The present invention concerns a composition and process for the permanent shaping of human hair used both for the permanent waving of human hair with an excellent waving effect as well as for the straightening of either naturally or chemically curled hair wherein optimum hair conditioning is observed. The first object of the present invention is a composition for permanent shaping and/or straightening hair based on at least one reducing agent further comprising dispersed particles of at least one water insoluble polymer. Further object of the present invention is a process for permanent shaping hair wherein hair is washed or shampooed or made wet and applied a composition comprising at least one reducing agent dispersed particles of at least one water insoluble polymer and processed for 1 to 30 min and rinsed off from hair and subsequently a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent is applied and after processing of 1 to 30 min optionally rinsed off from hair.
