US20030198613A1

US20030198613A1 - Methods of dispersing al least one coloring agent using at least one heteropolymer

Info

Publication number: US20030198613A1
Application number: US10/413,217
Authority: US
Inventors: Sue Feng; Mohamed Kanji
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2001-10-05
Filing date: 2003-04-15
Publication date: 2003-10-23
Also published as: US20040141932A2; US20040091510A1; US6716420B2; US20030086883A1; US7008619B2

Abstract

Methods of dispersing at least one coloring agent in a cosmetic composition comprising including in the cosmetic composition at least one heteropolymer, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent, and methods of providing at least one property chosen from gloss and intense color to a cosmetic composition, comprising including in the cosmetic composition (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

Description

The present invention relates to methods of dispersing at least one coloring agent in a cosmetic composition comprising including in the composition at least one heteropolymer, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

One problem that is prevalent in the preparation of formulations in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry is the dispersion of components which make up the composition. A great deal of time and energy is spent in an attempt to obtain an even distribution or dispersion of ingredients. A uniform dispersion of components that make up a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition, including dispersion of pigments, can result in enhanced properties such as improved efficacy, more intense color, higher gloss, uniformity of batches, less clumping, and less energy required for mixing.

Further, many cosmetic or dermatological products comprise a structured, i.e., gelled and/or rigidified, liquid fatty phase, such as, for example, in mascaras, lipsticks, concealer products, eyeshadows, and foundations. This structuring may be obtained with the aid of traditional waxes and/or fillers. Unfortunately, these waxes and fillers may have a tendency to make the composition matte and to dull the intensity and color of any pigments in the composition, which may not always be desirable, in particular for a mascara. Specifically, consumers are always on the lookout for a mascara which can deposit a film with intense color and which is also increasingly glossy.

Both the intensity of the color and the gloss of a cosmetic composition are generally associated with the nature of the liquid fatty phase. The liquid fatty phase of mascaras commonly comprise a traditional wax. As discussed above, traditional waxes do not develop pigments, and adding pigments to such traditional waxes generally results in a composition having a grey, dull color and a matte look.

To overcome at least one of these drawbacks, the inventors envisaged including in cosmetic compositions comprising at least one coloring agent, at least one heteropolymer, for example, at least one polyamide polymer, in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent. In one embodiment, cosmetic compositions thus obtained displayed intense color as well as gloss. Therefore, the inventors have found, surprisingly, that certain heteropolymers may be effective for dispersing at least one coloring agent, and may make it possible to obtain a cosmetic composition whose application can produce a deposit which comprises at least one property chosen from gloss and intense color.

The present invention applies to cosmetic compositions which includes not only to pigmented make-up products, such as mascaras and lipsticks, but also pigmented care and/or treatment products for the skin, including the scalp, the human face and body.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for dispersing at least one coloring agent in a cosmetic composition comprising including in the cosmetic composition at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

The present invention also provides, in one embodiment, a method for providing at least one property chosen from gloss and intense color to a cosmetic composition comprising including in the cosmetic composition (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

Certain terms used herein are defined below:

“At least one” means one or more and thus includes individual components as well as mixtures/combinations.

“Alkyl group,” as used herein, refers to substituted linear alkyl groups, unsubstituted linear alkyl groups, substituted branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted branched alkyl groups, substituted cyclic alkyl groups and unsubstituted cyclic alkyl groups, wherein the aforementioned alkyl groups comprise at least one carbon and may optionally further comprise at least one hetero atom intercalated in the alkyl chain.

“Alkenyl group,” as used herein, refers to substituted linear alkenyl groups, unsubstituted linear alkenyl groups, substituted branched alkenyl groups, unsubstituted branched alkenyl groups, substituted cyclic alkenyl groups and unsubstituted cyclic alkenyl groups, wherein the aforementioned alkenyl groups comprise at least one carbon and at least one double bond, and may optionally further comprise at least one hetero atom intercalated in the alkenyl chain.

“Functionalized,” as used herein, means comprising at least one functional group. Non-limiting examples of functional groups include hydroxyl groups, ether groups, oxyalkylene groups, polyoxyalkylene groups, carboxylic acid groups, amine groups, amide groups, halogen-containing groups, including fluoro groups and perfluoro groups, halogens, ester groups, siloxane groups, and polysiloxane groups.

A “functionalized chain,” as used herein, refers to, for example, an alkyl chain comprising at least one functional group chosen, for example, from those recited above. For example, in one embodiment, the hydrogen atoms of at least one alkyl chain may be substituted at least partially with fluorine atoms.

“Gloss,” as used herein, refers to surface shininess. A cosmetic composition is provided with gloss, as used herein, when there is a measurable increase in the gloss of the composition upon addition of the at least one heteropolymer to the cosmetic composition. The gloss of a composition may, for example, be measured and evaluated using a gloss meter. Gloss meters are commonly used in the nail polish art, and measure the amount of light reflected from the surface or film of interest. The gloss may be quantified, for example, as a % reflectance. In one embodiment, the gloss of a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one heteropolymer is greater than the gloss of the composition prior to addition of the at least one heteropolymer.

“Hydrocarbon-based oil,” as used herein, refers to an oil comprising carbon and hydrogen atoms, optionally with at least one group chosen from hydroxyl groups, ester groups, carboxyl groups, and ether groups.

“Keratinous fibers,” as used herein, includes hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows).

“Keratinous material,” as used herein, includes skin (including lips), hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows), and nails.

“Liquid fatty phase,” as used herein, means a fatty phase which is liquid at room temperature (25° C.) and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg), and which comprises at least one fatty substance that is liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, also referred to as an oil.

“Polymer,” as used herein, means a compound comprising at least 2 repeating units.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

As described above, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for dispersing at least one coloring agent and for making-up at least one keratinous material, in particular at least one human keratinous material, such as skin, including the lips, and/or at least one keratinous fiber which includes hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows, comprising at least one liquid fatty phase which comprises at least one heteropolymer and at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

The at least one heteropolymer of the present invention comprises a polymer skeleton comprising at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom. In one embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer further comprises at least one chain chosen from:

(i) terminal fatty chains, optionally functionalized, chosen from alkyl chains, such as alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and alkenyl chains, such as alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, bonded to the polymer skeleton, such as a polyamide skeleton, via at least one linking group, and

(ii) pendant fatty chains, optionally functionalized, chosen from alkyl chains, such as alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and alkenyl chains, such as alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, bonded to the polymer skeleton, such as a polyamide skeleton, via at least one linking group.

The at least one linking group may, for example, be chosen from direct bonds, urea groups, urethane groups, thiourethane groups, thioester groups, thioether groups, thiourea groups, ester groups, ether groups, and amine groups. In one embodiment, the at least one linking group is chosen from urea groups, ester groups, and amine groups. In another embodiment, the at least one linking group is chosen from ester groups and amine groups.

The composition of the invention may be in the form of a paste, a solid or a more or less viscous cream. Further, the inventive composition may be a single emulsion (such as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion), a multiple emulsion (such as an oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion or a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion), or a rigid or soft gel comprising an oily continuous phase. For example, in one embodiment, the composition may comprise a liquid fatty phase. In a further embodiment, the liquid fatty phase may be the continuous phase of the composition. In one embodiment, the composition is in the form of a single emulsion. In a further embodiment, the composition is in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion.

Further, according to the present invention, the inventive compositions may be washable compositions, i.e., those that may be removed with water and/or soap (e.g., emulsions) or waterproof compositions (e.g., solvent-based compositions), depending on the additional compounds and the desired product. In fact, the inclusion of the at least one heteropolymer of the present invention may impart water resistance to an otherwise washable composition and may impart increased water resistance to an otherwise water resistant composition. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for making a water resistant composition comprising including in a cosmetic composition at least one heteropolymer as defined herein.

Heteropolymer

In one embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer in the composition of the invention is a solid that is not deformable at room temperature (25° C.) and atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg). In another embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer is capable of structuring the composition without opacifying it.

As defined above, the at least one heteropolymer of the present invention comprises a polymer skeleton comprising at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom. In one embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer further comprises at least one terminal fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, such as chains comprising at least 4 atoms, and further such as chains comprising from 8 to 120 carbon atoms, bonded to the polymer skeleton via at least one linking group. The terminal fatty chain may, for example, be functionalized. The at least one heteropolymer may also further comprise at least one pendant fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, such as chains comprising at least 4 atoms, and further such as chains comprising 8 to 120 carbon atoms, bonded to any carbon or hetero atom of the polymer skeleton via at least one linking group. The pendant fatty chain may, for example, be functionalized. The at least one heteropolymer may comprise both at least one pendant fatty chain and at least one terminal fatty chain as defined above, and one or both types of chains can be functionalized. Further, one or both types of chains may be linked directly to the polymer skeleton or via an ester function or a perfluoro group.

In one embodiment, the alkyl chains and alkenyl chains comprise at least four carbon atoms, such as from 8 to 120 carbon atoms, and further such as from 12 to 68 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the at least one linking group is chosen from direct bonds, urea groups, urethane groups, thiourea groups, thiourethane groups, thioether groups, thioester groups, ester groups, ether groups, and amine groups. In yet another embodiment, the at least one linking group is an ester group and is present in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% of the total number of all ester and hetero atom groups in the at least one heteropolymer, such as from 20% to 35%.

In one embodiment, the heteropolymer comprises at least two hydrocarbon-based repeating units. In another embodiment, the heteropolymer comprises at least three hydrocarbon-based repeating units. In yet another embodiment, the heteropolymer comprises at least three hydrocarbon-based repeating units, wherein the at least three repeating units are identical.

The hydrocarbon-based repeating unit may be chosen from saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units and unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, which, in turn, may be chosen from linear hydrocarbon-based repeating units, branched hydrocarbon-based repeating units, and cyclic hydrocarbon-based repeating units. Non-limiting examples of the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit include repeating units comprising from 2 to 80 carbon atoms and repeating units comprising from 2 to 60 carbon atoms. According to the present invention, the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit may comprise at least one oxygen atom. Further, the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit may comprise, for example, at least one hetero atom that is part of the polymer skeleton, i.e., not pendant. Non-limiting examples of the at least one hetero atom include nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus. In one embodiment, the at least one hetero atom is nitrogen, such as a non-pendant nitrogen atom. In another embodiment, the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit may comprise at least one hetero atom with the proviso that the at least one hetero atom is not nitrogen. In another embodiment, the at least one hetero atom is combined with at least one atom chosen from oxygen and carbon to form a hetero atom group. In one embodiment, the hetero atom group comprises a carbonyl group.

Non-limiting examples of the at least one repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom include amide groups, carbamate groups, and urea groups. In one embodiment, the at least one repeating unit comprises amide groups forming a polyamide skeleton. In another embodiment, the at least one repeating unit comprises carbamate groups and/or urea groups forming a polyurethane skeleton, a polyurea skeleton and/or a polyurethane-polyurea skeleton. The pendant chains, for example, can be linked directly to at least one of the at least one hetero atom of the polymer skeleton. In yet another embodiment, the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit may comprise at least one hetero atom group with the proviso that the at least one hetero atom group is not an amide group. In one embodiment, the polymer skeleton comprises at least one repeating unit chosen from silicone units and oxyalkylene units, the at least one repeating unit being between the hydrocarbon-based repeating units.

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention comprise at least one heteropolymer comprising nitrogen atoms, such as amide units, urea units, and carbamate units, and at least one polar oil.

In another embodiment, in the at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 40% to 98% relative to the total number of repeating units and fatty chains, and as a further example, from 50% to 95%. In a further embodiment wherein the polymer skeleton is a polyamide skeleton, in the at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 40% to 98% relative to the total number of all amide units and fatty chains, and as a further example, from 50% to 95%.

In a further embodiment, the nature and proportion of the at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom depends on the nature of the composition and is, for example, similar to the nature of the fatty phase. For example, not to be limited as to theory, the more polar the hydrocarbon-based repeating units comprising a hetero atom, and in higher proportion, which corresponds to the presence of several hetero atoms, the greater the affinity of the at least one heteropolymer to polar oils. Conversely, the more non-polar, or even apolar, and lesser in proportion the hydrocarbon-based repeating units comprising a hetero atom, the greater the affinity of the polymer for apolar oils.

In another embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer is a polyamide comprising a polymer skeleton comprising at least one amide repeating unit and optionally at least one pendant fatty chain and/or at least one terminal chain that are optionally functionalized and comprise from 8 to 120 carbon atoms, bonded to at least one of the amide repeating units via at least one linking group. The inventive composition further comprises at least one coloring agent. The at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

In one embodiment, when the heteropolymer has amide repeating units, the pendant fatty chains may be linked to at least one of the nitrogen atoms in the amide repeating units.

The at least one heteropolymer, for example the polyamide polymer, may have a weight-average molecular mass of less than 100,000, such as less than 50,000. In another embodiment, the weight-average molecular mass may range from 1000 to 30,000, such as from 2000 to 20,000, further such as from 2000 to 10,000.

As discussed, the at least one heteropolymer may, for example, be chosen from polyamide polymers. A polyamide polymer may comprise, for example, a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one amide repeating unit, i.e., a polyamide skeleton. In one embodiment, the polyamide skeleton may further comprise at least one terminal fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains, for example, alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and alkenyl chains, for example, alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, bonded to the at least one polyamide skeleton via at least one linking group and/or at least one pendant fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains, for example, alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and alkenyl chains, for example, alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, bonded to the at least one polyamide skeleton via at least one linking group. In one embodiment, the polyamide skeleton may comprise at least one terminal fatty chain chosen from fatty chains comprising 8 to 120 carbon atoms, such as, for example, 12 to 68 carbon atoms, bonded to the at least one polyamide skeleton via at least one linking group and/or at least one pendant fatty chain chosen from fatty chains comprising 8 to 120 carbon atoms, such as, for example, 12 to 68 carbon atoms, bonded to the at least one polyamide skeleton via at least one linking group, such as bonded to any carbon or nitrogen of the polyamide skeleton via the at least one linking group. In one embodiment, the at least one linking group is chosen from direct bonds, urea groups, urethane groups, thiourea groups, thiourethane groups, thioether groups, thioester groups, ester groups, ether groups, and amine groups. In one embodiment, the at least one linking group is chosen from ester groups. In one embodiment, these polymers comprise a fatty chain at each end of the polymer skeleton, such as the polyamide skeleton.

In one embodiment, due to the presence of at least one chain, the polyamide polymers may be readily soluble in oils (i.e., water-immiscible liquid compounds) and thus may give macroscopically homogeneous compositions even with a high content (at least 25%) of the polyamide polymers, unlike certain polymers of the prior art that do not contain such alkyl chains or alkenyl chains at the end of the polyamide skeleton. As defined herein, a composition is soluble if it has a solubility of greater than 0.01 g per 100 ml of solution at 25° C.

In a further embodiment, the polyamide polymers can be chosen from polymers resulting from at least one polycondensation reaction between at least one acid chosen from dicarboxylic acids comprising at least 32 carbon atoms, such as 32 to 44 carbon atoms, and at least one amine chosen from diamines comprising at least 2 carbon atoms, such as from 2 to 36 carbon atoms, and triamines comprising at least 2 carbon atoms, such as from 2 to 36 carbon atoms. The dicarboxylic acids can, for example, be chosen from dimers of at least one fatty acid comprising at least 16 carbon atoms, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. The at least one amine can, for example, be chosen from diamines, such as ethylenediamine, hexylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, phenylenediamine and triamines, such as ethylenetriamine.

The polyamide polymers may also be chosen from polymers comprising at least one terminal carboxylic acid group. The at least one terminal carboxylic acid group can, for example, be esterified with at least one alcohol chosen from monoalcohols comprising at least 4 carbon atoms. For example, the at least one alcohol can be chosen from monoalcohols comprising from 10 to 36 carbon atoms. In a further embodiment, the monoalcohols can comprise from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, such as from 16 to 24 carbon atoms, and for example 18 carbon atoms.

In one embodiment, the at least one polyamide polymer may be chosen from those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,657, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which are polyamide polymers of formula (I):

in which:

n is an integer which represents the number of amide units such that the number of ester groups present in the at least one polyamide polymer ranges from 10% to 50% of the total number of all the ester groups and all the amide groups comprised in the at least one polyamide polymer;

R ¹, which are identical or different, are each chosen from alkyl groups comprising at least 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl groups comprising at least 4 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, the alkyl group comprises from 4 to 24 carbon atoms and the alkenyl group comprises from 4 to 24 carbon atoms;

R ², which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₄to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups with the proviso that at least 50% of all R²are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups;

R ³, which are identical or different, are each chosen from organic groups comprising atoms chosen from carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms with the proviso that R³comprises at least 2 carbon atoms; and

R ⁴, which are identical or different, are each chosen from hydrogen atoms, C₁to C₁₀alkyl groups and direct bonds to at least one group chosen from R³and another R⁴such that when the at least one group is chosen from another R⁴, the nitrogen atom to which both R³and R⁴are bonded forms part of a heterocyclic structure defined in part by R⁴—N—R³, with the proviso that at least 50% of all R⁴are chosen from hydrogen atoms.

In the polymer of formula (I), the terminal fatty chains that are optionally functionalized for the purposes of the invention are terminal chains linked to the last hetero atom, in this case nitrogen, of the polyamide skeleton.

In one embodiment, the ester groups of formula (I), which form part of the terminal and/or pendant fatty chains for the purposes of the invention, are present in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% of the total number of ester and amide groups, such as from 20% to 35%.

In formula (I), in one embodiment, n may be an integer ranging from 1 to 5, for example an integer ranging from 3 to 5. In the present invention, R ¹, which are identical or different, can, for example, each be chosen from C₁₂to C₂₂alkyl groups, such as from C₁₆to C₂₂alkyl groups.

In the present invention, R ², which are identical or different, can, for example, each be chosen from C₁₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based, e.g., alkylene groups. At least 50% of all R², for example at least 75% of all R², which are identical or different, can, for example, each be chosen from groups comprising from 30 to 42 carbon atoms. In the two aforementioned embodiments, the remaining R², which are identical or different, can, for example, each be chosen from C₄to C₁₈groups, such as C₄to C₁₂groups.

R ³, which can be identical or different, can, for example, each be chosen from C₂to C₃₆hydrocarbon-based groups and polyoxyalkylene groups. In another example, R³, which can be identical or different, can each, for example, be chosen from C₂to C₁₂hydrocarbon-based groups. In another embodiment, R⁴, which can be identical or different, can each be chosen from hydrogen atoms. As used herein, hydrocarbon-based groups may be chosen from linear saturated hydrocarbon-based groups, linear unsaturated hydrocarbon-based groups, cyclic saturated hydrocarbon-based groups, cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon-based groups, branched saturated hydrocarbon-based groups, and branched saturated hydrocarbon-based groups. The hydrocarbon-based groups can also be chosen from aliphatic hydrocarbon-based groups and aromatic hydrocarbon-based groups. In one example, the hydrocarbon-based groups are chosen from aliphatic hydrocarbon-based groups. The alkyl groups may be chosen from linear saturated alkyl groups, linear unsaturated alkyl groups, cyclic saturated alkyl groups, cyclic unsaturated alkyl groups, branched saturated alkyl groups, and branched unsaturated alkyl groups. The alkylene groups may be chosen from linear saturated alkylene groups, linear unsaturated alkylene groups, cyclic saturated alkylene groups, cyclic unsaturated alkylene groups, branched saturated alkylene groups, and branched unsaturated alkylene groups.

In general, the pendant fatty chains and terminal fatty chains, which may be identical or different, may be chosen from linear saturated fatty chains, linear unsaturated fatty chains, cyclic saturated fatty chains, cyclic unsaturated fatty chains, branched saturated fatty chains, and branched unsaturated fatty chains. The pendant fatty chains and terminal fatty chains can also be chosen from aliphatic fatty chains and aromatic fatty chains. In one example, the pendant fatty chains and terminal fatty chains are chosen from aliphatic fatty chains.

According to the present invention, in one embodiment, structuring of a liquid fatty phase may be obtained with the aid of at least one heteropolymer, such as the at least one polymer of formula (I). The at least one polyamide polymer of formula (I) may, for example, be in the form of a mixture of polymers, and this mixture may also comprise a compound of formula (I) wherein n is equal to zero, i.e., a diester.

Non-limiting examples of the at least one polyamide polymer which may be used in the composition according to the present invention include the commercial products sold by Arizona Chemical under the names Uniclear 80 and Uniclear 100. These are sold, respectively, in the form of an 80% (in terms of active material) gel in a mineral oil and a 100% (in terms of active material) gel. These polymers have a softening point ranging from 88° C. to 94° C., and may be mixtures of copolymers derived from monomers of (i) C ₃₆diacids and (ii) ethylenediamine, and have a weight-average molecular mass of about 6000. Terminal ester groups result from esterification of the remaining acid end groups with at least one alcohol chosen from cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. A mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols is sometimes called cetylstearyl alcohol.

Other non-limiting examples of the at least one polyamide polymer which may be used in the compositions according to the present invention include polyamide polymers resulting from the condensation of at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and at least one diamine, the carbonyl groups and amine groups being condensed to form an amide bond. In one embodiment, these polymers contain more than two carbonyl groups and more than two amine groups. Examples of these polyamide polymers are those sold under the brand name Versamid by the companies General Mills Inc. and Henkel Corp. (Versamid 930, 744 or 1655) or by the company Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. under the brand name Onamid, in particular Onamid S or C. These polymers have a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 6000 to 9000. For further information regarding these polyamides, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,645,705 and 3,148,125, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, Versamid 930 or 744 may be used.

Other examples of polyamides include those sold by the company Arizona Chemical under the names Uni-Rez (2658,2931,2970,2621, 2613, 2624, 2665,1554, 2623 and 2662) and the product sold under the name Macromelt 6212 by the company Henkel. For further information regarding these polyamides, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,209, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Such polyamides display high melt viscosity characteristics. Macromelt 6212, for example, has a high melt viscosity at 190° C. of 30-40 poise (as measured by a Brookfield Viscometer, Model RVF #3 spindle, 20 RPM).

In a further embodiment, the at least one polyamide polymer may be chosen from polyamide polymers from vegetable sources. Polyamide polymers from vegetable sources may be chosen from, for example, the polyamide polymers of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,783,657 and 5,998,570, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

The at least one heteropolymer in the compositions of the invention may have a softening point greater than 50° C., such as from 65° C. to 190° C., and further such as from 70° C. to 130° C., and even further such as from 80° C. to 105° C. This softening point may be lower than that of heteropolymer used in the art which may facilitate the use of the at least one heteropolymer of the present invention and may limit the degradation of the liquid fatty phase. These polymers may be non waxy polymers.

In one embodiment, the at least one heteropolymer in the composition according to the invention corresponds to the polyamide polymers of formula (I). Due to fatty chain(s), these polymers may be readily soluble in oils and thus lead to compositions that are macroscopically homogeneous even with a high content (at least 25%) of at least one heteropolymer, unlike polymers not comprising a fatty chain.

According to the present invention, the at least one heteropolymer is present in the inventive composition in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent. Dispersion of the at least one coloring agent can be evaluated by at least the following methods. First, the at least one coloring agent is “dispersed,” as used herein, if, when a sample of the composition comprising the at least one coloring agent is placed between 2 microscope slides, there are no agglomerates visible to the naked eye. Agglomeration is a well known phenomenon in the art, thus one of ordinary skill in the art should be able to readily determine whether the at least one coloring agent is present in the composition in the form of agglomerates. A second possible test is the determination of the development of color. It is well known that as the dispersion of the at least one coloring agent increases so too does the intensity of the visible color of the composition. Thus, L values of the composition can be measured (for example, using Minolta Chroma Meter CR-300) to determine the intensity of the color. In the cosmetic arts, and as defined in the L, a, b colorimetric notations system of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage, L defines the intensity of the shade. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,541, Col 1, line 66 to Col. 2, line 8, and Col. 9, lines 15-57. The shade is proportionally more intense the lower the value of L (0=black, 100=white). Thus, at least one coloring agent is dispersed if there is an increase in intensity of color, i.e., a decrease in the L value. Furthermore, as used herein, “intense color” refers to compositions having a more intense color, i.e., lower L value, than the same composition without an effective amount of the at least one heteropolymer.

According to the present invention, the at least one heteropolymer may be present in the composition in an amount generally ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, such as, for example, 1% to 40%, and further, for example, from 2 to 30%. In a further embodiment the at least one heteropolymer may be present in the composition in an amount ranging, for example, from 5% to 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

In another embodiment of the invention, the present invention is drawn to a composition comprising at least one heteropolymer which comprises a polymer skeleton comprising at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom, wherein the at least one heteropolymer further comprises at least one terminal fatty chain, optionally functionalized, chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, such as alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms and alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and further such as alkyl chains comprising from 8 to 120 carbon atoms and alkenyl chains comprising from 8 to 120 carbon atoms, bonded to the polymer skeleton via at least one linking group chosen from amide groups, urea groups, and ester groups, wherein when the at least one linking group is chosen from ester groups, the at least one terminal fatty chain is chosen from branched alkyl groups. The at least one heteropolymer may also comprise at least one pendant fatty chain, optionally functionalized, chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, such as alkyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms and alkenyl chains comprising at least four carbon atoms, and further such as alkyl chains comprising from 8 to 120 carbon atoms and alkenyl chains comprising from 8 to 120 carbon atoms, bonded to any carbon or hetero atom of the polymer skeleton via at least one linking group chosen from amide groups, urea groups, and ester groups, wherein when the at least one linking group is chosen from ester groups, and the at least one terminal fatty chain is chosen from branched alkyl groups. The at least one heteropolymer may comprise both at least one pendant fatty chain and at least one terminal fatty chain as defined above in this paragraph.

Coloring Agent

The at least one coloring agent according to the present invention may be chosen from the lipophilic dyes, hydrophilic dyes, traditional pigments, and nacres usually used in cosmetic or dermatological compositions, and mixtures thereof. However, the at least one coloring agent , as defined herein, does not include fibers. Further, the at least one coloring agent may have any shape, such as, for example, spheroidal, oval, platelet, irregular, and mixtures thereof. The at least one coloring agent can generally be present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 50% relative to the total weight of the composition, for example from 0.5% to 40%, and, as a further example, from 5% to 30%.

The liposoluble dyes include, for example, Sudan Red, D&C Red 17, D&C Green 6, β-carotene, soybean oil, Sudan Brown, D&C Yellow 11, D&C Violet 2, D&C Orange 5, quinoline yellow and annatto. The liposoluble dyes can be present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% relative to the total weight of the composition, for example from 0.1% to 6% (if present). The water-soluble dyes are, for example, beetroot juice or methylene blue, and can be present in an amount up to 6% relative to the total weight of the composition.

The pigments may be chosen from white pigments, colored pigments, inorganic pigments, organic pigments, coated pigments, uncoated pigments, pigments having a micron size and pigments not having a micron size. Among the inorganic pigments which may be mentioned are titanium dioxide, optionally surface-treated, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese violet, ultramarine blue, chromium hydrate, and ferric blue. Among the organic pigments which may be mentioned are carbon black, pigments of D&C type, lakes based on cochineal carmine, lakes based on barium, lakes based on strontium, lakes based on calcium, and lakes based on aluminium. The pigments can be present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 50%, for example from 0.5% to 40%, and, as a further example, from 2% to 30% relative to the total weight of the composition, if they are present.

The nacreous pigments may, for example, be chosen from white nacreous pigments such as mica coated with titanium and mica coated with bismuth oxychloride, colored nacreous pigments such as titanium mica with iron oxides, titanium mica with, for example, ferric blue and/or chromium oxide, titanium mica with an organic pigment of the type mentioned above, as well as nacreous pigments based on bismuth oxychloride, interferential pigments, and goniochromatic pigments. They can be present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% relative to the total weight of the composition, for example from 0.1% to 15%, if they are present.

Liquid fatty phase

As described above, in one embodiment, the composition may comprise at least one liquid fatty phase. The at least one liquid fatty phase, in one embodiment, may comprise at least one oil. The at least one oil, for example, may be chosen from polar oils and apolar oils including hydrocarbon-based liquid oils and oily liquids at room temperature. In one embodiment, the compositions of the invention comprise at least one heteropolymer, at least one coloring agent, and at least one polar oil. The polar oils of the invention, for example, may be added to the apolar oils, the apolar oils acting in particular as co-solvents for the polar oils.

According to the invention, structuring of the at least one liquid fatty phase may be obtained with the aid of at least one heteropolymer, such as the polymer of formula (I). In general, the polymers of formula (I) may be in the form of mixtures of polymers, these mixtures also possibly comprising a synthetic product corresponding to a compound of formula (I) in which n is 0, i.e., a diester.

The liquid fatty phase of the composition may comprise more than 30%, for example, more than 40%, of liquid oil(s) having a chemical nature close to the chemical nature of the skeleton (hydrocarbon or silicone based) of the heteropolymer, and for example from 50% to 100%. In one embodiment, the liquid fatty phase comprising, as the at least one heteropolymer, a polyamide-type skeleton, or polyurea, or polyurethane, or polyurea-urethane-type skeleton comprises a high quantity, i.e., greater than 30%, for example greater than 40% relative to the total weight of the liquid fatty phase, such as from 50% to 100%, of at least one apolar, such as hydrocarbon- based, oil.

For a liquid fatty phase comprising, as the at least one heteropolymer, a polymer comprising a partially silicone-based skeleton, this fatty phase may contain more than 30%, for example, more than 40%, relative to the total weight of the liquid fatty phase and, for example, from 50% to 100%, of at least one silicone-based liquid oil, relative to the total weight of the liquid fatty phase.

For a liquid fatty phase comprising, as the at least one heteropolymer, an apolar polymer of the hydrocarbon-based type, this fatty phase may contain more than 30%, for example more than 40% by weight, and, as a further example, from 50% to 100% by weight, of at least one liquid apolar, such as hydrocarbon-based, oil, relative to the total weight of the liquid fatty phase.

For example, the at least one polar oil useful in the invention may be chosen from:

hydrocarbon-based plant oils with a high content of triglycerides comprising fatty acid esters of glycerol in which the fatty acids may have varied chain lengths from C ₄to C₂₄, these chains possibly being chosen from linear saturated chains, linear unsaturated chains, branched saturated chains, and branched unsaturated chains; these oils can be chosen from, for example, wheat germ oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, karite butter, castor oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil, apricot oil, soybean oil, cotton oil, alfalfa oil, poppy oil, pumpkin oil, sesame oil, marrow oil, rapeseed oil, avocado oil, hazelnut oil, grape seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil, evening primrose oil, millet oil, barley oil, quinoa oil, olive oil, rye oil, safflower oil, candlenut oil, passion flower oil and musk rose oil; or alternatively caprylic/capric acid triglycerides such as those sold by Stearineries Dubois and those sold under the names Miglyol 810, 812 and 818 by Dynamit Nobel;

synthetic oils of formula R ₅COOR₆and synthetic esters of formula R₅COOR₆, in which R₅is chosen from linear fatty acid residues comprising from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and branched fatty acid residues comprising from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, and R₆is chosen from, for example, hydrocarbon-based chains comprising from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, on condition that R₅+R₆≧10, such as, for example, purcellin oil (cetostearyl octanoate), isononyl isononanoate, C₁₂-C₁₅alkyl benzoates, isopropyl myristate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate and alkyl octanoates, polyalkyl octanoates, decanoates, ricinoleates; hydroxylated esters such as isostearyl lactate and diisostearyl malate; and pentaerythritol esters;

synthetic ethers comprising from 10 to 40 carbon atoms;

C ₈to C₂₆fatty alcohols such as oleyl alcohol; and

C ₈to C₂₆fatty acids such as oleic acid, linolenic acid and linoleic acid.

The at least one apolar oil according to the invention is chosen from, for example, silicone oils chosen from linear volatile polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMSs) that are liquid at room temperature, linear non-volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature, cyclic volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature, and cyclic non-volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature; polydimethylsiloxanes comprising at least one group chosen from alkyl groups and alkoxy groups, wherein the alkyl groups and alkoxy groups are chosen from pendant groups and groups at the end of the silicone chain, and further wherein the alkyl groups and alkoxy groups each comprise from 2 to 24 carbon atoms; phenylsilicones such as phenyl trimethicones, phenyl dimethicones, phenyl trimethylsiloxy diphenylsiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones, diphenyl methyldiphenyl trisiloxanes, and 2-phenylethyl trimethylsiloxysilicates; hydrocarbons chosen from linear and branched, volatile and non-volatile hydrocarbons of synthetic and mineral origin, such as volatile liquid paraffins (such as isoparaffins and isododecanes) and non-volatile liquid paraffins, and derivatives thereof, liquid petrolatum, liquid lanolin, polydecenes, hydrogenated polyisobutene, and squalane; and mixtures thereof. The structured oils, for example those structured with polyamides such as those of formula (I) or with polyurethanes, polyureas, polyurea-urethanes, in accordance with the invention, may be, in one embodiment, apolar oils, such as an oil or a mixture of hydrocarbon oils chosen from those of mineral and synthetic origin, chosen from hydrocarbons such as alkanes such as Parleam®), isoparaffins including isododecane, and squalane, and mixtures thereof. These oils may, in one embodiment, be combined with at least one phenylsilicone oil.

The liquid fatty phase, in one embodiment, contains at least one non-volatile oil chosen from, for example, hydrocarbon-based oils of mineral, plant and synthetic origin, synthetic esters, synthetic ethers, silicone oils, and mixtures thereof.

In practice, the total liquid fatty phase can be, for example, present in an amount ranging from 1% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, for example from 5% to 95.5%, from 10% to 80%, or from 20% to 75%.

For the purposes of the invention, the expression “volatile solvent or oil” means any non-aqueous medium capable of evaporating on contact with the skin or the lips in less than one hour at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The volatile solvent(s) of the invention is(are) organic solvents, such as volatile cosmetic oils that are liquid at room temperature, having a non-zero vapor pressure, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, ranging in particular from 10 ⁻²mmHg to 300 mmHg and, for example, greater than 0.3 mmHg. The expression “non-volatile oil” means an oil which remains on the skin or the lips at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for at least several hours, such as those having a vapor pressure of less than 10⁻²mmHg.

According to the invention, these volatile solvents may impart at least one desirable characteristic to the inventive composition, such as, for example, staying power and long wear properties. The solvents can be chosen from hydrocarbon-based solvents, silicone solvents optionally comprising alkyl and/or alkoxy groups that are pendant and/or at the end of a silicone chain, and a mixture of these solvents.

The volatile oil(s), in one embodiment, is present in an amount ranging up to 95.5% relative to the total weight of the composition, such as from 2% to 75%, and, as a further example, from 10% to 45%. This amount will be adapted by a person skilled in the art according to the desired staying power and long wearing properties.

The at least one liquid fatty phase of the compositions of the invention may further comprises a dispersion of lipid vesicles. The compositions of the invention may also, for example, be in the form of a fluid anhydrous gel, a rigid anhydrous gel, a fluid simple emulsion, a fluid multiple emulsion, a rigid simple emulsion or a rigid multiple emulsion. The simple emulsion or multiple emulsion may comprise a continuous phase chosen from an aqueous phase optionally comprising dispersed lipid vesicles and/or oil droplets, and a fatty phase optionally comprising dispersed lipid vesicles and/or water droplets. In one embodiment, the composition has a continuous oily phase or fatty phase and is more specifically an anhydrous composition, for example, a stick or dish form. An anhydrous composition is one that has less than 10% water by weight, such as, for example, less than 5% by weight.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising at least one liquid fatty phase which comprises (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom with the proviso that the at least one hetero atom is not nitrogen; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

In another embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a mascara, an eyeliner, a foundation, a lipstick, a blusher, a make-up-removing product, a make-up product for the body, an eyeshadow, a face powder, a concealer product, a nail composition, a shampoo, a conditioner, an anti-sun product or a care product for the skin, lips, or hair comprising a composition comprising (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

The present invention also provides, in one embodiment, a mascara which comprises (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

Further, the present invention, in another embodiment, relates to a make-up and/or care and/or treatment composition for keratinous fibers comprising (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

The present invention also provides, in one embodiment, a method for providing at least one property chosen from gloss and intense color comprising including in the cosmetic composition a cosmetic composition (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and (ii) at least one coloring agent, wherein the at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for dispersing at least one coloring agent in a liquid fatty phase of a cosmetic composition which comprises at least one coloring agent comprising including in the at least one liquid fatty phase of the cosmetic composition (i) at least one heteropolymer comprising a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom in an amount effective to disperse the at least one coloring agent.

Polysaccharide Resin

In one embodiment, the composition according to the invention may further comprise at least one polysaccharide resin. In one embodiment, the at least one polysaccharide resin of the present invention comprises numerous hydroxyl groups and hydrophobic groups. The at least one polysaccharide resin can be in the form of colloidal suspensions of fine, highly modified particles such as starch particles. The fine particles may vary in size, and may, for example, include particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less.

Non-limiting examples of the at least one polysaccharide resin of the present invention include the polysaccharide resins available from KAMA, International Corp., Duluth, Ga. For example, polysaccharide resin KM13 is a highly modified, colloidal suspension in water of finely divided starch particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns. KM13 is a co-reactive resin which will form hydrogen bonds with other resins. This polysaccharide resin contains numerous hydroxyl groups which contribute to the wetting of pigments in aqueous systems and hydrophobic groups that permit acceptance in solvent based systems without pigment flocculation or flotation.

Polysaccharide resins are generally water soluble and therefore a polysaccharide film former may be formulated by dissolving the at least one polysaccharide resin in an aqueous system. In another embodiment, the polysaccharide resin may be added to other solvent based systems by dispersing into the solvent system a polysaccharide resin that has been previously dissolved in water. If the composition of the present invention is in the form of an emulsion, the at least one polysaccharide resin may be contained in either the aqueous phase or in the oil phase or both. In one embodiment, the at least one polysaccharide resin is in the aqueous phase.

Depending on the application, the amount of the at least one polysaccharide resin in the inventive composition may vary considerably. One of skill in the art will be able to determine routinely the preferred concentration of the at least one polysaccharide resin depending on the application and the properties desired. In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention comprise at least one polysaccharide resin, such as KM13, in an amount generally ranging from 1% to 50% by weight relative to the weight of the total composition. In another embodiment, the at least one polysaccharide resin is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 40% by weight. For example, for cosmetic foundations, the at least one polysaccharide resin may be present in the inventive compositions in an amount generally ranging from 1% to 50% by weight, such as from 1% to 20% by weight. For eyeliner formulations, the at least one polysaccharide resin may be present in the inventive compositions in an amount generally ranging from 1% to 30% by weight, such as from 2% to 20% by weight. For mascara formulations, the at least one polysaccharide resin may be present in an amount generally ranging from 0.5% to 50% by weight, such as from 1% to 20% by weight.

Film Formers

The composition according to the invention may also contain at least one film former other than the at least one polysaccharide resin. Non-limiting examples of the at least one film former include those listed at pages 1703 to 1706 of the CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 8^thEd. (2000). Other non-limiting examples of the at least one film former include anionic film formers and nonionic film formers. Further, other non-limiting examples the at least one film former include PVP/eicosene copolymer, PPG-17/DP/DMPA copolymer, PVP K-30. According to the present invention, the at least one film former, if present, may be present in an amount generally ranging from 0.1% to 10% of active material by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, such as from 0.05% to 20%. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the at least one film former according to the present invention may be commercially available, and may come from suppliers in the form of a dilute solution. The amounts of the at least one film former disclosed herein therefore reflect the weight percent of active material.

Amphiphilic Compound

The at least one heteropolymer and the at least one coloring agent can be combined with at least one amphiphilic compound that is liquid and non-volatile at room temperature and has a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) value of less than 12, for example, ranging from 1 to 8, and further for example, from 1 to 5. The at least one amphiphilic compound may impart at least one desired characteristic to the inventive composition, such as, for example, the at least one amphiphilic compound may reinforce structuring properties of the at least one heteropolymer, may facilitate the implementation of the heteropolymer, and may improve the ability of composition to be deposited.

Depending on the intended application, such as, for example, when a stick form is desired, hardness of the composition may also be considered. The hardness of a composition may, for example, be expressed in grams (g). The composition of the present invention may, for example, have a hardness ranging from 20 g to 2000 g, such as from 20 g to 900 g, and further such as from 20 g to 600 g.

This hardness is measured in one of two ways. A first test for hardness is according to a method of penetrating a probe into the composition and in particular using a texture analyzer (for example TA-XT2i from Rheo) equipped with an ebonite cylinder of height 25 mm and diameter 8 mm. The hardness measurement is carried out at 20° C. at the center of 5 samples of the composition. The cylinder is introduced into each sample of composition at a pre-speed of 2 mm/s and then at a speed of 0.5 mm/s and finally at a post-speed of 2 mm/s, the total displacement being 1 mm. The recorded hardness value is that of the maximum peak observed. The measurement error is ±50 g.

The second test for hardness is the “cheese wire” method, which involves cutting an 8.1 mm or 12.7 mm in diameter tube of composition and measuring its hardness at 20° C. using a DFGHS 2 tensile testing machine from Indelco-Chatillon Co. at a speed of 100 mm/minute. The hardness value from this method is expressed in grams as the shear force required to cut a stick under the above conditions. According to this method, the hardness of compositions according to the present invention which may be in stick form may, for example, range from 30 g to 300 g, such as from 30 g to 250 g, and further such as from 30 g to 200 g.

The hardness of the composition of the present invention may be such that the compositions are self-supporting and can easily disintegrate to form a satisfactory deposit on a keratinous material. In addition, this hardness may impart good impact strength to the inventive compositions which may be molded or cast, for example, in stick or dish form.

The skilled artisan may choose to evaluate a composition using at least one of the tests for hardness outlined above based on the application envisaged and the hardness desired. If one obtains an acceptable hardness value, in view of the intended application, from at least one of these hardness tests, the composition falls within the scope of the invention.

As is evident, the hardness of the composition according to the invention may, for example, be such that the composition is advantageously self-supporting and can disintegrate easily to form a satisfactory deposit on the skin and/or the lips and/or superficial body growths, such as keratinous fibers. In addition, with this hardness, the composition of the invention may have good impact strength.

According to the invention, the composition in stick form may have the behavior of a deformable, flexible elastic solid, giving noteworthy elastic softness on application. The compositions in stick form of the prior art do not have these properties of elasticity and flexibility.

The at least one amphiphilic compound which can be used in the composition of the invention may, for example, comprise a lipophilic part linked to a polar part, the lipophilic part comprising a carbon-based chain comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, for example from 18 to 32 carbon atoms or from 18 to 28 carbon atoms. The polar part of the at least one amphiphilic compound may, in one embodiment, be the residue of a compound chosen from alcohols and polyols comprising from 1 to 12 hydroxyl groups, and polyoxyalkylenes comprising at least 2 oxyalkylene units and comprising from 0 to 20 oxypropylene units and/or from 0 to 20 oxyethylene units. For example, the at least one amphiphilic compound may be an ester chosen from the hydroxystearates, oleates and isostearates of glycerol, of sorbitan and of methylglucose, and from branched C ₁₂to C₂₆fatty alcohols such as octyldodecanol. Among these esters, monoesters and mixtures of mono- and diesters can also be used.

The respective contents of the at least one coloring agent, the at least one polymer comprising a hetero atom and optionally that of at least one amphiphilic compound are chosen according to the desired hardness of the composition and as a function of the specific application envisaged. For example, the respective amounts of polymer, of coloring agent and of amphiphilic compound may be such that they produce a stick which can be worn down. In that case, the amount of the at least one polymer may be chosen from 0.5% to 80% of the total weight of the composition, for example from 2% to 60%, from 5% to 40%, and from 5% to 25%. The amount of at least one amphiphilic compound in practice, if it is present, may be chosen from 0.1% to 35% of the total weight of the composition, for example from 1% to 20% or from 1% to 15%.

The at least one coloring agent and/or the at least one heteropolymer may have an affinity with the fatty phase and in particular with a chemical portion of one of the oils forming the liquid fatty phase of the composition so that physical links with the oils, such as hydrogen bonds, or as above-mentioned are formed.

Other Ingredients

The composition of the present invention, in one embodiment, may comprise a physiologically acceptable medium. The composition may also further comprise at least one suitable additive commonly used in the field concerned chosen from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, plasticizers, antioxidants, essential oils, preserving agents, waxes, fragrances, neutralizing agents, liposoluble polymers, and cosmetically active agents and dermatological active agents such as, for example, anti-inflammatory agents, defoaming agents, emollients, moisturizers, vitamins, essential fatty acids, and sunscreens. The at least one additive is generally present in an amount ranging from 0% to 20% by weight of the total weight of the composition, such as from 0% to 10%.

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention further comprise at least one wax. Non-limiting examples of the at least one wax include carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, beeswax, Japan wax, cork fiber wax, sugar cane wax, olive wax, paraffin waxes, lignite wax, microcrystalline waxes, lanolin wax, montan wax, polyethylene waxes, waxes obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, silicone waxes, ozokerites, hydrogenated jojoba oil, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid ester glycerides. If present, the at least one wax is generally present at an amount of up to 3% relative to the total weight of the composition.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention without limiting the scope as a result.

EXAMPLES.

The following compositions were prepared and their gloss and color were evaluated.



	Inventive	Comparative
INCI Name	Composition	Composition

A
Preservative	1.40	1.40
Film Formers	7.40	7.40
Thickening agent	0.10	0.10
Humectant	2.00	2.00
Triethanolamine	1.50	1.50
Anti-foam agent	0.10	0.10
B
Waxes	10.75	17.02
Glyceryl Stearate	4.00	4.00
Stearic acid	3.00	3.00
Ethylenediamine/	6.27	—
Tall oil dimer acid/
Stearyl alcohol
copolymer
Black Pigment	6.00	6.00
C
Dimethicone	0.30	0.30
copolyol
Cyclopentasiloxane	2.00	2.00
Cyclopentasiloxane/	3.00	3.00
Dimethiconol
Fillers	3.00	3.00
Conditioning agents	0.70	0.70

The components of phase A, except for the pigment, were blended together in water and the mixture was heated to a temperature ranging from 90° C. to 95° C. Once the waxes had melted, the pigment was dispersed into the mixture with stirring. Separately, the components of phase B were blended together in water and the mixture was heated to a temperature ranging from 95° C. to 100° C. The two mixtures where then combined with agitation and the combination was homogenized. The combined mixture was then cooled to a temperature ranging from 60° C. to 65° C., and the components of phase C were added. [0124]
The gloss and the color of the inventive composition comprising at least one heteroatom (ethylenediamine/tall oil dimer acid/stearyl alcohol copolymer) and the comparative composition were evaluated and compared as follows. The gloss and the color of each of the compositions were visually evaluated by spreading a similar amount of each composition onto a piece of white paper. The color of the inventive composition was observed to be much more intense than the color of the comparative composition. Further, the inventive composition was observed to be much glossier than the comparative composition indicating greater dispersion of the pigment in the inventive composition. [0125]
The gloss, and thus the dispersion of the pigment, of each of the compositions was also evaluated by measuring the L value of each composition using a Minolta Chroma Meter CR-300. The L value of the inventive composition was 28.39, while the L value of the comparative composition was 29.99. As previously discussed, L defines the intensity of the shade which is proportionally more intense the lower the value of L (0=black, 100=white). Thus, the results demonstrate that the dispersion of the pigment was significantly better in the inventive composition comprising the at least one heteropolymer than in the comparative composition without the at least one heteropolymer. [0126]

Claims

what is claimed is:

1. A method for dispersing at least one coloring agent in a cosmetic composition comprising:

including in said cosmetic composition:

(i) at least one heteropolymer comprising:

a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom in an amount effective to disperse said at least one coloring agent.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one heteropolymer further comprises at least one of:

at least one terminal fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, wherein said at least one terminal fatty chain is bonded to said polymer skeleton via at least one linking group; and

at least one pendant fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, wherein said at least one pendant fatty chain is bonded to said polymer skeleton via at least one linking group.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise at least four carbon atoms.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise from 8 to 120 carbon atoms.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise from 12 to 68 carbon atoms.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said at least one linking group is chosen from direct bonds, urea groups, urethane groups, thiourea groups, thiourethane groups, thioether groups, thioester groups, ester groups, ether groups, and amine groups.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said at least one linking group is an ester group present in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% of the total number of all ester and hetero atom groups in the at least one heteropolymer.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said at least one linking group is an ester group present in an amount ranging from 20% to 35% of the total number of all ester and hetero atom groups in the at least one heteropolymer.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said at least one terminal fatty chain is functionalized.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein said at least one pendant fatty chain is functionalized.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein in said at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 40% to 98% relative to the total number of all repeating units and fatty chains in the at least one heteropolymer.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in said at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 50% to 95% relative to the total number of all repeating units and fatty chains in the at least one heteropolymer.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass of less than 100,000.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass of less than 50,000.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 1000 to 30,000.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 2000 to 20,000.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 2000 to 10,000.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprises from 2 to 80 carbon atoms.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprises from 2 to 60 carbon atoms.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit is chosen from linear saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, linear unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, branched saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, branched unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, cyclic saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, and cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one hetero atom of said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit is chosen from nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said at least one hetero atom is nitrogen.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said at least one hetero atom is combined with at least one atom chosen from oxygen and carbon to form a hetero atom group.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said at least one hetero atom group further comprises a carbonyl group.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is chosen from amide groups, carbamate groups, and urea groups.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is an amide group and said polymer skeleton is a polyamide skeleton.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is chosen from carbamate groups and urea groups and said polymer skeleton is chosen from polyurethane skeletons, polyurea skeletons, and polyurethane-polyurea skeletons.

28. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is chosen from polyamide polymers of formula (I):

in which:

n is an integer which represents the number of amide units such that the number of ester groups present in said at least one polyamide polymer ranges from 10% to 50% of the total number of all ester groups and all amide groups comprised in said at least one polyamide polymer;

R¹, which are identical or different, are each chosen from alkyl groups comprising at least 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl groups comprising at least 4 carbon atoms;

R², which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₄to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups with the proviso that at least 50% of all R²are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups;

R³, which are identical or different, are each chosen from organic groups comprising atoms chosen from carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, with the proviso that R³comprises at least 2 carbon atoms; and

R⁴, which are identical or different, are each chosen from hydrogen atoms, C₁to C₁₀alkyl groups and direct bonds to at least one group chosen from R³and another R⁴such that when said at least one group is chosen from another R⁴, the nitrogen atom to which both R³and R⁴are bonded forms part of a heterocyclic structure defined in part by R⁴—N—R³, with the proviso that at least 50% of all R⁴are chosen from hydrogen atoms.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein in said formula (I), n is an integer ranging from 1 to 5.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein in said formula (I), n is an integer ranging from 3 to 5.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein in said formula (I), said alkyl groups of R¹and said alkenyl groups of R¹each independently comprise from 4 to 24 carbon atoms.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein in said formula (I), R¹, which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₂to C₂₂alkyl groups.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein in said formula (I), R¹, which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₆to C₂₂alkyl groups.

34. The method according to claim 28, wherein in said formula (I), R², which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups with the proviso that at least 50% of all R²are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein at least 75% of all R², which are identical or different, are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

36. The method according to claim 28, wherein in said formula (I), R³, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from C₂to C₃₆hydrocarbon-based groups and polyoxyalkylene groups.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein R³, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from C₂to C₁₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

38. The method according to claim 28, wherein in said formula (I), R⁴, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from hydrogen atoms.

39. The method according to claim 28, wherein said at least one polymer of formula (I) is in the form of a mixture of polymers, wherein said mixture optionally also comprises a compound of formula (I) wherein n is equal to zero.

40. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point greater than 5020 C.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 65° C. to 190° C.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 70° C. to 130° C.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 80° C. to 105° C.

44. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from I % to 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

46. The method according to claim 45, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 2% to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

47. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cosmetic composition further comprises at least one liquid fatty phase.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase of the composition comprises at least one oil.

49. The method according to claim 47, wherein said at least one oil is chosen from at least one polar oil and at least one apolar oil.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein said at least one polar oil is chosen from:

hydrocarbon-based plant oils with a high content of triglycerides comprising fatty acid esters of glycerol in which the fatty acids comprise chains having from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, said chains optionally being chosen from linear saturated chains, linear unsaturated chains, branched saturated chains, and branched unsaturated chains;

synthetic oils of formula R₅COOR₆and synthetic esters of formula R₅COOR₆, in which R₅is chosen from linear fatty acid residues comprising from 1 to 40 carbon atoms and branched fatty acid residues comprising from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, and R₅+R₆≧10;

synthetic ethers comprising from 10 to 40 carbon atoms;

C₈to C₂₆fatty alcohols; and

C₈to C₂₆fatty acids.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein said at least one apolar oil is chosen from:

silicone oils chosen from linear volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature, linear non-volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature, cyclic volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature, and cyclic non-volatile polydimethylsiloxanes that are liquid at room temperature;

polydimethylsiloxanes comprising at least one group chosen from alkyl groups and alkoxy groups, wherein said alkyl groups and alkoxy groups are chosen from pendant groups and groups at the end of the silicone chain, and further wherein said alkyl groups and alkoxy groups each comprise from 2 to 24 carbon atoms;

phenylsilicones; and

hydrocarbons chosen from linear and branched, volatile and non-volatile hydrocarbons of synthetic and mineral origin.

52. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase comprises at least one non-volatile oil.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein said at least one non-volatile oil is chosen from hydrocarbon-based oils of mineral origin, hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin, hydrocarbon-based oils of synthetic origin, synthetic esters, synthetic ethers, and silicone oils.

54. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 95.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 10% to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 20% to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

58. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase comprises at least one volatile solvent chosen from hydrocarbon-based solvents and silicone solvents optionally comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups that are pendant or at the end of a silicone chain.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount up to 95.5% relative to the total weight of the composition.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount ranging from 2% to 75% relative to the total weight of the composition.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount ranging from 10% to 45% relative to the total weight of the composition.

62. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coloring agent is chosen from lipophilic dyes, hydrophilic dyes, pigments, and nacreous pigments.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein said pigments are chosen from white and colored pigments, which are chosen from inorganic and organic pigments, and coated and uncoated pigments.

64. The method according to claim 62, wherein said pigments are chosen from titanium dioxide, optionally surface-treated, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, manganese violet, ultramarine blue, chromium hydrate, and ferric blue.

65. The method according to claim 62, wherein said pigments are chosen from carbon black, D&C pigments, cochineal carmine lakes, barium lakes, strontium lakes, calcium lakes and aluminium lakes.

66. The method according to claim 62, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 50% relative to the total weight of the composition.

67. The method according to claim 66, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 40% relative to the total weight of the composition.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 2% to 30% relative to the total weight of the composition.

69. The method according to claim 62, wherein said nacreous pigments are chosen from white nacreous pigments and colored nacreous.

70. The method according to claim 62, wherein said nacreous pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% relative to the total weight of the composition

71. The method according to claim 70, wherein said nacreous pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 15% relative to the total weight of the composition.

72. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one polysaccharide resin.

73. The method according to claim 72, wherein said at least one polysaccharide resin is a colloidal suspension of highly modified starch particles.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein said highly modified starch particles have a diameter of 10 microns or less.

75. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one film former.

76. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is in a form chosen from a fluid gel, rigid gel, fluid simple emulsion, rigid simple emulsion, fluid multiple emulsion, and rigid multiple emulsion.

77. The method according to claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of a simple emulsion.

78. The method according to claim 77, wherein said emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion.

79. The method according to claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of a solid.

80. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fatty alcohol.

81. The method according to claim 80, wherein said at least one fatty alcohol is chosen from C₈to C₂₆fatty alcohols.

82. The method according to claim 81, wherein said at least one fatty alcohol is chosen from C₁₂to C₂₀fatty alcohols.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein said C₁₂to C₂₀fatty alcohols are chosen from myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol.

84. The method according to claim 80, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 15.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition

85. The method according to claim 84, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 10.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

86. The method according to claim 85, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 8.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

87. The method according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wax.

88. The method according to claim 87, wherein said at least one wax is chosen from carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, Japan wax, cork fiber wax, sugar cane wax, paraffin waxes, lignite wax, microcrystalline waxes, lanolin wax, montan wax, polyethylene waxes, waxes obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, silicone waxes, ozokerites, hydrogenated jojoba oil, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid ester glycerides.

89. The method according to claim 87, wherein said at least one wax is present at an amount of up to 3% relative to the total weight of said composition.

90. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 2000 g.

91. The method according to claim 90, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 900 g.

92. The method according to claim 91, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 600 g.

93. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cosmetic composition further comprises at least one additive chosen from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, plasticizers, antioxidants, essential oils, preserving agents, fragrances, neutralizing agents, liposoluble polymers, anti-inflammatory agents, defoaming agents, emollients, moisturizers, vitamins, essential fatty acids, and sunscreens.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein said at least one additive is present in an amount ranging from 0.001% to 20% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

95. The method according to claim 94, wherein said at least one additive is present in an amount ranging from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

96. A method of providing at least one property chosen from gloss and intense color to a cosmetic composition, comprising including in said cosmetic composition:

(i) at least one heteropolymer comprising:

a polymer skeleton which comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based

repeating unit comprising at least one hetero atom; and

(ii) at least one coloring agent,

wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in an amount effective to disperse said at least one coloring agent.

97. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one heteropolymer further comprises at least one of:

at least one terminal fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, wherein said at least one terminal fatty chain is bonded to said polymer skeleton via at least one linking group; and at least one pendant fatty chain chosen from alkyl chains and alkenyl chains, wherein said at least one pendant fatty chain is bonded to said polymer skeleton via at least one linking group.

98. The method according to claim 97, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise at least four carbon atoms.

99. The method according to claim 98, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise from 8 to 120 carbon atoms.

100. The method according to claim 99, wherein said alkyl chains and said alkenyl chains each comprise from 12 to 68 carbon atoms.

101. The method according to claim 97, wherein said at least one linking group is chosen from direct bonds, urea groups, urethane groups, thiourea groups, thiourethane groups, thioether groups, thioester groups, ester groups, ether groups, and amine groups.

102. The method according to claim 101, wherein said at least one linking group is an ester group present in an amount ranging from 15% to 40% of the total number of all ester and hetero atom groups in the at least one heteropolymer.

103. The method according to claim 102, wherein said at least one linking group is an ester group present in an amount ranging from 20% to 35% of the total number of all ester and hetero atom groups in the at least one heteropolymer.

104. The method according to claim 97, wherein said at least one terminal fatty chain is functionalized.

105. The method according to claim 97, wherein said at least one pendant fatty chain is functionalized.

106. The method according to claim 97, wherein in said at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 40% to 98% relative to the total number of all repeating units and fatty chains in the at least one heteropolymer.

107. The method according to claim 106, wherein in said at least one heteropolymer, the percentage of the total number of fatty chains ranges from 50% to 95% relative to the total number of all repeating units and fatty chains in the at least one heteropolymer.

108. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass of less than 100,000.

109. The method according to claim 108, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass of less than 50,000.

110. The method according to claim 109, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 1000 to 30,000.

111. The method according to claim 110, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 2000 to 20,000.

112. The method according to claim 111, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a weight-average molecular mass ranging from 2000 to 10,000.

113. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprises from 2 to 80 carbon atoms.

114. The method according to claim 113, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit comprises from 2 to 60 carbon atoms.

115. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit is chosen from linear saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, linear unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, branched saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, branched unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, cyclic saturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units, and cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon-based repeating units.

116. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one hetero atom of said at least one hydrocarbon-based repeating unit is chosen from nitrogen, sulphur, and phosphorus.

117. The method according to claim 116, wherein said at least one hetero atom is nitrogen.

118. The method according to claim 116, wherein said at least one hetero atom is combined with at least one atom chosen from oxygen and carbon to form a hetero atom group.

119. The method according to claim 118, wherein said at least one hetero atom group further comprises a carbonyl group.

120. The method according to claim 118, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is chosen from amide groups, carbamate groups, and urea groups.

121. The method according to claim 120, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is an amide group and said polymer skeleton is a polyamide skeleton.

122. The method according to claim 120, wherein said at least one hetero atom group is chosen from carbamate groups and urea groups and said polymer skeleton is chosen from polyurethane skeletons, polyurea skeletons, and polyurethane-polyurea skeletons.

123. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is chosen from polyamide polymers of formula (I):

in which:

124. The method according to claim 123, wherein in said formula (I), n is an integer ranging from 1 to 5.

125. The method according to claim 124, wherein in said formula (I), n is an integer ranging from 3 to 5.

126. The method according to claim 123, wherein in said formula (I), said alkyl groups of R¹and said alkenyl groups of R¹each independently comprise from 4 to 24 carbon atoms.

127. The method according to claim 126, wherein in said formula (I), R¹, which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₂to C₂₂alkyl groups.

128. The method according to claim 127, wherein in said formula (I), R², which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₆to C₂₂alkyl groups.

129. The method according to claim 123, wherein in said formula (I), R², which are identical or different, are each chosen from C₁₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups with the proviso that at least 50% of all R²are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

130. The method according to claim 129, wherein at least 75% of all R², which are identical or different, are chosen from C₃₀to C₄₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

131. The method according to claim 123, wherein in said formula (I), R³, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from C₂to C₃₆hydrocarbon-based groups and polyoxyalkylene groups.

132. The method according to claim 131, wherein R³, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from C₂to C₁₂hydrocarbon-based groups.

133. The method according to claim 123, wherein in said formula (I), R⁴, which can be identical or different, are each chosen from hydrogen atoms.

134. The method according to claim 123, wherein said at least one polymer of formula (I) is in the form of a mixture of polymers, wherein said mixture optionally also comprises a compound of formula (I) wherein n is equal to zero.

135. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point greater than 50° C.

136. The method according to claim 135, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 65° C. to 190° C.

137. The method according to claim 136, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 70° C. to 130° C.

138. The method according to claim 137, wherein said at least one heteropolymer has a softening point ranging from 80° C. to 105° C.

139. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

140. The method according to claim 139, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 1% to 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

141. The method according to claim 140, wherein said at least one heteropolymer is present in the composition in an amount ranging from 2% to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

142. The method according to claim 96, wherein said cosmetic composition further comprises at least one liquid fatty phase.

143. The method according to claim 142, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase of the composition comprises at least one oil.

144. The method according to claim 142, wherein said at least one oil is chosen from at least one polar oil and at least one apolar oil.

145. The method according to claim 144, wherein said at least one polar oil is chosen from:

synthetic ethers comprising from 10 to 40 carbon atoms;

C₈to C₂₆fatty alcohols; and

C₈to C₂₆fatty acids.

146. The method according to claim 144, wherein said at least one apolar oil is chosen from:

phenylsilicones; and

147. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase comprises at least one non-volatile oil.

148. The method according to claim 147, wherein said at least one non-volatile oil is chosen from hydrocarbon-based oils of mineral origin, hydrocarbon-based oils of plant origin, hydrocarbon-based oils of synthetic origin, synthetic esters, synthetic ethers, and silicone oils.

149. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 1% to 99% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

150. The method according to claim 149, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 5% to 95.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

151. The method according to claim 150, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 10% to 80% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

152. The method according to claim 151, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase is present in an amount ranging from 20% to 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

153. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one liquid fatty phase comprises at least one volatile solvent chosen from hydrocarbon-based solvents and silicone solvents optionally comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups that are pendant or at the end of a silicone chain.

154. The method according to claim 153, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount up to 95.5% relative to the total weight of the composition.

155. The method according to claim 154, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount ranging from 2% to 75% relative to the total weight of the composition.

156. The method according to claim 155, wherein said at least one volatile solvent is present in an amount ranging from 10% to 45% relative to the total weight of the composition.

157. The method according to claim 96, wherein said at least one coloring agent is chosen from lipophilic dyes, hydrophilic dyes, pigments, and nacreous pigments.

158. The method according to claim 157, wherein said pigments are chosen from white pigments and colored pigments, which are chosen from inorganic and organic pigments, and coated and uncoated pigments.

159. The method according to claim 157, wherein said pigments are chosen from titanium dioxide, optionally surface-treated, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, manganese violet, ultramarine blue, chromium hydrate, and ferric blue.

160. The method according to claim 157, wherein said pigments are chosen from carbon black, D&C pigments, cochineal carmine lakes, barium lakes, strontium lakes, calcium lakes, and aluminium lakes.

161. The method according to claim 157, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 50% relative to the total weight of the composition.

162. The method according to claim 161, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 40% relative to the total weight of the composition.

163. The method according to claim 162, wherein said pigments are present in an amount ranging from 2% to 30% relative to the total weight of the composition.

164. The method according to claim 157, wherein said nacreous pigments are chosen from white nacreous pigments and colored nacreous.

165. The method according to claim 157, wherein said nacreous pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% relative to the total weight of the composition

166. The method according to claim 165, wherein said nacreous pigments are present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 15% relative to the total weight of the composition.

167. The method according to claim 96, further comprising at least one polysaccharide resin.

168. The method according to claim 167, wherein said at least one polysaccharide resin is a colloidal suspension of highly modified starch particles.

169. The method according to claim 168, wherein said highly modified starch particles have a diameter of 10 microns or less.

170. The method according to claim 96, further comprising at least one film former.

171. The method according to claim 96, wherein the composition is in a form chosen from a fluid gel, rigid gel, fluid simple emulsion, rigid simple emulsion, fluid multiple emulsion, and rigid multiple emulsion.

172. The method according to claim 96, wherein said composition is in the form of a simple emulsion.

173. The method according to claim 172, wherein said emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion.

174. The method according to claim 96, wherein said composition is in the form of a solid.

175. The method according to claim 96, further comprising at least one fatty alcohol.

176. The method according to claim 175, wherein said at least one fatty alcohol is chosen from C₈to C₂₆fatty alcohols.

177. The method according to claim 176, wherein said at least one fatty alcohol is chosen from C₁₂to C₂₀fatty alcohols.

178. The method according to claim 177, wherein said C₁₂to C₂₀fatty alcohols are chosen from myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol.

179. The method according to claim 175, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 15.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition

180. The method according to claim 179, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 10.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

181. The method according to claim 180, wherein the at least one fatty alcohol is present in an amount ranging from 0.5% to 8.0% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

182. The method according to claim 96, further comprising at least one wax.

183. The method according to claim 182, wherein said at least one wax is chosen from carnauba wax, candelilla wax, ouricury wax, Japan wax, cork fiber wax, sugar cane wax, paraffin waxes, lignite wax, microcrystalline waxes, lanolin wax, montan wax, polyethylene waxes, waxes obtained by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, silicone waxes, ozokerites, hydrogenated jojoba oil, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid ester glycerides.

184. The method according to claim 182, wherein said at least one wax is present at an amount of up to 3% relative to the total weight of said composition.

185. The method according to claim 96, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 2000 g.

186. The method according to claim 185, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 900 g.

187. The method according to claim 186, wherein said cosmetic composition has a hardness ranging from 20 g to 600 g.

188. The method according to claim 96, wherein said cosmetic composition further comprises at least one additive chosen from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, plasticizers, antioxidants, essential oils, preserving agents, fragrances, neutralizing agents, liposoluble polymers, anti-inflammatory agents, defoaming agents, emollients, moisturizers, vitamins, essential fatty acids, and sunscreens.

189. The method according to claim 188, wherein said at least one additive is present in an amount ranging from 0.001% to 20% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

190. The method according to claim 189, wherein said at least one additive is present in an amount ranging from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total weight of the composition.