A method for chemically modifying the internal region of the hair shaft comprising applying a monomer composition to the hair, wherein the monomer composition comprises an ethylenic monomer having a molecular weight of 500 g/mole or less then rinsing the hair then applying a conditioning composition to the hair, wherein the conditioning composition comprises a hydrophobic polyol and a hydrophilic polyol and wherein the method comprises applying an initiator to the hair prior to rinsing the hair, wherein the initiator initiates the chemical modification.