9 Lipstick Hacks Every Black Girl Should Know

With spring in full swing you’re likely to be on he hunt for your next fling or just enjoying hte warm weather with your bae. Whatever your relationship status is, you’re sure to want to rock a killer lip this season that will turn a few heads.

Popular YouTube vlogger, Alyssa Forever recently uploaded a video of must-know lipstick hack to make sure that your summer is disaster-free (at least when it comes to lipstick.)  From making any lipstick matte to the perfect DIY lip scrub, she’s got your covered!

1. Use chapstick and a toothbrush to exfoliate your lips

Coat your lips with your favorite chapstick then use a new toothbrush to slough off dead skin from lips. Finish by wiping lips clean with a cleansing towelettes or a damp paper towel.

2. Use a concealer as a lip primer and set with a transluscent powder.

Prep your lips for lipstick by pressing a nude concealer into your lips using your finger. Set the concealer with a transluscent powder.

3. Use a lip liner as a base.

Line your lips and fill in the base with a lip liner that is one shade darker than the lipstick you plan to wear.

4. Make any lipstick matte.

Take any lipstick from cream to matte by topping the lipstick shade with and mattifying product like Smashbox Insta-Matte ($24, at sephora.com). Apply with your fingers for easy application.

5. Blot with your finger to avoid lipstick-stained teeth.

After applying lipstick, cup your lips around your index finger and draw your finger out to remove any excess lipstick.

6. Clean up your lips with concealer.

Trace the perimeter of your lips with your favorite concealer to perfect smudged or bleeding lipstick.

7. Lighten lipstick and/or create ombré affect with concealer.

Apply a single coat of concealer over lipstick to brighten your shade. For an ombré affect, concentrate the concealer in the center of your lip and blend using your finger.

8. Use transluscent powder to make lipstick kiss-proof.

Dust lips with a transluscent powder to improve longevity of lipstick and prevent color transfer throughout the day.

9. Use a highlighter to give lips more definition.

Apply a rose-gold highlighter to the bow of your lip to sculpt your lips.