Oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions and microemulsions containing elastomeric silanes or siloxanes preferably having quaternary ammonium groups are generally made by reacting organic quaternary ammonium compounds having epoxide groups or halohydrin groups, with silanes or siloxanes having amino groups. The reaction is carried out in an aqueous polar phase containing a crosslinking agent and surfactant. The emulsions and microemulsions are especially useful for treating hair, skin, or the underarm.