Inverse emulsions useful for the preparation of cosmetic formulations can be prepared wherein the weight ratio between the aqueous phase and the organic phase is from 4:1 and 2:1 and containing from 20 to 70% by weight of an acrylic polymer obtained by inverse emulsion polymerisation of i. from 55 to 75% by weight of an anionic acrylic monomer containing a strongly acidic functional group; ii. from 0.1 to 5% by weight of a cationic acrylic monomer of the formula (I) wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2, R3, R4 are, one independently of the others, hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; Y is NH or O; A is a C1-C6 alkylene; iii. from 25 to 45% by weight of a C3-C5 anionic acrylic monomer containing a carboxylic group.