Dry Lift is aimed at people who want to stretch time between washes or add texture without a wet, greasy look — it's especially useful on fine or oily-at-the-root hair, since the clay and volcanic ash absorb oil as they lift the roots.

It also works as a finishing texturizer for updos or piecey, tousled styles on medium to thick hair, and AG markets it as unisex and suitable across hair types.

Most texture pastes are meant to be worked into damp or dry hair purely for shape, but Dry Lift is built specifically for dry, unwashed hair — the kaolin clay and volcanic ash pull oil out of the roots at the same time they're adding lift, so it functions as a two-in-one refresh rather than a styling product simply layered on top of already-clean hair.

That makes it most useful on the days between washes, when roots have gone flat and slightly oily but a full rewash isn't practical — a small amount restores volume and grit without piling on more product weight.

Use on dry hair — freshly washed or a day or two past it — and go easy, since a little goes a long way.

• Warm a small amount between fingertips to emulsify it
• Work into the roots for instant volume and oil absorption, then style as usual
• For a piecier, more textured finish, run any remainder through the ends

Where this paste earns its keep:

• Doubles as an oil absorber and a texturizer, so it can stand in for a dry shampoo step on second-day hair
• Silicone- and sulfate-free formula with a naturally derived essential-oil fragrance instead of synthetic perfume
• Matte finish that doesn't leave hair looking wet or greasy
• A small amount goes a long way, so a 1.5 oz jar lasts through many applications

Things to know before buying:

• Delivers texture and lift rather than a strong, all-day hold — not a substitute for a firm-hold pomade or gel
• Matte, clay-based finish can feel drying if worked through hair that's already dry or damaged
• Formulated for dry-hair application, so it won't behave the same way as a wet-application styling paste