Whether you’re looking for a new lipstick color or you’re having a hard time getting your lipstick to stay in place, it’s important to know some tricks and tips for looking your best. The right lipstick hacks may require a combination of lip balm and color to keep your lips moisturized, gloss for intense shine, or ways to keep your matte lipstick intact for a sophisticated, polished look.

Here are some helpful lipstick application hacks:

1. Exfoliate the lips
Before you apply your lipstick, use balm on your lips and slough away dead skin cells with a clean mascara brush. This will help your lipstick go on smooth and prevent creases on your lips to make the color last longer.

2. Combine blush or eyeshadow with lipstick
If you’re running out of pink or red lipstick, you can combine a little blush and lip gloss with your lipstick to intensify the color and make the most out of your last bit of lipstick. Your favorite lip color can also serve as cheek color if you’re running low on blush. Apply a little bit of the blush on your cheeks and blend it with a sponge or clean fingers. You can also use eyeshadow as lip color. If your eyeshadow crumbles and the color is also one you’d wear on your lips, save the broken pieces in a small container and mix the eyeshadow with gloss or balm using a spoon and apply the color to your lips.

3. Use translucent powder for a matte look
If you’re wearing a pronounced lip color like red or orange and want to make sure it lasts for hours, apply the lip color and place tissue paper over your mouth. Then, apply translucent powder to the tissue paper to keep the color in place. If you don’t have powder, place tissue in between your lips and press down for about three seconds. You should use the tissue trick each time you reapply your lipstick to remove excess oil and keep your lip color from running.

4. Accent your cupid’s bow with an “X”
If you want to add more definition to your cupid’s bow, draw an X in the middle of your upper lip and fill in the rest of your lips with the lip color of your choice. Even if your lipstick wears off during the day, the color will come off evenly and your lips won’t be blotchy. If you don’t want to reapply lipstick, you can just refresh your lips with some gloss in the same color wheel as your lipstick.

5. Keep lipstick off your teeth
You can keep lipstick off your teeth by sticking your pointer finger in your mouth and wrapping your lips around your finger. Slowly pull your finger from your mouth so all the lipstick on your teeth will come off on your finger.

Keep these helpful tips in mind the next time you’re getting ready for a special occasion so you can look your best during the event.