The invention relates to a polymer suited for modifying the styling performance and the rheology of a cosmetic preparation, a composition thereof, a method of making it as well as the use of said polymer and the composition respectively. The copolymer comprises at least one non-ionic ethylenically unsaturated C1-C4 (meth)acrylate as monomer A; an ethylenically unsaturated monomer B having as hydrogen bond donor an amide group, said ethylenically unsaturated monomer B being an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a cyclic amide moiety, as monomer B1 and/or, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having an acyclic amide group, as monomer B2; at least one ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid as monomer C; a macromonomer D; optionally at least one cross-linker E; and optionally at least one further monomer F.