Lipstick Redux: How To Give Unloved Shades a Second Chance

So, you went on a little lipstick spree (no judgment, we've all been there) and ended up with a shade that looked oh-so-perfect in the tube, but not quite right on your lips. Don’t bury it at the bottom of your makeup drawer just yet! There are plenty of ways to salvage that not-so-perfect lip color without banishing it to the back of your beauty stash.

Mix It Up

The first trick in the book? Mixing and matching. Sometimes the color you adore might be too dark or too light for your complexion. No worries - that’s nothing a little blending can’t fix! For a hue that's too dark, swipe on a lighter, nude shade to balance it out. The white pigments can help to soften a deeper color immediately. A shade that’s too pale can find its soulmate in a dash of red or a touch of berry. The red pigments in these types of colors can help to add a bit more life to beige or lavender-ish lipsticks.

You can apply the lippies on your lips and smoosh them together if you’re in a rush - this is something I do a lot myself! But if you really want to get into the nitty gritty with your custom color, you can take off a bit of lipstick with a spatula and blend colors on a metal palette. This way, you can see how each color interacts before placing them on your lips.

Lipsticks Are Not Just For Lips

Now, let’s venture off the beaten path. Who said that lip colors are only meant for your pout? That unloved lipstick might just find its calling as a creamy blush or a soft eye tint. Dab a little onto your cheeks or eyelids, blend well, and you've got a lovely, subtle pop of color that complements your skin tone. It’s all about seeing the potential beyond the tube.

You can also use your synthetic makeup brushes if you want to be more precise with your application. This way, you can also place the pigment in sheer layers with a lot more control! Remember: always start sheer, and build from there. You’ll be surprised how a translucent wash of color will look like on your skin.

Swap It

Lastly, if you’ve exhausted all re-inventive efforts, why not switch it up with your friends? You know what they say, one woman’s trash can be another woman’s treasure. Lipstick swapping can be a real game changer. That shade which didn’t quite agree with you might just be the color someone else has been dreaming of. Why not schedule an afternoon where you and some friends bring products you haven’t loved as much and then swap amongst yourselves?

No lipstick should face the gloom of a makeup junkyard. With a bit of creativity, every shade has a shot at a second chance. Before you say goodbye to that lip color, give these hacks a try. Your wallet, and your makeup collection, will thank you!