Clinique’s cult lipstick shade Black Honey has experienced a recent resurgence thanks to TikTok. The Almost Lipstick line (which consisted of balm-like sheer lip products) was first released in 1971 and while the majority of the line has since been discontinued, the Black Honey shade was too popular to stop production. Talk about cultural staying power!
In recent months, this unique lipstick hue has become the talk of TikTok. According to Byrdie, this preoccupation with the lipstick started when TikTok users started posting about Liv Tyler wearing Black Honey while shooting the Lord of the Rings movies. And now, the hashtag #cliniqueblackhoney on TikTok has over 25 million views. Wild!
This devotion to the Black Honey product means Clinique and its stockists have struggled to keep it in stock. So, when I was offered the chance to try the product for the purpose of reviewing it, I jumped at the opportunity. I wanted to see what the fuss was about and I have to say, I’m so glad I did.
What Is Black Honey?
The shade name Black Honey was created by Clinique founder Carol Phillips and was inspired by the glossy texture and colour of the product, which was originally packaged in a pot. The Almost Lipstick version of Black Honey as we know it today was released in 1989, when the convenience of a lipstick bullet over a pot product was deemed more important.
According to Clinique, Black Honey is “often referred to as the makeup equivalent of a chic, black turtleneck”. It looks good on everyone, suits every skin tone and is effortlessly easy to pull off. Think of this as the lipstick version of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants jeans.
The product colour is, as the name suggests, a deep shade that looks incredibly intimidating in the bullet. Thankfully, when you apply the lipstick, you’re left with a subtle wash of sheer colour. Black Honey has a your-lips-but-better quality to it — it simply enhances your natural lip colour and leaves a lovely sheen.
Does It Live Up to the TikTok Hype?
It’s safe to say that yes, it does. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this product, especially when I first laid eyes on the colour of the lipstick. But, I was pleasantly surprised after the first use and, this baby has since become a handbag staple for me.
On me, the shade throws a light berry hue and makes my lips look and feel hydrated with a slight sheen. This is definitely not a gloss, or a traditional lipstick but feels much like a balm on the lips. The coverage is also buildable, so should you want a slighter darker colour, you can add a few more layers to achieve this. I like how it looks with two swipes on my bottom and top lip.
If you can get your hands on this product, I would definitely recommend doing so. While stocks are limited at the moment, you can sign up to a waitlist to be notified when the product comes back in stock on the Clinique website. At $40, Black Honey isn’t the cheapest lippy on the market, but the quality coupled with the cult status makes it seem worth it to me.
Even as a beauty editor who is lucky enough to try many lovely products, I’m always on the hunt for a lipstick or balm that feels comfortable on the lips while also injecting a little subtle colour. And, Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has ticked all of those boxes. Thank you, TikTok.
