Disclosed are inverse emulsions for the preparation of cosmetic formulations wherein the weight ratio between the aqueous phase and the organic phase is from 4:1 and 2:1 and containing Ron 20 to 70% buy weight of an acrylic polymer obtained by inverse emulsion polymerisation of from 55 to 75% by weight of an anionic acrylic monomer containing a strongly acidic functional group; Ron 0.1 to 5% by weight of a cationic acrylic monomer if 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; from 25 to 45% by weight of a C3-C5 anionic acrylic monomer containing a carboxylic group. Also disclosed is the procedure for their preparation.