A thickener-rheology modifier system for use in hair care and skin care compositions comprising: a) a hydrophobically modified, alkali-soluble copolymer thickener comprising an aqueous emulsion copolymer of: i) from about 5 to 70 weight percent of .alpha., .beta. ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer of the formula: ##STR00001## where R is H and R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl, or --CH.sub.2COOX; R is --COOX and R.sup.1 is H or --CH.sub.2COOX; and R is CH.sub.3 and R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl or --CH.sub.2COOX; and X is H or C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl; ii) from about 10 to 90 weight percent of a nonionic, copolymerizable, .alpha., .beta. ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula: CH.sub.2.dbd.CYZ ##STR00002## where Y is H or CH.sub.3 and Z is where R is C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl; and iii) from about 1 to 30 weight percent of a hydrophobically modified, .alpha., .beta. ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer of the formula: ##STR00003## where R is an alkyl group of 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an alkaryl of 8 to 22 carbon atom, x is an average number of from about 6 to 200, y is an average number of from about 0 to 50 and A is residue of an unsaturated carboxylic acid having the formula: ##STR00004## were R' is H, --COOH or CH.sub.3 and R'' is H, CH.sub.3, --COOH or --CH.sub.2COOH; and b) a polysaccharide hydrocolloid or gum or polyalkylene glycol. Preferably the thickener-rheology modifier system will contain a surfactant and more preferably will contain boric acid.