Matte lips are all the rage right now, but let’s be real: glossy lipsticks are a whole vibe, too. Maybe you bought a glossy lipstick because the shade had you like wow, but today you’re feeling more “matte, no shine, please.” Or maybe you’re just not about buying a ton of new makeup when you’ve already got your fav glossy shades at home.
Guess what? You don’t need to splurge on new lipsticks to get that matte finish you’ve been obsessing over on TikTok. You can turn your shiny lips into a velvety smooth matte masterpiece with some super easy hacks. Yup, makeup sorcery is real, babes.
I’ve been a makeup artist for a hot minute, and I’m here to share my go-to ways to make your glossy lipstick go matte in, like, under two minutes. Are you ready for the magic?
So… Why Matte?
You might be wondering, “Why go from glossy to matte, girl?” Well, lemme tell you! Matte lips are lowkey iconic. They stay put longer, don’t stick to your hair when the wind blows (#realstruggles), and just look so smooth and elegant… kinda like you just walked off the runway or something. Plus, matte lip colors have a way of making your lips pop without being too in-your-face. It’s like the best of both worlds: bold but chic.
Whether you’re looking to rock the matte look for school, a night out, or just feelin’ yourself, you’ll want to try these tricks. OK, enough chat—let’s get to the good stuff!
Hack #1: The Tissue and Powder Trick
If you haven’t seen this hack floating around TikTok, girl, where have you been? It’s pretty much my personal fave because you most likely have everything you need at home already.
Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step Magic
- Apply your glossy lipstick like you normally would. Go ahead, swipe it on!
- Grab a tissue (or toilet paper if you’re out, no shame! We’ve all been there). Pull it apart so you have one thin layer of the tissue.
- Put the tissue over your lips lightly, like… don’t smush it, OK? Just gently cover your lips with that tissue.
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Take some translucent setting powder on a fluffy makeup brush (or your finger in a pinch, honestly) and dust it over the tissue on your lips.
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Remove the tissue, and bam—your lips should now have that gorgeous, matte finish without looking chalky.
This hack is seriously a lifesaver if you’re in a pinch and only have glossy lipsticks around!
And the best part? That matte look sticks around for hours without needing constant touch-ups like glossy options. You can laugh, drink, and chat all you want—no need to worry about shine coming back!
Hack #2: Dust On Baby Powder
If you don’t have translucent setting powder… girl, don’t panic! I got you ALREADY. You know that baby powder sitting in your cabinet? Yeah, grab that.
Here’s how you turn baby powder into a beauty secret:
- Go wild with your fave glossy shade, applying it nice and thick.
- Pat your lips lightly to dab off any excess if you’ve got too much shine going on.
- Grab that baby powder and (again) lightly pat it on with a tissue or even your fingers. Less is more, though! You don’t want to look all powdery, and it only takes a teeny bit.
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Boom! Your glossy lipstick has been transformed into a smooth matte by products you probably had lying around anyway.
Hack #3: Use Eyeshadow (Oh Yes, I Said It)
Okay, this hack is seriously sneaky. I’ve done this on set before when I didn’t have matte lipstick around, and every time, people are like “wait…you used WHAT?”
So here’s the fun: you literally use eyeshadow as powder to turn that glossy finish into a matte.
Here’s how you bring this hack to life:
- Apply your shiny lipstick like normal.
- Take a MATTE eyeshadow in a similar color to your lipstick or use a translucent shade like beige or nude. Make sure it’s matte… obvi.
- Using a flat eyeshadow brush or a fluffy one (you do you), gently dab the eyeshadow onto your lips. Be careful not to swipe or rub, ’cause we don’t want to mess up the lipstick underneath!
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Once you’ve covered your lips, check the mirror, blow yourself a kiss, and admire the fact that your glossy lipstick just went matte with freaking eyeshadow. What a boss move!
Eyeshadow is literally the most underrated makeup multitasker ever! For matte lips or even blush—GET SOME.
This works best with neutral shades (like old-school Chanel vibes), but for all my funky queens who live for bright colors, experiment and see what happens!
Hack #4: Blot, Blot… And Blot Again
OK, hear me out. Blotting isn’t just an old-school trick your mom taught you—it’s a legit hack. If you’ve got a super glossy lipstick on and wanna tone it down, blotting is where the magic is at.
This method is super quick and doesn’t need anything fancy:
- Swipe on your glossiest lipstick.
- Take a tissue and press your lips together on it. Blot once. Not enough? Blot it again. Still too glossy? GIRL, BLOT IT AGAIN.
By the time you’ve blotted enough, the shine goes poof and suddenly your lips have this soft matte vibe. No tools, no powders, just good ol’ blotting.
Pro tip: this works best for semi-glossy formulas rather than full-on lip gloss, so try it when you’ve got something that’s more on the creamy or shiny side.
Hack #5: Foundation, Baby!
I know this one might sound random, but trust me it works, and it’s ideal if you’ve already got a full face of makeup on.
Here’s the lowdown:
- Start by rubbing a tiny bit of foundation over your lips. This gives it a blank slate to help mattify.
- Once it’s set on your lips, apply your glossy lipstick on top. But you’re not done yet.
- Take another tiny swab of foundation on your finger and pat it on top of the gloss, blending gently. This reduces shine instantly while letting the lipstick color punch through.
This hack is PERFECT for a natural, sheer matte look that doesn’t feel heavy on your lips, so if you’re looking for that “I woke up like this” matte lip, this is it.
Comparison Table of Hacks
| Hack Method | Required Products | Difficulty Level | Look Outcome | Stays Matte |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue + Setting Powder | Tissue, Setting Powder | Easy | True Matte | Long-lasting |
| Baby Powder | Baby Powder | Super Easy | Light Matte | Medium Duration |
| Eyeshadow Pat | Matte Eyeshadow | Medium | Matte with Color Pop | Long-lasting |
| Blotting Trick | Tissue | Easiest! | Soft Matte | Shorter Duration |
| Foundation Method | Foundation | Medium | Natural Matte | Medium Duration |
Okay queen, now you’ve got ALL the tricks in your makeup toolbox to turn that shiny gloss into a matte dream. Not only is this super budget-friendly, but it’s also a fun way to play around with the products you already have—plus, a reason to keep some of those glosses you weren’t reaching for anymore.
Matte lips? Yeah, you’re achieving that effortlessly now. Go slay that look, whether it’s for a Zoom call, an Insta story, or you know, just owning your day. Keep serving those flawless vibes! 💋
