You might have the most luscious locks in the world, but it’s almost guaranteed that when it’s time to head out to a party or event, they’re going to look greasy and flat. It’s a fact of life that hair never behaves the way you want it to when it matters – but this simple hack might change that.

You don’t need to break the bank with fancy dry shampoos or products – your kitchen cupboard is probably hiding exactly what you need to give your hair a boost. Professional hair stylist Matt Newman shared a video on TikTok explaining how he uses this kitchen ingredient to freshen up his roots, making them look fuller and bouncier in seconds. Matt said this was the “oldest trick in the book” and all you need is cornstarch and a makeup brush.

In the video he dips a fluffy makeup brush into the cornstarch, then sections his hair and dusts the cornstarch through it lightly, fluffing it with his fingers to ensure no sign of the powder remains.

A spokesperson for UK Hair Transplants added: “This is a brilliant, harmless little trick when you’re in a rush. The best results come from using a fluffy brush and applying a light layer, then washing your hair later when you get the chance.

“It can be a real lifesaver between washes. Just don’t turn it into an everyday habit or assume it replaces proper cleansing.

“Overdoing powders too often can contribute to build-up and may leave the scalp feeling drier over time, which can trigger dryness or flaking.”

Commenters on Matt’s video were thrilled with the hack, with some saying they add a little cocoa powder to make the powder match their dark hair.

One person wrote: “I’m brunette and I mix cocoa powder into my cornstarch which smells amazing and darkens it right up.”

Another said: “This is my first time hearing cocoa powder and cornstarch for dry shampoo. This is amazing. Thank you for sharing!”