How to transform lipstick with balm for a softer colour

A red, burgundy or brown lipstick may look ideal for an evening look but feel too bold in daylight. The good news is that you do not need to give up the shade or buy a new product. With a little lip balm, the same lipstick can become lighter, more sheer and easy to wear in seconds.

How can you transform lipstick with balm in seconds?

Place a small amount of lip balm on the back of your hand, then add a touch of your chosen lipstick. Using a clean finger or a brush, blend the products until the colour is even, with no areas where the pigment is more concentrated.

Next, apply the mixture to the lips in a thin layer. The balm softens the lipstick's intensity and produces a gentler finish, making it ideal when a strong colour feels excessive, such as for work, lunch, daytime plans or more natural looks.

How much balm should you use to soften the colour?

The ratio determines the final effect. The more balm you add to the blend, the more transparent the colour will be. Start with a larger amount of balm and only a small quantity of lipstick. If the result is too subtle, gradually add more pigment.

• For a very sheer, natural effect, use more balm and less lipstick.
• Balance the quantities if you want a soft colour that is still noticeable on the lips.
• Add more lipstick if you want to retain much of the pigmentation while achieving a more comfortable finish.

There is no single measurement, as pigmentation differs greatly between formulas. Highly pigmented lipsticks may need only a tiny touch to transform the mixture completely. For this reason, it is worth building up the colour gradually until it suits the occasion.

Can red, burgundy and brown lipstick work during the day?

Deep shades are particularly appealing with this technique. A vivid red can take on the appearance of naturally flushed lips, while burgundy becomes more delicate and brown can turn into a sheer neutral tone without entirely losing its character.

The result also varies according to your natural lip colour and the lipstick's finish. Very matte formulas usually become lighter once diluted, whereas creamy products blend easily. The finished look can resemble a tinted lip balm tailored to you.

Watch the video shared by the YouTube channel Juliana Foletto, which offers tips on choosing the right lipstick shade for your skin tone.

Is it better to apply it with a finger or a brush?

A clean finger works well when you want a quick result with a softly blurred effect. The warmth of the skin can also make blending easier. A brush, meanwhile, provides more control, especially for anyone who prefers to spread the colour evenly and get closer to the lip line.

Whichever method you choose, blend only the amount you intend to use at that time. Avoid storing the ready-made combination, particularly if it was mixed on the back of your hand. Preparing it immediately is more hygienic and lets you alter the ratio for the level of intensity you want on each occasion.

How can you find a new version of your favourite lipstick?

The most interesting part of this technique is realising that a single lipstick can create several effects. The same shade can look intense in an evening look, toned down in the afternoon or almost transparent in the morning, depending solely on how much balm is included in the blend.

Before leaving that dark lipstick forgotten in a drawer, try diluting it with balm and test different ratios. In seconds, a shade that once seemed difficult for everyday wear can take on a new life and return to your make-up bag without requiring any extra spending.