A method for styling hair comprises placing the hair in a desired configuration and applying a hair styling composition to the hair. The hair styling composition comprises a powder of a multistage polymer of a soft polymer of Tg 40° C., and at least 10° C. higher than the Tg of the soft polymer wherein the hard polymer forms a complete or partial shell around the soft polymer the weight ratio of hard polymer to soft polymer being 1.01:1 to 2:1. After exposure to liquid water and drying at temperatures below 100° C., a maximum thermal transition temperature of the multistage polymer in an atmosphere of 0% relative humidity that differs by 20° C. or less from the maximum thermal transition temperature in an atmosphere of 75% relative humidity.