CARSON INC
8-K/A, 1997-07-14
PERFUMES, COSMETICS & OTHER TOILET PREPARATIONS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 Current Report

      Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)            April 30, 1997


                      Commission file number 1-12271

================================================================================
                              CARSON, INC.
================================================================================
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                  06-1428605
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
            or organization)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification
                                                             Number)

                     64 Ross Road, Savannah Industrial Park
                             Savannah, Georgia 31405
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (912) 651-3400






<PAGE>

Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

     During March 1997,  the Company  entered into an Asset  Purchase  Agreement
with  Conopco,  Inc.  d/b/a  Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co. in order to acquire the
rights  to  manufacture  and  market  Cutex in the  United  States  (the  "Cutex
acquisition").  Cutex is the leading brand of nail polish  remover and is also a
line of nail enamels.  The purchase price  approximated  $41.4 million including
amounts paid to  Chesebrough-Pond's  of $37.5 million,  inventory  acquired from
Chesebrough-Pond's of $600,000 and inventory acquired from Jean Phillipe of $3.3
million.  In addition,  the Company incurred debt related  acquisition  costs of
$2.6  million and other  direct  aquisition  fees and  expenses of $1.4  million
including  an  allowance  for  returned  goods and a reserve for  obsolete  Jean
Phillipe inventory.  This acquisition is accounted for under the purchase method
of  accounting.  Funds  were  provided  by  additional  long-term  debt  and the
transaction was completed on April 30, 1997.

     During March 1997, the Company entered into an Asset  Repurchase  Agreement
with Jean  Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc.  Immediately  upon  execution of the Jean
Philippe Repurchase agreement on April 30, 1997, the license agreement with Jean
Philippe Fragrances,  Inc. was terminated.  On April 30, 1997 in connection with
the termination of the license agreement between Conopco, Inc. and Jean Philippe
Fragrances,  Inc. by Carson as  successor in interest to Conopco,  Inc.,  Carson
acquired certain assets of Jean Philippe Fragrances, Inc. used in the packaging,
distributing and selling of nail enamel and nail care treatment  products,  nail
care  implements and lipstick under the trademark Cutex in the United States and
Puerto Rico.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

     (a) Financial  Statements of Business  Acquired - The Cutex Brands of
         Chesebrough-Ponds USA Co. -

          (1)  The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. Financial 
               Statements as of December 31, 1996 and 1995

               a)   Report of Independent Accountants

               b)   Statement of Net Assets Sold as of December 31, 1996 and 
                    1995.

               c)   Statements  of Net  Sales,  Cost of Sales  and  Direct  
                    Operating Expenses for the years ended December 31, 1996 
                    and 1995.

               d)   Notes to Financial Statements

          (2)  The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. Financial 
               Statements as of March 31, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited)

               a)   Report of Independent Accountants

               b)   Statement of Net Assets Sold as of March 31, 1997 and 1996.

               c)   Statements  of Net  Sales,  Cost of Sales  and  Direct  
                    Operating Expenses for the three-month period ended 
                    March 31, 1997 and 1996.

               d)   Notes to Financial Statements


     (b) Pro Forma Financial  Information -

          (1)  Carson, Inc. Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet
               (unaudited) March 31, 1997

          (2)  Carson, Inc. Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of
               Operations (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and 
               for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

          (3)  Notes to Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information.


     (c)  Exhibits

     10.1 Asset Purchase  Agreement dated as of March 27, 1997 between  Conopco,
Inc. d/b/a Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. and Carson.

     10.2 Asset  Repurchase  Agreement  dated as of March 27, 1997  between Jean
Philippe Fragrances, Inc. and Carson.

<PAGE>


                              SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                                CARSON, INC.

                                                By:  /s/  Robert W. Pierce
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     Executive Vice President
                                                     and Chief Financial Officer



                                                Date:  July 14, 1997
                                                       -------------------------

<PAGE>

     (a) Financial  Statements of Business  Acquired - The Cutex Brands of
         Chesebrough-Ponds USA Co. -

         (1)  The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. Financial 
               Statements as of December 31, 1996 and 1995






                               THE CUTEX BRANDS of

                           CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                        As of December 31, 1996 and 1995







<PAGE>



                    Report of Independent Accountants


To the Board of Directors of
Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.


     We have audited the accompanying  statement of net assets sold of the Cutex
brands of  Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
statement of net sales, cost of sales and direct operating  expenses for each of
the two years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These financial  statements
are  the  responsibility  of  Chesebrough-Pond's   USA  Co.'s  management.   Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit  also  includes  examining,  on a test  basis,  evidence
supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial  statements.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by  management,  as well as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement
presentation.  We believe  that our audits  provide a  reasonable  basis for our
opinion.

     The  accompanying  financial  statements  were  prepared to present the net
assets sold of the Cutex brands, pursuant to the purchase agreement described in
Note 1, and the net sales,  cost of sales and direct  operating  expenses of the
Cutex  brands and are not  intended to be a complete  presentation  of the Cutex
brands' financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above, present fairly,
in all material respects,  the net assets sold of the Cutex brands,  pursuant to
the purchase  agreement referred to in Note 1, as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,
and the net sales,  cost of sales and direct operating  expenses for each of the
two years in the period ended  December 31, 1996, in conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.





Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Stamford, Connecticut
July 14, 1997



<PAGE>


The Cutex Brands of CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.
Statement of Net Assets Sold (Note 1)
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995
(Dollars in thousands)




ASSETS:                              1996                    1995
                               ----------------        ----------------


Inventory                      $       722             $       641
                                ---------------        ----------------

LIABILITIES:

Sales returns reserve                  145                     162

Commitments and contingencies
                               ----------------        -----------------
Total net assets sold         $        577            $        479
                               ================        =================


































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>


The Cutex Brands of CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.
Statements of Net Sales, Cost of Sales and Direct Operating
Expenses (Note 1)
For the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995
(Dollars in thousands)




                                          1996                    1995
                                   -----------------        -----------------


Net product sales                   $    18,216             $     15,703

Net royalty revenues                        638                    1,255
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Net sales                                18,854                   16,958

Cost of sales                             9,950                    8,423
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Gross profit                              8,904                    8,535

Direct operating expenses                   870                      861
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Excess of net sales over cost of 
     sales and direct operating 
     expenses                      $      8,034            $       7,674
                                   =================        =================






















































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)


1.   Background and Basis of Presentation

     Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co.  ("CPUSA"  or the  "Company")  is a division of
Conopco,  Inc., a wholly owned  subsidiary of Unilever United States Inc., which
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever N.V.

     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared for the purpose of
presenting  the net assets  sold of the Cutex  brands of CPUSA,  pursuant to the
Asset Purchase  Agreement (the  "Agreement")  dated as of March 27, 1997 between
CPUSA and Carson, Inc. (the "Buyer") and its net sales, cost of sales and direct
operating  expenses for each of the two years in the period  ended  December 31,
1996.  The  transaction  was  consummated  on April 30, 1997  ("Closing  Date").
Pursuant  to the  Agreement,  CPUSA sold to the Buyer  certain  assets used with
respect to the Cutex brands,  including all  inventories of finished nail polish
remover  products,  a license  agreement  (see Note 6) dated as of May 31,  1994
between CPUSA and Jean Philippe Fragrances,  Inc. ("Jean Philippe"), as amended,
intangible  rights and other assets  directly  related to the Cutex  brands,  in
exchange for consideration  totaling  approximately  $37.5 million plus the book
value of the  inventory  transferred.  The Buyer  has  assumed  all  liabilities
related to refunds or exchanges  for  products  returned or charged back without
being returned, after the Closing Date, for all Cutex brand products, except for
claims with respect to damaged or deficient nail polish remover products.

     The Cutex brands  consisting of nail polish  remover,  nail enamel and nail
care  treatment  products,  nail  care  implements  and  lipstick  are  sold and
distributed principally in the United States. As a result of the Agreement,  the
Buyer is  acquiring  the Cutex  brands in the United  States  and  Puerto  Rico.
Foreign  affiliates  of Unilever  N.V.  and Unilever  P.L.C.  outside the United
States and Puerto Rico will continue to sell Cutex brand products polish remover
in countries outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

     Historically,  financial  statements  have not been  prepared for the Cutex
brands.  The accompanying  financial  statements are derived from the historical
accounting records of CPUSA and present the net assets sold of the Cutex brands,
in  accordance  with the  Agreement,  as of December 31, 1996 and 1995,  and the
statement of net sales, cost of sales and direct operating  expenses for each of
the years then ended, and are not intended to be a complete  presentation of the
Cutex brands'  financial  position,  results of operations  and cash flows.  The
historical  operating  results may not be  indicative  of the results  after the
acquisition by the Buyer.







Continued

<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)

     The  statement of net sales,  cost of sales and direct  operating  expenses
includes all revenues and expenses directly  attributable to the Cutex brands of
the Company. Direct operating expenses consist principally of selling, marketing
and   advertising   expenses.   The  statement  does  not  include  general  and
administrative,  research and development, interest, income tax and amortization
of intangible expenses.

     CPUSA did not maintain the Cutex brands as a separate business unit and had
never segregated  indirect operating cost information  relative to these brands.
Accordingly, it is not practical to isolate or allocate indirect operating costs
applicable to the Cutex brands.



2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revenue Recognition:

     Sales of nail polish  remover  goods are  included in income when goods are
shipped to the  customer,  net of a provision  for  estimated  returns.  Royalty
revenues  resulting from the Jean Philippe  license  agreement,  which represent
fixed minimum royalty  guarantees,  are recognized on a straight-line basis over
the period to which  they  relate.  Provisions  have been made for  amounts  not
considered collectible.

Inventories:

     Inventories  consisting of finished nail polish remover goods are stated at
the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined  using the first-in,  first-out
method.  According to the purchase agreement, the Buyer is not acquiring any raw
materials or  work-in-process  inventory  and  therefore,  these  components  of
inventory have been excluded from these financial statements.


Estimates:

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions   that  affect  the  reported   amounts  of  assets  and  contingent
liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant estimates relate
to sales returns and royalty  revenues.  Actual  results could differ from those
estimates.


Advertising and Promotional Expenses:

     Advertising  and  promotional  expenses  are charged to expense  during the
periods in which they are incurred.  Total  advertising and promotional  expense
was approximately  $122 and $182 for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)


3.   Commitments and Contingencies

     CPUSA has various  purchase  commitments for materials,  supplies and other
items  incidental to the ordinary  course of business.  In the  aggregate,  such
commitments  are not at prices in excess of current  market price.  In addition,
CPUSA  has  commitments,   in  the  normal  course  of  business,  with  various
distributors relating to Cutex nail polish remover products.

     Pursuant  to the  Agreement,  the Buyer did not assume any product or other
liability in connection  with any service  performed or product  manufactured by
CPUSA prior to the Closing  Date  except for  liabilities  related to returns or
exchanges of Cutex brand products as further described in Note 1.



4.   Concentration of Net Sales

     One customer  accounted for  approximately 17% and 13% of net sales for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.



5.   Manufacturing Agreement

On April 30, 1997, CPUSA and the Buyer,  entered into a manufacturing  agreement
whereby  CPUSA  agreed to  manufacture,  sell and deliver to the Buyer,  and the
Buyer  agreed to  purchase  from CPUSA all of its  requirements  for nail polish
remover products for an agreed-upon  amount.  The manufacturing  agreement is in
effect  for  five  years  from  the  consummation  date  of the  Asset  Purchase
Agreement.  Thereafter,  the  manufacturing  agreement  will be extended  for an
additional one-year term, unless terminated in accordance with the manufacturing
agreement.









<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)

6.   Agreement with Jean Philippe

     On May 31,  1994,  CPUSA and Jean  Philippe  entered into asset and license
agreements  whereby Jean Philippe acquired certain assets used in the packaging,
distributing and selling of nail enamel and nail care treatment  products,  nail
care  implements and lipstick under the Cutex trademark in the United States and
Puerto Rico.  Under the asset  agreement,  Jean Philippe  acquired the exclusive
right to use certain tools,  dies,  molds,  inventories,  intangible  assets and
assumed certain  liabilities.

     Under the  license  agreement,  effective  as of August 1, 1994 and amended
March 28, 1996, Jean Philippe agreed  unconditionally to guarantee and pay CPUSA
royalties based on a percentage of its sales, including an amount representing a
minimum  guarantee.  This agreement can be terminated under certain  conditions,
including the failure by Jean Philippe to achieve certain sales volumes.

<PAGE>

          (2)  The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. Financial 
               Statements as of March 31, 1997 and 1996






                               THE CUTEX BRANDS of

                           CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



                        As of March 31, 1997 and 1996







<PAGE>



                    Report of Independent Accountants


To the Board of Directors of
Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.


     We have reviewed the accompanying statement of net assets sold of the Cutex
brands of Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co. as of March 31, 1997, and the statement of
net  sales,  cost  of  sales  and  direct  operating  expenses  for  each of the
three-month  periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996.  These financial  statements
are the responsibility of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.'s management.

     We conducted our review in accordance  with  standards  established  by the
American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants.  A  review  of  interim
financial  information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to
financial  data, and making  inquiries of persons  responsible for financial and
accounting  matters.  It is  substantially  less  in  scope  than  an  audit  in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is
the  expression  of an opinion  regarding the  financial  statements  taken as a
whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

     The  accompanying  financial  statements  were  prepared to present the net
assets sold of the Cutex brands, pursuant to the purchase agreement described in
Note 1, and the net sales,  cost of sales and direct  operating  expenses of the
Cutex  brands and are not  intended to be a complete  presentation  of the Cutex
brands' financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

     Based on our review,  we are not aware of any  material  modification  that
should be made to the financial  statements  referred to above for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Stamford, Connecticut
July 14, 1997



<PAGE>


The Cutex Brands of CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.
Statement of Net Assets Sold (Note 1)
As of March 31, 1997 and 1996
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)



ASSETS:                              1997                    1996
                               ----------------        ----------------


Inventory                      $       849             $       830
                               ----------------        ----------------

LIABILITIES:

Sales returns reserve                  105                     161

Commitments and contingencies
                               ----------------        ----------------
Total net assets sold         $        744            $        669
                               ================        =================


































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>


The Cutex Brands of CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.
Statements of Net Sales, Cost of Sales and Direct Operating
Expenses (Note 1)
For the three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)



                                          1997                    1996
                                   -----------------        -----------------

Net product sales                   $      4,049                 $   3,373

Net royalty revenues                         120                       168
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Net sales                                  4,169                     3,541

Cost of sales                              2,210                     2,218
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Gross profit                               1,959                     1,323

Direct operating expenses                    175                       215
                                   -----------------        -----------------
Excess of net sales over cost of 
     sales and direct operating 
     expenses                      $      1,784                  $   1,108
                                   =================        =================






















































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)


1.   Background and Basis of Presentation

     Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co.  ("CPUSA"  or the  "Company")  is a division of
Conopco,  Inc., a wholly owned  subsidiary of Unilever United States Inc., which
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever N.V.

     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared for the purpose of
presenting  the net assets  sold of the Cutex  brands of CPUSA,  pursuant to the
Asset Purchase  Agreement (the  "Agreement")  dated as of March 27, 1997 between
CPUSA and Carson, Inc. (the "Buyer") and its net sales, cost of sales and direct
operating expenses for each of the three-month  periods ended March 31, 1997 and
1996.  The  transaction  was  consummated  on April 30, 1997  ("Closing  Date").
Pursuant  to the  Agreement,  CPUSA sold to the Buyer  certain  assets used with
respect to the Cutex brands,  including all  inventories of finished nail polish
remover  products,  a license  agreement  (see Note 6) dated as of May 31,  1994
between CPUSA and Jean Philippe Fragrances,  Inc. ("Jean Philippe"), as amended,
intangible  rights and other assets  directly  related to the Cutex  brands,  in
exchange for consideration  totaling  approximately  $37.5 million plus the book
value of the  inventory  transferred.  The Buyer  has  assumed  all  liabilities
related to refunds or exchanges  for  products  returned or charged back without
being returned, after the Closing Date, for all Cutex brand products, except for
claims with respect to damaged or deficient nail polish remover products.

     The Cutex brands consisting of nail polish remover,  nail enamel,  and nail
care  treatment  products,  nail  care  implements  and  lipstick  are  sold and
distributed principally in the United States. As a result of the Agreement,  the
Buyer is  acquiring  the Cutex  brands in the United  States  and  Puerto  Rico.
Foreign  affiliates  of Unilever  N.V.  and Unilever  P.L.C.  outside the United
States and Puerto Rico will  continue to sell Cutex brand  products in countries
outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

     Historically,  financial  statements  have not been  prepared for the Cutex
brands.  The accompanying  financial  statements are derived from the historical
accounting records of CPUSA and present the net assets sold of the Cutex brands,
in  accordance  with the  Agreement,  as of March  31,  1997 and  1996,  and the
statement of net sales, cost of sales and direct operating  expenses for each of
the  three-month  periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, and are not intended to
be a complete  presentation of the Cutex brands' financial position,  results of
operations  and  cash  flows.  The  historical  operating  results  may  not  be
indicative of the results after the acquisition by the Buyer.







Continued

<PAGE>

The Cutex Brands of Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
Notes to Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands)

     The  statement of net sales,  cost of sales and direct  operating  expenses
includes all revenues and expenses directly  attributable to the Cutex brands of
the Company for the  three-month  periods.  Direct  operating  expenses  consist
principally of selling,  marketing and advertising expenses.  The statement does
not include  general and  administrative,  research and  development,  interest,
income tax and amortization of intangible expenses.

     CPUSA did not maintain the Cutex brands as a separate business unit and had
never segregated  indirect operating cost information  relative to these brands.
Accordingly, it is not practical to isolate or allocate indirect operating costs
applicable to Cutex nail polish remover products.



2.   Interim Financial Statement Presentation

     The  statement  of net assets as of March 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related
statement  of  sales,  cost of  sales  and  direct  marketing  expenses  for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 are unaudited.  In the opinion
of  management,  all  adjustments  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of  such
financial  statements  have been included.  Such  adjustments  consisted only of
normal recurring  items.  The basis of presentation for the three-month  periods
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 are consistent  with those described for the years
ended  December  31, 1996 and 1995.  Interim  results may not be  indicative  of
results for a full year. These financial statements and notes do not contain all
disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.


3.   Commitments and Contingencies

     CPUSA has various  purchase  commitments for materials,  supplies and other
items  incidental to the ordinary  course of business.  In the  aggregate,  such
commitments  are not at prices in excess of current  market price.  In addition,
CPUSA  has  commitments,   in  the  normal  course  of  business,  with  various
distributors relating to the Cutex brands.

     Pursuant  to the  Agreement,  the Buyer did not assume any product or other
liability in connection  with any service  performed or product  manufactured by
CPUSA prior to the Closing  Date  except for  liabilities  related to returns or
exchanges of Cutex brand products as further described in Note 1.




<PAGE>

     (b) Pro Forma Financial  Information -

     The  following pro forma summary  financial  data has been prepared  giving
effect to the  acquisition  of CUTEX as if the  transaction  had taken  place at
March 31, 1997 for the pro forma  consolidated  balance sheets and at January 1,
1996 for the pro forma consolidated statements of operations.

     The  acquisition  has been  accounted  for  under  the  purchase  method of
accounting. The carrying values of assets and liabilities have been estimated to
approximate fair market value.  Accordingly,  no pro forma  adjustments to these
amounts were made to reflect the allocation and amount of the ultimate  purchase
price.  Final allocations will be made on the basis of appraisals and valuations
giving effect to economic and market  factors.  Any purchase  price  adjustments
will be made within one year from the  acquisition  date and are not expected to
be material to the pro forma financial information taken as a whole.

     The pro forma financial  information is not  necessarily  indicative of the
results of operations or the financial  position  which would have been obtained
had the acquistions been consummated at January 1, 1996 or which may be attained
in the future. The pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction
with the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

Carson, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheets
<S>                                                               <C>           <C>                     <C> 

Dollars in 000's except share data                                Historical      Pro forma             Pro forma
                                                                  March 31,      Adjustments            March 31,
                                       ASSETS                        1997      Increase (decrease)         1997
                                                                    --------         -------              --------
CURRENT ASSETS:


             Cash and cash equivalents                                $3,141              $0                $3,141
             Accounts receivable                                      15,159               0                15,159
             Inventories                                              15,434           1,944  (1)           17,378
             Other current assets                                        697               0                   697
                                                                    --------         -------              --------
                          Total current assets                        34,431           1,944                35,375

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation        16,067               0                16,067

INVESTMENTS                                                            3,283               0                 3,283

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net                                                45,513          40,859  (2)           86,372

OTHER ASSETS                                                           3,401           2,579  (4)            5,980

                                                                    --------         -------              --------
                          TOTAL ASSETS                              $102,695         $45,382              $148,077
                                                                    ========         =======              ========

                                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
             Accounts payable                                         $6,613              $0                $6,613
             Accrued expenses                                          4,367           1,043 (1), (3)        5,410
             Current maturities of long-term debt                      2,600             400  (3)            3,000
                                                                    --------         -------              --------
                          Total current liabilities                   13,580           1,443                15,023

LONG-TERM DEBT                                                        28,964          43,939  (3)           72,903

OTHER LIABILITIES                                                      1,627               0                 1,627

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                    108               -                   108

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY                                        2,060               0                 2,060

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
             Preferred stock                                               -               -                     -
             Common stock                                                150               0                   150
             Paid-in capital                                          62,901               0                62,901
             Note receivable, net of discount                         (1,386)              0                (1,386)
             (Accumulated deficit) retained earnings                  (4,895)              0                (4,895)
             Foreign currency translation adjustment                    (414)              0                  (414)
                                                                    --------         -------              --------
                          Total stockholders' equity                  56,356               0                56,356

                                                                    --------         -------              --------
                TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          $102,695         $45,382              $148,077
                                                                    ========         =======              ========

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma financial statements.


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>


Carson, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations


Dollars in thousands                       COMPANY HISTORICAL
                            -----------------------------------------------------
                                                 (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)         Company    Pro Forma      Pro Forma
                             April 1, 1996 to  Quarter ended   Twelve months ended  Acquired -   Adjustments     Twelve months 
                            December 31, 1996  March 31, 1996   December 31, 1996    Cutex      Increase         ended
                                                                                                (decrease)       December 31, 1996
                             -----------------  --------------  ------------------ -----------  -----------      ------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>           <C>               <C>    
Net sales                               $59,938      $17,792      $77,730          $18,854        $(638)   (1)     $95,946
Cost of sales                            26,940        7,806       34,746            9,950            0             44,696
                                        -------      -------      -------          -------       ----------        -------
  Gross profit                           32,998        9,986       42,984            8,904         (638)           51,250

Selling expenses                         15,692        3,452       19,144              870            0             20,014
General and administrative expenses       5,836        2,586        8,422                0            0              8,422
Incentive compensation                    7,123            0        7,123                0            0              7,123
Depreciation and amortization             1,896          555        2,451                0        1,021    (2)       3,472
                                        -------      -------      -------          -------       ---------         -------
  Operating income                        2,451        3,393        5,844            8,034       (1,659)            12,219

Interest expense, net                     4,545        1,847        6,392                0        6,592    (3), (4) 12,984
Other income, net                           565          147          712                0            0                712
                                        -------      -------      -------          -------       ---------         -------
(Loss) income before income tax          (1,529)       1,693          164            8,034       (8,251)               (53)
Provision for income tax                  1,727          825        2,552                0          (96)             2,456
                                        -------      -------      -------          -------       ---------         -------
(Loss) income before extraordinary item  (3,256)         868       (2,388)           8,034       (4,620)            (2,509)
Extraordinary item, net of tax benefit   (3,527)           0       (3,527)               -            -             (3,527)
                                        -------      -------      -------          -------      ----------         -------
Net (loss) income                       ($6,783)        $868      ($5,915)          $8,034      ($4,620)           ($6,036)
                                        =======      =======      =======          =======      ==========         =======

Earnings per common share:
     Before extraordinary item           ($0.25)       $0.07       ($0.18)                                          ($0.18)
Extraordinary item, net of tax benefit    (0.28)          --        (0.28)                                          ($0.28)
                                        -------      -------      -------                                          -------
    Net (loss) income per share          ($0.53)       $0.07       ($0.46)                                          ($0.46)
                                        =======      =======      =======                                          =======

Weighted average common shares 
    outstanding                           12,715       11,871       12,715                                           12,715


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma financial statements.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>

Carson, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations

<S>                                                <C>                <C>                 <C>                   <C>    
Dollars in thousands                              (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)            (Unaudited)
                                                   Historical         Company            Pro Forma              Pro Forma
                                                 Quarter ended       Acquired -         Adjustments           Quarter ended
                                                 March 31, 1997        Cutex        Increase (decrease)       March 31, 1997
                                                 -------------       ----------     ------------------        ---------------

Net sales                                          $17,932            $4,169               $(120)               $21,981
Cost of sales                                        7,880             2,210                   0                 10,090
                                                   -------            ------              ------                -------
  Gross profit                                      10,052             1,959                (120)                11,891

Selling expenses                                     5,724               175                   0                  5,899
General and administrative expenses                  2,185                 0                   0                  2,185
Incentive compensation                                   0                 0                   0                      0
Depreciation and amortization                          544                 0                 256   (2)              800
                                                   -------            ------              ------                -------
  Operating income                                   1,599             1,784                (376)                 3,007

Interest expense, net                                  604                 0               1,643     (3), (4)     2,247
Other income, net                                      223                 0                   0                    223
                                                   -------            ------              ------                -------
(Loss) income before income tax                      1,218             1,784              (2,019)                   983
Provision for income tax                               536                 0                (104)                   432
                                                   -------            ------              ------                -------
Net (loss) income                                     $682            $1,784             ($1,915)                  $551
                                                   =======            ======              ======                =======


Earnings per common share                            $0.05                                                        $0.04
                                                   =======                                                      =======

Weighted average common shares outstanding          14,984                                                       14,984


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma financial statements.

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


Carson, Inc.
Notes to Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997


     1. During March 1997, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase  Agreement
with  Conopco,  Inc.  d/b/a  Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co. in order to acquire the
rights  to  manufacture  and  market  Cutex in the  United  States  (the  "Cutex
acquisition").  Cutex is the leading brand of nail polish  remover and is also a
line of nail enamels.  The purchase price  approximated  $41.4 million including
amounts paid to  Chesebrough-Pond's  of $37.5 million,  inventory  acquired from
Chesebrough-Pond's of $600,000 and inventory acquired from Jean Phillipe of $3.3
million.  In addition,  the Company incurred debt related  acquisition  costs of
$2.6  million and other  direct  aquisition  fees and  expenses of $1.4  million
including a $1.0 million  allowance for returned goods.  In addition,  a reserve
for  obsolete  Jean  Phillipe  inventory  of $2.0  million  was  recorded.  This
acquisition is accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Funds were
provided by additional long-term debt and the transaction was completed on April
30, 1997.

     During March 1997, the Company entered into an Asset  Repurchase  Agreement
with Jean  Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc.  Immediately  upon  execution of the Jean
Philippe Repurchase agreement on April 30, 1997, the license agreement with Jean
Philippe Fragrances,  Inc. was terminated.  On April 30, 1997 in connection with
the termination of the license agreement between Conopco, Inc. and Jean Philippe
Fragrances,  Inc. by Carson as  successor in interest to Conopco,  Inc.,  Carson
acquired certain assets of Jean Philippe Fragrances, Inc. used in the packaging,
distributing and selling of nail enamel and nail care treatment  products,  nail
care  implements and lipstick under the trademark Cutex in the United States and
Puerto  Rico.  As a  result  of the  termination  of the Jean  Phillipe  license
agreement,   the  Company  has  eliminated  all  royalty  revenue   recorded  by
Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co. as a pro forma adjustment.

     2. Goodwill of approximately  $40.9 million was recorded as a result of the
Cutex acquisition and is being amortized over a period of 40 years.

     3. On April 30,  1997,  the Company  entered  into an Amended and  Restated
Credit  Agreement  with Banque  Indosuez,  New York  Branch,  as agent,  and the
lenders named therein.  The Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement  replaced the
Company's existing $40 million senior credit facility with a $100 million senior
credit facility consisting of $25 million in Term A loans, $50 million in Term B
loans and $25 million in  revolving  loan  commitments.  The proceeds of the new
term  loans  were used to  finance  the Cutex  acquisition.  The term loan A and
revolving  credit  facility bear interest at the lower of the  applicable  prime
rate plus 0.5% or LIBOR rate plus 2.0% and have a final  maturity  date of April
2002. The term loan B bears  interest at the lower of the applicable  prime rate
plus 1.0% or LIBOR rate plus 2.5% and has a final  maturity  date of April 2004.
Interest  accrued of $313,000 on the former senior credit facility was paid as a
part of the refinancing.

     4. Debt acquisition  costs of  approximately  $2.6 million were recorded as
part of the  Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  used to finance the Cutex
acquisition.  These costs are being  amortized over the term of the debt ofseven
years.

<PAGE>

     5. The net  effect  of Cutex  pro  forma  results  and  related  pro  forma
adjustments have been taxed at the Company's historical effective tax rate.


     (c)  Exhibits


Exhibit 10.1

Execution Copy



                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    between

                CONOPCO, INC. d/b/a CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO.

                                    Seller

                                      and

                                 CARSON, INC.

                                     Buyer

                           dated as of March 27, 1997





<PAGE>



                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                       Page
ARTICLE 1   Transfer of Assets, Assumption of Liabilities
            and Purchase Price..........................................1

      1.1   Transfer of Assets and Business.............................1
      1.2   Excluded Assets.............................................2
      1.3   Assumption of Certain Liabilities...........................3
      1.4   Consents to Certain Assignments.............................4
      1.5   Purchase Price..............................................4

ARTICLE 2   Closing and Post Closing Adjustment.........................4

      2.1   Closing.....................................................4
      2.2   Payment of Closing Purchase Price...........................5
      2.3   Deliveries by the Seller....................................5
      2.4   Deliveries by the Buyer.....................................6
      2.5   Post Closing Adjustment.....................................6

ARTICLE 3   Representations and Warranties of the Seller................7

      3.1   Organization................................................7
      3.2   Authorization...............................................7
      3.3   No Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required............8
      3.4   Financial Statements........................................8
      3.5   Title to Transferred Assets.................................8
      3.6   Transferred Contracts.......................................8
      3.7   Absence of Change...........................................9
      3.8   Compliance with Law........................................10
      3.9   Litigation.................................................11
      3.10  Intellectual Property......................................11
      3.11  Taxes......................................................11
      3.12  Inventories................................................11
      3.13  Customers and Suppliers....................................12
      3.14  Brokers and Finders........................................12
      3.15  Sales Representatives, Dealers and Distributors............12





                                      i

<PAGE>



                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                         TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
                                                                     Page

ARTICLE 4   Representations and Warranties of the Buyer................12

      4.1   Organization...............................................13
      4.2   Authorization..............................................13
      4.3   Consents or Approvals......................................13
      4.4   Resale of Inventories......................................13
      4.5   Brokers and Finders........................................13

ARTICLE 5   Covenants; Additional Agreements...........................13

      5.1   Conduct of the Business Pending Closing....................13
      5.2   Access.....................................................14
      5.3   Non-Compete Covenant.......................................15
      5.4   Reasonable Efforts; Cooperation............................16
      5.5   Regulatory Filings.........................................16
      5.6   Public Announcements.......................................16
      5.7   Confidentiality............................................16
      5.8   Post-Closing Confidentiality...............................17
      5.9   Termination of Insurance...................................17
      5.10  Manufacturing Agreement....................................17
      5.11  Use of Name................................................17
      5.12  License to Use Certain Trademarks and Trade Names..........17
      5.13  Delivery of Certain Documentation Relating
            to Intellectual Property...................................18
      5.14  Delivery of Permits........................................18
      5.15  Shipment of the Inventories................................18
      5.16  Allocation of the Purchase Price...........................18
      5.17  Exclusivity................................................18
      5.18  Employee Matters...........................................19

ARTICLE 6   Conditions to Closing......................................19

      6.1   Conditions to Obligations of Both Parties to Close.........19
      6.2   Conditions to Obligation of the Buyer to Close.............19
      6.3   Conditions to Obligation of the Seller to Close............20

ARTICLE 7   Termination, Amendment and Waiver..........................21

      7.1   Termination................................................21



                                      ii

<PAGE>



                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                         TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
                                                                     Page

      7.2   Amendment..................................................21
      7.3   Waiver.....................................................22

ARTICLE 8   Indemnification............................................22

      8.1   Agreement to Indemnify.....................................22
      8.2   Procedure for Indemnification..............................23
      8.3   Limitations on Indemnification.............................24

ARTICLE 9   MISCELLANEOUS..............................................24

      9.1   Expenses, Taxes............................................24
      9.2   Further Assurances.........................................25
      9.3   Notices....................................................25
      9.4   Headings...................................................26
      9.5   Applicable Law.............................................26
      9.6   Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries...................26
      9.7   Affiliates.................................................26
      9.8   Counterparts...............................................26
      9.9   Entire Agreement...........................................26
      9.10  Severability...............................................26
      9.11  Bulk Sales.................................................27
      9.12  Refunds and Remittances....................................27

      Signatures.......................................................28

      List of Schedules and Exhibits...................................29




                                     iii

<PAGE>





                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

      ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement"),  dated as of March , 1997, between
Conopco,  Inc.,  d/b/a  Chesebrough-Pond's  USA Co., a New York corporation (the
"Seller"),  and  Carson,  Inc.,  a  corporation  of the State of  Delaware  (the
"Buyer").

      WHEREAS,  the Seller  wishes to sell,  and the Buyer  wishes to  purchase,
certain  assets  used  in the  business  of  selling,  distributing,  packaging,
manufacturing (excluding the equipment used by Seller in the manufacture of nail
polish remover) and marketing CUTEX nail care and lip color products  including,
without  limiting  the  foregoing,  nail polish  remover  products,  nail enamel
products,  nail care treatment products,  nail care implements and lipstick,  in
the United States and Puerto Rico (the "Business",  the United States and Puerto
Rico being hereinafter referred to as the "Territory"),  as more fully described
in Section 1.1, and the Buyer will assume certain  liabilities  and  obligations
relating to the Business,  as more fully  described in Section 1.3, all upon the
terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;

      NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
contained  herein,  the  Seller and the Buyer,  intending  to be legally  bound,
hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1

                        Transfer of Assets, Assumption
                       of Liabilities and Purchase Price

      1.1 Transfer of Assets and Business. At the Closing (as defined in Section
2.1),  the Seller  shall,  and shall cause its  affiliates  to, sell,  transfer,
assign and  deliver to the Buyer,  and the Buyer  shall  purchase,  acquire  and
accept  from the  Seller  the  following  assets  that are used  exclusively  in
connection with the Business and owned by the Seller or its affiliates,  as such
assets and rights  shall exist on the Closing  Date (as defined in Section  2.1)
subject,  however,  to the Seller's  covenants,  representations  and warranties
contained in this Agreement  including,  without limitation,  those set forth in
Articles 3 and 5 (collectively, the "Transferred Assets"):

     (i) all  inventories  of  finished  nail  polish  remover  products  of the
Business (the "Inventories");

     (ii) subject to Section 1.4, all contracts,  binding commitments,  purchase
or sales orders, licenses, including the License Agreement dated as of May 31st,
1994 between  Chesebrough-Pond's  Inc.  and Jean  Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc. as
amended wherein Jean Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc. received the exclusive right to
use the  trademarks  of the  Business in  connection  with  certain nail and lip
products, and other agreements of any kind, oral or written, to which the Seller
or its  affiliates  are  parties  or in which they have  rights and that  relate
exclusively to


                                      1

<PAGE>



the  Business,  except any  contracts  for the sale of finished  products or the
purchase of supplies or services to the extent all sales or purchases thereunder
have  been  completed  as of the  close of  business  on the  Closing  Date (the
"Transferred Contracts"),

            (iii) all customer lists, sales and pricing information, advertising
and promotional materials,  and other marketing information,  credit information
and files and other  books and records  relating  exclusively  to the  Business,
other than  records kept for the  Seller's  financial  reporting or tax purposes
(copies of which will be provided to Buyer at Closing) (the "Records");

            (iv)  all  trademarks,   registrations   and  renewals  thereof  and
applications  therefor,  trade names and logos (the  "Trademarks"),  inventions,
patents and patent applications  (including  renewals,  reissues,  divisions and
continuations thereof) (the "Patents"), copyrights, manufacturing procedures and
specifications,  formulae,  processes,  quality control procedures,  proprietary
knowledge,  trade  secrets,  trade dress  know-how,  and all other  intellectual
property  rights in the  Territory,  used  exclusively  in  connection  with the
Business including,  without limiting the foregoing, those set forth on Schedule
3.10 (all of the above collectively referred to as the "Intellectual Property");

     (v) all goodwill of the  Business,  including  the  exclusive  right in the
Territory to represent oneself as the successor to the Business;

            (vi) to the extent  transfer is permitted  by law, all  governmental
licenses,   permits,   approvals  and  applications  therefor  relating  to  the
Transferred Assets; and

      1.2 Excluded Assets.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein; the
parties understand and hereby agree that the Seller and its affiliates shall not
sell, transfer or assign to the Buyer those assets, properties and rights of the
Seller or its affiliates listed below:

            (i)  any cash, cash equivalents, investments and bank accounts;

     (ii) any  accounts  receivable  existing as of the close of business on the
Closing Date;

     (iii)  any  rights  to the name  "Chesebrough-Pond's"  or any  variants  or
derivatives thereof;

            (iv) any assets  related to any  employee  benefit plan in which any
employees of the Seller  participate,  including without limitation the right to
receive refunds of or credits for any contributions to any such plan made by the
Seller;

            (v) any refunds or claims for refunds from  Federal,  state or local
taxing authorities with respect to taxes paid or to be paid by the Seller or its
affiliates;




                                      2

<PAGE>



     (vi) refunds and rebates by insurers in respect of any policies canceled as
of the Closing Date;

            (vii) all corporate  charter  documents,  minute books,  stockholder
records, stock transfer records, corporate seals and similar corporate records;

            (viii)  records  related to (A) Excluded  Assets (as defined in this
Section 1.2), (B) Retained  Liabilities (as defined in Section 1.3), and (C) the
negotiation and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including  without  limitation  confidential  communications  with legal counsel
representing the Seller and its affiliates;

     (ix) all tax and other  deposits  or  prepayments  made in  respect  of any
Retained Liabilities;

     (x) any claims against governmental entities or third parties to the extent
relating to periods ending prior to or on the Closing Date;

            (xi) the right to assert the attorney-client  privilege with respect
to any confidential communications between the Seller and its affiliates and any
legal counsel  representing the Seller and its affiliates in connection with the
sale of the Business; and

            (xii) any other assets,  properties  and rights of the Seller or its
affiliates  not listed in Section  1.1 unless  provided  for  elsewhere  in this
Agreement.

      All of the assets,  properties and rights of the Seller and its affiliates
referred to in this Section 1.2 are hereinafter  collectively referred to as the
"Excluded Assets".

      The Buyer acknowledges that the Seller is not conveying,  pursuant to this
Agreement, any rights to use the Intellectual Property in any country other than
the United States and Puerto Rico.

      1.3   Assumption of Certain Liabilities.

      (a) On the  Closing  Date,  the Buyer  shall  assume and  thereafter  pay,
perform and discharge as and when due the following  obligations and liabilities
of the Seller and its affiliates with respect to the Business:

            (i) all  liabilities  and  obligations  to the extent  accruing with
respect to  periods  after the  Closing  Date  under the  Transferred  Contracts
(exclusive,  however,  of any liabilities or obligations arising thereunder as a
result of any  breach,  default or failure  of the Seller or its  affiliates  to
perform any covenants or obligations required to be performed by them during any
periods prior to the close of business on the Closing Date); and




                                      3

<PAGE>



            (ii)  except  for  claims  with  respect  to  damaged  or  deficient
products,  all claims for  refunds or  exchanges  (including  but not limited to
invoice  adjustments  resulting  therefrom)  with respect to nail polish remover
products of the Business sold by the Seller on or prior to the Closing Date that
are returned (or charged back without being  returned) after the Closing Date by
current or former customers of the Business. Seller represents that the costs of
refunds and exchanges for the calendar years 1994,  1995,  1996 and January 1997
are set forth on Schedule 3.4.  Seller  represents that it made no sales of nail
care  products  or lip color  products,  except for nail polish  remover,  after
August 1,  1994.  Accordingly,  except  for nail  polish  remover  products  (as
discussed above), any returns of such products sold after August 1, 1994 are the
obligation of Buyer;

            (iii) Subject to Buyer's  rights under the  Manufacturing  Agreement
(referred to in Section  5.10) all  liabilities  and  obligations  for breach of
warranty or product liability (a) claims for injuries which occurred on or prior
to the Closing Date if the first  written  notice of such claims  ("Notice")  is
received  on a date which is no earlier  than  eighteen  (18)  months  after the
Closing Date ("Claim Date"),  provided however,  that if any of the Seller,  its
affiliates  or the  Buyer  receives  or has  received  such  Notice  at any time
(whether  before,  on or after the Closing  Date) prior to the Claim Date,  then
such claims shall remain as Retained  Liabilities  (as defined  below) of Seller
and its  affiliates and (b) claims for injuries which occurred after the Closing
Date

      (b) The liabilities and obligations of the Seller and its affiliates to be
assumed by the Buyer pursuant to Section 1.3(a) are  hereinafter  referred to as
the "Assumed Liabilities". Any and all liabilities and obligations of the Seller
and its  affiliates  not  specifically  referred to as being assumed by Buyer in
Section  1.3(a)  shall  remain  the sole  responsibility  of the  Seller and its
affiliates and are hereinafter referred to as the "Retained Liabilities".

      1.4 Consents to Certain  Assignments.  If the Seller is unable to obtain a
consent,  which is  required,  to the  assignment  of any  Transferred  Contract
despite  the  use  of  commercially   reasonable  efforts,   the  Closing  shall
nonetheless  take place and the Seller  shall  continue to use all  commercially
reasonable  efforts to secure such  consent  after the Closing or  otherwise  to
transfer or provide to the Buyer the same benefits of such contract as if it had
been  assigned  to the  Buyer,  provided,  however,  that  the  Buyer  shall  be
responsible  for all costs and expenses  with respect to such  contracts for all
periods  after the close of business on the Closing  Date. In no event shall the
use of commercially  reasonable efforts require the payment of any consideration
by the Seller.  However,  if the failure to obtain such consent will  materially
adversely  affect Buyer or its ability to consummate  this  Agreement or operate
the  Business,  it may terminate  this  Agreement  with no further  liability to
either party.

     1.5 Purchase Price.  The purchase price for the Transferred  Assets and the
Business,  subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.5, is U.S. $37,500,000
plus the Target  Inventory Amount referred to herein prior to adjustments as the
"Closing Purchase Price".

                                   ARTICLE 2

                      Closing and Post Closing Adjustment



                                      4

<PAGE>




      2.1 Closing.  Subject to the  satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in
Article 6, the closing of the transactions  contemplated  hereby (the "Closing")
shall occur at the offices of Conopco,  Inc. at 390 Park Avenue,  New York,  New
York at 10:00 o'clock a.m. (local time) on the later of i) April 15, 1997 or ii)
the third  business day after the  expiration  or  termination  of the statutory
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 as
amended  (the "HSR Act") or such other  time and date as the  parties  may agree
upon.  The date on which the Closing  takes place is herein  called the "Closing
Date". The Closing shall be effective as of 11:59 p.m. (the "Close of Business")
on the Closing Date.

      2.2 Payment of Closing  Purchase  Price.  On the Closing  Date,  the Buyer
shall pay,  by wire  transfer of  immediately  available  funds to the  Seller's
account at (the name and account  number of which  Seller will  provide to Buyer
three (3) days prior to Closing), an amount equal to the Closing Purchase Price.

      2.3 Deliveries by the Seller. At the Closing, the Seller shall execute and
deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the Buyer the following:

            (i)  a  Bill  of   Sale,   Assignment   and   Assumption   Agreement
substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  A,  together  with  such  consents,  if
required, to such assignments referred to therein as have been obtained from the
other parties to the Transferred Contracts;

            (ii) an Assignment and Assumption  Agreement,  substantially  in the
form of Exhibit B, providing for the assignment to the Buyer of the Seller's and
its affiliates'  rights, and the assumption by the Buyer of the Seller's and its
affiliates'  obligations,  under the Mold  Acquisition  Agreement  with Harbison
Walker,  Inc. (the  "Assignment and Assumption  Agreement"),  together with such
consents,  if required, to such assignments as have been obtained from the other
parties to such Agreement;

            (iii) Assignments for the Patents, Trademarks and other Intellectual
Property including,  without limiting the foregoing, those set forth on Schedule
3.10 substantially in the forms set forth in Exhibit C;

     (iv) a Copyright  Assignment,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit D, for
the copyrights included in the Intellectual Property;

     (v) the certificates and documents required pursuant to Section 6.2;

     (vi) a  royalty-free  non-exclusive  License  Agreement with a term for the
life of the Patent including any renewals, continuations,  revisions or reissues
thereof, under U.S. Patent No. 4,829,092 to permit the Buyer to continue to sell
the CUTEX nail  polish  remover  utilizing  the  technology  claimed in the U.S.
Patent No. 4,829,092, substantially in the form of Exhibit E;

     (vii) the Manufacturing Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit G;



                                      5

<PAGE>



            (viii)  an  Assignment  of  Seller's  and   Licensor's   rights  and
obligations  under the License Agreement  between  Chesebrough-Pond's,  Inc., as
Licensor, and Jean Philippe Fragrances,  Inc., as Licensee, as amended, referred
to in Section 1.1(ii), substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

            (ix) such other assignments,  agreements,  documents and instruments
prepared by Buyer at Buyer's  expense as  reasonably  necessary to vest in Buyer
the good and valid title to the  Transferred  Assets and the  Business  free and
clear of all Liens.

      2.4 Deliveries by the Buyer.  At the Closing,  the Buyer shall execute and
deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the Seller the  Assignment  and
Assumption Agreement, such other instruments of assumption as shall be necessary
to vest in the Buyer,  as of the close of  business  on the  Closing  Date,  the
Assumed Liabilities, the certificates and documents required pursuant to Section
6.3, and a  royalty-free  non-exclusive  license  agreement to permit  Seller to
manufacture,  package and sell CUTEX nail polish  remover to Unilever  companies
for resale in countries outside of the Territory and to copack CUTEX nail polish
remover for the Buyer, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

      2.5   Post Closing Adjustment.

      (a) Within thirty (30) days  following the Closing Date,  the Seller shall
prepare,  at the Seller's  expense,  and deliver to the Buyer a statement of the
book value of the  Inventories  as of the close of business on the Closing  Date
(the  "Closing Date  Inventory  Statement"),  determined in accordance  with the
historical accounting principles,practices, methods and policies of the Business
consistently applied. The book value of the Inventories shall reflect a physical
count of the Inventories  conducted by the Seller and its representatives at the
opening of business on the first  business day after the Closing Date. The Buyer
and its  representatives  shall have the right to observe the physical  count of
the Inventories, review all books, work papers and procedures in connection with
the  preparation of the Closing Date  Inventory  Statement and perform any other
reasonable procedures necessary to verify the accuracy thereof.

      (b) Unless the Buyer  notifies  the Seller in writing  within  thirty (30)
days after  receipt  of the  Closing  Date  Inventory  Statement  that the Buyer
objects to the calculation of the book value of the Inventories and specifies in
reasonable  detail the basis for such  objection,  the  Closing  Date  Inventory
Statement  shall  become  final and binding upon the parties for purposes of the
adjustment to the Closing  Purchase  Price  pursuant to Section  2.5(c).  If the
Buyer submits written objections to the Seller within such period, the Buyer and
the Seller shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such  objections  during the
thirty  (30) day period  after the  Seller's  receipt of the  Buyer's  notice of
objections.   During  such   thirty   (30)  day  period,   the  Seller  and  its
representatives  shall  have the right to review  all books and work  papers and
procedures  related to such notice of objections,  the  calculation  thereof and
basis therefor.  If the Buyer and the Seller are unable in good faith to resolve
such objections  within such thirty (30) day period,  the disputed matters shall
be submitted to a nationally  recognized  public accounting firm mutually agreed
upon by the Buyer and Seller, to determine the Closing Date Inventory  Statement
valuation in accordance with the historical  accounting  principles,  practices,
methods and  policies of the  Business  consistently  applied  (or, if such firm
declines to act, to another



                                      6

<PAGE>



nationally-recognized  public  accounting firm mutually agreed upon by the Buyer
and the  Seller  and,  if the Buyer and the  Seller  are unable to agree upon an
initial or  successor  firm,  within ten (10) days after the end of such  thirty
(30) day  period,  then the Buyer and Seller  shall each  select a firm and such
firms shall jointly  select a third firm to resolve the disputed  matters).  The
decision of the accounting  firm  resolving the disputed  matters shall be final
and binding on the parties and the Buyer and the Seller shall each bear one-half
of  the  fees,   costs  and  expenses  of  such  accounting  firm.  After  final
determination  of any disputes with respect to the book value of the Inventories
as set forth on the Closing Date Inventory Statement,  the parties shall have no
further right to make any claims  against each other with respect to any element
of the  calculation  of the book  value of the  Inventories.  Seller  and  Buyer
acknowledge that the sole purpose of the  determination of the book value of the
Inventories  on the Closing  Date  inventory  Statement is to adjust the Closing
Purchase Price so as to reflect the change in the book value of the  Inventories
resulting  only from the operation of the Business from the Financial  Statement
Date (as defined in Section 3.7) to the Closing Date.

      (c) Within ten (10) days after the book value of the  Inventories has been
finally  determined in accordance with Section  2.5(b),  the excess or shortfall
over or below the amount of U.S. $600,000 ("Target Inventory  Amount"),  if any,
shall be paid by the Buyer to the Seller or by the  Seller to the Buyer,  as the
case may be,  plus  simple  interest  at a rate of 6% per annum from the Closing
Date to the date of  payment.  Such  payment  shall be made by wire  transfer of
immediately available funds.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                 Representations and Warranties of the Seller

The Seller  represents  and warrants to the Buyer as follows (all  references to
"Seller" below shall be deemed to only include its affiliates to the extent that
any of them own or have an  interest  in any of the  Transferred  Assets  or the
Business or will be executing any of the documents contemplated hereunder):

      3.1  Organization.  The Seller is a corporation  duly  organized,  validly
existing and in good standing  under the laws of the State of New York (Delaware
with regard to affiliate, Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc.). The Seller is duly qualified
to do  business  as a  foreign  corporation  and  is in  good  standing  in  all
jurisdictions in which the nature of the Business  currently  conducted requires
such  qualification,  except  where the  failure to so qualify  would not have a
material adverse effect on the Business.

      3.2  Authorization.  The Seller has full corporate  power and authority to
carry on the  Business  as now  conducted  and to own or lease  the  Transferred
Assets. The Seller has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and all other  documents  contemplated  hereby to be executed and
delivered by the Seller and to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby
and thereby. The Seller has taken all corporate action required to authorize the
execution and delivery of this  Agreement and all other  documents  contemplated
hereby  to be  executed  and  delivered  by  the  Seller  and to  authorize  the
consummation of the



                                      7

<PAGE>



transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby.  This Agreement has been, and on
the Closing Date the other documents to be executed by the Seller hereunder will
be, duly executed and delivered by the Seller and this  Agreement is, and on the
Closing  Date each of such other  documents  will be,  legal,  valid and binding
obligations  of the Seller,  enforceable  against the Seller in accordance  with
their terms.

      3.3  No  Violations;  No  Consents  or  Approvals  Required.  Neither  the
execution and delivery of this  Agreement or the other  documents to be executed
on the  Closing  Date by the Seller  nor the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or thereby will: (i) conflict with or violate any provision
of the certificate or articles of incorporation  or by-laws of the Seller,  (ii)
conflict with or violate any statute, law, rule, regulation,  ordinance,  order,
writ, injunction, judgment or decree applicable to the Seller, or (iii) conflict
with or result in any breach of or  constitute  a default (or an event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)  under, or result in the
creation of any Lien (as such term is defined in Section  3.5)  pursuant to, any
agreement or other instrument to which the Seller is a party with respect to the
Business or to which the Transferred Assets are subject. Except for the consents
of third parties  specified in Schedule 3.3 and in connection  with the HSR Act,
no notice,  declaration,  report or other filing or  registration  with,  and no
waiver,  consent,  approval or authorization  of, any governmental or regulatory
authority of  instrumentality  or any other person is required to be given, made
or  obtained  by the  Seller  in  connection  with the  execution,  delivery  or
performance of this Agreement.

      3.4  Financial  Statements.  Attached  hereto  as  Schedule  3.4  are  the
unaudited  statements of sales and profit  before  indirects of the Business for
each of the calendar years 1994, 1995 and 1996 (the "Financial Statements"). The
Financial  Statements:  (i) were  prepared  in  accordance  with the  historical
accounting  principles,   practices,  methods,  and  policies  of  the  Business
consistently  applied,  and (ii) fairly  present in all  material  respects,  in
accordance with such historical accounting principles,  practices,  methods, and
policies,  the sales and profit before indirects of the Business for the periods
indicated.

      3.5 Title to Transferred Assets. The Seller or its affiliates, as the case
may be, have good title to the Transferred Assets, free and clear of all claims,
liens, mortgages,  pledges,  charges,  security interests or encumbrances of any
kind or nature ("Liens").

      3.6   Transferred Contracts.

      (a) Schedule 3.6,  together with  Schedule  3.10,  contains a complete and
correct list of all Transferred  Contracts,  except: (i) orders for the purchase
of raw  materials  or  supplies  used  in the  manufacture  of  products  of the
Business, (ii) unfilled orders from customers to the Seller in an amount in each
case not in excess of $15,000 for  purchases  of products  of the  Business,  or
(iii) other  contracts or  commitments  entered  into in the ordinary  course of
business not  exceeding  $25,000.  The aggregate  value and unfilled  commitment
under  Transferred  Contracts not listed on Schedule 3.6 (which are set forth in
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) above), does not exceed $150,000.




                                      8

<PAGE>



      (b) The Seller has delivered or made  available to the Buyer  complete and
correct copies of all written  Transferred  Contracts on Schedules 3.6 and 3.10.
The  Transferred  Contracts  are in full  force and effect  and  enforceable  in
accordance  with their  terms,  except  that the  enforceability  thereof may be
limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance,   reorganization,
moratorium  or other similar laws  relating to  creditors'  rights  generally or
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
proceedings  at law or in  equity),  and  there  does not exist  thereunder  any
material  default or event or condition  that,  after notice or lapse of time or
both,  would  constitute  a  material  default  thereunder  by the Seller or its
affiliates  or,  to the  best of the  Seller's  knowledge,  by any  other  party
thereto. The Seller has not received any written notice that any party to any of
the Transferred Contracts intends to cancel or terminate such agreement.

      (c) All  Transferred  Contracts  listed  on  Schedules  3.6 and  3.10  are
assignable  by the Seller or its  affiliates to the Buyer without the consent of
any other person or entity.

      3.7 Absence of Change. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.7, since December
31, 1996 (the "Financial  Statement Date"),  the Business has been operated only
in the ordinary  course in a manner  consistent with Seller's past practice ("in
the ordinary course of business"),  there has been no material adverse change in
the Business or the  Transferred  Assets and the Seller and its affiliates  have
not, with respect to the Business:

      (a)  incurred  any damage,  destruction  or similar  loss,  whether or not
covered  by  insurance,  materially  adversely  affecting  the  Business  or the
Transferred Assets;

      (b) sold,  assigned,  transferred,  leased or otherwise disposed of any of
the tangible or intangible  assets of the Business  (except for Inventory in the
ordinary course of business), including the Intellectual Property;

     (c)  mortgaged,  pledged,  granted  or  suffered  to exist  any Lien on the
Transferred Assets;

      (d) other than in the ordinary course of business,  entered into, made any
amendment of or terminated any lease,  contract,  license or other  agreement of
the Business;

     (e) effected any material change in the accounting practices, procedures or
methods of the Business;

      (f) entered into any other  transaction  other than in the ordinary course
of business,  or changed in any  material  respects the policies or practices of
the Business; or

      (g) written down or written up the value of any inventories or receivables
or  revalued  any assets of the  Seller  other  than in the  ordinary  course of
business;




                                      9

<PAGE>



      (h) other than in the ordinary  course of business,  amended,  terminated,
canceled or  compromised  any claims of the Seller or waived any other rights of
value to the Business or any of the Transferred Assets;

      (i) merged  with,  entered  into a  consolidation  with,  or  acquired  an
interest in any person or entity or acquired a substantial portion of the assets
or business of any person or entity or any division or line of business thereof,
or otherwise acquired any material assets;

     (j) except in the  ordinary  course of  business,  incurred  or assumed any
indebtedness or liability;

     (k) made any loan to, guaranteed any indebtedness of, or otherwise incurred
any  indebtedness  on behalf of any person or entity whether or not an affiliate
of Seller;

     (l) except in the ordinary  course of business,  failed to pay any creditor
any amount owed to such creditor when due;

      (m) failed to prosecute  any Trademark  application  or failed to maintain
any registration for a Trademark used by Seller or permitted to lapse any Patent
application  or Patent by failing to respond to any Patent Office  actions or by
failing to pay any renewal fees respectively,  which or under which,  Seller has
any right or license;

      (n)  allowed  any  permit or license  material  to the  operations  of the
Business  that was  issued or  relates  to Seller or  otherwise  relates  to the
Business  or  Transferred  Assets to lapse or  terminate  or failed to renew any
insurance  policy,  permit or license  that is  scheduled to terminate or expire
within 45 calendar days of the Closing Date;

      (o) other than in the ordinary  course of business,  amended,  modified or
consented to the termination of, or entered into, any Transferred  Contract,  or
Seller's rights thereunder;

      (p)   suffered any unusual buildup of its inventories;

      (q)  entered  into  any  agreement  to take  any of the  types  of  action
described in subsections (a) through (p) above.

      3.8  Compliance  with Law.  The  Business  and  Transferred  Assets are in
compliance  with all applicable  statutes,  laws,  rules,  regulations,  orders,
ordinances,  judgments and decrees of all  governmental  authorities,  including
without  limitation those relating to health and safety,  toxic substances,  the
Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and Good Manufacturing  Practices and also with the
terms of all governmental  authorizations and approvals  ("Permits"),  except as
set forth in  Schedule  3.8 or where the  failure to so comply  would not have a
material adverse effect on the Business or the Transferred Assets.  Schedule 3.8
sets forth a list of all Permits  that are held by the Business and required for
the Seller to conduct the  Business as currently  conducted.  To the best of the
Seller's knowledge, all such Permits are in full force and effect and no



                                      10

<PAGE>



     proceedings  are pending or threatened  that may result in the  revocation,
cancellation or suspension thereof.

      3.9 Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, there are no claims,
actions,   suits,   proceedings   (including   administrative   proceedings)  or
investigations  pending or, to the best of the  Seller's  knowledge,  threatened
before any court,  arbitrator  or  governmental  agency to which the Seller is a
party and that relate to the Transferred  Assets or the Business or in which any
person or entity seeks to prevent,  enjoin or restrain the  consummation  of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      3.10  Intellectual  Property.  Schedule  3.10  sets  forth  a list  of all
Patents,  registrations  and  applications  for  Trademarks  including,  without
limitation,  trademark  registrations,   renewals  and  applications,   patents,
divisions,  continuations and reissues therefor,  all of which are unrevoked and
uncancelled.  Except as set forth in Schedule  3.10,  neither the Seller nor its
affiliates  have granted to or received a grant from any third party any license
or other  right to any of the  Intellectual  Property.  Except  as set  forth in
Schedule  3.10,  there  is no claim  pending  or,  to the  best of the  Seller's
knowledge,  threatened  alleging  that  the  Seller's  use or  ownership  of the
Intellectual  Property  infringes or has infringed the rights of any third party
and,  to the  best  of the  Seller's  knowledge,  such  use of the  Intellectual
Property by the Business as currently  conducted does not infringe upon any such
rights. To the best of the Seller's  knowledge,  except as set forth on Schedule
3.10, no third party is infringing upon the Seller's or its  affiliates'  rights
in the Intellectual  Property.  Neither the Seller nor its affiliates own or use
any  other  item of  Intellectual  Property  except  as  described  in the above
referenced   list,   which  is  material  to  the  Business.   The  Patents  and
registrations  for the Trademarks  have not been revoked or cancelled due to the
failure to pay any taxes or maintenance fees.  Seller or its affiliates,  as set
forth in Schedule 3.10, have good and valid title to the  Intellectual  Property
free and clear of all Liens.  The Patents and  registrations  for the Trademarks
have been properly maintained and renewed in accordance with all applicable laws
and in all applicable governmental offices, and are freely transferrable.

      3.11 Taxes. All material federal, state and local tax returns, reports and
declarations  of every kind  required to be filed by the Seller with  respect to
the Business  prior to the Closing Date have been or will be timely  filed,  and
all material  taxes shown  thereon or to be shown  thereon to be due and payable
have been paid or will be timely paid. The Seller has timely paid or will timely
pay all material  taxes imposed on them with respect to the Business,  including
with  respect  to the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  except as
provided in Section 9.1,  that are due and payable for each period  ending on or
prior to the  Closing  Date and the portion  ending on the  Closing  Date of any
period that includes but ends after the Closing Date.

      3.12  Inventories.  The  Inventories  to be  reflected on the Closing Date
Inventory Statement will be manufactured by the Seller in the ordinary course of
business and will be in  conformity  in all material  respects  with  applicable
specifications,  except as described on Schedule 3.12. All such Inventories will
consist  solely of  merchandise  useable or saleable in the  ordinary  course of
business and will not be obsolete or damaged, except as described on



                                      11

<PAGE>



Schedule 3.12.  Since the Financial  Statement Date, there have been no material
changes in the Inventories except in the ordinary course of business. Seller has
good  and  valid  title to the  Inventories  free and  clear of all  Liens.  The
Inventories do not consist of any items held on consignment. Seller is not under
any  obligation  or  liability  with  respect to  accepting  returns of items of
Inventory or merchandise  in the  possession of its customers  other than in the
ordinary  course  of  business.  No  clearance  or  extraordinary  sale  of  the
Inventories has been conducted since December 31, 1996.  Seller has not acquired
or  committed  to acquire or  manufacture  Inventory  for sale which is not of a
quality and  quantity  usable in the ordinary  course of the  Business  within a
reasonable period of time and consistent with past practices. Schedule 3.12 sets
forth a complete list of the addresses of the warehouses and other facilities in
which the Inventories  (controlled by Seller in the Territory) are located.  The
Inventories  are at least  equivalent  in  quality  to the  inventory  generally
included  in such  inventory  in the past and are not in  excess  of the  normal
purchasing patterns of the Seller.

      3.13  Customers  and  Suppliers.  Schedule  3.13 sets  forth the names and
addresses of the ten (10) largest  customers and suppliers (in dollar volume) of
the Business for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. Except as set forth on
Schedule  3.13, no such customer or supplier has ceased,  materially  reduced or
materially  changed its method of doing  business with the Seller nor has Seller
received  any  notice  that any such  customer  or  supplier  intends  to cease,
materially reduce or materially change its method of doing business with Seller.
Seller's  relationship  with each  customer  and  supplier is a good  commercial
working relationship. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13 neither Seller or its
affiliates have any direct or indirect  interest in any competitor,  customer or
supplier of the Business or Seller.

      3.14  Brokers and  Finders.  Neither the Seller nor any of its  affiliates
have dealt with any finders,  brokers,  agents or others in connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      3.15 Sales Representatives,  Dealers and Distributors. Except as set forth
in Schedule 3.15,  Seller,  with respect to the Business,  is not a party to any
contract or agreement with any person or entity under which such other person or
entity is a sales agent,  representative,  dealer or  distributor  of any of the
products of Seller or the Business  which by its terms cannot be  terminated  at
will or on not more  than 30 days'  prior  notice  without  penalty  or  further
payment and there has been no change in the rate of compensation paid or payable
to any such person or entity since December 31, 1996.


      As a material  inducement to Buyer to consummate  this  Agreement,  at the
time of the Closing each of the specific  representations  and warranties of the
Seller set forth in this  Article 3 will be deemed to be remade by the Seller as
of the time of the Closing.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                  Representations and Warranties of the Buyer



                                      12

<PAGE>




The Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Seller as follows:

      4.1  Organization.  The Buyer is duly organized,  validly  existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

      4.2  Authorization.  The  Buyer has the  corporate  power to  execute  and
deliver  this  Agreement  and all  other  documents  contemplated  hereby  to be
executed  and  delivered  by the  Buyer,  and  to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and  thereby.  The Buyer has taken all  corporate  or other
action  required to authorize the  execution and delivery of this  Agreement and
all other documents contemplated hereby and to authorize the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby.  This Agreement has been and, on
the Closing Date,  the other  documents  will be, duly executed and delivered by
the Buyer and this  Agreement  is, and on the Closing Date such other  documents
will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of the Buyer,  enforceable against
the Buyer in accordance with their terms.

      4.3  Consents  or  Approvals.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  4.3 or in
connection with the HSR Act, no notice,  declaration,  report or other filing or
registration  with, and no waiver,  consent,  approval or authorization  of, any
governmental or regulatory  authority or  instrumentality  or any third party is
required  to be given,  made or  obtained  by the Buyer in  connection  with the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement.

     4.4 Resale of Inventories.  The Inventories are being acquired by the Buyer
solely for the purpose of resale.

      4.5 Brokers and Finders.  Neither the Buyer nor any of its affiliates have
dealt  with  any  broker,  finder,  agent  or  others  in  connection  with  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                       Covenants; Additional Agreements

      5.1 Conduct of the Business  Pending  Closing.  From and after the date of
this Agreement until the Closing Date, the Seller and its affiliates shall, with
respect to the Business and the Transferred Assets, except as otherwise approved
by the Buyer (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed):

     (a) carry on the Business in the ordinary course in substantially  the same
manner as heretofore conducted;

     (b) keep in full force and effect insurance  comparable in amount and scope
of coverage to that now maintained;

     (c)  perform  in  all  material   respects  their   obligations  under  the
Transferred Contracts;



                                      13

<PAGE>



      (d) comply in all material respects with applicable  requirements of laws,
rules, regulations, orders, ordinances and directives, whether federal, state or
local or otherwise;

      (e) not enter into any Transferred Contracts involving an amount in excess
of $15,000 and not, in any material respects,  amend, modify, terminate or waive
compliance with any provision of any Transferred  Contracts  listed on Schedules
3.6 and 3.10;

     (f)  use   commercially   reasonable   efforts  to  preserve   the  current
relationships of the Business with its customers, suppliers and distributors;

     (g) not  sell,  assign,  transfer  or lease any of the  Transferred  Assets
(except for Inventory in the ordinary course of business);

     (h) not mortgage,  pledge,  grant or suffer to exist any Lien on any of the
Transferred Assets;

      (i) other than in the ordinary course of business, not waive any rights of
material  value or  cancel,  discharge,  satisfy or pay any debt,  claim,  lien,
liability or obligation,  whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and
whether due or to become due;

     (j) not effect any material change in the accounting practices,  procedures
or methods of the Business;

      (k) not enter into any  transaction  other than in the ordinary  course of
business,  or change in any material  respects  any of the business  policies or
practices of the Business;

      (l) not do or fail to do anything which would make any  representations or
warranties in the Agreement or any  certificate or other  document  contemplated
thereby, untrue; and

      (m) give written  notice to the Buyer  promptly  after the Seller  becomes
aware of the  occurrence  of any  event or  series  of  events  that  materially
adversely affects the Business.

      5.2   Access.

      (a) From February 25, 1997 to the Closing  Date,  the Seller shall give to
the Buyer and its  representatives  and agents  reasonable  access during normal
business hours upon reasonable prior notice to the assets,  books and records of
the Business and furnish to the Buyer such documents and information  concerning
the Business as the Buyer from time to time may  reasonably  request,  provided,
however, that the Seller may preclude access to trade secrets and formulas.

      (b)  Following  the  Closing  Date,  the Buyer and the  Seller  shall make
available   on  a  reasonable   basis  to  each  other,   and  to  each  other's
representatives  and agents,  any financial data and other  information that the
Seller or the Buyer have relating to the Business: (i) to permit the



                                      14

<PAGE>



preparation  of any  tax  returns,  (ii) in  connection  with  any  governmental
examination  of tax  returns  relating  to the  Business,  (iii)  to  defend  or
prosecute  any claims  relating to the  Business,  or (iv) for any other  proper
purpose.  A  party's  reasonable   out-of-pocket  expenses  in  connection  with
responding to any such request shall be reimbursed by the requesting party.

      5.3 Non-Compete Covenant.  The Buyer acknowledges that it has been advised
by Seller that Seller has two divisions  (Elizabeth  Arden and Calvin Klein) who
market,  and will  continue to market,  products  (but not nail  polish  remover
products)  which are sold as prestige  products but such  products may enter the
mass market and compete with the products (but not with the nail polish  remover
products)  of the  Business.  Subject to the above,  Seller  agrees that neither
Seller nor its  affiliates  shall at any time  within the three (3) year  period
immediately following the Closing Date:

      (a) in the  United  States or Puerto  Rico,  directly  engage  for its own
account or the account of others, or have any ownership, management, employment,
agency  consultancy  or other  interest in any firm,  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company, proprietorship or other business entity that engages,
in the sale,  distribution,  packaging,  manufacture or marketing of nail polish
remover  products  or,  in the mass  market,  nail  enamel  products,  nail care
treatment products, nail care implements, lipstick or any other nail care or lip
color products that are competitive  with any products of the Business or assist
any other person so to do, except that Seller and its  affiliates  may: (i) own,
directly or indirectly,  solely as an investment,  securities of any entity that
are publicly traded if Seller and its affiliates do not, directly or indirectly,
beneficially  own,  collectively,  five  percent  (5%) or more of any  class  of
securities of such entity, (ii) have an ownership interest otherwise  proscribed
by this Section 5.3 during such period if such  ownership  interest  arises as a
result of the  acquisition  of a  business  entity  not  principally  engaged in
activities  proscribed  by this Section 5.3,  (iii) sell such products to any of
their affiliates solely for resale outside of the Territory, and (iv) perform as
contemplated under the Manufacturing Agreement.

      (b) directly or  indirectly,  for its own account or the account of others
shall attempt to or assist any other person or entity in attempting to do any of
the following with respect to the Business:  (i) solicit any director,  officer,
employee,  or agent  of Buyer or its  affiliates  who are  employed  or  provide
services  with respect to the Business or encourage any such person to terminate
such  relationship  with Buyer or its  affiliates,  (ii) encourage any customer,
client,  supplier or other business relationship of Buyer or its affiliates with
respect  to the  Business  to  terminate  or alter  such  relationship,  whether
contractual or otherwise, to the disadvantage of the Buyer or its affiliates, as
the case may be (iii)  encourage  any  prospective  customer or supplier  not to
enter into a business relationship with the Buyer or its affiliates with respect
to the Business; (iv) impair or attempt to impair any relationship,  contractual
or otherwise,  written or oral,  between the Buyer or its  affiliates and any of
their customers, suppliers or other business relationships.

      The  parties  agree  that  damages  at  law  for  violation  of any of the
foregoing covenants (and those contained in Section 5.12) may not be an adequate
remedy  and that if  Seller  or its  affiliates  violate  any of the  provisions
hereof, in addition to any other available rights or remedies, Buyer,



                                      15

<PAGE>



its  affiliates  and their  successors  and  assigns,  shall be entitled to seek
temporary or permanent injunctive relief with regard to such violation.

      5.4  Reasonable  Efforts;  Cooperation.  Each party will use  commercially
reasonable  efforts to take or cause to be taken all  actions and to do or cause
to be done all things necessary,  proper or advisable to perform its obligations
hereunder and to satisfy the  conditions  to the Closing and to  consummate  the
transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  and  shall  use   commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary waivers,  consents and approvals,  to
effect all necessary registrations and filings, and to cause all waiting periods
thereunder to expire or terminate.

      5.5  Regulatory  Filings.  Each of the parties  hereto will furnish to the
other party hereto such necessary  information and reasonable  assistance as the
other  party may  reasonably  request  in  connection  with its  preparation  of
necessary  filings or submissions to any governmental  agency.  Buyer and Seller
agree to file  promptly any  information  required by the HSR Act and to request
early  termination  of  the  waiting  period,  to use  best  efforts  to  effect
compliance with the conditions specified in Section 6.1(b), and to equally share
the costs of all filing fees relating thereto.

      5.6 Public Announcements. Prior to the Closing, none of the parties hereto
shall issue any press  release or otherwise  make any public  statements  to the
media with respect to this Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,
and after the Closing none of the parties  hereto shall issue any press  release
or  otherwise  make any  public  statements  to the media  with  respect to this
Agreement  and the other  documents to be executed and  delivered in  connection
herewith,  except in each case with the  prior  written  approval  of all of the
other parties hereto, unless required by law.

      5.7  Confidentiality.  The Buyer,  Seller and their  affiliates  shall not
respectively,  disclose,  use or  permit  their  officers,  employees,  counsel,
accountants or other  representatives  or agents to disclose or use, directly or
indirectly,  any information about the Buyer, Seller or their affiliates, or the
Business,  other than information in the public domain,  information required by
Buyer's  lenders,  and information  they knew (and which was not restricted from
disclosing  or using) before they were first  contacted by the Buyer,  Seller or
their  representatives  in connection with the sale of the  Transferred  Assets,
provided that such  confidentiality  obligation  of the Buyer shall expire,  but
only with  respect to  information  about the  Business  and not with respect to
information  about the Seller or its  affiliates,  upon the Closing Date. If the
transaction  contemplated  hereby  is not  consummated,  the  parties,  upon the
request of each  other,  shall  return all  written  information  and  documents
received in connection with the proposed sale of Transferred  Assets (other than
drafts of this Agreement) and shall destroy and cause their officers, employees,
counsel,  accountants and other representatives and agents to destroy any copies
of such  information  and documents and any notes or abstracts of information in
their possession reflecting such information and documents or other confidential
information  received in  connection  with this  transaction  about the parties,
their affiliates or the Business.  The provisions of this Section 5.7 supplement
and are in  addition  to,  not in lieu of, the  provisions  of any and all other
agreements between the parties and their affiliates respecting confidentiality



                                      16

<PAGE>



of information. The provisions of any such other agreements shall remain in full
force and effect,  provided  that in the event of an  inconsistency  or conflict
between the  provisions  of such other  agreements  and this  Section  5.7,  the
provisions  of this  Section  5.7 shall  control  (except  for Section 21 of the
Manufacturing Agreement and Section 5.8 below).

      5.8 Post-Closing  Confidentiality.  The Seller,  for a period of three (3)
years from the Closing Date, shall maintain and cause its affiliates to maintain
the  confidentiality  of  information  regarding the Business,  the  Transferred
Assets,  the  Buyer  and  its  affiliates  ("Confidential  Information")  unless
disclosure  of such  information  is  required  by law or in  connection  with a
proceeding   arising  out  of  or  relating  to  this  Agreement.   Confidential
Information is understood not to include (i)  information  which is currently in
the public domain,  (ii) information  which falls into the public domain through
no fault of the Seller, or (iii) information which comes to the Seller through a
third party  unrelated to Buyer or its  affiliates  who has the right to receive
and disclose the same. The Seller and its  affiliates  agree that damages at law
for  violation of any of the foregoing  covenants may not be an adequate  remedy
and that if Seller or its affiliates  violate any of the provisions  hereof,  in
addition to any other available  rights or remedies,  Buyer,  its affiliates and
their  successors and assigns,  shall be entitled to seek temporary or permanent
injunctive relief with regard to such violation. The provisions contained herein
shall be in addition to and not be deemed to be a limitation of the  obligations
of Seller and its  affiliates  pursuant to Section 21  (Confidentiality)  of the
Manufacturing Agreement.

      5.9  Termination of Insurance.  The Buyer  acknowledges  that the Seller's
insurance  coverage for the Business shall terminate as of the close of business
on the Closing Date.

     5.10  Manufacturing  Agreement.  The  parties  will  execute and deliver at
Closing a Manufacturing Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit
G (the "Manufacturing Agreement").

      5.11 Use of Name.  From and after the Closing Date, the Seller shall cease
and desist from using the  Trademarks  of the Business  including  "CUTEX",  any
variation thereof and any name confusingly similar thereto, except to affix such
Trademarks  to  products  being  manufactured  by Seller  for  Seller's  foreign
affiliates   for  sale   outside   of  the  United   States  and  Puerto   Rico.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Buyer shall permit the Seller to sell damaged or
obsolete Inventories not purchased by the Buyer to any account other than to the
normal, usual or customary (including,  without limitation, those referred to in
Schedule 3.13 of the Agreement) accounts.

      5.12  License to Use Certain Trademarks and Trade Names.

      (a) For a period of six (6)  months  after the  Closing  Date,  the Seller
hereby permits and gives the Buyer a license to use in connection  with sales of
any  products  of the  Business  (and  without  the  payment  of any  additional
consideration  therefor) the trade names  Chesebrough-Pond's,  CPI or CP, or any
variation  thereof (the "Retained Trade Names")  appearing on the Inventories or
inventories and packaging materials or labels used by Seller to



                                      17

<PAGE>



manufacture products for Buyer under the Manufacturing  Agreement, and the Buyer
shall not be  required  to take any  action to remove or efface  any such  Trade
Names in connection therewith other than as provided in Section 5.12(b).

      (b) Except co the extent permitted pursuant to Section 5.12(a),  the Buyer
shall  not use or  permit  the use of any of the  Retained  Trade  Names  in any
manner. Immediately upon the termination of the continued use period referred to
in Section  5.12(a)  hereof,  the Buyer shall effect the removal of the Retained
Trade Names from the products of the Business or shall  destroy such products of
the Business.

      5.13 Delivery of Certain Documentation  Relating to Intellectual Property.
True copies of the registrations,  applications and other relevant documentation
for the Trademarks,  Patents and other Intellectual Property including,  without
limiting the foregoing, listed on Schedule 3.10 shall be delivered to the Buyer,
at the Seller's expense, at the Closing.

      5.14 Delivery of Permits.  True and complete  copies of all Permits listed
in Schedule  3.8 shall be  furnished  by the Seller to the Buyer within five (5)
days prior to the Closing  Date to the extent not  previously  furnished  to the
Buyer.

      5.15  Shipment  of the  Inventories.  After the  Closing,  the Buyer shall
arrange for, at its expense,  the shipment of the Inventories  from the Seller's
facilities to the Buyer's  facilities.  In accordance with Sections 1.1 and 2.1,
title and risk of loss with respect to the  Inventories  shall pass to the Buyer
effective as of the close of business on the Closing Date.

      5.16  Allocation of the Purchase  Price.  Within one hundred  twenty (120)
days after the Closing  Date,  Buyer shall  prepare and submit to Seller for its
approval (which shall not be unreasonably  withheld) Buyer's proposed allocation
of the Closing Purchase Price to the Transferred Assets; and all tax returns and
reports filed by Buyer and Seller with respect to the transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement  shall be consistent with that  allocation.  Each of Buyer and
Seller  shall  timely  complete  a Form  8594  Asset  Acquisition  Statement  of
Allocation  consistent with that  allocation,  shall provide a copy to the other
party and shall file a copy of such form with its Federal  income tax return for
the period that included the Closing Date.

      5.17  Exclusivity.  From and  after the date of this  Agreement  until the
Closing Date the Seller will not, nor will it permit any of its  affiliates  (or
authorize or permit any of their respective officers,  employees, legal counsel,
accountants,  investment  brokers,  financial advisers or other  representatives
(together,  "representatives")  to take,  directly or indirectly,  any action to
solicit,  facilitate,  negotiate,  permit  access with regard to,  encourage  or
accept any offer or inquiry in respect of the acquisition of the Business or the
Transferred  Assets from, enter into any agreement or understanding for the sale
of the  Business  or the  Transferred  Assets  to,  or  furnish  or  cause to be
furnished  any  information  with  respect to the  Business  or the  Transferred
Assets, to any other person or entity.




                                      18

<PAGE>



      5.18 Employee Matters.  Buyer and Seller hereby acknowledge and agree that
Buyer shall not have any obligation or liability whatsoever to or with regard to
any employees of the Seller or its affiliates  ("Employees"),  or with regard to
matters or liabilities relating to such Employees including, but not limited to,
obligations  or  liabilities  concerning  employee  compensation  and  benefits,
severance payments,  occupational safety matters, health matters, ERISA matters,
workers' compensation matters, and other employee matters, all of which shall be
Retained  Liabilities of Seller and their  affiliates.  For a period of one year
from the Closing  Date Buyer will not solicit to employ any of Seller's  current
employees so long as they are  employed by Seller,  without  obtaining  Seller's
consent.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                             Conditions to Closing

      6.1 Conditions to Obligations of Both Parties to Close.  The obligation of
each party hereto to consummate the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
shall  be  subject  to the  satisfaction,  at or prior  to the  Closing,  of the
following conditions:

      (a)  No  law,  rule,  regulation,   order,  decree,  injunction,  stay  or
restraining order shall have been enacted,  entered,  promulgated or enforced by
any court of competent  jurisdiction or governmental or regulatory  authority or
instrumentality  that  prohibits  the  consummation  of all or any  part  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby, and no action or proceeding shall be pending
by any  governmental  or  regulatory  authority  seeking any of the foregoing or
seeking  to  recover  any  damages  or  obtain  other  relief as a result of the
consummation of such transactions.

      (b) All required  registrations  and filings  with any  Federal,  state or
local  government or regulatory  authority  shall have been made and any waiting
period or approval  applicable to the transactions  contemplated hereby pursuant
to any law,  rule,  regulation,  order or decree of any Federal,  state or local
government or instrumentality or agency thereof having jurisdiction with respect
to the transactions  contemplated hereby shall have expired,  been terminated or
been obtained, as the case may be.

      6.2 Conditions to Obligation of the Buyer to Close.  The obligation of the
Buyer to purchase the  Transferred  Assets and  Business,  to assume the Assumed
Liabilities  and otherwise to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of the
following conditions:

      (a)  The  Seller  shall  have  performed  in  all  material  respects  its
obligations  required  under this  Agreement  to be performed at or prior to the
Closing.

      (b) The  representations  and  warranties of the Seller  contained  herein
shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be
true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date.




                                      19

<PAGE>



      (c) The Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a certificate,  dated the
Closing Date and signed by an officer of the Seller,  as to the  satisfaction of
the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above.

      (d)  The  Seller  shall  have  delivered  to the  Buyer  a  good  standing
certificate of Seller and a certified  copy of  resolutions  duly adopted by the
board of directors of the Seller authorizing and approving the execution of this
Agreement  (and other  documents and  instruments  contemplated  thereby) by the
Seller and the performance by the Seller of its obligations hereunder.

      (e) The  Seller  shall  have  caused  the  assignment  to the Buyer of the
License  Agreement  between  Chesebrough-Pond's  Inc.,  as  Licensor,  and  Jean
Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc.,  as  Licensee,  as amended,  referred to in Section
1.1(ii) of this Agreement and Buyer shall have entered into and  consummated (i)
a  termination  agreement  with Jean  Philippe  Fragrances,  Inc.  wherein  such
Licensee has agreed that such License  Agreement is terminated and of no further
force or  effect,  and (ii) an  asset  purchase  agreement  with  Jean  Philippe
Fragrances,  Inc.  wherein such Licensee has agreed to sell and Buyer has agreed
to purchase Licensee's  inventory and other assets relating to Products referred
to in the License  Agreement,  on mutually agreeable terms, and Seller's and its
affiliates  rights and  obligations  to purchase  such assets have been  waived.
Seller  represents  and warrants  that Licensor has and will have on the Closing
Date,  the right to  terminate  such License  Agreement  pursuant to Section 8.1
thereof,  as the result of a failure  to comply by  Licensee  thereunder,  which
right of  termination  is  assignable  and  will be  assigned  to  Buyer  and be
effective on the Closing Date.  Without  limiting any of its other waiver rights
set forth in this Agreement, Buyer may waive, in whole or in part, any or all of
the conditions contained herein, in its sole discretion.

     (f)   The Seller shall have delivered the executed Manufacturing Agreement.

      (g)  The  Seller  shall  have  delivered  all  Schedules  which  shall  be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Buyer.

      (h) All actions required to be taken or documents required to be delivered
by  the  Seller  hereunder  or  in  connection  with  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  shall  be  delivered  to and be
reasonably  satisfactory  to the Buyer and the Buyer  shall  have  received  any
additional documents reasonably requested by the Buyer effectively to vest title
to the  Transferred  Assets  in the  Buyer  or to  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated by the Agreement.

      6.3 Conditions to  Obligations  of the Seller to Close.  The obligation of
the Seller to, and to cause its  affiliates  to,  sell,  transfer and assign the
Transferred Assets and the Business and otherwise to consummate the transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall be  subject to the  satisfaction,  at or
before the Closing, of the following conditions:

      (a)  The  Buyer  shall  have  performed  in  all  material   respects  its
obligations  required  under this  Agreement  to be performed at or prior to the
Closing.




                                      20

<PAGE>



      (b) The representations and warranties of the Buyer contained herein shall
have been true and correct in all material  respects when made and shall be true
and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing Date.

      (c) The Buyer shall have delivered to the Seller a certificate,  dated the
Closing Date and signed by an officer of the Buyer,  as to the  satisfaction  of
the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above.

      (d)  The  Buyer  shall  have  delivered  to the  Seller  a  good  standing
certificate  of Buyer and a certified  copy of  resolutions  duly adopted by the
board of directors of the Buyer  authorizing and approving the execution of this
Agreement  (and other  documents and  instruments  contemplated  thereby) by the
Buyer and the performance by the Buyer of its obligations hereunder.

      (e) All actions required to be taken or documents required to be delivered
by  the  Buyer  hereunder  or  in  connection  with  the   consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory to
the  Seller  and  the  Seller  shall  have  received  any  additional  documents
reasonably  requested  by the Seller  effectively  to  transfer to the Buyer the
Assumed Liabilities.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                       Termination, Amendment and Waiver

      7.1   Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing;

      (a)   By mutual consent of the Buyer and the Seller;

     (b) By the Seller if the Buyer is in breach in any material respects of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement;

     (c) By the Buyer if the Seller is in breach in any material respects of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth in this Agreement;

      (d) By the  Seller  if it is not in breach  of this  Agreement,  or by the
Buyer  if it is not in  breach  of this  Agreement,  and in  either  case if the
Closing has not occurred by June 30, 1997.

     Sections  5.7 and 9.1 and any  rights and  remedies  for  breaches  of this
Agreement  prior  to  its  termination   shall  survive  any  such  termination.
Otherwise,  upon its  termination,  this Agreement shall forthwith  become of no
further force and effect.

     7.2 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in
writing signed by all parties.




                                      21

<PAGE>



      7.3 Waiver.  Any party hereto may: (a) extend the time for the performance
of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties  hereto,  (b) waive
any  inaccuracies or breaches in the  representations  and warranties  contained
herein or in any document delivered by the other parties pursuant hereto, or (c)
waive  compliance with any of the agreements or covenants or satisfaction of any
of the  conditions  to be  performed  by the other  parties  that are  contained
herein.  Any  agreement on the part of a party  hereto to any such  extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an  instrument  in writing  signed by
such party.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                                Indemnification

      8.1   Agreement to Indemnify.

      (a) Subject to the  limitations set forth in Section 8.3, the Seller shall
indemnify,  defend  and hold  harmless  the Buyer  Group (as  defined in Section
8.1(c)) against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities,  deficiencies,
obligations,  assessments,  judgments,  costs or expenses of any kind, including
without limitation  reasonable  attorney's fees and expenses reasonably incurred
in  investigating,  preparing for,  defending  against or prosecuting any claim,
litigation  or  proceeding  (collectively,  "Losses"),  but net of any insurance
recoveries or tax benefits  actually received by the Buyer Group because of such
Losses, arising out of or resulting from the following:

            (i) the failure of the Seller or its  affiliates to pay or otherwise
discharge the Retained  Liabilities,  or any other liabilities or obligations of
any kind to the extent arising out of or resulting from the operation or conduct
of the Business through the Closing Date except for the Assumed Liabilities;

            (ii) the  nonfulfillment  by the Seller of any agreement or covenant
of the Seller hereunder or in any instrument or document  delivered  pursuant to
Sections 2.3 and 6.2 hereof;

            (iii) the inaccuracy of any representation or breach of any warranty
made by the Seller herein or in any certificate or document  delivered  pursuant
to Sections 2.3 or 6.2(c); and

            (iv) except with regard to Buyer's Assumed Liability, the conduct or
operation of the Business prior to the Closing Date.

      (b) Subject to the  limitations  set forth in Section 8.3, the Buyer shall
indemnify,  defend and hold  harmless  the Seller  Group (as  defined in Section
8.1(c)) against any and all Losses,  but net of any insurance  recoveries or tax
benefits actually  received by the Seller Group because of such Losses,  arising
or resulting from the following:

     (i) the  failure of the Buyer to pay or  otherwise  discharge  the  Assumed
Liabilities;
            (ii) the  non-fulfillment  by the Buyer of any agreement or covenant
of the Buyer  hereunder or in any instrument or document  delivered  pursuant to
Sections 2.4 or 6.3;



                                      22

<PAGE>




            (iii) the  inaccuracy  of any  representation  or the  breach of any
warranty made by the Buyer herein or in any  certificate  or document  delivered
pursuant to Sections 2.4 or 6.3(c); and

            (iv) the  conduct or  operation  of the  Business  after the Closing
Date, including without limitation the sale by the Buyer or its affiliates after
the Closing Date of any finished products included in the Inventories,  subject,
however, to the limitations set forth in Section 1.3(a)(iii).

                  (c) The term  "Buyer  Group"  shall  include  the  Buyer,  its
affiliates,  subsidiaries and successors and the directors,  officers, employees
and shareholders  thereof, and the term "Seller Group" shall include the Seller,
its  affiliates  and  successors  and the  directors,  officers,  employees  and
shareholders thereof.

                  (d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article 8, neither
Buyer  Group nor  Seller  Group  shall be  required  to alter any  positions  or
elections it would  otherwise take or make with respect to taxes or insurance in
order to reduce the  amount of  indemnifiable  Losses  under  Section  8.1(a) or
Section 8.1(b), as the case may be.

      8.2   Procedure for Indemnification.

      (a) In the event that any of the Buyer  Group or Seller  Group as the case
may be (the "indemnified  party") receives written notice of the commencement of
any action or  proceeding,  the  assertion  of any claim by a third party or the
imposition  of any  penalty  or  assessment  for which  indemnity  may be sought
pursuant to this Article 8 (a "Third Party Claim"),  and the  indemnified  party
intends to seek  indemnity  pursuant to this  Article 8, the  indemnified  party
shall promptly  provide the other of the Buyer Group or Seller Group as the case
may be (the  "indemnifying  party")  with notice of such Third Party Claims and,
except for claims  seeking  equitable  relief from the  indemnified  party,  the
indemnifying   party  shall,  upon  receipt  of  such  notice,  be  entitled  to
participate  in or, at the  indemnifying  party's  option,  assume the  defense,
appeal or  settlement  of such  Third  Party  Claim  with  respect to which such
indemnity  has been  invoked  with  counsel  selected by it and  approved by the
indemnified  party (such approval not to be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed),
and the indemnified  party shall fully cooperate with the indemnifying  party in
connection  therewith upon such indemnifying  party's reasonable request. In the
event  that the  indemnifying  party  fails to  assume  the  defense,  appeal or
settlement of such Third Party Claim within  forty-five  (45) days after receipt
of written notice thereof from the  indemnified  party,  the  indemnified  party
shall have the right to undertake  the  defense,  appeal or  settlement  of such
Third Party Claim at the expense and for the account of the indemnifying  party.
The indemnifying party shall not settle or compromise any such Third Party Claim
without the indemnified party's prior written consent,  unless the terms of such
settlement  or  compromise  release  the  indemnified  party  from  any  and all
liability with respect to such Third Party Claim. However, if such settlement or
compromise  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  indemnified  party
notwithstanding such release, its prior written consent shall still be required,
which consent will not be unreasonably  withheld.  The indemnifying  party shall
pay the amount of the Loss  arising  out of such Third  Party  Claim to and upon
demand of the indemnified party in immediately available funds.



                                      23

<PAGE>




      (b) In the event any of the Buyer Group or Seller Group as the case may be
(also   referred   to  as   "indemnified   party")   should  have  a  claim  for
indemnification  against the other of the Buyer Group or the Seller Group as the
case may be (also referred to as  "indemnifying  party") that does not involve a
Third Party Claim,  the  indemnified  party shall deliver a notice of such claim
with reasonable  promptness to the indemnifying  party. The failure to give such
notice  shall  not  affect   whether  an   indemnifying   party  is  liable  for
indemnification  unless  such  failure has  resulted in the loss of  substantive
rights with respect to the  indemnifying  party's  ability to defend such claim,
and then only to the extent of such loss. If the indemnifying party notifies the
indemnified party that it does not dispute the claim described in such notice or
fails to notify the indemnified party within forty-five (45) days after delivery
of such notice by the indemnified party whether the indemnifying  party disputes
the claim described in such notice  ("dispute  notice"),  the Loss in the amount
specified  in the  indemnified  party's  notice  will be  conclusively  deemed a
liability of the  indemnifying  party and the  indemnifying  party shall pay the
amount of such Loss to the indemnified party on demand in immediately  available
funds.  If  the  indemnifying  party  timely  disputes  the  claim  within  such
forty-five (45) day period,  the indemnifying  party and indemnified  party will
proceed in good faith to  negotiate  and resolve the dispute  within  forty-five
(45) days after  indemnified  party receives the dispute notice. If such dispute
is not so resolved,  then either party may have the dispute  resolved by a court
of competent jurisdiction.

      8.3 Limitations on Indemnification.  Notwithstanding  Sections 8.1(a)(iii)
and  8.1(b)(iii)  of this  Article 8,  neither the Seller nor the Buyer shall be
responsible   for  any  Losses  arising  or  resulting  from   inaccuracies   in
representations  or breaches of warranties made by such breaching parties unless
the aggregate  amount of any such Losses exceeds,  on a cumulative  basis,  U.S.
$700,000.00,  and then only to the  extent of any such  excess,  and in no event
shall  the  aggregate  liability  for  such  Losses  exceed  $3,000,000.00.  All
representations  and warranties made by the Seller and the Buyer hereunder shall
survive the Closing;  provided,  however, that any claim for such Losses arising
out of or resulting from the inaccuracy of any such representation or the breach
of any such warranty must be asserted on or before the first  anniversary of the
Closing,  failing  which  any  such  claim  shall  be  waived  and  extinguished
excluding,  however,  claims  for  Losses  with  respect  to the  inaccuracy  of
representations   and  breach  of  warranties   contained  in  (i)  Section  3.1
(Organization),  Section 3.2 (Authorization),  Section 3.5 (Title to Transferred
Assets) or Section  3.11  (Taxes),  which may be  asserted at any time under the
applicable statute of limitations, failing which any such claims shall be waived
and  extinguished.  For purposes of this Section 8.3, a claim has been  asserted
when written notice thereof,  including reasonable supporting documentation,  if
available,  has been given by the indemnified party to the indemnifying party in
accordance with Section 9.3

                                   ARTICLE 9

                                 Miscellaneous

      9.1  Expenses,  Taxes.  Except as otherwise  provided  herein,  each party
hereto shall pay all fees and expenses  incurred by it in  connection  with this
Agreement and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Any
excise,  sales, use or transfer taxes or any other such taxes (other than income
taxes) that are payable or arise as a result of



                                      24

<PAGE>



execution of this  Agreement or the transfer of the  Transferred  Assets and the
Business to the Buyer pursuant to this  Agreement  shall be borne equally by the
Buyer and the Seller.

      9.2 Further  Assurances.  From time to time after the Closing,  the Seller
and the Buyer shall execute and deliver such  documents and  instruments  as any
other party may reasonably  request in order to consummate more  effectively the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

      9.3 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under
this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duty given:
(i) on the date of delivery, if delivered  personally,  (ii) on the business day
after dispatch by documented overnight delivery service such as Federal Express,
if sent in such manner,  (iii) on the date of  transmission by telecopy or telex
or other means of electronic  transmission,  if so transmitted,  provided that a
confirmation copy of any such electronic  transmission is sent no later than the
business  day  following  the  day  of  electronic  transmission  by  documented
overnight  delivery service or registered mail,  postage prepaid (return receipt
requested), or (iv) on the fifth business day after deposit in the United States
mail and sent by registered  mail,  postage prepaid (return receipt  requested).
Notices or other communications shall be directed to the following addresses:

      If to the Seller to:    Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
                              33 Benedict Place
                              Greenwich, CT 06813
                              Attention: General Counsel

      With a copy to:         Conopco, Inc.
                              390 Park Avenue
                              New York, NY 10022
                              Attention: Ronald M. Soiefer

      If to the Buyer to:     Carson, Inc.
                              64 Ross Road
                              Savannah, GA  31405
                              Attention: Dr. Leroy Keith,
                              Chairman and CEO

      With a copy to:         Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C.
                              One Airport Road
                              P.O. Box 2043
                              Lakewood, NJ 08701
                              Attention:  Jan L. Wouters, Esq.

      and:                    Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
                              One Chase Manhattan Place
                              New York, New York  10005-1413
                              Attention:  Lawrence Lederman, Esq.




                                      25

<PAGE>



Any party may, by notice given in  accordance  with this Section 9.3,  specify a
new address for notices under this Agreement.

      9.4  Headings.  The  descriptive  headings  of the  several  Articles  and
Sections  of  this  Agreement  and  the  table  of  contents  are  inserted  for
convenience  only,  do not  constitute a part of this  Agreement,  and shall not
affect the interpretation hereof.

      9.5 Applicable  Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the State of New York  regardless  of the laws that
might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws.

      9.6 Assignment;  No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement and all the
provisions  hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their  respective  successors  and  permitted  assigns.  Neither this
Agreement  nor any rights  hereunder  shall be assigned by either of the parties
hereto without the prior written  consent of the other party,  except that Buyer
may  assign  such  Agreement  and  rights  to its  affiliates,  subsidiaries  or
successors or, as collateral  security,  to its lenders without Seller's consent
(provided that in the event Buyer assigns an obligation  hereunder,  it shall be
responsible   for  such  obligation  if  its  assignee  fails  to  perform  such
obligation).  In the event of any such  assignment  for which  consent  has been
obtained,   the  assigning  party  shall  nevertheless  remain  responsible  for
compliance  with the terms of this  Agreement.  This Agreement  shall not confer
upon any person other than the parties  hereto any rights or remedies  hereunder
except as otherwise provided in this Section 9.6.

      9.7 Affiliates. The term "affiliates" is used in this Agreement as defined
in  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

      9.8  Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  two  or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

      9.9  Entire  Agreement.   This  Agreement  (including  the  documents  and
instruments  referred to herein)  constitutes the entire  agreement  between the
parties with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and  supersedes  all other
prior agreements and understandings,  both written and oral, between the parties
with respect thereto, except the Confidentiality  Agreement,  dated February 24,
1997 between Seller and Morningside Capital Group L.L.C., which  Confidentiality
Agreement is also binding on the Buyer until Closing, after which the provisions
of Section 5.7 shall govern.  All of the covenants and  agreements  contained in
this  Agreement  (including  the documents and  instruments  referred to herein)
shall survive Closing, subject to the provisions of Section 8.3.

      9.10  Severability.  In the event  that any one or more of the  provisions
contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be invalid,  illegal
or unenforceable in any respect in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality
or  unenforceability  shall not affect any other  provision of this Agreement in
any other  jurisdiction,  but this Agreement  shall be reformed and construed in
any such  jurisdiction as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable  provision
had never been



                                      26

<PAGE>



contained herein and such provision shall be reformed so that it would be valid,
legal and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction.

      9.11 Bulk Sales. The Buyer hereby waives compliance by the Seller with any
applicable  bulk sales transfer laws,  including  without  limitation,  the bulk
transfer  provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code of any State or Puerto Rico,
or any similar statute, with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby, and
the Seller hereby agrees to indemnify the Buyer and to defend and hold the Buyer
harmless from and against any damages,  claims or expenses or penalties asserted
by any creditor of the Seller or any governmental  authority with respect to any
noncompliance by Seller with any such bulk sales transfer laws.

      9.12 Refunds and Remittances. After the Closing, if the Buyer receives any
refund,  amount  or  other  monetary  benefit  related  to  claims,  litigation,
insurance,  accounts  receivable or other matters that is properly due and owing
to the Seller in accordance with this  Agreement,  the Buyer shall promptly (but
in no event  later than seven (7)  business  days after the end of the  calendar
month within  which such  benefit is received)  cause same to be remitted to the
Seller at the applicable  address  specified in Section 9.3.  Similarly,  in the
event that the Seller receives any such refund, amount or other monetary benefit
that is properly due and owing to the Buyer in accordance  with this  Agreement,
the Seller shall  promptly  (but in no event later than seven (7) business  days
after the end of the calendar month within which such benefit is received) cause
same to be remitted to the Buyer at the applicable  address specified in Section
9.3.




                                      27

<PAGE>




      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Asset  Purchase
Agreement to be duly  executed and  delivered as of the day and year first above
written.

CONOPCO, INC., Seller                     CARSON, INC., Buyer

By:                                                BY:
Name:     Melvin H. Kurtz                 Name:       Dr. Leroy Keith
Title:      Vice President                Title:        Chairman and CEO





                                      28

<PAGE>


                           ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                        List of Schedules and Exhibits
                                                                     Reference
                                                                      at Page

Schedule 1.3      Assumption of Certain Liabilities........................4
Schedule 3.3      No Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required.........8
Schedule 3.4      Financial statements.....................................8
Schedule 3.6      Transferred Contracts...............................8,9,14
Schedule 3.7      Absence of Change........................................9
Schedule 3.8      Permits..............................................10,18
Schedule 3.9      Litigation..............................................11
Schedule 3.10 Intellectual Property.........................2,5,8,9,11,14,18
Schedule 3.12 Inventories11,12
Schedule 3.13 Customers and Supplier................................11,12,17
Schedule 3.15 Sales Representatives, Dealers and Distributors.............12
Schedule 4.3      Consents or Approvals...................................13
Exhibit A         Bill of Sale, Assignment and Assumption Agreement........5
Exhibit B         Assignment and Assumption Agreement......................5
Exhibit C         Assignments for the Patents, Trademarks and
                   other Intellectual Property.............................5

Exhibit D         Copyright Assignment.....................................5
Exhibit E         Royalty-free Non-exclusive License Agreement (Buyer).....5

Exhibit F         Royalty-free Non-exclusive License Agreement (Seller)....6

Exhibit G         Manufacturing Agreement...............................5,17

Exhibit H         Assignment regarding License Agreement...................5



                                      29

<PAGE>





                        MANUFACTURING AGREEMENT

     This  Agreement  is made and entered into as of the 27th day of March 1997,
by and between CONOPCO, INC. d/b/a  CHESEBROUGH-POND'S USA CO., a corporation of
the  State  of New  York  having  a place  of  business  at 33  Benedict  Place,
Greenwich,  Connecticut 06830  (hereinafter "CP") and CARSON PRODUCTS COMPANY, a
Delaware  corporation  having a  principal  place of  business  at 64 Ross Road,
Savannah, Georgia 31405 (hereinafter "Buyer").

                        W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  CP is currently  manufacturing  and packaging nail polish remover
under the CUTEX trademark, including the plastic containers and caps used in the
packaging of the nail polish  remover,  for sale in the United States and Puerto
Rico and for Unilever N.V. and Unilever P.L.C.  ("Unilever")  foreign  companies
for sale in countries outside the United States and Puerto Rico; and

     WHEREAS,  Buyer is acquiring  the CUTEX  business in the United  States and
Puerto Rico pursuant to an Asset Purchase  Agreement  dated as of March 27, 1997
between CP and Buyer, as assignee (the "Asset Purchase Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS,  CP will continue to  manufacture  and package nail polish remover
for Unilever's foreign companies for sale in countries outside the United States
and Puerto Rico and is willing to continue to manufacture and supply Nail Polish
Remover and  container  and caps for that  product (as such term is  hereinafter
defined) to Buyer and Buyer is willing to  purchase  such  products  from CP for
sale in the United States and Puerto Rico;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
conditions hereinafter contained, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

     1.  Definitions.  "Nail Polish  Remover" shall mean the nail polish remover
products  currently  being  manufactured  by CP and  identified  in the attached
Exhibit A, including the current  plastic  containers and caps used in packaging
the nail polish remover (the "Product").

     2. Products to be Purchased and Purchase Orders.  CP agrees to manufacture,
sell and deliver to Buyer,  and Buyer hereby  agrees to purchase  from CP all of
its requirements for Product (subject to Section 8 hereof). The Product shall be
manufactured by CP in accordance with the  specifications  therefor currently in
effect and attached as Exhibit B (the  "Specifications")  and as may be modified
by Buyer from time to time, if such  modification  has been agreed to in writing
by CP, which agreement will not be unreasonably  withheld.  The Product shall be
ordered in quantities and  frequencies to be agreed upon by the parties  hereto.
CP agrees not to  manufacture,  sell or deliver the Product for or on account of
itself



<PAGE>



     or any other  person or entity,  except to the extent  provided  for in the
Asset Purchase Agreement.

         3. Ingredients and Raw Materials.  CP will supply all ingredients,  raw
materials,  finishing  supplies,  labels and  packaging  materials  required  to
process and pack the Product. Buyer agrees to assume responsibility for insuring
that all labels  provided by Buyer or prepared by CP in accordance  with Buyer's
specifications for the Product comply with all applicable packaging and labeling
requirements of Federal, state and local law.

     4.  Manufacturing  Charges.  The prices for the manufacture,  packaging and
warehousing of the Product are set forth in the attached Exhibit A.

         (a)      Standard Cost. The prices relating to the standard cost of the
                  Product in Exhibit A ("Standard  Cost") may be changed no more
                  often than quarterly where there is a 3% or greater cumulative
                  change in the Standard  Cost from the later of the date of the
                  Agreement or the date of the most recent price change pursuant
                  to this  Section.  In no event  shall  the  change in price be
                  greater than the cumulative change in the Standard Cost of the
                  particular Product.

     (b)  Overhead.  The prices  relating to  seventy-five  percent (75%) of the
overhead  cost  of  the  Product  in  Exhibit  A   ("Overhead")   cover  salary,
salary-related  expenses, taxes and utilities, and may be changed annually where
there is a 3% or greater cumulative change in the Overhead from the later of the
date of the  Agreement or the date of the most recent  price change  pursuant to
this  Section.  In no event  shall  the  change  in price  be  greater  than the
cumulative  change in the  Overhead of the  particular  Product.  The  remaining
twenty-five percent (25%) of the Overhead covers  depreciation,  maintenance and
repairs, and will not change during the term of this Agreement.

         5.       Terms of Sale.

         (a)      CP will invoice Buyer upon manufacture of the Product pursuant
                  to the Binding  Forecast (as defined in Section 7). All prices
                  for Product will be FOB CP plant.

         (b)      Invoices will reference the  individual  purchase order number
                  and will be due and  payable in thirty (30) days net from date
                  of invoice.

         (c)      Buyer,  within thirty (30) days of the receipt by Buyer of the
                  Product,  shall inspect and reject any lots, cases or units of
                  such Product  which fail to meet the  Specifications,  failing
                  which Buyer shall waive any right to reject or any other claim
                  for non-latent defects with respect to such Product, and Buyer
                  shall  receive a credit  for the price paid in respect of such
                  Product so rejected.

     (d) If CP has  purchased  labels or  packaging  materials  for the  Product
pursuant  to the  rolling  forecast  (described  in Section 7) and Buyer makes a
change in the

                                                         2

<PAGE>



                  labels or  packaging  materials,  resulting  in the  labels or
                  packaging  materials being rendered obsolete,  Buyer shall pay
                  CP for the cost of the labels or packaging  materials rendered
                  obsolete by the Buyer's changes in the packaging or labeling.

         6.  Failure to Pay. If Buyer fails to pay for the Product  when payment
therefor is due, CP may withhold further shipments until payment is received or,
at its option,  terminate this  Agreement  pursuant to the provisions of Section
11(c) hereof. CP's failure to exercise the option contained in this Section will
not  constitute  a waiver of its  rights to  exercise  such  option for a future
failure to pay,  nor release  Buyer from its  obligation  to pay for the Product
supplied to it, including nail polish remover,  plastic containers and caps then
in process.

         7. Production and Delivery. CP agrees to deliver the Product ordered by
the Buyer by the date specified in Buyer's  purchase order (which date shall not
be less than thirty  (30) days from the date of the  purchase  order),  title to
which will pass to Buyer at the time of  delivery.  Delivery  will take place at
the time the  Product  is loaded on  Buyer's  trucks  or  common  carrier  to be
delivered, freight collect, as directed by Buyer.

         Buyer agrees to furnish CP a twelve (12) month rolling  forecast of its
requirements for Product each month. The rolling forecast will, each month, also
fix the next month's  requirements  which Buyer is obligated to purchase from CP
(the "Binding Forecast").

         8. Option to Purchase.  Buyer shall have the option to purchase from CP
the tools and related  materials  dedicated by CP exclusively to the manufacture
of the  plastic  containers  and caps if CP no longer  manufactures  the Product
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  The purchase price to be paid by Buyer
in respect of a purchase  pursuant to this Section 8 shall be the original  cost
of such tools and related materials so purchased,  multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the useful life,  as determined by CP, of such tools
and  related  materials  less  the  expended  life of  such  tools  and  related
materials,  and the  denominator of which shall be the useful life of such tools
and related materials.

         9.  Force  Majeure.  In the event of strike  by  labor,  lockout,  war,
rebellion,  fire, flood, earthquake, act of God, act of governmental authorities
or any other causes  beyond the control of the parties  hereto which  renders it
impossible  for either party to comply with the terms of this  Agreement,  other
than the payment of monies, no liability for non-compliance caused hereby during
the continuance thereof will exist or arise.

         During any period of force majeure  affecting either party's ability to
perform  hereunder,  that party agrees that it will use commercially  reasonable
efforts to eliminate the cause of such  inability to perform.  Once the cause of
the party's  inability to perform has been  eliminated and the other party is so
notified,  the placing or  shipping of orders will resume  pursuant to the terms
hereof;  provided,  however,  that it can be done without breaching the terms of
any agreement a party may have had with an outside supplier during the period of
force majeure.



                                                         3

<PAGE>



         10. Term.  Subject to Section 11, this Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect for five (5) years from the Closing  Date  defined in the Asset
Purchase  Agreement.  Thereafter,  the Agreement will be extended for additional
one (1) year terms, unless terminated in accordance with Section 11.

         11.      Termination. This Agreement may be terminated:

         (i)      by a party in the event the other party:

     (a) files or has filed against it a petition  under the Federal  Bankruptcy
Act;
     (b) makes an  assignment  for the  benefit  of  creditors,  has a  receiver
appointed for it or otherwise takes advantage of laws designed for the relief of
debtors; or

                  (c)      fails to perform  or  otherwise  breaches  any of its
                           obligations  hereunder and such failure to perform or
                           breach  continues  for a period of  thirty  (30) days
                           after the  receipt of notice  from the other party of
                           its intent to terminate and the reasons therefor.  If
                           such  failure  to  perform  or breach is cured by the
                           party receiving the notice within the curative period
                           provided  herein,  then  said  notice  will  be of no
                           further  force  or  effect  and this  Agreement  will
                           continue uninterrupted;

         (ii)     by Buyer,  for any reason,  by giving CP written notice of its
                  intent to terminate  the Agreement at least one (1) year prior
                  to the termination date set forth in such notice.

         12.  Warranties of CP. CP hereby  represents and warrants to Buyer that
all  Product  produced  and  packaged  hereunder  will be  consistent  with  the
Specifications, CP's past practices and applicable law.

     13.  Warranties  of Buyer.  Buyer hereby  represents  and warrants to CP as
follows:
         (a)      That  all  labels  provided  by  Buyer  for  use  by CP in the
                  production  and packaging of the Product will be in compliance
                  with all  applicable  laws and  regulations  in  effect in any
                  jurisdiction in which the Product is manufactured,  shipped or
                  sold; and

         (b)      That the labels, and changes to the Specifications supplied by
                  Buyer will not  infringe  any patent,  trademark,  trade name,
                  copyright,  trade  secret or other  proprietary  rights of any
                  person not a party hereto.

         14.  Indemnification  of Buyer by CP.  Subject to Section 16, CP hereby
agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against any and all losses,
claims,  damages and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees and court
costs, arising from:



                                                         4

<PAGE>



         (a)      recalls of the Product ordered by governmental  authorities or
                  mutually agreed to by CP and Buyer in reasonable  anticipation
                  thereof which are  necessitated  solely by CP's  negligence or
                  fault; and

         (b)CP's breach of any representation, warranty or obligation hereunder.

         15. Indemnification of CP by Buyer. Subject to Section 16, Buyer hereby
agrees to  indemnify  and hold CP harmless  from and against any and all losses,
claims,  damages and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees and court
costs, arising from (a) the manufacture,  storage, or sale of the Product during
the term hereof except to the extent of CP's responsibility therefor pursuant to
Section 14, or (b) Buyer's breach of any representation,  warranty or obligation
hereunder.

         16.  Indemnification  Procedure.  In the  event  that  any  party  (the
"indemnified  party")  receives written notice of the commencement of any action
or proceeding,  the assertion of any claim by a third party or the imposition of
any penalty or assessment  for which  indemnity  may be sought  pursuant to this
Section (a "Third  Party  Claim"),  and the  indemnified  party  intends to seek
indemnity  pursuant to this  Section 16, the  indemnified  party shall  promptly
provide the other  party (the  "indemnifying  party")  with notice of such Third
Party  Claims  and,  except  for  claims  seeking   equitable  relief  from  the
indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall, upon receipt of such notice, be
entitled to participate in or, at the  indemnifying  party's option,  assume the
defense,  appeal or  settlement  of such Third Party Claim with respect to which
such indemnity has been invoked with counsel  selected by it and approved by the
indemnified  party (such approval not to be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed),
and the indemnified  party shall fully cooperate with the indemnifying  party in
connection  therewith upon such indemnifying  party's reasonable request. In the
event  that the  indemnifying  party  fails to  assume  the  defense,  appeal or
settlement  of such Third Party Claim within  twenty (20) days after  receipt of
written notice thereof from the indemnified  party, the indemnified  party shall
have the right to undertake  the  defense,  appeal or  settlement  of such Third
Party Claim at the expense and for the account of the  indemnifying  party.  The
indemnifying  party  shall not settle or  compromise  any such Third Party Claim
without the indemnified party's prior written consent,  unless the terms of such
settlement  or  compromise  release  the  indemnified  party  from  any  and all
liability with respect to such Third Party Claim. However, if such settlement or
compromise  would  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  indemnified  party
notwithstanding such release, its prior written consent shall still be required,
which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

         17.      Limitation of Liability; No Consequential Damages.

         Except as provided  for in the Asset  Purchase  Agreement or Section 14
hereof:

         (a)      The  liability of CP with  respect to the  Products  delivered
                  hereunder shall be limited solely to the replacement or refund
                  of  Products  that  fail to meet the  Specifications  therefor
                  (such  replacement  or refund to be subject  to timely  notice
                  being given  pursuant to Section  5(c)),  and CP shall have no
                  other  liability  whatsoever  with  respect to such  Products;
                  provided,  however,  that if CP fails to  supply  Products  as
                  provided in the Binding Forecasts, for any


                                                         5

<PAGE>



                  reason other than (i) a force majeure  occurrence  referred to
                  in Section 9; or (ii) Buyer's breach of this  Agreement,  then
                  Buyer may obtain from a third party on commercially reasonable
                  terms such amounts of Products that CP failed to supply and CP
                  shall pay Buyer for the net increase,  if any, in the price of
                  such  replacement  Products  over the  price  of the  Products
                  hereunder.

     (b) Neither  party shall be liable for any punitive,  special,  indirect or
consequential damages.

     18.  Notices.  All notices or  communications  provided  for herein will be
deemed  to  have  been  properly  given  when  deposited  in the  United  States
registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid and addressed as follows:

                  If to CP:                 Chesebrough-Pond's USA Co.
                                            33 Benedict Place
                                            Greenwich, CT 06830
                                            Attention: General Counsel

                  If to Buyer:              Carson Products Company
                                            64 Ross Road
                                            Savannah, GA 31405
                                            Attention: Dr. Leroy Keith,
                                            Chairman and CEO

                  With a copy to:           Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C.
                                            One Airport Road
                                            P.O. Box 2043
                                            Lakewood, NJ 08701
                                            Attention: Jan L. Wouters, Esq.

                  and:                      Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
                                            One Chase Manhattan Plaza
                                            New York, New York  10005-1413
                                            Attention:  Lawrence Lederman, Esq.

         19. Assignment;  Binding Effect.  This Agreement may not be assigned in
whole or in part by either party without the written consent of the other party;
provided, however, that Buyer, without CP's consent, may (i) assign its interest
hereunder to its  affiliates,  subsidiaries or successors and (ii) may assign or
pledge its interest hereunder, as collateral security, to its lenders. Each such
assignee or pledgee shall be a third party  beneficiary of this Agreement to the
extent  necessary  to  enforce  its rights  hereunder.  In the event of any such
assignment or pledge to secure indebtedness by Buyer of which CP has notice, (i)
CP shall provide the  applicable  pledgee or assignee with a copy of each notice
of default or other  material  notice  given to Buyer by CP  hereunder,  (ii) CP
shall accept  performance and the curing of any default  hereunder by Buyer from
such  pledgee or  assignee,  (iii) if notified by such pledgee or assignee to do
so, CP shall  render  its  performance  hereunder  directly  to such  pledgee or
assignee in lieu of Buyer and (iv) no amendment of this Agreement shall be


                                                         6

<PAGE>



binding  on such  pledgee or  assignee  without  such  pledgee's  or  assignee's
consent.  Any assignment made in contravention of the provisions of this section
shall be void and of no effect.

         20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (in addition to the Asset Purchase
Agreement)  contains all of the covenants,  stipulations  and provisions  agreed
upon by the parties and the terms  hereof may not be altered,  changed or waived
unless  the  alteration,  change  or  waiver  is in  writing  and  signed  by an
authorized officer of both parties.

         21. Confidentiality. During the term of this Agreement, CP acknowledges
they may have access to, or become  familiar  with,  various  trade  secrets and
confidential  information  belonging  to or  relating to Buyer,  its  affiliates
and/or  their  respective  businesses,  including,  but not limited to,  product
formulas,  customer names,  manufacturing techniques and processes, know how and
other proprietary or confidential information ("Confidential  Information").  CP
acknowledges  and agrees that such  Confidential  Information is owned and shall
continue to be owned solely by Buyer or its affiliates.  During the term of this
Agreement  and  following  the  termination  of this  Agreement  for any reason,
regardless of whether  termination is initiated by Buyer or CP, CP agrees not to
use,   communicate,   reveal  or  otherwise  make  available  such  Confidential
Information  for  any  purpose  whatsoever,  or  to  divulge  such  Confidential
Information  to any  person or entity  other  than  Buyer or  persons  expressly
designated by Buyer,  unless CP is compelled to disclose it by judicial  process
or such  Confidential  Information  is in the  public  domain or falls  into the
public domain  through no fault of CP. The parties agree that damages at law for
violation of any of the foregoing  covenants  may not be an adequate  remedy and
that if CP or its affiliates  violate any of the provisions  hereof, in addition
to any other  available  rights or remedies,  Buyer,  its  affiliates  and their
successors  and  assigns,  shall be entitled to obtain  temporary  or  permanent
injunctive relief with regard to such violation.

     22.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the
State of New York without regard to its principles of conflicts of law.

                                                         7

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  respectively  caused this
Agreement  to be  executed  by a duly  authorized  officer  effective  as of the
Closing Date (as such term is defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement).


CONOPCO, INC., "CP"                           CARSON PRODUCTS COMPANY, "Buyer"

By:                                                           By:
Name:     Melvin H. Kurtz                                     Name:
Title:      Vice President                                    Title:




                                                             8

<PAGE>




                          ASSET REPURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                   between




                       JEAN PHILIPPE FRAGRANCES, INC.,

                                          Seller


                                     and


                                CARSON, INC.,

                                          Buyer




                         dated as of March 27, 1997






<PAGE>

Exhibit 10.2





                          ASSET REPURCHASE AGREEMENT


      ASSET  REPURCHASE  AGREEMENT  made  this  27th day of March  1997  between
Carson,  Inc., a Delaware corporation  ("Buyer"),  and Jean Philippe Fragrances,
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Seller").

      In connection  with the  termination of the license  agreement by Buyer as
successor  in interest to Conopco,  Inc.  which  termination  is consented to by
Seller of even date herewith  between  Seller and Buyer to license in the United
States and Puerto Rico the use of the CUTEX  trademark on Products (the "License
Agreement"),  Seller  wishes to sell and Buyer  wishes to buy certain  assets of
Seller, used in the packaging,  distributing and selling of nail enamel and nail
care treatment  products,  nail care implements and lipstick under the trademark
CUTEX in the United States and Puerto Rico, but excluding  nail enamel  remover,
as set  forth in  Schedule  1  hereto  (the  "Products")  all on the  terms  and
conditions of this Agreement.

      Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

            Transfer of Assets, Assumption of Certain Liabilities,
                                Purchase Price


      1.1 Transfer of Assets. At the Closing,  as defined in Section 2.1, Seller
will sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer and Buyer will purchase
and accept from Seller, the following properties, assets and rights used or held
by Seller for use exclusively in the sale of Products (the "Assets"):

            (i) tools, dies and molds used in connection with the manufacture of
      the Products,  which shall include the tools,  dies and molds as set forth
      in Schedule 1.1(i), reasonable wear and tear excepted;

            (ii)  subject  to the  limitations  set  forth in  Article  8 of the
      License  Agreement,  inventories of finished  products,  work-in-progress,
      components,  raw  materials,  packaging  materials,  labels,  samples  and
      supplies ("Inventory");

            (iii) subject to Section 1.3,  Seller's  rights  accruing  after the
      Closing  Date  under  contracts,  commitments,   understandings,   binding
      arrangements and other




<PAGE>



      agreements  of any kind or  nature,  written  or oral,  including  without
      limitation,  purchase orders for the sale of Products and for the purchase
      of raw material and packaging materials (collectively, "Contracts") as set
      forth in the annexed Schedule 1.1(iii),  provided that Buyer's obligations
      under the  Contracts  shall  not  exceed a dollar  amount  equal to 20% of
      Annual  Net  Sales  Value  for the  Contract  Year  immediately  preceding
      termination  (as such terms are defined in the License  Agreement)  unless
      Buyer  consents to an increase in excess of 20% which consent shall not be
      unreasonably withheld.

      1.2 Excluded Assets.  There shall be excluded from Assets and Seller shall
retain  all  assets  not  expressly  set  forth in  Section  1.1 (the  "Excluded
Assets"),  including without  limitation,  all accounts receivable (and security
interests  therein),  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  real  property,  furniture,
equipment, machinery and vehicles related to or used in the sale of Products and
any rights and interests under leases respecting any of the foregoing.

      1.3  Consents  to  Certain  Assignments.  To the  extent  that  the  sale,
conveyance,  transfer or assignment of any Contract  requires the consent of any
third party,  this Agreement  shall not constitute an agreement to complete such
sale,  conveyance,  transfer or  assignment  if such action  would  constitute a
breach of the terms of such Contract. If Seller is unable to obtain such consent
to the assignment of any Contract,  the Closing shall nonetheless take place and
Seller  will take all steps (not  including  the  payment of any  consideration)
reasonably  requested  by Buyer to secure  such  consent  after the  Closing  or
otherwise to transfer or provide to Buyer the benefits of such  Contract.  Buyer
shall use its  reasonable  efforts to cooperate  with Seller in  obtaining  such
consents.

      1.4 Assumption of Certain Liabilities.  On the Closing Date, as defined in
Section 2.1, Buyer shall assume and thereafter pay, honor and discharge when due
and payable the following  liabilities and obligations of Seller with respect to
Assets (the "Assumed Liabilities"):

            (i) all liabilities,  obligations and commitments of Seller accruing
      with  respect  to  periods  after the  Closing  Date  under the  Contracts
      including but not limited to commitments and obligations for  advertising,
      premiums and coupons;

     (ii) all Losses (as defined in Section 8.1.1(i)) arising out of the sale of
Products by Buyer from and after the Closing Date; and

            (iii)  all  customer  returns  of  Products  and  the  crediting  of
      customers therefor in accordance with Seller's  historical returns policy,
      except that during the  six-month  period  following  the Closing Date and
      with  respect to customer  returns of Products  up to  $850,000.00  Seller
      shall within thirty (30) days



                                 - 2 -

<PAGE>



      reimburse  Buyer  for the  difference  between  the  cost of the  returned
      Product as set by Seller's  standard  cost sheets and the amount  credited
      the  customer  in  accordance   with  Seller's  order  sheet  and  returns
      authorization  form.  Seller also agrees to not undertake any action which
      results in higher than normal customer  returns of Products.  In the event
      Seller  terminates  the License  Agreement  prior to the expiration of the
      initial  term or  renewal,  Buyer  shall not  assume any  liabilities  for
      returned  Products  and  Seller  shall  have the  right  to sell  Products
      returned during the 12-month period following termination, to any customer
      other than accounts  regularly  serviced by Seller selling Products at its
      usual and  customary  price for a period not to exceed six (6) months from
      the date the returned Products are received by Seller.

      1.5  Retention  of  Certain  Liabilities.   Buyer  shall  not  assume  any
liabilities  and  obligations  of Seller with  respect to the sale of  Products,
other  than the  Assumed  Liabilities.  All  such  liabilities,  obligations  or
commitments of Seller are herein referred to as the "Retained  Liabilities." The
Retained Liabilities include, without limitation,  (i) all Losses (as defined in
Section  8.1.1(i))  of Seller  arising out of the sale of Products  prior to the
Closing  Date,  (ii)  any  liabilities  or  obligations  of the  Seller  for any
off-invoice  allowances,  markdown  allowances,  cash  discounts that are prompt
payments  on  receivables,   customer   development  funds,   billbacks,   other
promotional  spending  or other such sums  attributable  to sales made by Seller
prior to the Closing  Date,  whether the  obligation  to pay falls due before or
after the Closing Date, (iii) all  responsibility  for employees of Seller,  and
(iv) all liabilities for borrowed  money,  trade accounts  payable and income or
other  taxes,  in each case  except for any of the  foregoing  that are  Assumed
Liabilities.

      1.6 Closing  Purchase Price.  The purchase price for Assets is cash in the
amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars  ($50,000.00) for the tools,  dies and molds as
listed  in  Schedule  1.1(i)  plus the  value of the  Inventory  as shown on the
Inventory  Statement  (set forth in Section  3.4)  (referred  to as the "Closing
Purchase Price") subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.4.

     1.7 Transfer Taxes.  Buyer shall pay any sales tax and other transfer taxes
and any  interest or  penalties  relating  thereto  arising from the transfer of
Assets pursuant to this Agreement.





                                    - 3 -

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE II

                 Closing and Post Closing Inventory Adjustment

      2.1  Closing.  The closing of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby (the
"Closing") shall be held  simultaneously  with the closing of the acquisition by
Buyer of the Cutex  trademarks  from  Conopco,  Inc.  at the offices of Milbank,
Tweed,  Hadley & McCloy,  1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005-1413 or at
such other place or on such other date and time as the  parties  may agree.  The
date on which the Closing takes place is called the "Closing  Date." The Closing
shall be deemed to be  effective as of the close of business on the business day
prior to the Closing Date.

     2.2 Deliveries by Seller. At the Closing,  Seller will deliver to Buyer the
following duly executed documents:

     (i) a bill of sale  covering  Assets  in the  form of  Exhibit  A  attached
hereto; and

            (ii)  an  assignment  and  assumption  agreement  providing  for the
      assignment to Buyer of the  Contracts  and the  assumption by Buyer of the
      Assumed  Liabilities  (the  "Assignment and Assumption  Agreement") in the
      form of Exhibit B attached  hereto  together with  Schedules 3.4, 3.6, 3.9
      and 3.10.

     2.3 Deliveries by Buyer.  At the Closing,  Buyer will deliver to Seller the
following:

            (i) immediately  available funds by wire transfer,  bank, cashier or
      certified  check payable to the order of Seller in United  States  dollars
      drawn on a United  States  bank,  foreign  correspondent  bank of a United
      States bank, or a foreign bank with a regular  corresponding United States
      bank,  acceptable to, Company,  in an amount equal to the Closing Purchase
      Price; and

            (ii) a duly executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

      2.4   Post Closing Inventory Adjustment

            2.4.1  Closing  Date.  Within 45 days  following  the Closing  Date,
Seller  shall  deliver to Buyer a statement  of the lower of cost or fair market
value  ("Book  Value")  of the  Inventory  as of the  close of  business  on the
business day prior to the Closing Date (the "Closing Date Inventory Statement").
The Closing Date Inventory  Statement  shall be prepared in accordance  with the
historical  accounting  principles  and  practices  of Seller and  prepared in a
manner consistent with the preparation of the Inventory Statement referred to in
Section 3.4.



                                    - 4 -

<PAGE>



The Book Value of  Inventory  included on the Closing Date  Inventory  Statement
shall reflect a physical  count of the  Inventory  conducted on the business day
prior to the Closing Date and shall  exclude any  Inventory  which is damaged or
obsolete or which exists in  quantities in excess of a  commercially  reasonable
mix and  balance.  For purposes of this  Agreement,  (i)  "obsolete"  shall mean
inventories  of  Products  which  have not been  marketed  and sold to the trade
within the 12-month period preceding the Closing Date and have been discontinued
as evidenced by deletion  from  Seller's  order  forms;  and (ii)  "commercially
reasonable  mix and balance" shall mean  inventories  (on a unit and Product SKU
basis) of raw materials, work-in-process,  components, finished goods, packaging
materials  and labels that do not in each case exceed a 12-month's  supply based
on gross sales less returns in the prior 12 months.  The  physical  count of the
Inventory  shall be conducted by Seller and its  representatives.  Buyer and its
representatives  shall  have the  right to  observe  the  physical  count of the
Inventory.

            2.4.2  Objections;  Resolutions  of Disputes.  Unless Buyer notifies
Seller in writing  within  thirty (30) days after  receipt of the  Closing  Date
Inventory Statement that it objects to the Book Value of the Inventory set forth
on the Closing Date Inventory  Statement and specifies in reasonable  detail the
basis for any such objection,  the Book Value of the Inventory  reflected on the
Closing Date Inventory Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties
for purposes of this Agreement.  If Buyer submits  written  objections to Seller
within such period, Buyer and Seller, during the 15-day period following Buyer's
delivery of its notice of objections  to Seller,  shall attempt in good faith to
resolve Buyer's  objections.  If Buyer and Seller are unable to resolve all such
objections  within  such  period,  the  matters  remaining  in dispute  shall be
submitted to Arthur Andersen (the "Neutral Auditor"). The resolution of disputed
items by the Neutral  Auditor shall be final and binding.  The fees and expenses
of the Neutral  Auditor shall be borne  equally by Buyer and Seller.  During the
15-day  period  following  receipt of the Closing Date  Inventory  Statement and
during the pendency of any dispute,  Seller  shall  provide  access to Buyer and
Buyer's  authorized  representatives,  during normal business hours, to Seller's
books,  records  and work papers  related to  preparation  of the  Closing  Date
Inventory  Statement.  After final determination of any disputes with respect to
the Book  Value of the  Inventory  as set forth on the  Closing  Date  Inventory
Statement,  Buyer shall have not further right to make any claims against Seller
with respect to any element of the Book Value of the Inventory on any basis.

            2.4.3 Adjustment Payment.  Within ten (10) days after the Book Value
of the  Inventory on the Closing Date  becomes  final and binding in  accordance
with Section  2.4.2,  (i) if the Book Value of the Inventory on the Closing Date
(the "Final Inventory") exceeds the amount set forth on the Inventory Statement,
Buyer shall pay to Seller an amount  equal to such  excess plus simple  interest
thereon at the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal per annum from
the  Closing  Date to the  date of  payment,  by wire  transfer  of  immediately
available  funds;  and (ii) if the Final  Inventory  is less than the amount set
forth on the Inventory  Statement,  Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to
such shortfall plus simple interest thereon at the prime



                                    - 5 -

<PAGE>



rate as published in the Wall Street  Journal per annum from the Closing Date to
the date of payment, by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

            2.4.4  Inventory Close Out. Within twelve (12) months of the Closing
Date,  any  inventory  of Seller not  purchased  by Buyer may be used or sold by
Seller to any customer other than accounts  regularly serviced by Seller selling
Products at its usual and customary price.


                                  ARTICLE III

                   Representations and Warranties of Seller

      Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

      3.1 Organization. Seller is a corporation duly incorporated, organized and
validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has the corporate power to own Assets.

      3.2  Authorization.  Seller  has full  corporate  power and  authority  to
execute and deliver this Agreement and all other documents  contemplated  hereby
and to consummate the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby.  Seller has
taken all corporate  action  required by its  Certificate of  Incorporation  and
By-laws to authorize the execution and delivery of this  Agreement and all other
documents   contemplated  hereby  and  to  authorize  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby.  This Agreement is a legal, valid
and binding obligation of Seller,  enforceable against it in accordance with its
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,  insolvency, moratorium
and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect
and, as to enforceability, general equitable principles.

      3.3 No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby will (i) conflict with
or violate any  provision  of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or By-laws of
Seller,  (ii)  conflict  with or violate any  statute,  law,  rule,  regulation,
ordinance,  order, writ, injunction,  judgment or decree applicable to Seller or
by which Assets are bound,  or (iii) conflict with or result in any breach of or
constitute  a default  (or an event  which with  notice or lapse of time or both
would  constitute a default)  under any  agreement or other  instrument to which
Seller is a party or by which Assets are bound which would either  result in the
creation of any lien, claim,  charge or other encumbrance on any Assets.  Except
for consents of other parties to the Contracts, no notice,  declaration,  report
or other  filing or  registration  with,  and no waiver,  consent,  approval  or
authorization  of, any governmental or regulatory  authority or any other person
is required in connection  with the execution and delivery of this  Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.



                                    - 6 -

<PAGE>




      3.4 Financial  Statements.  Schedule 3.4 to be delivered at Closing is the
unaudited Inventory Statement (the "Inventory  Statement") as of the most recent
date prior to the notice of termination under Article 8 of the License Agreement
("Notice  Date"),  and the  unaudited  statement  of Sales  and  Profits  before
Indirects  from the sale of Products  for the two (2) most recent years prior to
the Notice Date,  prepared in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles and practices ("GAAP")  consistently  applied (except with respect to
the treatment of overhead costs,  which shall be added in the calculation of the
Book Value of Inventory)  and fairly  present in all material  respects the Book
Value  of the  Inventory  as at that  date  and the  Sales  and  Profits  before
Indirects from the sale of products for the periods covered  thereby.  The Sales
and Profits before  Indirects  shall be set forth in the same detail as provided
in  Schedule  3.4 of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated of even  date  hereto
between Buyer and Seller (the "Purchase Agreement").

      3.5 Title to Assets. Seller has good title to Assets, subject to no liens,
claims,  charges or other  encumbrances,  other than liens for taxes not yet due
and payable and other statutory liens arising in the ordinary course of business
which are being contested in good faith.

      3.6 Contracts. Schedule 3.6, to be delivered at closing, sets forth a list
of all Contracts except (i) orders for the purchase by Seller of finished goods,
raw materials,  components, packaging materials, labels and supplies used in the
sale of Products,  in each case with a remaining  commitment of Twenty  Thousand
Dollars ($20,000.00) or less and a remaining term of twelve (12) months or less;
(ii) orders from customers for purchase of Products with a remaining  commitment
of Twenty Thousand  Dollars  ($20,000.00) or less and a remaining term of twelve
(12) months or less; and (iii) commitments to customers for trade promotions, in
each case with a remaining commitment of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) or
less  and a  remaining  term of  twelve  (12)  months  or  less.  The  aggregate
commitment  under  Contracts  not  listed on  Schedule  3.6 does not  exceed Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars  ($200,000.00).  Seller has delivered or made available
to Buyer full and complete copies of all written  Contracts and  descriptions of
the terms of all oral Contracts  listed on Schedule 3.6. Seller and, to the best
of Seller's knowledge, each other party to each Contract is in compliance in all
material  respects  with the terms  thereof and each Contract was entered in the
ordinary course of business.

      3.7  Inventory.  All of the finished  products  included in the  Inventory
reflected in the Inventory  Statement were (a)  manufactured  by or on behalf of
Seller in the  ordinary  course of  business;  and (b)  saleable in the ordinary
course  of  business,  except  to the  extent of any  reserve  reflected  on the
Inventory Statement.

      3.8  Seller's  Conduct.  Since  the  date of this  Agreement,  Seller  has
conducted the  manufacture and sale of Products only in the ordinary course in a
manner  consistent  with past  practice  and there has been no material  adverse
change in the sale of Products.




                                    - 7 -

<PAGE>



      3.9  Compliance  with  Law.  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  3.9 to be
delivered  at  closing,  the  manufacture  and sale of  Products by Seller is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable  statutes,  laws, rules,
regulations,  orders,  ordinances,  judgments  and  decrees of all  governmental
authorities  ("Laws") and Seller has not been informed of any alleged violations
of any Laws.

      3.10  Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10 to be delivered at
closing, no claim, action, suit,  proceeding or investigation seeking damages in
excess  of Two  Thousand  Dollars  ($2,000.00)  is  pending  or,  to the best of
Seller's  knowledge,  threatened before any court,  arbitrator,  or governmental
agency which may have a material adverse affect on the sale of Products or which
seeks to prevent  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                    Representations and Warranties of Buyer

      Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

      4.1  Organization.  Buyer is a corporation duly  incorporated,  organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

      4.2 Authorization. Buyer has full corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and all other agreements  contemplated  hereby and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Buyer has taken all
corporate  action  required by its Certificate of  Incorporation  and By-laws to
authorize the execution and delivery of this  Agreement and all other  documents
contemplated  hereby  and to  authorize  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby and thereby.  This Agreement is a legal,  valid and binding
obligation  of Buyer,  enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with its  terms,
subject to applicable  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,  moratorium and
other laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally from time to time in effect
and, as to enforceability, general equitable principles.

      4.3 Consents or Approvals.  No consent,  action, approval or authorization
of, or registration,  declaration or filing with, any  governmental  department,
commission,  agency or other  instrumentality  having jurisdiction over Buyer is
required to be obtained or made by Buyer to authorize the execution and delivery
by Buyer of this Agreement or the performance by Buyer of its terms.





                                    - 8 -

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE V

                         Covenants Pending the Closing

      5.1 Seller's  Conduct.  Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date,  Seller  will,  except as  otherwise  agreed to in writing  by Buyer,  (i)
perform in all material  respects its  obligations  under the Contracts and (ii)
not enter into any new  Contract or an  extension  or  amendment of any existing
Contract that would cause any  representation or warranty of Seller hereunder to
be untrue.

      5.2 Access.  From the date of this  Agreement to the Closing Date,  Seller
will  give to Buyer  and its  representatives,  during  normal  business  hours,
reasonable  access  to the  books,  records  and  Contracts  of  Seller  related
exclusively  to the  manufacture  and sale of Products and furnish to Buyer such
documents and  information  concerning  exclusively  the manufacture and sale of
Products as Buyer may reasonably  request from time to time  provided,  however,
Seller  shall  have no  obligation  prior  to the  Closing  to  reveal  to Buyer
proprietary  information,  including without limitation,  know-how,  formulas or
trade secrets.

      5.3 Reasonable Efforts. Each party will use its reasonable efforts to take
or cause  to be  taken  all  actions  and to do or  cause to be done all  things
necessary,  proper or advisable to perform its obligations hereunder, to satisfy
the  conditions to the Closing and to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.  Seller  shall use all  reasonable  efforts  to obtain  consents  to the
assignments of the Contracts listed on Schedule 3.6.


                                  ARTICLE VI

                             Conditions to Closing

      6.1 Conditions to the Obligations of Both Parties. The obligations of each
party hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be  subject to the  satisfaction  at or prior to the  Closing  of the  following
conditions:

            6.1.1 No law, rule, regulation,  order, decree, injunction,  stay or
restraining order shall have been enacted,  entered,  promulgated or enforced by
any court of competent  jurisdiction or governmental or regulatory  authority or
instrumentality  that  prohibits  the  consummation  of all or any  part  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby, and no action or proceeding shall be pending
or threatened by any  governmental  authority or private person seeking any such
order,  or decree or seeking to recover any damages or obtain  other relief as a
result of the consummation of such transactions.




                                    - 9 -

<PAGE>



            6.1.2 All required  registrations and filings with any government or
governmental or regulatory authority shall have been made and any waiting period
applicable to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby pursuant to any law, rule,
regulation,  order or  decree of any  government  or  instrumentality  or agency
thereof having jurisdiction with respect to the transactions herein contemplated
shall have expired or been terminated.

      6.2 Conditions to Buyer's  Obligation to Close. The obligation of Buyer to
purchase  Assets,  assume the Assumed  Liabilities and otherwise  consummate the
transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be subject to the  satisfaction,  at or
before the Closing, of the following conditions:

            6.2.1  Seller  shall have  performed  in all  material  respects the
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing.

            6.2.2 The  representations and warranties of Seller contained herein
shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be
repeated  at the  Closing  Date and shall be true and  correct  in all  material
respects at and as of the Closing Date.

            6.2.3 Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate,  dated the
Closing Date and signed by an officer of Seller,  as to the  satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 above.

      6.3 Conditions to Seller's  Obligation to Close.  The obligation of Seller
to sell,  convey,  transfer  and assign  Assets  and  otherwise  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby shall be subject to the  satisfaction,  at or
before the Closing Date, of the following conditions:

            6.3.1  Buyer  shall have  performed  in all  material  respects  the
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing.

            6.3.2 The  representations  and warranties of Buyer contained herein
shall have been true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be
repeated  at the  Closing  Date and shall be true and  correct  in all  material
respects at and as of the Closing Date.

            6.3.3 Buyer shall have delivered to Buyer a  certificate,  dated the
Closing Date and signed by an officer of Buyer,  as to the  satisfaction  of the
conditions set forth in Sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 above.





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<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  Termination

      7.1  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated  and the  transactions
contemplated hereby abandoned at any time prior to the Closing by mutual consent
of Buyer and Seller.

      7.2  Effect of  Termination.  Any  termination  of this  Agreement  except
pursuant  to Section  7.1 shall not affect or  diminish  any rights  accruing to
either party pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to such termination.


                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                Indemnification

      8.1   Obligation of Parties to Indemnify.

            8.1.1  Indemnification  by Seller.  Subject to the  limitations  set
forth in Section 8.3, Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and
its  Affiliates (as defined in Section  10.6),  on an after-tax  basis and after
giving effect to the amount, if any, of insurance  proceeds actually received by
Buyer,  excluding  any portion  thereof  attributable  to  policies  directly or
indirectly self-insured, with respect to the following:

            (i) any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities,  deficiencies,
      obligations or expenses,  including  without  limitation  reasonable legal
      fees and expenses  ("Losses"),  arising or  resulting  from the failure of
      Seller to pay,  honor and  discharge  when due and  payable  the  Retained
      Liabilities;

     (ii) any and all Losses  resulting or arising from the  non-fulfillment  by
Seller of any agreement or covenant of Seller under this Agreement; and

            (iii) any and all Losses resulting or arising from the inaccuracy of
      any representation or the breach of any warranty made by Seller herein.

            8.1.2 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to the limitations set forth
in Section 8.3, Buyer shall  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless Seller and its
Affiliates, on an after-tax basis and after giving effect to the amount, if any,
of insurance proceeds actually received by Seller, excluding any portion thereof
attributable to policies  directly or indirectly  self-insured,  with respect to
the following:



                                    - 11 -

<PAGE>




     (i) any and all Losses  resulting  or arising  from the failure of Buyer to
pay, honor and discharge when due and payable the Assumed Liabilities;

     (ii) any and all Losses  resulting or arising from the  non-fulfillment  by
Buyer of any agreement or covenant of Buyer under this Agreement;

     (iii) any and all Losses  resulting or arising from the  inaccuracy  of any
representation or the breach of any warranty made by Buyer herein; and

            (iv) any and all Losses arising out of the sale of Products by Buyer
      from and after the Closing Date.

            8.1.3  Purchase  Price  Adjustments.  Payments  by  Seller  or Buyer
pursuant to this  Section  8.1 shall be  considered  adjustments  to the Closing
Purchase  Price  hereunder  and treated as such for all  purposes by the parties
hereto, except as otherwise required by applicable tax law.

      8.2  Indemnification  Procedure for Third Party Claims. If any indemnified
party receives written notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding or
the assertion of any claim by a third party or the  imposition of any penalty or
assessment  for which  indemnity may be sought under this Article VIII (a "third
party claim") and such indemnified  party intends to seek indemnity  pursuant to
this  Article  VIII,  such   indemnified   party  shall  promptly   provide  the
indemnifying party with notice of such third party claim.  Except in the case of
claims seeking  equitable  relief from the indemnified  party,  the indemnifying
party shall, upon  acknowledgment of its obligation to indemnify the indemnified
party,  be entitled to participate  in or, at its option,  assume the defense or
settlement  of such  third  party  claim.  The  defense or  settlement  shall be
conducted through counsel selected by the indemnifying party and approved by the
indemnified  party, which approval shall not be unreasonably  withheld,  and the
indemnified  party  shall  fully  cooperate  with  the  indemnifying   party  in
connection  therewith,  provided that the indemnified party shall be entitled at
any time to employ, at its own expense, separate counsel to represent it. In the
event that the  indemnifying  party fails to assume the defense or settlement of
any third party claim within  twenty (20) days after  receipt of notice  thereof
from the  indemnified  party,  such  indemnified  party  shall have the right to
undertake the defense or settlement of such third party claim at the expense and
for the account of the  indemnifying  party.  The  indemnifying  party shall not
settle any third party claim the defense or settlement of which is controlled by
it without the indemnified  party's prior written  consent,  unless the terms of
such settlement or compromise  releases such indemnified  party from any and all
liability with respect to such third party claim.

     8.3 Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of  this  Article  VIII,  (i)  neither  party  shall  be  responsible   for  any
indemnifiable Losses suffered by the


                                    - 12 -

<PAGE>



other  under  Sections  8.1.1 (iii) or 8.1.2  (iii)  unless a claim  therefor is
asserted in writing on or prior to the first  anniversary  of the Closing  Date;
(ii) Seller shall not be liable for any Losses  suffered by Buyer  claimed under
Section  8.1.1 (iii)  unless the  aggregate  amount of such  Losses  exceeds One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00),  and then only to the extent of any such
excess; and (iii) the aggregate liability of Seller for Losses suffered by Buyer
shall in no event exceed the Closing Purchase Price set forth in Section 1.6.


                                  ARTICLE IX

                             Additional Agreements

      9.1 Announcements.  Neither Buyer nor Seller will issue any press release,
public  announcement  or any  communication  to the trade  with  respect to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except with the prior approval
of the other,  such  approval  not to be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed,  or
except as may be required by law.

      9.2 Information Transfer.  After the Closing Date, Seller shall provide to
Buyer at no charge access to all sales and business records relating exclusively
to the sale of the  Products by Seller prior to the Closing  including,  without
limitation, advertising materials, customer lists, cost and pricing information,
supplier  lists and  catalogues.  Seller  shall  also  promptly  provide  copies
(including  computerized records) of all customer lists, sales records, and such
other records that Buyer may reasonably specify.

      9.3 Termination of Insurance.  Buyer  acknowledges that Seller's insurance
coverage for Assets shall terminate as of the Closing Date.

      9.4 Asset  Transfer.  As soon as  practicable  after the Closing  Date but
within  thirty (30) days,  Buyer shall  remove  Assets at Buyer's  expense.  Any
Assets  not  removed  within  such  period  may be  deemed to be  abandoned  and
forfeited by Buyer to Seller.

      9.5 Packaging  Material.  Seller hereby grants and hereby agrees to obtain
consents  from its  Affiliates  (if any) granting the rights to Buyer to Use all
packaging or related  material  purchased by Buyer pursuant hereto that contains
or reflect,  Seller's or its  Affiliates'  trademarks for a period not to exceed
twelve (12) months from the Closing Date.

      9.6 Employee Matters.  Buyer and Seller hereby  acknowledge and agree that
Buyer shall not have any obligation whatever to employees of the Seller involved
with the manufacture,  distribution and sale of the Products  ("Employees"),  or
with regard to matters of liabilities relating to such Employees,  including but
not  limited to  obligations  concerning  employee  compensation  and  benefits,
severance payments, occupational safety matters and workers'



                                    - 13 -

<PAGE>



compensation matters,  other than any obligations arising from the employment of
or similar arrangement made by Buyer with any of the Employees to commence on or
after the Closing Date.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                 Miscellaneous

      10.1 Notices. Any notice or other communication given under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be either (i) delivered  personally,  (ii) sent by
documented  overnight  delivery service such as Federal  Express,  (iii) sent by
facsimile   transmission,   provided  that  a  confirmation  copy  of  any  such
transmission  is sent no later than the business day  following the date of such
transmission  by  documented  overnight  delivery  service or first  class mail,
postage prepaid,  or (iv) sent by first class mail, postage prepaid,  unless the
party  giving  such  notice  knows or has  reason to know of any strike or other
condition that may delay  delivery of such mail.  Such notice shall be deemed to
have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery, if delivered  personally,  (b)
on the business day after dispatch by documented overnight delivery service such
as  Federal  Express,  if sent  in such  manner,  (c) on the  date of  facsimile
transmission,  if so  transmitted  during  business  hours,  or (d) on the third
business  day after  deposit  in the United  States or  Canadian  mail,  postage
prepaid,  if sent in such  manner.  Notices  or  other  communications  shall be
directed to the following addresses:

      Notices to Seller:      Jean Philippe Fragrances, Inc.
                              551 Fifth Avenue
                              New York, NY  10176-0198
                  Attn: Mr. Jean Madar, Chief Executive Officer

            with a copy to:   Joseph A. Caccamo,
                              Attorney at Law
                              1001 Yamato Road, Suite 403
                              Boca Raton, FL  33431

      Notices to Buyer:       Carson, Inc.
                              64 Ross Road
                              Savananah, GA  31405
                     Attn: Dr. Leroy Keith, Chairman and CEO

            with a copy to:   Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C.
                              One Airport Road
                              Lakewood, NJ  08701
                              Attn:  Jan Wouters, Esq.
                                    - and -
                              Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
                              1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
                              New York, NY  10005-1413
                              Attn:  Lawrence Lederman, Esq.




                                    - 14 -

<PAGE>



Either party,  by notice given in accordance with this Section 10.1, may specify
a new address for notices under this Agreement.

      10.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement and the schedules
and exhibits  annexed  hereto  constitute the entire  understanding  between the
parties with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof,  and  supersede  all other
understandings  and  negotiations  with respect  thereto.  This Agreement may be
amended only in a writing signed by both parties  hereto.  Any provision of this
Agreement may be waived only in a writing signed by the party to be charged with
such  waiver.  No course of dealing  between the parties  shall be  effective to
amend or waive any provision of this Agreement.

      10.3  Assignment.  This  Agreement  may not be  assigned  by either  party
without the written consent of the other except to Affiliates of either party.

     10.4  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the
State of New York which are  applicable to  agreements  made and to be performed
entirely therein.
      10.5  Captions.  The  captions  in  this  Agreement  are for  purposes  of
reference  only and shall  not  limit or  otherwise  affect  the  interpretation
hereof.

      10.6 Affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, an affiliate of any party
is any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such party
and, in the case of Buyer,  shall  include any person the voting shares of which
is owned directly or indirectly by the parent of Buyer.

     10.7 Bulk Sales Law.  Buyer hereby  waives  compliance  with the Bulk Sales
Law. Seller will indemnify Buyer for any Losses arising out of any noncompliance
therewith.

      10.8 Fees.  Each of the parties hereto shall pay its respective  legal and
accounting  fees and  expenses  incurred  in  connection  with the  preparation,
execution  and delivery of this  Agreement  and all  documents  and  instruments
executed  pursuant  hereto and any other  costs and  expenses  incurred  by such
party,  except as  otherwise  expressly  set forth  herein,  whether  or not the
Closing occurs.

      10.9 Further Assurances.  From time to time after the Closing,  Seller and
Buyer shall  execute and deliver such  documents  and  instruments  as the other
party  may  reasonably  request  in order to  consummate  more  effectively  the
purchase and sale of Assets as contemplated hereby.

      10.10  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any  number of
counterparts,  each of  which  will be  deemed  an  original,  but all of  which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.




                                    - 15 -

<PAGE>


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed  this  Agreement as of the
date first set forth above.


                                    CARSON, INC.



                              By:



                         JEAN PHILIPPE FRAGRANCES, INC.



                              By:




                                    - 16 -



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