It is a weird, dark, raisin-colored tube that looks like it belongs in a 1970s time capsule. Honestly, if you just saw it sitting on a shelf without the hype, you’d probably think it was too dark for anyone with skin lighter than a mahogany desk. But then you swipe it on. Suddenly, that scary deep purple transforms into this soft, sheer, "I just ate a bowl of blackberries" glow. It’s magic. There is no other way to describe how Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick works on basically every human being who tries it.
Black Honey isn't a newcomer. It didn't just pop up because of a TikTok trend, though the Gen Z obsession definitely breathed new life into it. This stuff has been around since 1971. Think about that. While people were wearing bell-bottoms and listening to Led Zeppelin, they were also obsessing over this exact same lip color. It survived the neon 80s, the grungy 90s, and the matte liquid lipstick craze of the 2010s.
The Science of the "Universal" Shade
Why does it work? Most lipsticks are packed with opaque pigments. They sit on top of your lips like a coat of paint. Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick is different because it’s a transparent pigment. It relies on a very specific balance of blue, red, and yellow tones that are sheer enough to let your natural lip color shine through. This is why it looks different on everyone. If you have pale, cool-toned lips, it pulls a bit more berry. If you have deeper, warmer skin, it looks like a rich, natural tint. It enhances; it doesn't mask.
Carol Phillips, the founding editor of Vogue who helped launch Clinique, famously wanted a product that was "black in the pot but sheer on the lips." She nailed it. The original 1971 version actually came in a glass jar. It was a thick, gooey pot of pigment. It wasn't until 1989 that they moved it into the sleek, silver "Almost Lipstick" tube we know today.
Texture and Wearability
Let’s talk about the formula for a second. It’s not a gloss. It’s not a lipstick. It’s "almost" a lipstick.
It feels like a high-end lip balm. You don't need a mirror to apply it, which is the ultimate test of a daily-driver makeup product. You can literally apply this while walking to the subway or sitting in a dark movie theater and you won't end up looking like a clown. It has an emollient base that gives a slight sheen but isn't sticky.
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The downside? It’s not long-wear. You’re going to be reapplying this after your morning coffee and definitely after lunch. But because the fade is so natural, you don't get that awkward "ring around the lips" look that you get with heavier formulas.
The Arwen Undomiel Effect
If you’re a Millennial, you probably remember the first time this went truly viral—long before "viral" was a digital term. It was The Lord of the Rings. When Peter Jackson’s trilogy hit theaters, everyone wanted to know what Arwen (played by Liv Tyler) was wearing. Her ethereal, stained-lip look was achieved using—you guessed it—Clinique Black Honey. Makeup artists on set used it because it looked like a natural flush rather than stage makeup. It fit the "immortal elf" aesthetic perfectly.
Fast forward to 2021, and the hashtag #BlackHoney exploded on TikTok. It wasn't a paid campaign. It was just a bunch of people discovering that their moms were right about this one specific product. At one point, Clinique was selling one tube every few minutes globally. It was sold out for months.
Spotting the Real Deal vs. the Dupes
Because it’s so popular, everyone wants a piece of the pie. You’ve probably seen the "dupes" online. Brands like Elf, Burts Bees, and even high-end competitors try to mimic the shade. Some get close.
- Elf Hydrating Core Lip Shine in "Ecstatic" is a common budget alternative. It’s more pigmented and a bit more "lipsticky" than the original.
- Burts Bees Tinted Lip Balm in "Red Dahlia" is often cited as the natural alternative. It’s thinner and more oily.
- Glossier Ultralip in "Ember" is perhaps the closest in spirit, but it has a much heavier shine.
None of them quite catch the exact "bruised plum" translucency of the original. There is a specific grit and grip to the Clinique formula that keeps it from sliding off your face while still feeling lightweight.
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Is It Actually for Everyone?
Look, I’m an expert, but I’m also a realist. While it’s marketed as "universal," there are nuances.
On very dark skin tones, Black Honey can sometimes be too sheer. If you have high natural pigmentation in your lips, it might just look like a clear balm. In those cases, some people prefer to layer it over a liner or choose the "Pink Honey" version for a different vibe, though Pink Honey is significantly more "pretty" and less "moody" than the original.
Also, if you hate reapplying makeup, this will annoy you. It’s a low-maintenance look that requires high-maintenance upkeep throughout the day.
How to Style Clinique Black Honey
One of the reasons this remains a staple is its versatility.
For a "no-makeup" makeup day, use it solo with some clear brow gel and mascara. It makes you look awake. If you want something more dramatic, use a deep plum liner first, blend it inward, and then slick Black Honey over the top. It adds a dimensional shine that makes lips look fuller without the stinging of a plumping gloss.
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A pro tip from makeup artists: dab a little bit on the apples of your cheeks. Because the formula is so sheer and emollient, it works as a fantastic dewy blush that perfectly coordinates with your lip color. It gives that "just came in from the cold" flush that is incredibly hard to fake with powder products.
The Modern Comeback
In 2024 and 2025, we saw a massive shift away from the "Instagram Face" (heavy contour, matte lips) toward "Clean Girl" and "Strawberry Girl" aesthetics. Black Honey fits right in. It’s the ultimate "your lips but better" product. Clinique has even expanded the line due to the demand, launching a Black Honey lip gloss (Pop Plush) and even a Black Honey mascara.
While the mascara is a cool concept—giving a subtle burgundy tint to the lashes—the Almost Lipstick remains the crown jewel. It’s a piece of beauty history that you can buy for under thirty bucks.
Buying Guide and Best Practices
If you’re going to pick one up, keep a few things in mind:
- Check the Batch: Clinique products have a long shelf life, but since this is a cream-based product with oils, it can go "off" after about two years. If it smells like old wax, toss it.
- Layering is Key: One swipe is a tint. Five swipes is a look. Experiment with how much you build it up.
- Storage: Don't leave this in a hot car. Because the tube is so slim and the formula is so soft, it’s prone to snapping at the base if it gets too warm and then you apply pressure.
Actionable Steps for Your Routine
If you’ve been on the fence about whether the hype is real, the best way to test it isn't on the back of your hand. Because it’s sheer, hand-swatching is useless. You have to try it on your lips to see how it interacts with your unique pH and natural color.
- Exfoliate first: Like any sheer tint, it will cling to dry patches. A quick scrub with a damp washcloth does the trick.
- Don't overthink the liner: If you use a liner, stick to a "nude" that matches your lip color, not the lipstick color.
- Pair with minimal eye makeup: Let the lip be the star. A little bit of concealer and a groomed brow are all you need to look polished.
Ultimately, the reason Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick stays in makeup kits for decades isn't just nostalgia. It’s the fact that it’s the most "democratic" beauty product ever made. It doesn't care if you're 16 or 70, or what your skin tone is. It just wants to make you look like a slightly more hydrated, vibrant version of yourself. In an industry built on changing how you look, there’s something deeply refreshing about a product that just wants to help you look like you.
Next Steps:
- Check your local Sephora or Ulta for the "Pink Honey" sister shade if you find Black Honey a bit too moody for spring.
- Try layering Black Honey over a matte red lipstick to give it a "vampy" 90s twist without the dryness.