This invention relates to a novel ion-pair delivery system useful for gender and ethnic background selective hair care and nail care applications in which an electron donor composition and an electron acceptor composition, or a proton donor composition and a proton acceptor composition, or an anionic and a cationic composition, are combined synergistically. The bioavailability, deposition, functional performance, and consumer aesthetics of the compositions thus combined in such ion-pairs are enhanced synergistically. Hair care compositions, such as shampoo, conditioner, hair lotion, hair oil, hair gel, hair sheen, hair rinse, hair balm, hair wax, hair spray, and such, and nail care compositions, such as nail enamel, nail creams, nail serums, nail lacquers, nail spray, and nail polish, and such, can thus be obtained with synergistically enhanced performance.