Use of cationic preparations

1. A process for treating hair comprising contacting the hair with a composition consisting of:

(a) a cationic surfactant component consisting of:

(i) a quaternized fatty acid amidoamine of formula (I):

wherein, R 1 CO is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen or an optionally hydroxysubstituted alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R 4 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A is a linear or branched alkylene group containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1 or 2, and X represents halide, alkyl sulfate or alkyl phosphate; and

(ii) a non-quaternized fatty acid amidoamine;

(b) a conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, and mixtures thereof, and

(c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of mild surfactants, oil components, emulsifiers, pearlizing waxes, consistency factors, thickeners, superfatting agents, stabilizers, polymers, fats, waxes, lecithins, phospholipids, biogenic agents, UV protection factors, antioxidants, deodorizers, antiperspirants, film formers, swelling agents, insect repellents, self-tanning agents, depigmenting agents, hydrotropes, preservatives, perfume oils, and dyes;

wherein said quaternized fatty acid amidoamine and said non-quaternized fatty acid amidoamine are present in the cationic surfactant component in a ratio by weight of from about 75:25 to 25:75.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said quaternized fatty acid amidoamine and said non-quaternized fatty acid amidoamine are present in the cationic surfactant component in a ratio by weight of from about 60:40 to 40:60.

3. A process for treating hair comprising contacting the hair with a composition consisting of:

(a) a cationic surfactant component consisting of:

(i) a quaternized fatty acid amidoamine of formula (I):

wherein, R 1 CO is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen or an optionally hydroxysubstituted alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R 4 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, A is a linear or branched alkylene group containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms, n is 1 or 2, and X represents halide, alkyl sulfate or alkyl phosphate; and

(ii) a non-quaternized fatty acid amidoamine;

(b) a conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, and mixtures thereof with a fatty alcohol, and

(c) one or more components selected from the group consisting of mild surfactants, oil components, emulsifiers, pearlizing waxes, consistency factors, thickeners, superfatting agents, stabilizers, polymers, fats, waxes, lecithins, phospholipids, biogenic agents, UV protection factors, antioxidants, deodorizers, antiperspirants, film formers, swelling agents, insect repellents, self-tanning agents, depigmenting agents, hydrotropes, preservatives, perfume oils, and dyes;

wherein (a) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 90:10 to 10:90.

4. The process of claim 3 wherein (a) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 35:65 to 50:50.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein said composition is transparent.

6. The process of claim 3 , wherein said composition is transparent.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein said oil components include one or more silicone oils, and wherein said composition is stable and does not separate.

8. The process of claim 3 , wherein said oil components include one or more silicone oils, and wherein said composition is stable and does not separate.