A hair treatment formulation comprises a plurality of composite nanoparticles in solution. The composite nanoparticles are specifically prepared having an inner core, comprising at least one protein, an intermediate starch-thiolate layer, and an outer layer comprising chitosan or modified chitosan. At least one treatment component is embedded in at least one of the inner core, intermediate layer, or outer layer. A method of preparing a hair treatment formulation comprising composite nanoparticles is disclosed along with a method of use of a hair treatment formulation comprising a plurality of composite nanoparticles.