HONEY, I'M HOME

Clinique Turned Its Famous Black Honey Lipstick Shade Into a Full Collection

Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick has been a cult obsession since 1971. Now it’s a full makeup collection.

Clinique.

By Jamie StoneAug 10, 2026

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There is a specific kind of beauty product that transcends trend cycles, defies categories, and gets passed down like family lore. Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey is the perfect example. It launched in 1971, went dormant, came back in the ’80s, got rediscovered by YouTube beauty vloggers in the late aughts, and then went absolutely nuclear on TikTok in 2021. The social media attention caused it to sell out repeatedly, racking up hundreds of millions of views under the hashtag #cliniqueblackhoney. In fact, seven tubes sell every single minute, according to the brand.

What makes Black Honey’s enduring appeal and virality extra interesting is that the color also looks terrifying in the tube. It’s a dark, almost-black plum. Once applied, however, the almost-black shade transforms into a sheer berry stain that somehow flatters literally everyone. The formula—a calibrated blend of blue, red, and yellow pigments in a balmy base—applies like a sheer balm and adjusts to your lip’s natural shade, which means it looks slightly different on everyone.

Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey — Amazon.

So what did Clinique do when one product becomes this beloved again and again? Finally, they did what any smart beauty brand does: they added more iterations to the family.

Early this summer, Clinique quietly expanded the Black Honey lineup, launching limited-edition eye, cheek, and nail formulas in the iconic hue. As someone who’s loved the Almost Lipstick since the 2000s, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the new products. Scroll through below for my thoughts on the new additions.

Amazon

$25

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Still the original, still the best. The innovative formula glides on like a balm, delivering a sheer berry tint. The pigment is buildable enough to go from bare-faced to an actual evening look depending on how many swipes you apply.

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Amazon

$27

High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Mascara

Here’s where the collection gets interesting. The Black Honey mascara, a deep burgundy-brown rather than straight black, is subtle enough not to read as “colored mascara” while still adding warmth and dimension that a straight black formula can’t. The shade is especially beautiful on brown or hazel eyes.

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Clinique

$44

All About Shadow Limited-Edition Quad in Black Honey

Inspired by the original Black Honey hue, this mini eyeshadow palette comes with two matte shades and two shimmers. The formula is long-wearing, crease-resistant, and silky enough to blend seamlessly with a single stroke.

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Clinique

$18

Color Rich Nail Polish

The same beloved Black Honey shade is now available for your nails. The richly pigmented, quick-drying formula glides on and delivers a glossy finish.

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