The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions that comprise: a) a safe and effective amount of a three membered functional cyclic bonding agent having the structure ##STR1## wherein X represents a cosmetic benefit agent that may or may not be attached to a chemical linker and Y represents O, NH, S, or Se; and b) a cosmetically acceptable carrier for the bonding agent wherein the composition is administered topically to mammalian proteinaceous substrates and wherein the bonding agent reacts with a protein contained in the substrate such that the bonding agent, and thus the cosmetic benefit agent, is covalently attached to the substrate. The invention further relates to methods of using the compositions described above as well as various products that include the claimed compositions.