Described herein is a hair treatment composition for the hair. The hair treatment composition includes one or more fluorescent compounds and one or more additional ingredients. The one or more fluorescent compounds each include a fluorophore, one or two permanent cations, and one to four incipient cations. The one to four incipient cations are pendant to the core structure and are neutral. The one or more fluorescent compounds enter the hair shaft after the hair treatment composition is applied to the hair. The hair treatment composition has a pH of from about 7 to about 11.