No, I Don’t Think The Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey Is Worth The Hype 

A bestseller of the brand, the Clinique Almost Lipstick – Black Honey promises to work on every skin tone and prove a unique colour to the lips. First launched in a pot, the item is now available in an easy-to-use tube and has received rave reviews.

What Is It?

“Not quite lipstick, not quite gloss,” the description of the product on Cliniquie’s site reads. It has an almost-sheer effect that enhances the lips, delivering a shade that can go from burgundy to barely-there pink, depending on your original lip colour.

Our Thoughts

I have a medium, warm skin tone but my lips are incredibly pigmented. Saying it doesn’t do anything for my lips wouldn’t be right. No, it does deliver a hint of pink with a glossy finish to my lips. And like most reviews explained it, it’s not quite lipstick but not lip gloss either. It feels more like a tinted lip balm.

At first, the colour of the product seems deceptive. A deep, burgundy-hued stick that delivers a pale pink pigment? But it’s buildable and any more than three swipes can transform your lips giving them a berry-stained look. My lips feel hydrated, nourished and so plump after applying this on.

But the drawback? It fades almost as quickly as it delivers colour to the lips. If you’re someone who’s constantly licking your lips, rubbing them together, or even chewing gum, you’ll notice yourself reaching to reapply the Clinique Black Honey quite often.

Another drawback is the steep price. Rs. 2,200 is a lot to spend for a moisturising lip tint, especially when there are so many balm-like lipsticks and multiple dupes available at a quarter of the price that deliver a similar finish.

How To Use It

There are multiple ways to use this lippie. You can either swipe it on clean lips or use a liner first and then apply it on your lips for a fuller look. You can also layer it over a lipstick for a glossy effect or top it off with gloss if you want a shinier look.

I also like to use it on the apples of my cheeks for a natural, flushed monochromatic look.

What It Looks Like

First swatch – two swipes

Second swatch – six swipes

Some Dupes For It

The closest dupe has to be the Renee Madness pH Lipstick.

A close second is the e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine in Ecstatic.

Followed by the Forest Essentials Tinted Lip Serum Madhu Rasa Misri Cardamom.