1. Choose Your Base Colors

The first step in creating a custom lip shade is selecting the base colors you want to mix. It’s important to understand the color wheel to get the right balance between shades.

Tips for Choosing Colors:

• Neutral Base: Start with a neutral color like nude, soft pink, or beige as a base. This will be the main tone of your custom shade.
• Add Depth: Use a darker shade (like brown, berry, or deep red) to add depth and create a more dimensional color.
• Add Brightness or Pop: For a vibrant finish, consider adding a pop of a bright color, such as coral, fuchsia, or even orange.
• Experiment with Finishes: Mix matte, satin, or glossy finishes to achieve the desired texture and shine.

2. Use a Clean Mixing Palette or Surface

To ensure that you’re mixing the lip colors accurately and hygienically, use a clean mixing surface. This can be a makeup mixing palette, the back of your hand, or even a clean makeup spatula. Avoid mixing directly from the lipstick tube to keep things sanitary and to avoid wasting product.

How to Mix:

• Palette or Hand: Apply a small amount of each lip color onto the surface you’re using.
• Spatula: If you have a spatula, you can use it to scrape a little of each lipstick and combine them on the palette.

3. Start with a Little Product

Start by mixing small amounts of each lipstick. You can always add more product later, but it’s easier to control the color intensity when you start with a small quantity.

How to Mix:

• Add Color Gradually: Use the back of a makeup spatula or a lip brush to mix the colors together. Begin with the lightest or most neutral color and then slowly incorporate darker or more vibrant shades.
• Blend Well: Ensure the colors are evenly blended to avoid any streaks or unevenness.

Tip: If you’re mixing liquid lipsticks, liquid lip glosses, or lip tints, a small spatula or the back of a spoon works best to avoid making a mess.

4. Test the Color

Once you’ve mixed the shades, test the color on your lips or on the back of your hand to see how it looks against your natural lip color and skin tone.

How to Test:

• Lip Test: Dab a small amount of the mixed shade onto your lips with a lip brush or fingertip. This will give you an accurate representation of how the color will look when applied.
• Hand Test: If you’re still unsure, swatch the mix on the back of your hand to gauge the result in different lighting conditions.

Tip: The color may look slightly different on your lips than on your hand, especially if your lips are pigmented. Try to adjust the mix based on how the color applies.

5. Adjust the Color as Needed

After testing, you may want to adjust the shade. This is where you can get creative!

How to Adjust:

• Make It Lighter: If the color is too dark, add more of your lighter base color to tone it down. You can also add a touch of white lipstick or concealer for a more pastel, soft effect.
• Make It Darker: If the color is too light or not bold enough, add more of a dark lipstick or lip stain to deepen the shade.
• Add Shine or Gloss: If the texture is matte and you prefer a shiny finish, mix in a clear gloss or a satin finish lipstick to give your custom shade more dimension.

Tip: You can also add a bit of a lip topper or highlighter to the center of your lips for extra shine or dimension.

6. Mix in the Right Texture

The texture of your lip product plays a major role in how your custom shade will wear throughout the day. You can mix matte lipsticks with satin or glossy lipsticks to create a more versatile product, or add a lip balm for extra moisture.

How to Mix Textures:

• Matte & Gloss: If you want a matte base with some shine, mix a matte lipstick with a clear gloss. This gives you the longevity of a matte finish with the glossiness for added plumpness.
• Matte & Satin: For a more comfortable matte look, mix a matte lipstick with a satin lipstick to add some smoothness without too much shine.

Tip: Consider the longevity of your custom shade, especially if you need it to last all day. Liquid lipsticks or stains offer better staying power compared to regular cream lipsticks.

7. Store Your Custom Lip Color

If you’ve created a custom lip color you love, you may want to store it for future use. You can either store the mix in a clean, small jar or an empty lip gloss tube. Be sure to label the container so you know the formula for later!

How to Store:

• Lip Gloss Tube: If you prefer a tube application, find an empty lip gloss tube or lip balm container and transfer your custom shade using a small spatula.
• Jar: For a larger mix, store the color in a small cosmetic jar or container and use a lip brush for precise application.

Tip: If you’re storing the mix for a while, consider adding a small amount of a preservative or mixing medium to keep it fresh and avoid contamination.

8. Have Fun with Customizing

The beauty of mixing lip colors is that there are no rules! You can create endless variations to match your mood, season, or outfit. Whether you’re blending two shades for an ombre effect or mixing in a little shimmer to your matte lipstick, the possibilities are limitless.

Tip: Keep experimenting! Don’t be afraid to try new combinations, such as mixing bold colors with neutrals or adding a touch of metallic for a unique finish.

Final Thoughts

Mixing lip colors is an easy and fun way to create a personalized shade that complements your skin tone, style, and preferences. By understanding color theory and experimenting with different textures, you can achieve endless possibilities that go beyond what’s available in stores. With a little creativity, you’ll have the perfect custom lip shade that is uniquely yours!