It is purple. Honestly, in the tube, Clinique Black Honey looks like a bruised raisin or maybe a prop from a gothic horror movie. It is dark, intimidating, and looks nothing like something you’d want to swipe across your face in a rush. But then you do. And suddenly, your lips don’t look purple; they look like you just finished a bowl of very expensive blackberries or perhaps just spent a brisk afternoon in the Swiss Alps.
It’s weird.
For a product that debuted in 1971—back when it was sold in a literal honey pot—to be the "it" girl of 2026 is almost unheard of in the beauty industry. Trends usually die in eighteen months. This one has survived five decades, a global pandemic, and the rise of TikTok.
People call it a "lip gloss," though Clinique officially labels the cult-favorite version as Almost Lipstick. Whatever you call it, the Clinique lip gloss black honey phenomenon is built on a very specific lie: that one color can look good on everyone. Usually, that's marketing fluff. Here, it’s actually kind of true.
The Chemistry of Why It Doesn't Look the Same on Anyone
Most lipsticks rely on opaque pigments. They sit on top of your skin like a coat of house paint. If the red is too blue-toned for your skin, you look washed out. If it’s too orange, your teeth look yellow.
Black Honey is different. It's basically a transparent fusion of blue, red, and yellow pigments. Because it is so sheer, your natural lip color shines through it. It doesn’t cover your lips; it stains your unique undertones. If you have very pale, cool-toned lips, it pulls a soft berry. If you have deeper, warmer-toned lips, it looks like a rich, toasted plum.
It’s a chameleon.
I remember talking to a veteran makeup artist at a shoot in New York who told me she keeps three tubes in her kit because it's the only thing that works when a model has a reaction to heavier products. It’s emollient-rich. It feels like a balm but behaves like a tint. There’s no glitter. No heavy scent. Just a glossy, "I just ate a popsicle" vibe that doesn’t require a mirror to apply.
The "Lord of the Rings" Connection and the Viral Explosion
You probably saw it on your feed. Or maybe you saw it in a movie without realizing it. Liv Tyler famously wore Clinique lip gloss black honey (well, the Almost Lipstick version) as Arwen in The Lord of the Rings. The makeup department wanted her to look ethereal but natural—like she was glowing from within rather than wearing a MAC counter's worth of product.
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That "Elf-core" aesthetic is exactly why it blew up again recently.
Gen Z rediscovered it on TikTok around 2021, and suddenly, a fifty-year-old product was sold out globally for months. It wasn't just nostalgia. It was a reaction against the "Instagram Face" era of heavy, matte, over-lined lips. People were tired of looking like they had drywall on their mouths. They wanted moisture. They wanted something that could be applied in a car without looking like a clown.
There is a specific satisfaction in the slim, silver tube. It’s tactile. It’s elegant in a way that bulky, plastic "hype" brands often aren't.
Is the Gloss Better Than the Original?
Clinique eventually realized they had a monster on their hands and expanded the line. Now we have the Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss version.
Let's be real: some purists hate it.
The original Almost Lipstick is waxy (in a good way) and thin. The Clinique lip gloss black honey (the Pop Plush version) is a different beast entirely. It’s thicker. It’s much more "juicy." If the original is a watercolor painting, the gloss is an oil painting. It gives you that high-shine, reflective finish that the 1970s formula lacks.
Which one should you get?
- The Original Almost Lipstick: Best for the office, for "no-makeup" days, and for people who hate the feeling of sticky gloss. It’s the classic for a reason.
- The Pop Plush Gloss: Best for a night out or if you have chronically dry lips. It contains hyaluronic acid and butter (aloe, avocado, and shea). It actually stays on longer than the original, which tends to vanish after a cup of coffee.
I’ve noticed that the gloss version actually leans a bit warmer. If you find the original a bit too "bruised berry," the gloss might be your sweet spot.
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The Competition: Can You Find a "Dupe"?
Every brand under the sun has tried to copy this. E.l.f. has the Black Cherry. Burt’s Bees has Red Dahlia. Covergirl has Bliss You Berry.
Are they the same?
Not really.
The E.l.f. version is great for five dollars, but it’s much more pigmented. It loses that "transparent veil" quality that makes the Clinique version so forgiving. The Burt’s Bees one is a great tinted balm, but it lacks the sophisticated cool-toned base that makes Black Honey look "expensive."
The thing about the Clinique lip gloss black honey is the balance. If you add too much red, it’s just a sheer red. If you add too much blue, it looks like you have low oxygen levels. Clinique hit a very specific sweet spot of "ugly-chic" color that is surprisingly hard to replicate in a laboratory.
How to Actually Wear It Without It Looking Patchy
Because it’s so sheer, if your lips are peeling, the pigment will settle into the cracks. It’s not a miracle worker.
- Exfoliate first. Use a damp washcloth or a sugar scrub.
- Don’t use a liner. Using a sharp liner with Black Honey defeats the purpose. If you must, use a "your lips but better" nude liner and smudge the edges with your finger.
- Layer it. One swipe is a hint of color. Five swipes is a deep, moody plum.
- Try it as a blush. Seriously. Take the gloss or the stick, dab it on the apples of your cheeks, and blend. It creates a "just came in from the cold" flush that looks incredibly natural because the tones are already balanced to mimic blood flow to the skin.
The Sustainability and Ingredient Reality
Clinique is part of the Estée Lauder Companies. They’ve made strides in the last few years regarding sustainability, but let's be honest: it’s still a plastic-heavy industry.
The formula is paraben-free and phthalate-free. It’s also fragrance-free, which is a godsend for anyone who gets a headache from those vanilla-scented glosses that most brands pump out.
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However, if you are looking for a 100% "clean" beauty product (whatever that means this week), you might find the inclusion of certain synthetic waxes or petrolatum-based ingredients a turn-off. But for most people, the fact that it doesn't irritate sensitive skin is the bigger win. Clinique has always played the "dermatologist-developed" card, and with this product, it holds up. It doesn't sting. It doesn't migrate into fine lines.
Why We Are Still Obsessed
Trends in 2026 are moving toward "uncomplicated" beauty. We spent a decade learning how to contour and bake and strobe. Now, we just want to look like we slept eight hours and drank enough water.
Clinique lip gloss black honey fits that perfectly. It’s the "lazy girl" staple. It’s the product you keep in your coat pocket and find three years later, and it’s still just as relevant.
It’s also one of the few luxury-adjacent beauty products that feels accessible. At roughly $25, it’s more than a drugstore balm but way less than a $50 Chanel or Dior lip glow. It feels like a treat without requiring a payment plan.
Your Next Steps with Black Honey
If you’re ready to try it, don’t just buy it online blindly.
Go to a counter. Swipe it on your hand. Notice how it looks like a bruise at first? Wait thirty seconds. Let it warm up to your skin.
If you already own the Almost Lipstick, try layering the Clinique lip gloss black honey over it for a 3D effect. It adds depth and longevity that you can't get with one product alone.
Finally, check the "gift with purchase" cycles. Clinique is famous for including deluxe samples of Black Honey in their bonus bags. It’s the easiest way to snag a travel-sized version for your smallest evening bag without dropping full price.
Stop trying to find a "perfect" red. Stop worrying about whether you're a "spring" or a "winter." Just try the weird purple stick. It’s been working since the 70s for a reason.