I Kept Seeing This Dry Shampoo Paste on TikTok, So I Tried It

You know when a product follows you around the internet?

That was me with R+Co BADLANDS Dry Shampoo Paste.

It kept popping up on TikTok. Women rubbing something that looked like styling clay between their fingers, then tapping it into their roots like it was some kind of backstage secret. Bangs going from stringy to full in seconds. Volume appearing out of nowhere.

And apparently, one sells every two minutes.

So I did what any of us would do. I rolled my eyes a little… and ordered it.

Wait. A Dry Shampoo… Paste?

Here’s what threw me: it’s not a spray, not a powder, nor is it an aerosol cloud you accidentally inhale.

It’s a paste.

One part dry shampoo, one part styling paste. It has a matte finish, with a reworkable hold. No buildup, it’s vegan, and it doesn’t have any parabens or sulfates.

It sounded interesting. It also sounded slightly unnecessary. I already own dry shampoo. I already own texture spray. Did I need another product?

The Real Test: Second-Day Hair at 3 PM

I tried it at the exact moment most of us give up on our hair – day 2. My roots were slightly oily, my bangs were separating, and my crown was flat.

You scoop a pea-sized amount and rub it between your fingertips – it melts down instantly. Then you just work it in at the roots.

Here’s what surprised me: it doesn’t feel chalky, it doesn’t look dusty, and it doesn’t stiffen your hair.

Instead, it adds grip, texture, and separation. The kind that makes hair look intentional instead of overdue for a wash. My bangs actually behaved.

Why It Works (Without Feeling Heavy)

BADLANDS isn’t just styling clay pretending to absorb oil.

It uses:

• Zeolite to help absorb excess oil
• Volcanic ash to naturally cleanse and balance the scalp
• Coconut oil + argan oil to keep hair from feeling dry
• Sunflower seed extract to protect against damage.

So instead of drying your hair out, it refreshes while still letting it move.

That matte finish is the key. No shine. No greasy look. Just lived-in texture.

The Bang Factor

If you have bangs, you know. They get oily way faster than the rest of your hair. Sprays can make them stiff and powders can make them separate weirdly.

This is where BADLANDS makes sense. Because it’s a paste, you can place it exactly where you need it. It adds control and absorbs oil at the same time. Which explains why so many of the viral TikToks are fringe transformations.

It’s Not Just for Bangs

This is also for:

• Fine hair that falls flat by the afternoon
• Blowouts you want to stretch to another day
• Anyone trying to wash less
• That “model-off-duty” texture look.

You can even use it on damp hair with a blow dryer for extra volume.

That versatility is what made me stop calling it hype.

What It’s Not

• It’s not going to replace a full wash.
• It’s not going to give you a crunchy hold.
• It’s not heavy styling wax.

It’s more like an invisible structure. The kind that makes hair look thicker without looking product-heavy.

So… Is It Worth $34?

At $34 for 2.2 oz, it’s not drugstore pricing.

But, you use so little at a time that one jar lasts longer than you’d expect.

And if you’re someone who:

• Styles daily
• Has bangs
• Wants to extend blowouts
• Struggles with flat roots.

It earns its place in your routine.

I didn’t think I needed a dry shampoo paste – now I reach for it at 3pm without thinking.

Final Take

Some TikTok products disappear as fast as they trend. This one makes sense. It’s super practical and solves a specific problem. Plus, it doesn’t overpromise.

And if your hair looks great in the morning but questionable by mid-afternoon, this might just be the shortcut you didn’t know you were missing.

A smarter way to refresh, reshape, and restyle without starting over.