For Day 5 of Lipstick Week, I aim to tackle the ubiquitous (at least in the beauty community) acronym: MLBB. If you don’t know what MLBB means, are you new?
JK, MLBB basically means “My Lips But Better.” It pertains to a color that is very close to the wearer’s natural lip color, though with a slight improvement to it. It pretty much means what it literally means. I think MLBB colors are deeply personal and can obviously vary from person to person.
Some people have to make numerous attempts at finding their MLBB shade, while others have theirs fall onto their laps! I can’t really tell you which MLBB would be right for you, but here are some that I feel like are mine.
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy. Chanel’s Boy delivers a sheer pinky wash of color that lets your natural color peek through. It’s very beautiful and I guess ups the pink tones of your lip color and adds a bit of shine.
This is an old, funnily-lit picture, but I think you get the idea. I used it for the Five-Minute Makeup Challenge, precisely because it’s so easy to throw on and forget about.
MAC Viva Glam V. Similarly, Viva Glam V gives a heightened pinkness to the lip. It is a bit warmer and darker, though, if that makes sense. And the finish is less glossy but has a nice sheen to it, due to some sparkle action.
I gave this lip color a glowing review in November, and while I do quite like it, I don’t know why I don’t reach for it as often. I think I’m probably still in a playing-with-makeup stage, so I’m opting for shades that are more fun. These lipstick posts have especially made me want to “shop my stash” and discover discarded favorites.
Anyway, it was such a long time before I was able to get this shade, mostly because I was on a makeup ban at the time that I really wanted to purchase it. I was practically frothing at the mouth and I remember that really, really, really wanted to get this shade because of a Lipstick Bandits post that called this lipstick “universally flattering.”
Can’t argue with that; mostly because it doesn’t really do much, does it? I suppose that’s why it’s an MLBB. It makes your lips look better without really doing much. Ah, magic, I tell ya.
Chanel Rouge Coco in Perlé. Say ‘hello’ to my little friend. Sick of Perlé yet? This is actually quite similar to MAC Viva Glam V, but I think it’s a touch more frosty.
Another old, awfully-lit, badly-angled photo of yore, but I needed a landscape~ picture and I didn’t want to take any more if I can help it. However, I’ve featured Perlé on TWO DAYS of Lipstick Week, so you can find it here and here for a better look.
MAC Lustre Lipstick in Jubilee. This is more of a nude than an MLBB shade, but I think it counts. I’m saying it counts. I’ve featured it as a most-loved lipstick and as a nude lip, this Lipstick Week. It is definitely on the warmer side of MLBBs, and it’s just hanging on by a nail, really.
NYX Round Lipstick in Peony. This is quite a new addition to my collection, bought after the aftermath of my own personal Japanese cosmetics looting. Peony is a rather pretty beige-y color, quite similar to Jubilee, with a hint of a bluish duochrome sheen to it. The effects are pretty much lost on the lips, as it just turns the natural lip a notch warmer. From a distance, though, you can kinda see the touch of blue hints when the light hits it a certain way and it’s just lovely.
I’ve included the lipstick bullet here, so you can see what I mean! The blue sheen is definitely more obvious in the tube, but I think it adds an interesting nuance to the lip color. 🙂
NARS Sheer Lipstick in Pago Pago. I knew this was an MLBB right away. I have a love-hate relationship with this lipstick because it is very glittery and the glitter gets everywhere. So there is little wear time for Pago Pago, even though I love it so.
Here is a look I made with it! It’s still one of my favorites, and it’s when I attempted to make Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus into a look. Read that Made-Up History post right here. Also, wow, my face got so fat from this time. I don’t say that in a self-loathing-y way, just purely a statement borne from observation.
Hourglass Femme Rouge in Fresco. Beautiful, slightly-mauve rose color that matches my lips to a T. Except, obviously, better. I love this lipstick and it is so luxe. I’m sad that Zuneta doesn’t seem to carry this brand anymore, because it’s amazing and everyone should try it. This is a typical shade for me to pick out and I was initially miffed that I wasn’t at all adventurous, but you know what? Fresco works just fine for me.
It’s definitely darker than my actual lip color, but it doesn’t really deviate in terms of anything else. Like, if I drank a sangria or something, this is probably what my lips would look like by the end of the night, if that makes sense.
Anyway, that’s it from my collezione, I think! I hope you all enjoyed this post, because I really did enjoy writing it, even if I did not end up taking pictures for it. I think that red lip post scarred me for life. To catch up on Lipstick Week, click here.
What does MLBB mean to you? What are some of your MLBB shades and how long did it take for you to find them?
Softly Sometimes 
I love all your lipstick entries! I can’t wait to try MAC plumful and jubilee. I veer away from lipstick because of the lead content issue back when I was in grade school. I refuse to slather my lips with balms or lipstick unless it’s “organic”, but your entries are making me think twice 🙂
Aw, thanks Gian! 🙂 There are actually sites you can check out for lead content in lipsticks.
Yo, off topic but while waiting for the doctor today, I was perusing their magazines andI saw a mary kay luminizer that has this daintiest magnolia embossed thing in it! It reminded me of you and how much you would probably love it.
I would probably really love that, you’re write, lol.
My holy grail MLBB (even though it’s not exactly my lip colour) is Chanel’s Rogue Allure in Silhouette. Then MAC’s Jubilee, Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie (one coat, two gives a pinker tone) and the Maybelline Babylips in Cherry Me.
Thanks for sharing, Laala!
My current MLBB shade is a Milani Color Statement lipstick in Naturally Chic, and it’s a really “appropriate” color. I think it can be worn on any occasion or situation, and it would look good with a variety of looks. Sadly, it’s not widely available locally, but the NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Buttery Nude is like a liquid version of it, if you want an accurate idea. 🙂
On the other hand, wow! Jubilee in three posts! This must really be a sign for me! Haha. :))
Aw, I wish we got Milani here. Would love to try Naturally Chic. Haha yeah, it’s probably a sign. 😉
Hi Carina! I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award!!!
http://avecveritas.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/one-lovely-blogger-award/
Thanks Vera! 🙂 I’ll be sure to do it soon.
Grabe the raves on Boy! I think I might just get that next, although I’m not into Rouge Coco Shines 😥 I KNOW RIGHT. I like Luminous Intense and Velvet formulations more. Pero since everyone I’ve seen wearing Boy – wow lang, MLBB to the best level.
Not my favorite Chanel formula either! I like the Rouge Coco and the Rouge Allure Velvet. 🙂 Super ganda ng Boy, sana you can check it out.
I agree, MLBB is a different shade for everyone. I don’t think Perle is much of an MLBB as the frost does take away from the natural look. In other news, I am now listing down Boy and Viva Glam V!!!
Viva Glam V is rather frosty, too, actually! I love Boy a lot. 🙂
These lipsticks look beautiful on you — especially Fresco! I own Boy and Viva Glam V and they’re SO similar on me. If Viva Glam V was less frosty, I’d never purchase Boy again 😛
Thank you! 🙂 Yes, I realized I have so many colors similar to each other! I really like both, though. Do you have other MLBBs?
Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum and Pink Truffle, and Smasbox’s Lip gloss in Infamous are my MLBBs. It’s because of you that I’ve been pinching my pennies for a Boy or Mademoiselle. Wish me luck! 😉
Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Hope they work out for you!
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