Quaternized polymers; process for preparing the same; and cosmetic compositions containing the same

A process for the permanent waving of hair comprising in a first stage reducing the S--S bonds of the keratin of hair by applying a reducing composition to the hair and in a second stage reforming said bonds by applying to the hair a composition comprising an oxidizing agent in an amount effective to reform S--S bonds of keratin of hair previously reduced in said first stage and a quaternized polymer having recurring units of the formula ##STR28## wherein R'.sub.2 is an aliphatic radical having a maximum of 20 carbon atoms,

• R'.sub.1 is alkyl containing 2-20 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 5 or 6 carbon atoms or phenylalkyl wherein the alkyl moiety has 1-3 carbon atoms or R'.sub.1 and R'.sub.2 together represent a polymethylene radical having 4 or 5 carbon atoms or --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --,
• A is a divalent group of the formula ##STR29## wherein x, y and t are whole numbers ranging from 0 to 11 such that the sum x, y and t is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 18, and E and K represent hydrogen,
• B represents a divalent group of the formula ##STR30## --CH.sub.2 --CHOH--CH.sub.2 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or ##STR31## wherein D and G represent hydrogen and v, z and u are whole numbers ranging from 0 to 11, with two of v, z and u simultaneously being capable of being 0, such that the sum of v, z and u is greater than or equal to 1 and lower than 18, and such that the sum of v, z and u is greater than 1 when the sum of x, y and t is equal to 0, and n is a whole number equal to 2 or 3, and
• X.sup..crclbar. is an anion derived from an organic or mineral acid,
• said quaternized polymer being present in an amount between 0.25 and 10 percent by weight of said composition.