A hair spray composition of 80% or less VOC includes a fixative which is the half-ester of a copolymer of maleic anhydride and methyl vinyl ether having advantageous physical and performance properties even at low fixative levels. The copolymer is made by polymerizing the monomers at a selected temperature in the presence of a predetermined amount of a polymerization initiator whose decomposition fragments are soluble in hydroalcoholic solutions containing high levels of water. The composition is clear and without precipitate formation, has a low weight average molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution or polydispersity, affording a low solution viscosity. The composition also forms a spray pattern of small particle size, providing clear, hard fixative films with superior adhesion to the hair of the user, an advantageous high humidity curl retention (hold), and low tack and dry times, in both pump and aerosol products.