Abstract: A low VOC (volatile organic compounds) hair spray composition having a combination of desirable user performance characteristics is described herein. The hair fixative resin in the composition is a terpolymer of 40-75% by weight of a vinyl lactam, preferably vinyl pyrrolidone, 15-40% of a polymerizable carboxylic acid, preferably acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and 5-25% of a hydrophobic monomer, preferably a long chain alkyl (C.sub.8 -C.sub.24) acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide or methacrylamide. The terpolymer has a K-value of 30-55, preferably 40-50, which provides compositions having good sprayability in both pump and aerosol form, and small, fine spray particles.