How to Make Lipstick Sheerer with Lip Balm

A red, burgundy or brown lipstick may look ideal for an evening out but feel too bold in daylight. The good news is that you do not need to give up the shade or buy another product. With a little lip balm, the same lipstick can become a lighter, sheer and easy-to-wear version 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 little of your chosen lipstick. Mix the two products with a clean finger or a brush until the colour is even, with no areas containing a heavier concentration of pigment.

Next, apply the mixture to your lips in a thin layer. The balm softens the lipstick’s intensity and creates a gentler finish, which is ideal when a strongly defined shade feels excessive, such as at work, at lunch, during daytime appointments or with more natural looks.

How much balm should you use to soften the colour?

The ratio determines the result. The more balm you add to the blend, the more sheer the shade will become. Start with a larger amount of balm and only a small amount of lipstick. If the effect looks too subtle, gradually add more pigment.

• Use more balm and less lipstick for a very sheer, natural-looking effect.
• Keep the amounts balanced when you want a soft colour that is still noticeable on the lips.
• Add more lipstick when 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 touch to completely alter the mixture. It is therefore worth building up the colour gradually until it suits the occasion.

Do red, burgundy and brown lipstick work during the day too?

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

The result also depends on your lips’ natural colour and the lipstick’s finish. Very matte formulas tend to become lighter when diluted, whereas creamy products blend easily. The final effect may resemble a tinted balm made specifically for 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 lightly blurred effect. The warmth of your skin can also make blending easier. A brush, on the other hand, gives you greater control, especially if you prefer to spread the colour evenly and apply it closer to the lip line.

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

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

The most appealing part of this technique is realising that one lipstick can create several different results. The same shade can look intense in an evening look, more moderate in the afternoon or almost transparent in the morning, depending solely on how much balm is used in the mixture.

Before leaving that dark lipstick forgotten in a drawer, try diluting it with balm and experiment with different ratios. In just a few seconds, a shade that once seemed difficult to wear every day can take on a new life and return to your make-up bag without any extra cost.