I tried 9 lipstick hacks to see which ones really work

There are countless makeup hacks out there but you need to find the ones that actually work, and sometimes, that takes a lot of trial and error.

So I’ve put together some lipstick hacks that will change your life (read lips).

Keep scrolling for honest reviews and unedited photos of nine lipstick hacks that you’ll love!

1) Exfoliating dry lips with mascara wand for smoother lips

This method involves using a disposable mascara wand to exfoliate dry lips. You need to apply a balm or Vaseline over your mouth first to give your lips some slip so it’s easier to slough away any dead skin.

This made my lips smoother instantly and helped me achieve a smoother lipstick application. It’s a great hack and one should do this before applying matte lipsticks as they are dry and tend to make your lips flaky.

2) Turn any lipstick into a long-wearing version

To do this, you have to first wear your favourite lip colour and then hold a tissue over your mouth and then dust translucent face powder over it. This method will lock in your colour.

This hack locked in my lip colour but some of the powder transfers on your lips makes your lipstick matte. So, if you want a glossy lip colour, I would suggest you using this hack just so it lasts longer topping with some gloss.

3) Make your lips look sharp and neat

This method involves lining the outside of your lips with a concealer so it makes your lipstick pop.

I tried the brightest lip colour because the brighter the shade, the more difficult it is to achieve neat application. The hack turned out great but requires a great deal of patience. But it’s worth a shot!

4) Softening your lip liner

This method involves softening your lip liner with a cotton ear bud or a clean fingertip before applying your lipstick so it doesn’t look too harsh.

I loved this hack a lot as it not only made the lip liner appear softer but also created a base for my lipstick and contoured my lips with dark edges which made them look pouty after I applied a lighter lip colour.

5) Pat concealer over your lips before you apply any lipstick

If your lips have a lot of pink or red tones in them, then pat some concealer on them. This ensures that your lip colour looks exactly how it is without altering the colour.

There was a slight difference in the shade with and without the concealer but what I noticed was that it created a smooth base and also helped in the smooth application of the lipstick.

6) For an instant pout, dab highlighter in the center of your lips

After applying your lipstick, just dab your favourite highlighter in the center of your lips. This will give an illusion of fuller and bigger lips creating a pout without much effort.

I was quite amazed to see how easy it is to create an illusion of pouty lips but the only drawback is that you can’t use highlighter on your lips if you plan on going for a no-makeup or casual look. However, you may use some gloss instead to create a similar effect.

7) Get a rich colour to go on like a stain

Using your finger or lip brush to apply a rich lip colour rather than pulling the lipstick itself over your lips.

This is a great hack if you love bright lip colours but if you don’t want it to too bright, decrease the intensity. Also, since it is a light coat, the lipstick won’t budge.

8) Make a glossy colour matte

Finish off your lip colour by tapping a similar colour powder blush over the lips with your fingers or a brush.

This made my lip colour matte and retained the staying power but changed the actual colour of my lipstick.

9) Make your lips appear larger

Apply one shade of lipstick over your entire mouth, and then a shade in the same colour family but a lot lighter in the center.

This created a pouty effect and I loved it. However, you need to use a lip brush and be precise, otherwise you will end up changing the lip colour and won’t achieve the desired effect.

Personally, all the hacks pretty much worked for me and needless to say I will be using them more often now. Hope this write-up helps and makes you want to try all of these!