Aspects of hair styling instruments and methods for styling hair into waves and curls have been provided herein. In one embodiment, a system for styling hair includes one or more cases for receiving hair therein, the one or more cases including a base having at least a bottom, a center, and an outer annular wall; and a lid coupleable with the base; wherein the lid and the base form a volume for receiving the hair and wherein at least the bottom of the base and an indented upper portion of the lid each include a plurality of openings to allow flow of air and liquids through the case; and a stand, the stand comprising a base; a center piece extending upward from the base, the center piece configured to receive the one or more cases thereon; and a heating element.

A method and apparatus for styling hair using an apparatus preferably shaped as a hand having finger like elements that are flexible and can be separated from each so that a strand of hair can be inserted in between two of the finger like elements so that the strand is held in place as its being braided. The apparatus is mounted on a base with a clamp for securing the apparatus to a chair, table or other surface to keep the apparatus in place during the braiding of each strand of hair being braided. In another embodiment the apparatus can have three flexible elements that are generally upwardly extending from supporting surface such as a hand like or other structure so that two strands can be placed in between the places between the two end elements and the middle element for braiding.

A method and apparatus for styling hair using an apparatus preferably shaped as a hand having finger like elements that are flexible and can be separated from each so that a strand of hair can be inserted in between two of the finger like elements so that the strand is held in place as its being braided. The apparatus is mounted on a base with a clamp for securing the apparatus to a chair, table or other surface to keep the apparatus in place during the braiding of each strand of hair being braided. In another embodiment the apparatus can have three flexible elements that are generally upwardly extending from supporting surface such as a hand like or other structure so that two strands can be placed in between the places between the two end elements and the middle element for braiding.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising: one or more dicarbonyl derivatives corresponding to formula (I) below, and/or derivatives thereof and/or hydrates thereof and/or salts thereof:

##STR00001##

in which formula (I) R═H, COOH, linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl which is optionally substituted with an OH or COOH or Br radical; phenyl or benzyl optionally substituted with an OH or COOH radical; or alternatively an indolyl radical or

##STR00002## one or more silanes corresponding to formula (II) below and/or oligomers thereof:

R.sub.1Si(OR.sub.2).sub.z(R.sub.3).sub.x(OH).sub.y  (II)

in which formula (II): R.sub.1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or acyclic C.sub.1-C.sub.6 hydrocarbon-based chain substituted with a group chosen from the following groups: amine NH.sub.2 or NHR (R═C.sub.1-C.sub.20 and especially C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl optionally substituted with a radical comprising a silicon atom, C.sub.3-C.sub.40 cycloalkyl or C.sub.6-C.sub.30 aromatic), or with a hydroxyl group, a thiol group, an aryl or aryloxy group which is unsubstituted or substituted, in particular with an amino group or with a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 aminoalkyl group; R.sub.1 possibly being interrupted with a heteroatom (O, S or NH) or a carbonyl group (CO), R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, which may be identical or different, represent a linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, y denotes an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and z denotes an integer ranging from 0 to 3, and x denotes an integer ranging from 0 to 2,
with z+x+y=3.

The invention also relates to a process for straightening keratin fibers, especially the hair, using the compounds of formulae (I) and (II) with a straightening step using a straightening iron at a temperature of at least 150° C., preferably ranging from 150 to 250° C.

A hair styler generally comprises an upper arm, a lower arm, and a hinge. The upper arm includes an upper grip and an upper clamp head. The upper clamp head includes an upper hair contact surface. The upper hair contact surface is twisted relative to the upper grip. The lower arm includes a lower grip and a lower clamp head. The lower clamp head includes a lower hair contact surface. The lower hair contact surface is twisted relative to the lower grip. The hinge attaches the upper and lower arms together such that the upper and lower arms are openable and closeable relative to one another. The hair styler is configured to receive hair between the upper and lower hair contact surfaces when the hair styler is in a closed position.

The present invention relates to a hair straightening apparatus having two arms pivotably coupled together and a heating plate on a facing side of at least one arm. A central pack disposed between the first arm and the second arm and coupled to the hair styling apparatus at the hinge end and a biasing means adapted to support the central pack symmetrically between the first arm and the second arm.

The present invention relates to a hair straightening apparatus having two arms pivotably coupled together and a heating plate on a facing side of at least one arm. A central pack disposed between the first arm and the second arm and coupled to the hair styling apparatus at the hinge end and a biasing means adapted to support the central pack symmetrically between the first arm and the second arm.

A rechargeable hair styling tool may be plugged into an electrical outlet to enable charging of each battery and operation of the hair styling tool. Electronics of the hair styling tool may enable it to alternately operate under power from the battery or batteries (i.e., stored power) while the hair styling tool is unplugged from an electrical outlet (e.g., a wall socket, etc.) and under power of an external source of electricity while the hair styling tool is plugged into the electrical outlet. Each heating element of such a rechargeable hair styling tool may be heated when the hair styling tool is plugged in and, once each heating element has been heated to a sufficient temperature, continue to function under power supplied by the battery or batteries of the rechargeable hair styling tool.

A hairstyling support device is provided. The device includes a frame having a front panel integrally affixed to a rear panel via a plurality of supports disposed about a perimeter of each of the front and rear panels. A plurality of openings are disposed through the front panel in a grid pattern. At least one telescopic panel is disposed within the front panel, wherein the telescopic panel is selectively movable between a stored position and a deployed position. The telescopic panel includes a secondary plurality of openings therethrough. A plurality of pegs is securable within the plurality of openings. A lighting system is disposed between the front panel and the rear panel, wherein the lighting system illuminates one or more of the plurality of openings when activated.

A hairstyling support device is provided. The device includes a frame having a front panel integrally affixed to a rear panel via a plurality of supports disposed about a perimeter of each of the front and rear panels. A plurality of openings are disposed through the front panel in a grid pattern. At least one telescopic panel is disposed within the front panel, wherein the telescopic panel is selectively movable between a stored position and a deployed position. The telescopic panel includes a secondary plurality of openings therethrough. A plurality of pegs is securable within the plurality of openings. A lighting system is disposed between the front panel and the rear panel, wherein the lighting system illuminates one or more of the plurality of openings when activated.