How to Find Your Perfect "My Lips But Better" Lip Shade 

By Erin Lukas
Mar 13, 2016 @ 4:15 pm
Steve Granitz/WireImage

Trendy lipsticks come and go, but one shade everyone should have in their makeup is their go-to lip color that’s perfect for every day, in any season. You could call such color your "my lips but better" shade (otherwise known as MLBB). Simply put, the hue matches your natural lip color, but is slightly enhanced to add depth and intensity to your pout to keep you from looking washed out when you’re wearing a no-makeup makeup look or a heavy eye. Although the color is easy to apply and a shade everyone should have on-deck when you just want to quickly swipe on a lipstick to look put-together, finding the exact shade that works for you is not quite as easy. We’ve compiled a few tips to guide you on your way to finding your perfect MLBB shade, plus we've picked a few of our shoppable favorites to get you started.

RELATED VIDEO: Make a Statement with Nude Lips

Shop in Person

Web-only deals make buying makeup online tempting, but this is one product you want to try out in-person. Often, natural lip shades will appear like they’ll work for you in the tube, but look completely different once it’s on and against your skin tone.

Know Where to Match

To find your most flattering shade when you’re testing out bullets, look for a lipstick that matches your inner lip or your fingertip, and not the back of your hand, which, if you stop and really look at it, is nowhere near the same color as your lips.

Skip Glosses

Your lips aren’t naturally shimmery or shiny, so picking a gloss as your MLBB doesn’t really make sense, trust us.

Try It on Makeup Free

A guaranteed way to make sure a potential MLBB is a match is to test it when you have a clean, makeup-free face so you can see the natural tone of your complexion and whether the lip color is going to compliment you. 

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MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Natural Moisturizing Soft Shine Lipstick in N1 Iridescent Nude

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This creamy, moisturizing lipstick will enhance your natural color without drying out your pout. 

($20; makeupforever.com)

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Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Strip

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A plum-brown toned lipstick that will look like your lips just way, way, better. 

($20; urbandecay.com)

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Tom Ford Lip Color in Deep Mink 

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Your own lips have never looked so luxurious...until now. 

($55; neimanmarcus.com)

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MAC Lipstick in Taupe

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This pinky-taupe bullet will compliment any and every makeup look in your arsenal. 

($17; maccosmetics.com)

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NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara

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Consider this satin formula by NARS the ultimate beige lipstick. 

($32; narscosmetics.com) 

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Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Exposed

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The search for the perfect neutral rose shade stops here. Tarte's pretty lip tint has a non-drying matte finish that glides on smooth and will stay in place all day long. 

($24; ulta.com)

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