Patent Description:
The invention further relates to a hair colouring or bleaching kit, to a -method of treating hair and to a method of sequential oxidative hair colouring or hair bleaching as disclosed in the appended claims.

<CIT> relates to malodor reducing compositions.

The permanent alteration of the colour of keratinous fibers, in particular human hair, by the application of hair dyes is well known. In order to provide the consumer with the hair colour and the intensity of the colour desired, very complex chemical processes are utilized. Permanent hair colouring formulations typically comprise oxidative hair dye precursors, which can diffuse into the hair through the cuticle and into the cortex where they can then react with each other and suitable oxidizing agents to form the end dye molecule. Due to the larger size of these resultant molecules they are unable to readily diffuse out of the hair during subsequent washing with water and/or detergent; hence delivering a consumer-desired permanency of colour. This reaction typically takes place at pH from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (approximately pH <NUM>) in the presence of an alkalizing agent and an oxidizing agent.

Despite the fact that commercial hair colouring products have been available for many years, the products still exhibit a number of consumer-related deficiencies.

Typically, permanent hair dye products will contain an alkaline compound or at least a compound generating an alkaline compound under specific circumstances, typically a source of ammonia. This serves the purpose of swelling the hair allowing the entry of the dye precursor molecules into the hair and also improves the lightening effect of the oxidizing agent, which is typically hydrogen peroxide. Ammonia shows the best hair colouring and/or bleaching performance as well as hair damage profile, versus alternative alkalizing agents. However, ammonia is also volatile and its associated odour is extremely unpleasant to the consumers of such products, particularly as these hair colouring and/or bleaching products are used in close proximity to the nasal region. Hence, it would be highly desirable to provide an oxidative hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, and kit thereof, which delivers the consumer required lightening level and color but which has reduced or eliminated the detectable ammonia odour.

A number of attempts have been described in the literature to address the above identified improvement areas. For example, it has been described hair colouring and/or bleaching compositions comprising carbonate and/or carbamate compounds. There have also been described hair colouring and/or bleaching compositions comprising an alkalizing agent, alternative to ammonia and its salts, such as monoethanolamine. It has also been described to use compounds blocking and/or antagonizing the odour of ammonia. However these previous attempts have not proven fully satisfactory vis-à-vis further criteria, as they may exhibit a limited hair colouring and/or bleaching performance including limited colour delivery, uptake and/or durability; significant damages to the hair including brittle fiber formation.

There is the need thereof for providing a composition comprising ammonia and/or salts thereof, which releases a reduced odour or no odour, especially upon application onto hair. There is also the need for providing a composition comprising ammonia and/or its salts thereof, which releases a reduced or no odour, while containing sufficiently high amounts of ammonia in order to provide superior hair treatment performance. There is also the need for providing a composition comprising ammonia and/or salts thereof, releasing a reduced odour or no odour, without imparting significant damages onto the hair fibers.

Particularly, there is the need thereof for providing a composition releasing a reduced or no ammonia odour, upon application onto hair. There is also the need for providing a composition releasing a reduced or no ammonia odour, while providing superior hair colouring and bleaching performance. There is also the need for providing a composition releasing a reduced or no ammonia odour, without imparting significant damages onto the hair fibers.

The inventors have now found that a combination of two malodor suppressants with specific features regarding their distribution coefficient and their molecular weight provides for a significantly reduced or even eliminated malodor in hair coloring or bleaching compositions.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition obtained by mixing, prior to application onto hair, at least a first aqueous component (i) and a second aqueous component (ii), wherein:- the first aqueous component (i) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier:- one or more oxidizing agent(s) and- the second aqueous component (ii) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier:- one or more alkalizing agent(s) selected from the group consisting of ammonia, its salts and mixtures thereof,- and optionally one or more oxidative dyes or one or more direct dyes or a mixture of one or more oxidative dyes and one or more direct dyeswherein the first component (i) or the second component (ii) or both comprise at least a first and a second malodor suppressant and optionally one or more further malodor suppressants, or the first component (i) comprises at least a first malodor suppressant and the second component (ii) comprises at least a second malodor suppressant, the first and the second malodor suppressant and any further malodor suppressant forming a malodor suppressant system in the hair colouring and/ or bleaching composition, and each of the first and second malodor suppressants being a compound having a distribution coefficient logP (octanol/water) of <NUM> or more and a molecular weight of between <NUM> and <NUM>;wherein the first malodor and second malodor suppressant are isopropylmyristate and galaxolide, or isopropylmyristate and habanolide;wherein the first malodor suppressant or the combination of the first and second malodor suppressants is present in the first composition (i) and/ or in the second composition (ii) in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, and the combined amount of malodor suppressant in the first and second composition is at least <NUM>% by weight.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a hair colouring or bleaching kit according to claim <NUM>.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of treating hair according to claim <NUM>.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of sequential oxidative hair colouring or hair bleaching according to claim <NUM>. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of at least a first and a second malodor suppressant as a malodor suppressant system in a composition for coloring hair or for bleaching hair, as disclosed in claim <NUM>.

As used herein the term "hair" to be treated may be "living" i.e. on a living body or may be "non-living" i.e. in a wig, hairpiece or other aggregation of non-living keratinous fibers. Mammalian, preferably human hair is preferred. However wool, fur and other keratin containing fibers are suitable substrates for the compositions according to the present invention.

By "hair colouring" composition, it is meant a composition suitable for changing the colour of hair. The hair colouring composition is referred hereinafter as "the composition", unless otherwise specified. The hair colouring composition may comprise oxidative dye precursors, direct dyes or even no, or substantially no, dyes in case of bleaching only compositions where the change of colour is mainly caused by the degradation of the natural melanin contained in the hair shaft by the oxidizing agent. The term "hair colouring" composition as used herein covers hair bleaching and hair oxidative dyeing or direct dyeing products.

All percentages are by weight of the hair colouring composition, i.e. of the ready-to-use composition which is the composition to be applied on hair, unless otherwise specified. When a ready-to-use composition is prepared by mixing two or more components comprising ingredients to be mixed for the desired effect, the amount of these ingredients is generally provided based on the weight of the component comprising such an ingredient, in case of the present text, e.g., component (i) and component (ii).

When more than one composition are used during a treatment, the total weight to be considered is the total weight of all the compositions applied on the hair simultaneously (i.e. the weight found "on head"), typically resulting from mixing an oxidative composition (also called developer and/or oxidizing composition/component) with a dye composition (also called tint, and/or dye composition/component), unless otherwise specified. All ratios or percentages are weight ratios or weight percentages unless specifically stated otherwise.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition obtained by mixing at least a first aqueous component (i) and a second aqueous component (ii).

The first aqueous componsnt (i) and the second aqueous component (ii) may be mixed prior to application to hair in a ratio ranging from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, e.g., from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, in some cases it may be preferred to mix them in a ratio of about of <NUM>:<NUM>.

The first aqueous component (i) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier one or more oxidizing agent(s). Any oxidizing agent known in the art may be used. Preferred oxidizing agents are water-soluble peroxygen oxidizing agents. As used herein, "water-soluble" means that in standard conditions at least <NUM>, preferably <NUM>, more preferably <NUM> of the oxidizing agent can be dissolved in <NUM> liter of deionized water at <NUM>. The oxidizing agents are valuable for the initial solubilisation and decolorisation of the melanin (bleaching) and accelerate the oxidation of the oxidative dye precursors (oxidative dyeing) in the hair shaft.

The first aqueous component may comprise a total amount of oxidizing agents ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable water-soluble oxidizing agents include, but are not limited to: inorganic peroxygen materials capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution. Suitable water-soluble peroxygen oxidizing agents include, but are not limited to: hydrogen peroxide; inorganic alkali metal peroxides (such as sodium periodate and sodium peroxide); organic peroxides (such as urea peroxide and melamine peroxide); inorganic perhydrate salt bleaching compounds (such as the alkali metal salts of perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates, persulphates and the like); and mixtures thereof. Inorganic perhydrate salts may be incorporated for example as monohydrates, tetrahydrates. Alkyl/aryl peroxides and/or peroxidases may also be used. Mixtures of two or more such oxidizing agents can be used if desired. The oxidizing agents may be provided in aqueous solution or as a powder which is dissolved prior to use.

In a specific embodiment, the composition comprises a water-soluble oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, percarbonates (which may be used to provide a source of both oxidizing agent and carbonate ions and or ammonium ions), persulphates, and mixtures thereof; alternatively a water-soluble oxidizing agent being hydrogen peroxide.

The second aqueous component (ii) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier one or more alkalizing agent(s) selected from the group consisting of ammonia, its salts and mixtures thereof. The group can, e.g., consist of ammonia, ammonium halides, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium lactate, ammonium glycinate, ammonium aspartate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, ammonium silicate, ammonium borate, and mixtures of two or more thereof. The group can further consist of ammonia, ammonium carbonate, and mixtures thereof; It can be preferred, if the the alkalizing agent is ammonia or the alkalizing agent is ammonium carbonate. If both present, the ammonium ions and the carbonate ions are present in the second aqueous component (ii) at a weight ratio of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM> :<NUM>, alternatively from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The second aqueous component (ii) may comprise a total amount of alkalizing agents ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM> % to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

According to the invention, the first component (i) or the second component (ii) or both components (i) and (ii) can essentially be solutions, dispersions, emulsions or gels, they can be unstructured or even structured, e.g., comprise a gel system consisting of multi-lamellar sheets or multi lamellar vesicles or both with a wide variety of interlayer dimensions, e.g., showing a d-spacing (interlayer spacing between sheets) between <NUM> and <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM> as measured by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS).

Such presence of multi-lamellar sheets or multi lamellar vesicles can easily be confirmed via electron microscopy. Multi-lamellar sheets can usually be observed as elongated sheet like structures, which can be essentially straight or slightly curved or bent. Multi lamellar vesicles are observable as small, generally rounded or elliptical structures with a comparatively small spatial extension.

A component according to the invention can comprise one or more fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohols may be selected from the group consisting of linear and/or branched C12 to C30 fatty alcohols; e.g., from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl achohol, behenyl alcohol, any mixtures of two, three or more thereof. The component may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of fatty alcohol by total weight of the composition. The amount of each particular fatty alcohol or mixtures thereof described herein before can account for up to <NUM>% (or <NUM>%) of the total amount of fatty alcohol(s) in the composition.

The composition can comprise a non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene C12 to C30 alkyl ethers. It can be preferred if the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene C12 to C30 alkyl ethers having at least <NUM> ethylene oxide units, e.g., from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene C12 to C30 alkyl ethers having from <NUM> to <NUM> ethylene oxide units, or from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene C12 to C30 alkyl ethers having from <NUM> to <NUM> ethylene oxide units, e.g., from the group consisting of ceteareth-<NUM>, steareth-<NUM>, steareth-<NUM>, steareth-<NUM>, steareth-<NUM>, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Other non-ionic surfactants which can optionally be used according to the invention are polyethyleneglycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene fatty amides and their monoethanolamine and diethanolamine derivatives and polyethoxylated fatty amines, and mixtures thereof.

Alternatively, the non-ionic surfactant(s) may be free of polyethyleneoxide chains. Representative examples of non- ionic surfactants free of polyethyleneoxide chains include polyglycerolated fatty acids, polyglycerolated fatty amides, polyglycerolated alkyl phenols, polyglycerolated [alpha]-diols, polyglycerolated alcohols, alkyl polyglucosides, sugar esters and mixtures thereof.

The component may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of non-ionic surfactant by total weight of the overall composition. As all nonionic surfactants may be present in one of components (i) or (ii) it may thus be that component (i) comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of non-ionic surfactant or component (iI) comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, e.g., from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of non-ionic surfactant.

Any of the components (i) or (ii) or both may, in some cases, comprise a phosphate ester compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl phosphate esters, alkoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, and mixtures thereof. The phosphate ester compound may be selected from the group consisting of C12 to C30 alkyl phosphate esters, alkoxylated C12 to C30 alkyl phosphate esters, and mixtures thereof, e.g., from the group consisting of C12 to C18 alkyl phosphate esters, alkoxylated C12 to C18 alkyl phosphate esters, and mixtures thereof, or from the group consisting of oleth-<NUM> phosphate, oleth-<NUM> phosphate, oleth-<NUM> phosphate, cetoleth-<NUM> phosphate, cetoleth-<NUM> phosphate, trideceth-<NUM> phosphate, trideceth-<NUM> phosphate, trideceth-<NUM> phosphate, cetyl phosphate, dicetyl phosphate, oleyl phosphate, dioleyl phosphate, stearyl phosphate, C9-<NUM> alkyl phosphate, ceteareth-<NUM> phosphate, ceteareth-<NUM> phosphate, ceteth-<NUM> phosphate, deceth-<NUM> phosphate, glycereth-<NUM> phosphate, PPG-<NUM>-ceteth-<NUM> phosphate, steareth-<NUM> phosphate, DEA-oleth-<NUM> phosphate, DEA-oleth-<NUM> phosphate, PEG-<NUM> ethylhexyl ether phosphate, and mixtures thereof, or from the group consisting of PPG-<NUM>-ceteth-<NUM> phosphate, oleth-<NUM> phosphate, oleth-<NUM> phosphate, ceteth-<NUM> phosphate, dicetyl phosphate, cetyl phosphate, stearyl phosphate, ceteareth-<NUM> phosphate, and mixtures thereof or from the group consisting of ceteth-<NUM> phosphate, dicetyl phosphate, ceteareth-<NUM> phosphate, and mixtures thereof. It is also possible that a component comprises mixtures of two or more compounds from two or more alternative groups.

Commercially suitable raw materials include materials of the Crodafos™ Series from Croda, particularly Crodafos™ CES, Crodafos™ CS2A. Crodafos™ CES comprises cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate, ceteth-<NUM> phosphate. Crodafos™ CS2A comprises ceteareth-<NUM>-phosphate. The composition may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the phosphate ester compound by total weight of the composition.

It can be preferred that the composition is free of any phosphate ester compound other than the phosphate ester compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl phosphate esters, alkoxylated alkyl phosphate esters, and mixtures thereof.

The first component (i) or the second component (ii) or both comprise at least a first and a second malodor suppressant and optionally one or more further malodor suppressants, or the first component (i) comprises at least a first malodor suppressant and the second component (ii) comprises at least a second malodor suppressant, the first and the second malodor suppressant and any further malodor suppressant forming a malodor suppressant system in the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, and each of the first and second malodor suppressants being a compound having a distribution coefficient logP of <NUM> or more and a molecular weight of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

It is essential for the present invention that the composition available after mixing components (i) and (ii) comprises at least two different malodor suppressants. It is thus possible that component (i) already comprises both necessary malodor suppressants or that component (ii) already comprises both necessary malodor suppressants, while the respective remaining component comprises no malodor suppressant at all. It is, however, also possible that each of components (i) and (ii) comprises one malodor suppressant which, after mixing components (i) and (ii) to form the hair colouring or bleaching composition, forms a mixture of at least two malodor suppressants according to the invention. It is further possible that one of components (i) and (ii) comprises one malodor suppressant and the other remaining component (ii) comprises two or more malodor suppressants or vice versa. It is further possible that that each of components (i) and (ii) comprises two or more malodor suppressants which, after mixing components (i) and (ii) to form the hair colouring or bleaching composition, forms a mixture of at least two malodor suppressants according to the invention. Generally, the mixture of two or more malodor suppressants is called a "malodor suppressant system".

In the fields of organic and medicinal chemistry, a distribution (P) coefficient is the ratio of concentrations of a compound in the two phases of a mixture of two immiscible solvents at equilibrium. Hence these coefficients are a measure of differential solubility of the compound between these two solvents. One of the solvents chosen is water while the second is octanol. Hence the partition coefficient is a measure of how hydrophilic ("water loving") or hydrophobic ("water fearing") a chemical substance is. The partition coefficient is the ratio of concentrations of un-ionized compound between the two solutions. The logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of the un-ionized solute in the solvents is called log P:.

It can be preferred if in a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition according to the invention the first and the second malodor suppressant comprise at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of keto group, aldehyde group, ether group, ester group or hydroxyl group or two or more of such groups, either of the same type or of one or more different types.

While generally all types and combinations of malodor suppressants according to the teaching of the present invention provide for a reduced malodor of the claimed hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, it has proven to be advantageous in many cases if at least the first malodor suppressant has a logP (octanol/water) of less than <NUM>. In a further embodiment of the invention at least the first and the second malodor suppressant have a logP (octanol/water) of less than <NUM>.

It is also possible that a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition according to the invention comprises a first malodor suppressant being a compound having a distribution coefficient logP (octanol/water) of <NUM> or more and a molecular weight of between <NUM> and <NUM> and at least a second malodor suppressant being a compound having a distribution coefficient logP (octanol/water) of <NUM> or more and a molecular weight of between <NUM> and <NUM>, the first malodor suppressant and the second malodor suppressant being different compounds and at least one of the first and second malodor suppressants being liquid at <NUM> and <NUM> mbar and the first and second malodor suppressant forming a solution upon mixing.

It has further been found that a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition according to the invention has especially good malodor suppression features, if the density of the malodor suppressant system present in the mixture of component (i) and (ii) divided by the density of the mixture of component (i) and (ii) without the malodor suppressant system is <NUM> or less. The term "malodour suppressant system" relates, as already explained above, explicitly to the sum of all single malodor suppressants being present in the claimed hair colouring and/or bleaching composition. Thus, the "malodour suppressant system" according to the invention at least contains two different malodour suppressants, but can also contain more than two malodoru suppressants, e.g., three, four, five or six different malodour suppressants, forming the "malodour suppressant system".

The density mentioned above is thus measured for the "malodour suppressant system", and is advantageously about <NUM> or less, and should advantageously be higher than about <NUM>. Advantageous density ranges of the should be from about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM> or about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM> or about <NUM> to about <NUM>. All density values in this text relate to a temperature of <NUM> and a pressure of <NUM> bar.

Density measurements are typically performed by determining the weight and the volume of the compound to be measured or according to any other processes known to the skilled person.

According to the invention, the first and the second malodor suppressant are isopropylmyristate and habanolide, or isopropylmyristate and galaxolide.

Generally the malodor suppressant system can be present in any of the components (i) or (ii) or in both components. It has, however, proven in some cases to be advantageous if the malodor suppressant is present in at least the component which comprises the ammonia compound or two or more ammonia compounds.

In a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition according to invention, the first malodor suppressant or the combination of first and second malodor suppressants is present in the first composition (i) in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM> % by weight, and the combined amount of malodor suppressants in the first and second composition is at least <NUM>% by weight.

Further, the first malodor suppressant or the combination of first and second malodor suppressants is present in the second composition (ii) in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, and the combined amount of malodor suppressant in the first and second composition is at least <NUM> % by weight.

It is necessary according to the invention that the malodor suppressant system is present either in component (i) or in component (ii) or results after mixing components (i) and (ii).

The viscosity of a hair coloring and/or bleaching composition according to the invention, the composition should, after mixing, have a viscosity which enables an adaption to generally all useful ways of applying the composition to the hair. This can be, e.g., a very fluid state of matter which enables a rapid application, but can also be a more viscous state, which allows for a longer residence time on the hair also under vertical conditions. Thus, it can be preferred if the hair coloring and/or bleaching composition according to the invention after mixing of compositions (i) and (ii), has a viscosity of from <NUM> to <NUM> cPs, e.g., from <NUM> to <NUM> cPs or from <NUM> to <NUM> cPs. Viscosity is measured using Brookfield viscometers with cone and plate attachment. For viscosities in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> cPs, the Brookfield DV-<NUM> viscometer with S42 plate is used. <NUM> sample of the composition is equilibrated at <NUM> for three minutes before the readings are taken at <NUM> rpm.

The hair coloring and/or bleaching composition can further comprise fatty compound(s) selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, hydrocarbon oil, and mixtures thereof in an amount of up to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition, e.g., in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% or <NUM> to <NUM>% or <NUM> to <NUM>% or <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight. Commercially suitable raw materials include materials of the Marcol™ Series from ExxonMobile, particularly Marcol™ <NUM> and Marcol™ <NUM>.

The composition comprises a cosmetically acceptable carrier or solvent. The solvent may be selected from water, or a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent to dissolve the compounds that would not typically be sufficiently soluble in water.

Suitable organic solvents include, but are not limited to: C1 to C4 lower alkanols (such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol); aromatic alcohols (such as benzyl alcohol and phenoxyethanol); polyols and polyol ethers (such as carbitols, <NUM>-butoxyethanol, propylene glycol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, monomethyl ether, hexylene glycol, glycerol, ethoxy glycol, butoxydiglycol, ethoxydiglycerol, dipropyleneglycol, polyglycerol); propylene carbonate; and mixtures thereof.

The solvent may be selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, ethoxy diglycol, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may comprise water as a main ingredient, particularly in a total amount ranging from at least <NUM>%, alternatively from at least <NUM>%, alternatively from at least <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition. Typically, when present, the composition comprises a total amount of organic solvents ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

The composition may further comprise oxidative dye precursors, which are usually classified either as primary intermediates (also known as developers) or couplers (also known as secondary intermediates). Various couplers may be used with primary intermediates in order to obtain different shades. Oxidative dye precursors may be free bases or the cosmetically acceptable salts thereof.

Typically, the composition may comprise a total amount of oxidative dye precursors ranging up to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable primary intermediates include, but are not limited to: toluene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N bis(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, <NUM>-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine, hydroxypropyl-bis-(N-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine), <NUM>-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine, <NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine, <NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-aminophenylamino)ethylazanediyl)diethanol, <NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-methoxyphenyl)propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-amino-<NUM>-benzo[b][<NUM>,<NUM>]oxazin-<NUM>(<NUM>)-yl)ethanol, <NUM>-chloro-p-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, p-(methylamino)phenol, <NUM>-amino-m-cresol, <NUM>-amino-m-cresol, <NUM>-ethyl-o-aminophenol, <NUM>-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, <NUM>,<NUM>'-methylenebis-<NUM>-aminophenol, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetraminopyrimidine, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triamino-<NUM>-pyrimidinol, <NUM>-hydroxyethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-diaminopyrazole sulfate, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-methylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-ethylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-isopropylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-butylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-pentylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-benzylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dihydropyrazolo[<NUM>,<NUM>-a]pyrazol-<NUM>(<NUM>)-one dimethosulfonate, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-hexylpyrazole, <NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>-heptylpyrazole, methoxymethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-diaminobenzene, N,N-bis(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-N-(<NUM>-aminophenyl)-<NUM>,<NUM>-diaminothane, salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

Suitable couplers include, but are not limited to: resorcinol, <NUM>-chlororesorcinol, <NUM>-chlororesorcinol, <NUM>-methylresorcinol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dichlorobenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylbenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, m-aminophenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-hydroxytoluene, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-hydroxyethylaminophenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylphenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dichlorophenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-chloro-o-cresol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-chloro-o-cresol, <NUM>-hydroxybenzomorpholine, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-ethylphenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-phenylphenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methylphenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methylphenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-ethoxyphenol, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-(methylamino)phenol, <NUM>,<NUM>-diaminophenoxyethanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-hydroxyethylaminoanisole, <NUM>,<NUM>-bis-(<NUM>,<NUM>-diaminophenoxy)-propane, <NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-phenylene)bis(azanediyl)diethanol, benzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, <NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>,<NUM>-diamino-<NUM>,<NUM>-phenylene)bis(oxy)diethanol, <NUM>-(pyrrolidin-<NUM>-yl)aniline, <NUM> -(<NUM> -(dimethylamino)phenyl)urea, <NUM>-(<NUM>-aminophenyl)urea, <NUM>-naphthol, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-naphthol, <NUM>,<NUM>-naphthalenediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-naphthalenediol or <NUM>-acetoxy-<NUM>-methylnaphthalene, <NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-methylnaphthalen-<NUM>-ol, <NUM>-methoxy-<NUM>-methylnaphthalen-<NUM>-ol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroxy-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylpyridine, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethoxy-<NUM>,<NUM>-pyridinediamine, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methylamino-<NUM>-methoxypyridine, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-hydroxypyridine, <NUM>,<NUM>-diaminopyridine, pyridine-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroxyindole, <NUM>-hydroxyindole, <NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroxyindoline, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-phenyl-<NUM>H-pyrazol-<NUM>(<NUM>H)-one, <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trihydroxybenzene, <NUM>-(benzo[d][<NUM>,<NUM>]dioxol-<NUM>-ylamino)ethanol (also known as hydroxyethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-methylenedioxyaniline), and mixtures thereof.

The composition may further comprise compatible direct dyes, in an amount sufficient to provide additional coloring, particularly with regard to intensity. Typically, the composition may comprise a total amount of direct dyes ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable direct dyes include but are not limited to: Acid dyes such as Acid Yellow <NUM>, Acid Orange <NUM>, Acid Black <NUM>, Acid Black <NUM>, Acid Orange <NUM>, Acid Red <NUM>, Acid Yellow <NUM>, Acid Blue <NUM>, Acid Violet <NUM>, HC Blue <NUM>, Acid Blue <NUM>, Acid Blue <NUM>, Acid Red <NUM>; Basic Dyes such as Basic Brown <NUM>, Basic Red <NUM>, Basic Orange <NUM>, Basic Red <NUM>, Basic Brown <NUM>, Basic Yellow <NUM>, Basic Violet <NUM>, Basic Blue <NUM>, Basic Blue <NUM>, Basic Red <NUM>, Basic Blue <NUM>, Basic Yellow <NUM>, Basic Red <NUM>, Basic Orange <NUM>, Basic Yellow <NUM>, <NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-amino-<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxo-<NUM>,<NUM>-dihydroanthracen-<NUM>-ylamino)propyl)-<NUM>-methylmorpholin-<NUM>-ium-methylsulfate, (E)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylthiazol-<NUM>-yl)diazenyl)phenyl)(ethyl)amino)ethyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-imidazo1-<NUM>-ium chloride, (E)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl)-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-imidazol-<NUM>-ium-<NUM>-yl)butane-<NUM>-sulfonate, (E)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-phenylhydrazono)methyl)pyridinium-<NUM>-yl)butane-<NUM>-sulfonate, N,N-dimethyl-<NUM>-(<NUM>-(methylamino)-<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxo-4a,<NUM>,9a,<NUM>-tetrahydroanthracen-<NUM>-ylamino)-N-propylpropan-<NUM>-aminium bromide; Disperse Dyes such as Disperse Red <NUM>, Disperse Violet <NUM>, Disperse Red <NUM>, Disperse Black <NUM>, Disperse Blue <NUM>, Disperse Blue <NUM>, Disperse Blue <NUM>; Nitro Dyes such as <NUM>-(<NUM>-(<NUM>-nitrophenylamino)ethyl)urea, <NUM>-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-nitrophenylamino)ethanol, <NUM>-nitrobenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, <NUM>-nitrobenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, Picramic acid, HC Red No. <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>-nitro-<NUM>,<NUM>-phenylene)bis(azanediyl)diethanol, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Red No. <NUM>, HC Blue No.<NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Orange No. <NUM>, HC Red No. <NUM>, <NUM>-(<NUM>-amino-<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-nitrophenylamino)ethanol, HC Red No. <NUM>, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-nitrophenol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxyethylamino)-<NUM>-nitrophenol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-nitrophenol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-(methylamino)-<NUM>-nitrophenoxy)ethanol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-amino-<NUM>-nitrophenyl)propane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Violet No. <NUM>, HC Orange No. <NUM>, HC Orange No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Red No. <NUM>, HC Red No. <NUM>, <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxyethylamino)-<NUM>,<NUM>-dinitrophenol, HC Blue No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Blue No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Blue No. <NUM>, <NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-(ethylamino)-<NUM>-nitrophenol, <NUM>-nitropyridine-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, HC Violet No. <NUM>, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-chloro-<NUM>-nitrophenol, <NUM>-(<NUM>-hydroxypropylamino)-<NUM>-nitrophenol, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, <NUM>-nitro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetrahydroquinoxaline, HC Red No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, HC Yellow No. <NUM>, N2-methyl-<NUM>-nitropyridine-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, N1-allyl-<NUM>-nitrobenzene-<NUM>,<NUM>-diamine, HC Red No. <NUM>, HC Green No.<NUM>, HC Blue No. <NUM>; Natural dyes such as Annato, Anthocyanin, Beetroot, Carotene, Capsanthin, Lycopene, Chlorophyll, Henna, Indigo, Cochineal; and mixtures thereof.

The composition may further comprise one or more chelant(s) (also known as "chelating agent", "sequestering agent", or "sequestrant") in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount of metals available to interact with formulation components, particularly oxidizing agents, more particularly peroxides. Any suitable chelant known in the art may be used.

The composition may comprise a total amount of chelant(s) ranging from at least <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable chelant(s) include, but are not limited to: carboxylic acids (such as aminocarboxylic acids), phosphonic acids (such as aminophosphonic acids), polyphosphoric acids (such as linear polyphosphoric acids), their salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. By "salts thereof, it is meant - in the context of chelants - all salts comprising the same functional structure as the chelant they are referring to and including alkali metal salts, alkaline earth salts, ammonium salts, substituted ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof; alternatively sodium salts, potassium salts, ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof; alternatively monoethanolammonium salts, diethanolammonium salts, triethanolammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may comprise chelant(s) selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine-N,N',N"-polyacids, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), diamine-N,N'-dipolyacid, monoamine monoamide-N,N'-dipolyacid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), their salts thereof, their derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof; alternatively ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS).

The composition may further comprise one or more radical scavenger(s). As used herein the term "radical scavenger" refers to a species that can react with a radical, preferably a carbonate radical to convert the radical species by a series of fast reactions to a less reactive species. In one embodiment, the radical scavenger(s) is different from the alkalising agent and/or is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the damage to the hair during the colouring /bleaching process.

The composition may comprise a total amount of radical scavenger(s) ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable radical scavenger(s) includes, but are not limited to: alkanolamines, amino sugars, amino acids, esters of amino acids, and mixtures thereof; alternatively <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-propanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-butanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-pentanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-propanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-butanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-pentanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-pentanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-pentanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methylpropan-<NUM>-ol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methylpropan-<NUM>-ol, <NUM>-aminopropane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol, glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, glycine, arginine, lysine, proline, glutamine, histidine, sarcosine, serine, glutamic acid, tryptophan, their salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; alternatively glycine, sarcosine, lysine, serine, <NUM> methoxyethylamine, glucosamine, glutamic acid, morpholine, piperdine, ethylamine, <NUM> amino-<NUM>-propanol, and mixtures thereof. As used herein, the term "salts thereof' - in the context of radical scavengers - means particularly potassium salts, sodium salts, ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may further have a pH of from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>. The composition may also comprise, in addition to the alkalizing agent(s) discussed above, pH modifier(s) and/or buffering agent(s) in an amount that is sufficiently effective to adjust the pH of the composition to fall within a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Suitable pH modifier(s) and/or buffering agent(s) include, but are not limited to: ammonia; alkanolamides (such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monopropanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, tripropanolamine, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-propanol, <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-hydroxymethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,-propandiol); guanidium salts; alkali metal and ammonium hydroxides and carbonates; and mixtures thereof.

Further pH modifier(s) and/or buffering agent(s) include, but are not limited to: sodium hydroxide; ammonium carbonate; acidulents (such as inorganic and inorganic acids including for example phosphoric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid or tartaric acid, hydrochloric acid); and mixtures thereof.

The composition may further comprise thickener(s) and/or rheology modifier(s) in an amount sufficient to provide the composition with a viscosity so that it can be readily applied to the hair without unduly dripping off the hair and causing mess.

The composition may comprise a total amount of thickener(s) ranging from at least <NUM>%, alternatively at least <NUM>%, alternatively at least <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable thickener(s) include, but are not limited to: associative polymers, polysaccharides, non-associative polycarboxylic polymers, and mixtures thereof. Commercially available salt-tolerant thickeners include, but not limited to: xanthan, guar, hydroxypropyl guar, scleroglucan, methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose (commercially available as Aquacote), hydroxyethyl cellulose (Natrosol), carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxybutylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel), hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (Natrosol Plus <NUM>), N-vinylpyrollidone (Povidone), Acrylates/Ceteth-<NUM> Itaconate Copolymer (Structure <NUM>), hydroxypropyl starch phosphate (Structure ZEA), polyethoxylated urethanes or polycarbamyl polyglycol ester such as PEG-<NUM>/Decyl/SMDI copolymer (Aculyn <NUM>), PEG-<NUM>/Stearyl/SMDI copolymer (Aculyn <NUM>), trihydroxystearin (Thixcin), acrylates copolymer (Aculyn <NUM>) or hydrophobically modified acrylate copolymers (such as Acrylates / Steareth-<NUM> Methacrylate Copolymer as Aculyn <NUM>), acrylates/steareth-<NUM> methacrylate crosspolymer (Aculyn <NUM>), acrylates/vinyl neodecanoate crosspolymer (Aculyn <NUM>), acrylates/beheneth-<NUM> methacrylate copolymer (Aculyn <NUM>), acrylates/C <NUM>-<NUM> alkyl acrylate crosspolymer (Carbopol ETD <NUM>), non-ionic amphophilic polymers comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit selected from polyether urethanes comprising at least one fatty chain, blends of Ceteth - <NUM> phosphate, Di-cetyl phosphate and Cetearyl alcohol (available as Crodafos CES), and mixtures thereof. The composition may comprise a total amount of thickener(s) selected from anionic and cationic polymer(s) of less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>% by total weight of the composition.

The composition may further comprise a source of carbonate ions, carbamate ions, hydrogen carbonate ions, and mixtures thereof in a sufficient amount to reduce damage to the hair during the coloring process.

The composition may comprise a total amount of a carbonate ion source ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition.

Suitable carbonate ion sources include, but are not limited to: sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, guanidine carbonate, guanidine hydrogen carbonate, lithium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate and mixtures thereof; alternatively sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, and mixtures thereof; alternatively ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may further comprise one or more conditioning agent(s), and/or be used in combination with a composition comprising one or more conditioning agent(s). Any suitable conditioning agent(s) known in the art may be used.

The composition may comprise a total amount of conditioning agent(s) ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the composition. The conditioning agent(s) may be included in a separate pre- and/or post-treatment composition.

Suitable conditioning agent(s) include, but are not limited to: silicones, aminosilicones, fatty alcohols, polymeric resins, polyol carboxylic acid esters, cationic polymers, cationic surfactants, insoluble oils and oil derived materials and mixtures thereof. Additional conditioning agent(s) include mineral oils and other oils such as glycerin and sorbitol. The composition may comprise a total amount of cationic conditioning agent(s) of less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>% by total weight of the composition.

The composition may further comprise surfactant(s), other than the non-ionic surfactant(s). Suitable surfactant(s) generally have a lipophilic chain length of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and can be selected from anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Any suitable surfactant(s) known in the art may be used.

The composition comprises a total amount of anionic surfactant(s) of less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>% by total weight of the composition. Alternatively, the composition may be free of anionic surfactant(s).

The composition comprises a total amount of cationic surfactant(s) of less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM> %, alternatively less than <NUM>% by total weight of the composition. Alternatively, the composition may be free of cationic surfactant(s).

The composition may comprise a total amount of surfactant(s) other than fatty alcohol(s) and non-ionic surfactant(s) of less <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>%.

The composition may comprise, in addition to the ingredients indicated above, further ingredients in order to further enhance the properties of the composition, as long as these are not excluded by the claims. Suitable further ingredients include, but not limited to: solvents; peroxymonocarbonate ion sources; anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, and mixtures thereof; fragrances; enzymes; dispersing agents; peroxide stabilizing agents; antioxidants; natural ingredients (such as proteins, protein compounds, and plant extracts); ceramides; preserving agents; opacifiers and pearling agents (such as titanium dioxide and mica); and mixtures thereof.

Suitable further ingredients referred to above, but not specifically described below, are listed in the International Cosmetics Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, (8th ed. ; The Cosmetics, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association). Particularly, vol. <NUM>, sections <NUM> (Chemical Classes) and <NUM> (Functions), which are useful in identifying specific adjuvants to achieve a particular purpose or multipurpose. A few of these ingredients are discussed hereinbelow, whose disclosure is of course non-exhaustive.

The composition may be free of amine compounds and/or phospholipid compounds; alternatively may be free of fatty monoamine compounds, polyamine compounds having at least three amino groups and fatty quaternary amine compounds and/or phospholipid compounds.

The composition may comprise a total amount of polymer(s) selected from anionic and cationic polymer(s) of less than <NUM>%, alternatively less than <NUM>% by total weight of the composition. Alternatively, the composition may be free of anionic and cationic polymer(s).

The oxidizing agent(s), the alkalizing agent, the fatty alcohol(s), the non-ionic surfactant(s), the fatty compound(s) and the cosmetically acceptable carrier, to be incorporated into the first and/or the second component, have been defined hereinbefore. Likewise, any suitable optional compounds including the oxidative dye precursor(s), the direct dye(s), the chelant(s), the radical scavenger(s), pH modifier(s) and/or buffering agent(s), thickener(s) and/or rheology modifier(s), carbonate ion source(s), conditioning agent(s), surfactant(s), and any further ingredients, to be incorporated into the first and/or the second composition, have also been defined hereinbefore.

The first and the second components may be mixed for 5sec to <NUM>, alternatively for 15sec to <NUM>, alternatively for <NUM> sec to <NUM>.

Depending on stability and reactivity considerations, the compounds may be incorporated indifferently into the first and/or the second components, or may preferably be incorporated into one of the two components. The fatty compound(s) selected from the group consisting of a mineral oil, hydrocarbon oil, and mixtures thereof when present may be incorporated into the first component, the second component being free of said fatty compound. The fatty alcohol(s) and/or the non-ionic surfactant(s) may be incorporated into the first component and/or the second component.

The oxidative dye precursors including the primary intermediates and couplers are usually incorporated into the second component. The direct dyes are usually incorporated into the second component. The chelant may be incorporated into the first and/or the second component, however the chelant is usually incorporated into the first component for stability reason.

The invention further relates to a hair colouring or bleaching kit according to appended claim <NUM>.

Individually packaged components mean that they may be packaged in separate containers or in compartmented containers. The consumer mixes the first component and the second component together immediately before use and applies it onto the hair. The first and the second components may be mixed from 5sec to <NUM>, alternatively from 15sec to <NUM>, alternatively for <NUM> sec to <NUM> prior application to the hair.

After working the combined mixture for a few minutes (to insure uniform application to all of the hair), the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition is allowed to remain on the hair for an amount sufficient for the dyeing to take place, usually from <NUM> to <NUM>, typically from <NUM> to <NUM>. The consumer or salon professional then rinses the hair thoroughly with water and/or shampoo and allows it to dry. It will be observed that the hair has changed from its original colour to the desired colour.

The kit may also comprise a third component selected from the group consisting of a conditioning composition, a pre-treatment composition, and/or a colour refresher composition. The pre-treatment may be applied onto hair, before applying the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition. The conditioning composition, comprising a conditioning agent, may be mixed together with the first and the second component prior to application onto hair, or may be alternatively applied separately onto hair, for example after applying the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition. The colour refresher composition, comprising optionally a preformed dye, may be applied after applying the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition. The component could be also a carrier for dye precursors or concentrates.

The invention also relates to a method of treating hair comprising the steps of applying a hair colouring or bleaching composition after mixing as described above or a composition obtainable as a mixture from a kit as described above to the hair, leaving said composition on the hair for from <NUM> to <NUM> minutes and subsequently rinsing said composition from the hair.

The method of colouring and/or dyeing hair comprises applying onto hair a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition as defined herein before. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a first component as defined hereinbefore; providing a second component as defined hereinbefore; mixing the first and the second components for obtaining a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition; applying the obtained composition onto hair, leaving the applied composition on hair from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively <NUM> to <NUM>; optionally rinsing hair using a rinsing composition, alternatively rinsing hair with water; optionally cleansing hair using a cleansing composition; optionally treating hair with a conditioning and/or treating composition; and, optionally drying hair.

The kits described hereinabove are well-known in the art and the compositions in each container can be manufactured utilizing any one of the standard approaches, these include a) 'Oil-in-water' process, b) `Phase Inversion' process and c) 'One-pot' process. For example, the wax components of the tint base and developer are melted to <NUM>, respectively. The melted wax mixture is then mixed with <NUM> pre-heated water and continuously stirred for <NUM> minutes. The resulting mixture is then allowed to slowly cool down to room temperature, e.g., at a rate of about <NUM>/min to about <NUM>/min, under continuous stirring. When the mixture cools down to <NUM> ammonia, perfume, perfume components for NH3 suppression, and the other non-wax components of the ingredients list are added to the mixture under continuous stirring until the mixture cools down to room temperature (<NUM>). The resulting mixture is then either packed in aluminum tubes for tint or in PE bottles for developer, thus, e.g., forming the first and second component parts of a bleaching or colouring kit.

The present invention may be provided in a variety of packaging devices and/or dispensing devices. These dispensing devices can come in the form of separate devices which may be used independently or in combination with one another. Typically, the hair colouring and/or bleaching compositions are contained within separate single or multi-compartment containers so that the compositions can be stored separately from one another before use. The compositions are then mixed together by a mixing means and then dispensed from the device and applied to the consumer's hair by an application means.

The most common packaging device which can be used involves storing the developer component in a container such as a bottle, tube, aerosol, or a sachet and separately storing the dye component in an additional compartment within the developer container or more preferably in a separate container which may be identical such as a dual sachet or aerosol systems for example or different such as a bottle and tube system. Any combination may be used and is typically contingent on the type of composition being stored i.e. whether or not it is a thick or thin type. The consumer or hair salon professional may mix the developer component and the tint component by any means, including by using a mixing bowl and/or a mixing tool, by adding one component into the container of the other component followed by mixing, or by perforating or displacing a seal located between the separate compartments of the components within a single container or sachet followed by mixing.

The devices described herein above can also be used in combination with a product delivery and or application tool to aid application of the product onto the hair, including using a nozzle attached to one of the containers, using a separate applicator device such as a comb or brush, using a comb attached to or instead of the dispensing nozzle whereby the product is dispensed through hollow tines and dispensing apertures located in the comb tines. The application devices may also include devices which assist in achieving particular effects such as highlighting such as highlighting combs, brushes and tools, foils and highlighting caps. Highlighting devices comprising a hinged device into which an amount of composition is placed and then used to apply the composition to pre-determined /selected hair strands may also be used. Additional device technology can be used to assist in the penetration of the product into the hair. Examples of such technology include heating devices, ultraviolet light devices and ultrasound devices.

The hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, and the corresponding first and second components, may be manufactured by conventional processes known in the art for manufacturing oxidative hair colouring and/or bleaching products, and ad-mixing the ingredients of each component composition in suitable vessels, followed by packaging in appropriate individual containers.

The invention further relates to a method of sequential oxidative hair colouring or hair bleaching comprising the steps of at least two sequential oxidative hair colour or hair bleaching treatments, wherein the time period between each treatment is from <NUM> day to <NUM> days, and wherein each treatment comprises the steps of providing a composition as described above or obtainable as a mixture from a kit as described above, applying said composition to the hair and retaining said composition on the hair for a time period of less than <NUM> minutes and subsequently rinsing said composition from the hair.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of at least a first and a second malodor suppressant and optionally one or more further malodor suppressants as a malodor suppressant system in a composition for coloring hair or for bleaching hair, as disclosed in appended claim <NUM>.

The invention will further be described by the following experimental data.

In order to determine the influence of the malodor suppressants on different ammonia containing systems, test samples were provided and analyzed.

The developer consists of the following raw material composition:
Welloxon <NUM>%.

The wax components of the tint base and developer examples are melted to <NUM>. The melted wax mixture is then mixed with <NUM> pre-heated water and continuously stirred for <NUM> minutes. The resulting mixture is then allowed to cool down at a rate of <NUM>/min to room temperature und continuous stirring.

When mixture cools down to <NUM> ammonia, perfume, perfume components for NH3 suppression, and the other non-wax components of the ingredients list are added to the creme under continous stirring till creme cools down to room temperature (<NUM>). The resulting creme is then either packed in aluminum tubes for tint or in PE bottles for developer.

The total ammonia content of the following samples was analyzed (Table <NUM>) by means of Kjeldahl analysis.

For Samples <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> of the ammonia solution are mixed with <NUM> of water. For samples <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> sample and a developer (Welloxon Perfect <NUM>%) are mixed in an open bowl with a brush until homogeneous. The time until homogeneity was reached was taken for the first sample samples were mixed for the time taken for the respective first sample. The obtained mixture is then transferred manually into a <NUM><NUM><NUM>-neck round vessel with a KPG-stirrer which is then sealed. The headspace above the mixture is then continuously driven through a gas cell by constant introduction of ambient air into the vessel, and analyzed by means of FTIR (with background correction for ambient air). A kinetic profile is recorded using the absorption bands of ammonia at <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> for <NUM> seconds. In addition, the total ammonia is absorbed in a boric acid solution in order to quantify the total release by acidimetric titration.

Experiment <NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM> solution is diluted with <NUM> water, respectively.

Experiment <NUM> and <NUM>: <NUM> tint is mixed with <NUM> Welloxon Perfect <NUM>%, respectively.

The results of the measurements are shown in Figs. <NUM> to <NUM>. The absolute peak area values of different figures are not directly comparable and do not allow for a conclusion on an absolute effect. The peak area values of measurements within a single figure are directly comparable and do allow for a conclusion on an absolute effect.

Figure <NUM> shows the ammonia release kinetic of the <NUM>% NH3 solution and the <NUM>% NH3 solution with Galaxolide/IPM without stirring in the vessel (Examples <NUM> and <NUM>). The sample with IPM/Galaxolide shows a lower ammonia release. Since a film of the nonpolar liquid was observable on the solution, it might be a physical effect. <IMG>
<IMG>.

Figure <NUM> shows the behavior of the ammonia release kinetic with stirring. No significant differences are observable, which supports the assumption of a physical effect in Fig. <NUM>. <IMG>
<IMG>
<IMG>.

Figure <NUM> shows the ammonia release kinetics of a composition with stirring.

It is clearly visible that the Ammonia release with the combination of malodor suppressants according to the invention is significantly lower in the first <NUM> seconds.

Table <NUM> and Table <NUM> show the total ammonia content of the samples, analyzed via Kjeldahl and the total ammonia released within <NUM> measuring time. Every experiment consists of two measurements.

The examples show that the combination of malodor suppressants according to the invention results in a significant drop in ammonia release.

Claim 1:
A hair colouring and/or bleaching composition obtained by mixing, prior to application onto hair, at least a first aqueous component (i) and a second aqueous component (ii), wherein:
- the first aqueous component (i) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier:
- one or more oxidizing agent(s) and
- the second aqueous component (ii) comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier:
- one or more alkalizing agent(s) selected from the group consisting of ammonia, its salts and mixtures thereof,
- and optionally one or more oxidative dyes or one or more direct dyes or a mixture of one or more oxidative dyes and one or more direct dyes
wherein the first component (i) or the second component (ii) or both comprise at least a first and a second malodor suppressant and optionally one or more further malodor suppressants, or the first component (i) comprises at least a first malodor suppressant and the second component (ii) comprises at least a second malodor suppressant, the first and the second malodor suppressant and any further malodor suppressant forming a malodor suppressant system in the hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, and each of the first and second malodor suppressants being a compound having a distribution coefficient logP (octanol/water) of <NUM> or more and a molecular weight of between <NUM> and <NUM>;
wherein the first malodor and second malodor suppressant are isopropylmyristate and galaxolide, or isopropylmyristate and habanolide;
wherein the first malodor suppressant or the combination of the first and second malodor suppressants is present in the first composition (i) and/or in the second composition (ii) in an amount of <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight, and the combined amount of malodor suppressant in the first and second composition is at least <NUM>% by weight.