Review: Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Since the 1970s, Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has been the brand’s exclusive, best selling (almost) lipstick. At its peak in popularity, it was said to have sold every 2 minutes around the world! Being a sucker for timeless, history-packed beauty products, I went for it.

This is Black Honey when it’s not hiding in its skinny tube:

Swatched just to show you how sheer it is:

I might as well just refer to Clinique’s Almost Lipstick as just Black Honey because Black Honey is the only shade that is included in the Almost Lipstick line. As you can guess, Almost Lipstick is a lip product with a sheer, glossy slip of lightweight lip colour. In Black Honey’s case, the color is a deep blackened raisin. When not applied, Black Honey just looks like black lipstick.

Fortunately, that’s not at all the case! When worn, Black Honey has a soft shine and is universally flattering and looks a little different on everyone. On me, Black Honey is a sheer merlot color:

In my many years of wearing lipstick, I’ve never come across a shade like Black Honey. The experience is baffling in a good way — how could it look so black and look different when worn? I love that it gives lips a more seductive quality about them, but in a subtle, understated manner.

As for wear, I found that it kept my lips moisturized and smooth for a good 4 hours without coming off. Since it’s not lipstick, the formula isn’t heavy. It really just feels like you’re wearing lip balm.

You can purchase Black Honey online or in stores for $14.50 — not bad. Overall, I highly recommend Black Honey. You can’t go wrong!

Score: 5/5

Disclaimer: Product was provided to me for review purposes only. The opinions in this review are 100% my own!