3 Editors Put Clinique's Viral Black Honey Lipstick to the Test

Published on 2/22/2024 at 1:45 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez Jessica Harrington Ariel Baker and Photo Illustration: Aly Lim

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

If you consider yourself a beauty lover, chances are you've tested — or at least heard of — the Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick ($25). The product has been around since 1971, and although it was originally launched in pot form, the stick formula was born (and immediately loved) in the '80s. Although it isn't fair to say it was ever forgotten, it's had a resurgence over the last year thanks to social media. Now, users on TikTok can't get enough of the buzzy lip product, probably because, due to some magic that we don't understand, the shade looks different — but good — on everyone. Sisterhood of the traveling lip product, anyone?

The brand says it's not quite a lipstick and not quite a gloss; it falls somewhere in between. It offers sheer but buildable coverage, has great color payoff, and is made to be worn alone or paired with other products. One of the key ingredients is castor-seed oil, which acts as an occlusive to keep moisture locked in the lips.

Another thing social media users can't stop raving about? The fact that it looks good on every skin tone. Our editors are already fans of the brand, but we wanted to put the viral lipstick to the test. To see whether Clinique's Black Honey lives up to the internet hype, three POPSUGAR editors with different skin types and tones tested it out. Keep reading for their honest reviews.

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick

From

$25

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick on Olive Skin

"I have an olive skin tone with a neutral undertone. I tend to stay away from super-red lipstick colors, berry shades, and anything too dark. Instead, I opt for colors that are pink (but not too pink) and essentially look like my natural lips but better. I had heard about Clinique's Black Honey product for years, but I had never tested it out myself because at first glance, it looked way too dark for me. However, the first time I tested it out, I was pleasantly surprised to see that wasn't the case. Although the tone was a bit more pigmented and intense than what I usually go for, I found that it didn't wash me out or look too overpowering.

"Just one swipe was only a tad darker than my natural lip color. I found the application to be ultra smooth, and I loved that the color was buildable. Yes, it went on practically sheer, but I could add more if I wanted to. My only gripe with this product is that it didn't work well when I had chapped lips. As the brand suggests, it won't work in place of a lip balm but instead should be combined with one if you experience dry lips like I do. Overall, I like the formula enough that I plan to keep wearing it — I love the way it looks on my skin tone." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Rating:
★★★★☆

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick on Deep Skin

"I'm ashamed to say that I'd never tried the iconic Black Shiny Lipstick from Clinique before this. However, now that I've finally had the opportunity, I can definitely see the hype. The product provides a balmy wash of color that is really great to just throw on and go, which is my favorite type of makeup product. One caveat: I had to build it up with three to four layers to get a moderately opaque color payoff, so I wouldn't wear it in place of lipstick, but it's a really nice, elevated lip balm. It puts the finishing touch on a pared-back everyday makeup look. I'm definitely going to keep using this, and I'm getting another for my purse." — Ariel Baker, assistant editor, Beauty

Rating:
★★★★☆

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick on Fair Skin

"I don't typically wear dark lipstick, out of laziness — the reapplication and worrying about it getting everywhere is too much for me to bother with — but the Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick strikes the perfect balance between lipstick and balm, making it a lot less intimidating. The applicator looks like a lip balm, but the color payoff tells a different story. One swipe gave me a slightly sheer wash of berry color, but I had a rich, deep red lip after two coats. The formula glides on smooth, leaves behind a subtle shine, and feels just as hydrating after a few hours of wear as it does out of the tube. The first day I tried it, I reached for it repeatedly just because it felt nice on my lips. And you really can't beat the color." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, Beauty

Rating:
★★★★☆