A cosmetic material for the temporary shaping of keratin-containing fibers, especially of human hair, comprises, based upon the total weight: (a) about 0.05 to about 2.0% by weight of chitosan or a chitosan derivative (b) about 0.05 to about 2.0% by weight of a C1-C4 carboxylic acid (c) 0.05 to 4.0% by weight of a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer where the cosmetic composition is free of: vinyl acetate/vinylpyrrolidone copolymer and cationic cellulose compounds, which result from the reaction of hydroxyethylcellulose with a dimethyldiallylammonium reactant, especially with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride or is free of vinyl acetate / vinylpyrrolidone copolymer and N-methylvinylimidazole / vinylpyrrolidone copolymer. Preferably, the composition also contains 0.05 to 2.0% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant, from the group comprising addition products of 30 to 60 moles of ethylene oxide and castor oil and hydrogenated castor oil, such as PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil. The composition may also comprise 0.05 to 5% by weight of a cationic surfactant. The composition may be used for improving curl retention, particularly in humid conditions.
