Novel hair cosmetic compositions comprise 0.1 to 20 wt°r° of an amphoteric polymer which is soluble in an aqueous 10 wt% sodium chloride solution and insoluble in water at a concentration of 0.1 wt% at 20°C, and 0.1 to 30 wt% of a water-soluble inorganic salt. The hair cosmetic compositions have good properties in terms of hair style formation and retention, and are free from objectionable feel such as stickiness. Thus, the compositions will be expected to have wide utility irrespective of the sexes and ages.