How To Mix Your Own Nail Polish

Just as makeup artists mix their own colors for fashion shows, so do nail technicians. If all goes well, the colors hit stores in the following season. Until then, though, you can do as they do and make your own color.

"Everyone has half-empty enamel bottles lying around at home," says Roxanne Valinoti, CND Nail Ambassador. "These make it easy to custom-blend new colors from existing colors already in your collection." The trick? Valinoti recommends starting with a lighter color, then adding a darker shade drop by drop until you get the hue you're hoping for.

Alternatively, you can use a piece of waxed paper as your "palette," blending polishes there for a one-off manicure. (That's what I did for the picture you see here; sorry that my finger looks like Lowly Worm.) When you're done, you'll have a nail color that's uniquely yours — unless, of course, a trend-spotter sees it and decides to put it into production.