A composition comprising a compound of the formula (I) wherein the dashed bonds represent a single or double bond； R and R' are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl that may be substituted； X is selected from the group consisting of a halide, a halide containing group or a hydrogen； y is 0 or 1, x is 0 or 1 and x and y are not both 1 or not both 0； or a salt thereof. Compositions for topical application and methods of topical application of a composition to modify hair are also described wherein the modification includes increased curl of hair on a subject or hair that is not biologically attached to or is not naturally a part of a subject (e.g., hair of a wig or extension) ("non-natural hair"). In another embodiment, the modification includes increased curl of the hair together with conditioning hair and/or cosmetically improving the appearance or beauty of the hair (e.g., increased look and feel of softness and silkiness). Thus, the compositions described may be applied to existing hair on the scalp or eyelashes or non-natural hair to increase the curl and/or the look and feel of the hair. In one embodiment, a composition includes an effective amount of a compound (molecule) represented by the following formula (II) wherein the dashed bonds represent a single or double bond and when a bond in either chain is a double bond, cis or trans configuration is contemplated； wherein A and B are individually selected from a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a halogen atom (e.g., a fluorine atom), with the proviso that when one of A and B is a hydroxyl group, the other of A and B is a hydrogen atom and when one of A and B is a halogen atom, the other of A and B is a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom； wherein Z is a cycloalkyl moiety having from three to seven carbon atoms, an aryl moiety including from four to ten carbon atoms or a heteroaryl moiety including three to nine carbon atoms and at least one he
