Lipstick Shade Mixer
Lipstick Shade Mixer helps you record and recreate a custom lip color by calculating the volumetric ratio of each base you mix. You enter the amount (in ml) of your red, pink, and nude bases, and the calculator returns the total volume and the percentage contribution of each shade. Those percentages are your “recipe” for repeating the blend later (or adjusting it systematically).
What this calculator does (and doesn’t do)
- Does: compute total volume and each base’s percentage of the mix (a repeatable formula).
- Does not: predict the exact final color, opacity, undertone shift, finish, or wear time. Those depend on pigment load, base oils/waxes, sheerness, and lighting.
How to use it
- Scrape or dispense a small amount of each lipstick onto a clean palette (start tiny so you can test).
- Measure/estimate the volume you used (ml). Enter values for Red, Pink, and Nude.
- Click Mix Shades to see the total ml and each shade’s % of the blend.
- Save the percentages as your recipe. Next time, scale the total up or down while keeping the same percentages.
Formulas (with MathML)
Let R, P, and N be the volumes (ml) of red, pink, and nude. The total is:
Total volume: T = R + P + N
Each percentage is:
%Red = (R / T) × 100%Pink = (P / T) × 100%Nude = (N / T) × 100
Interpreting your results
- Total (ml): how much product you created. Useful if you’re filling a small pot/tube and want consistency across batches.
- Percentages: your repeatable “recipe.” If the output says 50% red, 25% pink, 25% nude, then any batch that keeps those percentages should be similar in proportion (even if the visual result varies slightly by brand/formula).
- Scaling: percentages let you scale. For a 4 ml batch at 50/25/25, you’d use 2 ml red, 1 ml pink, 1 ml nude.
Worked example
Suppose you mix:
- Red: 1.0 ml
- Pink: 0.5 ml
- Nude: 0.5 ml
Total: T = 1.0 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 2.0 ml
- %Red = (1.0 / 2.0) × 100 = 50%
- %Pink = (0.5 / 2.0) × 100 = 25%
- %Nude = (0.5 / 2.0) × 100 = 25%
If you like the shade and want a 6 ml batch later, keep the same ratio: 3.0 ml red, 1.5 ml pink, 1.5 ml nude.
Quick comparison table: common mix goals
These are general directional tips (not guarantees), because formulas and pigment strength vary widely.
| Goal | Usually increase | Usually decrease | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make it bolder / more statement | Red | Nude | Highly pigmented reds can dominate quickly—adjust in small steps. |
| Make it softer / more everyday | Nude | Red | Nude often reduces intensity and can shift the shade toward “muted.” |
| Make it more rosy | Pink | Nude (or Red) | Useful for turning a strong red into a wearable berry/rose direction. |
| Make it less “cool” / less blue-leaning | Nude (or a warmer Red) | Cool Pink | Undertone is product-dependent; consider swapping base shades if needed. |
| Make it lighter | Nude | Red | Some nudes contain beige/yellow pigment that can change undertone. |
Hygiene & safety (important)
- Use a sanitized spatula/brush and a clean mixing surface to reduce contamination.
- Avoid mixing products past their expiration or with unusual smell/texture.
- Don’t share lip products. If irritation occurs, discontinue use; consider patch testing if you’re sensitive.
Limitations & assumptions
- Volume-based model: This calculator assumes ml is a meaningful measure for your mix ratio. In reality, density can vary by formula, so gram-based mixing can be more consistent across brands.
- Pigment concentration varies: 1 ml of a sheer pink may not “pull” the color as much as 1 ml of a highly pigmented red.
- Finish/texture isn’t modeled: Matte vs creamy vs glossy bases change slip, opacity, and wear; the tool only records proportions.
- Lighting & application matter: Your final perceived color changes with lighting, lip tone, liner, and layering.
- Three-base simplification: Real mixes may include brown, mauve, berry, clear balm/gloss, or adjusters. This tool tracks only red/pink/nude.