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MLBB Lipstick: What is It and How Do You Find Yours?

Most beauty tips often involve immense effort and some degree of pain, but with the MLBB or “My Lips But Better” beauty trend, you don’t even have to try that much. You just need to look as natural as you can and find the best shade of lipstick to complete your look.
mlbb lipstick meaning: What is MLBB?
The “no-makeup” makeup look started in the 1900s and resurged as a trend in the 2010s through influencers and beauty bloggers. These people popularized the term “My Lips But Better” in their social media accounts to share how they found the right shade of lipstick.
Conforming to this trend, people wear long-lasting lipsticks and apply a barely visible amount of shade. That said, the MLBB is the ultimate trick of making it seem like you’re not wearing any lip product at all, as it is made for daily use without compromising a person’s natural lip color.
How Can I Find the Right Shade for Me?
While there are plenty of MLBB lipsticks available in the market, picking the perfect shade can be quite tricky. You might encounter an instance where the lipstick you picked might be too pink, too brown, too pale, or too dark for you.
In finding the best MLBB lipstick that matches your shade, you have to search and consider the following factors:
Skin Tone
Skin tone is the surface color of your body. There are four main types of skin tones: light, fair, medium, and dark.
You can start by looking in the mirror and observing the surface color of your body. From there, you can find out your skin tone and its corresponding complementary colors.
Light or Fair Skin:
- Coral
- Peach
- Nude
- Dusty red
Medium Skin:
- Berry
- Rose
- Cherry Red
- Mauve
Tan Skin:
- Bright Red
- Coral
Dark Skin:
- Brown
- Plum
- Caramel
- Wine
- Blue-based reds
Undertone
In finding the right MLBB shades, it is equally important to note what tone lies beneath your skin surface. These undertones are subtle, muted colors that can vary from cool, warm, and neutral:
- Cool: bluish, red, or pink hue
- Warm: yellow, olive, or golden hue
- Neutral: a mixture of both warm and cool tones
How to Determine Your Undertone?
While the tone of your skin can change through time, your undertone remains the same all throughout. Determining your undertone is the basis of your look, ensuring that the color complements you.
Here are the steps to know your undertone:
Check the Color of Your Veins
The color of your veins can help you identify your undertone. Basically, those people who have blue veins usually have a cool undertone. On the other hand, those with green veins have a warm undertone.
If you are unable to tell whether your veins are green or blue, then it’s a sign that you have a neutral undertone.
Assess Your Jewelry
The jewelry that complements your skin can also help you figure out your undertone.
If you think you look good with silver, platinum, and rose gold, it’s likely that you have a cool undertone. Meanwhile, gold accessories often flatter people with a warm undertone. Those with a neutral undertone complement both silver and gold.
What Lipstick Shade is Best For My Undertone?
Worry no more if you’re having trouble signing in to the trend and finding your matte liquid lipstick match! Here’s a quick guide to learning the shades that complement your natural color:
Cool Undertones
If you have a cool undertone, it’s best for you to go for colors that have a hint of blue or purple. You can choose a creamy matte lipstick with a color that can brighten up your face, define your lips, and give you either a matte or a semi-matte finish.
Warm Undertones
For those with a warm undertone, it is recommended to use creamy matte lipstick with fiery red, orange, and copper shades. Make sure to choose flattering lipstick colors that are either pigmented, bright, or fiery, especially if you have a golden hue.
Neutral Undertones
Having a neutral undertone ultimately means you can go for everything in between. From dark to lighter colors, you can use any matte lipstick that fits the occasion and feels comfortable to wear. You can enhance your lips (even cheeks) using lipstick with a bold color during special occasions or a sheer satin lipstick that gives a soft, smooth, and natural look for everyday use.
Lip Shape
Another factor that must be considered in choosing the right lipstick is the shape of your lips.
- For top-heavy lips: Apply a bright lipstick on your lower lip, and then use a slightly darker shade of the same color on your upper pout.
- For bottom-heavy lips: Choose any color that suits your undertone and create a gradient look by applying a little bit of matte lipstick with light and natural nude color in the center of your upper lip.
- For asymmetrical lips: Outline your lips with a lip pencil in a shade that is similar to your lipstick color.
- For thin lips: Avoid dark and flashy colors, and choose a lipstick with a soft and lighter color.
- For plump lips: Use a lippie with darker hues instead of those that have a light and glossy finish.
Hair Color
Think about your current hair color and find a lipstick that will complement it. To be guided in doing so, you can check out this color guide:
Fair and Light Skin
- Dark Hair: scarlet, plum, and cherry
- Blond Hair: pink and purple shades
- Red Hair: coral and burnt sienna
Medium Skin
- Brown Hair: beige, coral, and ochre
Tan and Deep Skin
- Dark Hair: bronze, golden beige, ochre, and terracotta
- Blond Hair: ochre, caramel, warm, and salmon pink
Final Note

The MLBB is one of the minimalist fashion and makeup trends that makes you look natural and effortless. Jumping into the wave of “My Lips But Better” just requires you to search for the right shades and that creamy texture that matches your natural lip color.
Makeup is all about expressing yourself and becoming a better version of who you are. Enhance your features and embrace the beauty in simplicity as makeups help us uplift our self-confidence.

Chrizelle is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from De La Salle University. She recently dropped out of law school to pursue her passion for writing. Now, she is a full-time writer hoping to inspire and change lives through her thoughts and her words.