PEL-FIX 123 facilitates the penetration into the hair shaft of water soluble and cationic dyes suitable for semi-permanent and temporary hair colors. It also improves the hair substantivity of those materials with a cationic silicone polymer. PEL-FIX 123 allows for the uniform deposition of colors on each strand of hair, even damaged hair. PEL-FIX 123 is a blend of benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol and Quaternium-80, a quaternary functional polydimethylsiloxane. Benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol swell the hair shaft and allow penetration by the Quaternium-80 which improves color retention. Additionally, Quaternium-80 is an excellent hair conditioning active.