbitrators under the rules of the American Arbitration
Association. The arbitrators shall apply the law of Minnesota and shall apply
the terms of this Agreement. Any award by the arbitrators may be confirmed and
enforced in an appropriate court. Any arbitrators chosen pursuant to the terms
hereof may permit such discovery as they, in their discretion, deem appropriate.
Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any party from seeking in any
court of competent jurisdiction any injunctive relief to which it is entitled
hereunder, and provided further,.

         8.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
among the Parties and supercedes all prior agreements, proposals,
representations and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the purchase of the Assets hereunder, and no purported variation
of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing signed by the
parties.

         8.9 Headings. The headings herein are for convenience of reference
only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to
limit or affect any, of the provisions hereof.



                                Exhibit 10.1-19
<PAGE>

         8.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall have the force
and effect of an original.

         8.11 Right to Audit. For the period from the Closing Date until two
years after the end of the royalty period specified in Section 1.2(a)(iii) of
this Agreement, Seller shall have the right to conduct audits of the books,
accounts and records of the Buyer upon reasonable notice and during normal
business hours, for the purpose of confirming Buyer's compliance with this
Agreement. Buyer may substitute for such an audit, at its election, statements
which set forth the amount of the royalty payment and describe in reasonable
detail the bases for such amounts and which are certified by KPMG Peat Marwick
or other certified public accountant consented to by the Seller, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, attesting to the accuracy of the statements
and the compliance of such statements with generally accepted accounting
principles which have been consistently applied.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.



                                Exhibit 10.1-20
<PAGE>


ALLEGHANY PHARMACAL CORPORATION

a New York Corporation



By /s/ David Geller

Its President






THE LAMAUR CORPORATION

a Delaware Corporation



By /s/ Lawrence H. Pesin
    Lawrence H. Pesin
Its Chief Executive Officer




                                Exhibit 10.1-21
<PAGE>



                           List of Excluded Schedules


         Schedule A: Intellectual property using or relating to Lamaur's Willow
Lake trademark and product line

         Schedule B: Lamaur's internal standard Willow Lake inventory direct
cost rate

         Schedule C: Net sales by product June 2001 YTD

         Schedule D: Third party contracts effecting the conveyed assets

         Schedule E: Schedule of promotional obligations

         Schedule F: Tiro commitment



                                Exhibit 10.1-22