My Favourite Affordable ‘My Lips But Better’ Lipsticks

By Ann Nicole Ng

A MLBB lipstick is akin to a LBD (‘Little Black Dress’) – reliable, versatile, effortless and flattering for all occasions. MLBB, ‘My Lips But Better’, is a term first coined by Leonard Lauder, the former chairman of Esteé Lauder back in 2001. A MLBB lipstick ranges from various shades on the lip colour spectrum, from nudes to mauves to soft pinks to dusty roses. It wasn’t until recently that the MLBB lipstick trend catapulted into the limelight and took over the beauty world by storm.

As beauty lovers, we all (arguably) have one person to thank – Kylie Jenner, the catalyst of the trend and the one who has most certainly fuelled my love and appreciation for MLBB lipsticks. I remember scrolling through endless Instagram posts and heading to M.A.C to purchase the ever-so-elusive “Kylie Jenner” lip pencil – it’s Whirl by the way, only to leave disappointed and empty handed as it was out of stock. Today, there are more affordable (and better!) options in the market, and I will be sharing my personal favourites here!

 

Wet n Wild Megalast – In The Flesh

This warm-rosy berry hue suits all skin tones. Despite its flimsy and poor-quality packaging, this lipstick has a long-lasting formula – a bit on the heavier side but it’s still pretty comfortable to wear. It has a non-drying, creamy matte finish, which is very similar to the well-loved M.A.C’s matte lipstick formula – making it a perfect option for those who want quality without breaking the bank. The best part is that it only costs USD2.99 a pop!

Wet n Wild Megalast – In The Flesh (USD 2.99)

 

 

 

Silkygirl OMG! Powder Matte Lipcolor – Rosewood

It seems like Silkygirl is hopping onto the “powder matte lipstick” bandwagon that Maybelline kick-started, but I am not mad at it! First of all, I adore this lipstick’s packaging. It has a push button at the top of the case that pushes out the lipstick bullet, which makes me feel quite fancy when I use it. Packaging aside, the formula is decent. True to its name, it has a powdery (almost slippery) texture, which makes it not quite as long-lasting as the typical matte lipstick that grips onto the lips. However, this shade makes it worth reapplying; it is a forgiving burnt salmon shade with very slight hints of brown. Love it!

Silkygirl OMG! Powder Matte Lipcolor – Rosewood ($12.90)

 

 

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte – Clay Crush

Maybelline’s matte lipsticks are velvety, lightweight and definitely easy to reapply without creating a cakey finish. Some of them are more opaque than others with one swipe, and this shade belongs to the former category (thumbs up!). If you like warm nude-toned lipsticks or if you have a warm skin undertone, this lipstick will be your best friend. I describe this beautiful shade as a clay light brown with yellow undertones.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte – Clay Crush (USD 7.49)

 

 

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-talk – BE109

I have to give props to Etude House for cutesy and attractive packaging, and this lipstick is no exception. To be honest, this product smells like childhood fruit jelly snacks, which makes it a little cloying and off-putting, especially to those who are sensitive to overpowering scents. Apart from it, this gorgeous shade is fairly similar to Maybelline’s Clay Crush, but less yellowish and more pink-toned. I am also a huge fan of its soft and lightweight matte finish that is easy to wear.

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-talk – BE109 ($17.90)

 

 

Colourpop Lippie Stix – Brink

When it comes to quality, Colourpop hardly disappoints. Although this lipstick is considered to have a matte finish, I feel that this is one of the creamier matte formulas I have tried amongst all my matte lipsticks. It dries down a little more when it lays longer on the lips, making it long-wearing. An opaque terracotta rosy nude, this shade looks amazing on medium/olive skin tones. However, this stains your lips (I personally do not mind this), so if this bothers you, be sure to use a strong lip makeup remover!

Colourpop Lippie Stix – Brink ($18)