It's happened to all of us. That lip color looks fabulous in the store. You buy it, try it at home ... and hate it. Don't throw it out! Want some tips for mixing and making your own colors from lipstick you already have? To make a color lighter or darker?  

• Mix a deep-plum lipstick on top of red to get the perfect berry color!
• Mix a bright orange underneath peachy gloss for a fun spin on a nude lip.
• Or mix a bright pink with a bright orange for the perfect hot coral.
• Mix a nude with a pink for a neutral that brightens up the face.
• Mix a bold red with a light pink for a more muted look that fades more gradually than a bold stand alone red.

What Does Blue Do?

Blue will cool down any colors that are too warm or rich. Your teeth will look whiter, your skin brighter and your eyes will pop! Adding some blue to a pink lipstick will create the perfect fall plum shade. One to try: Maybelline Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lipstick in Midnight Blue or MAC Lipstick Shine in Model Behaviour.

What Does Green Do?

Say that you have a red lipstick that's way too bright for your tastes. To neutralize red, pink, or orange hues, you need the color green. It's also a great to use if you want to create a custom nude lip, or correct one that looks off with your skin tone. Look for a color close to your lip tone and add bit of green to get your perfect nude! For a green lipstick, try KVD Vegan Beauty Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in Plan 9-Satin Matte Deep Seafood Green.

What Does Yellow Do?

Adding yellow to your lip color lets you create warmer, richer shades from the lipsticks you already own. A yellow shade to try: MAC Lipmix in Bright Clean Yellow. No yellow lipstick lying around? Try a yellow or gold eyeshadow for a little shimmer.

The sky's the limit with your creativity in mixing lip colors to suit your mood or personality. Be bold and daring. There's no wrong shade!