If there were a Mount Rushmore of universally beloved lip products, Clinique’s Black Honey would surely be on it. Whether you call it a tinted lip balm, stain, or, as the brand says, an “Almost Lipstick,” it’s a buildable, lightweight formula that reviewers of various skin tones, undertones and style preferences swear suits all wearers. Just ahead of National Lipstick Day on July 29, the beloved balm is on sale for under $20 at Macy’s and Amazon, with the best deal being at Amazon thanks to a giant 40% off. According to our price trackers, that’s the lowest price it’s been since last July, so if you’re a lipstick collector, a longtime Black Honey purist or just wanting to try a new formula — now’s the time to stock up.
Read more This Tiny-But-Mighty Device Can Charge All Your Apple Products In Just Minutes — And It’s On Sale
“I don’t know [how] Clinique did it, but somehow this lip color looks great on EVERYONE,” one review said. “It’s like a natural lip color, but better. Not warm, not cool, just perfect neutral.”
Created in the 70s, named after the natural sweetener, Black Honey has been back in the public eye, after trending on TikTok. A top seller for HuffPost readers during this year’s Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, Clinique’s Black Honey is a versatile crowd pleaser, that’s currently at a pleasing price.
“It looks dark in the tube but somehow goes on your-lips-but-better on EVERY skintone,” one wrote. “I’d say it’s a light brown-toned mauve.”
Numbers don’t lie. According to the brand, Black Honey is Clinique’s number one selling lip color.
It’s celebrated for being universally flattering and super buildable, perfect for all-season and all-purpose wear. Whether you’re going for an everyday “no makeup, makeup” look or want a strong color for going out, Black Honey can do it all. Called “barely there” or “your lips but better,” reviewers say this product enhances their natural color and even makes their lips look fuller and plumper.
“One swipe adds a hint of color, while a couple more applications adds a dark, wine color that does not overbear,” one reviewer writes. “The best part is you are able to control how much color you want on your lips by limiting the number of applications.”
Deemed a “cult classic” by reviewers, many mention wearing the product for decades, even getting their kids and grandkids into it. Wearers love the slim, packaging and creamy texture, saying it makes their lips feel hydrated without being sticky or tacky. “I’ve been wearing Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey since high school, and it remains my absolute favorite!” one reviewer said. ”…It goes on so smoothly and effortlessly, you don’t even need a mirror for application.”
Some people use it on their cheeks to give a blushy glow, making it one of those “everything” products, you’ll be happy to have in your collection. “For someone who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, this is the only thing I use to add a little color to my face,” another wrote.
And yes, this is what Liv Tyler wore in the “Lord of the Rings” film series.
To add even more lore to the legend of Clinique’s Black Honey lip balm: Liv Tyler wore it while playing the role of Arwen in the “Lord of the Rings” film series. And that’s exactly what sold a few users on grabbing this color.
“I know we are all here because Liv Tyler wore this while filming ‘Lord of the Rings’ […],” says one reviewer, “but genuinely its a beautiful color and it looks good on everyone. I started wearing this product a 3 years ago and i go through 1 tube every 6 months and I wear it just about everyday.”
Read more reviews to see why readers call Clinique’s Black Honey tinted lip balm “the perfect color for all women,” and grab a tube for yourself while it’s on sale.
“It might be true! This color looks amazing on ALL skin tones! I get so many compliments when I wear it as an everyday tinted gloss. High shine, no sticky mess. Great and easy buildable coverage for when you want a lipstick look without having to carry around multiple products!” — Larry
Read more Lauren Boebert Bedeviled By Botox Effects In Jaw-Dropping Interview
“Absolutely obsessed with this lipstick. Totally worth the price. The color is gorgeous and enhances my natural lip tone in such an effortless, flattering way. The formula feels smooth and luxurious—the perfect thickness without feeling heavy or sticky. It doesn’t have any strange taste, which I really appreciate. The packaging is elegant and feels elevated. It’s not waterproof, so I do have to reapply a couple of times throughout the day, but that’s expected and doesn’t bother me. Overall, it delivers exactly what it promises. I would absolutely recommend it.” — A.A.DuHern
“I really like this tinted lip balm. I got the black honey, and it has a nice subtle color that just provides a healthy look while moisturizing the lips. I would say it would be universally flattering no matter your skin tone. It also uses plant based waxes for structure (candelilla and carnauba) instead of beeswax which is good for sensitive lips and those who are allergic to propolis/beeswax products. The color lasts awhile too without needing to constantly reapply, but will eventually wear off with eating and as the day goes on.” — KJG
“Listen—if you’ve stumbled across this lipstick because you, too, can’t help but love Liv Tyler as Arwen in the classic LOTR movies and think, “But is it actually worth getting?” let me just say YES.
I’m a firm believer that Black Honey looks good on anyone and everyone because the beauty of it lies in how sheer it is. It’s buildable if you want a brighter look, but light enough with one swipe to just give your lips a little life to them. It really is the perfect “your lips but BETTER” look. I know, I know—it’s pricey. What makes this different from the millions of tinted chapstick dupes that exist? Why’s it worth the price? Honestly it’s pretty simple. The formula is smoother than tinted chapsticks and just glides on effortlessly. It just feels luxurious in a way that you won’t know until you try it. Beyond that, I’ve found it actually keeps my lips hydrated better than most chapsticks. Yes! The color is absolutely dupeable, but the formula really isn’t and you can tell just by how soft the finish is.” — Aurora Valentine
Want more timeless beauty favs? Check out this list of under-$10 old-school beauty products that users still love, from previous HuffPost Shopping reporting.
An ultra-rich cream that’s been compared to La Mer
Manhattan Beach, California-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen Khalsa previously said that this classic cream in a tin is designed to nourish and hydrate, improve skin barrier function as well as skin texture and appearance. Often compared to the much pricier and high-end Crème de La Mer, Nivea’s rich formula has been around since 1911 and shares some of La Mer’s same ingredients like glycerin, a favored humectant that draws moisture into the skin and panthenol (provitamin B5), which soothes and heals using anti-inflammatory properties.
Khalsa mentioned that the two moisturizers have a comparable rich and thick consistency, in part to the inclusion of lanolin alcohol and petroleum, an emollient-rich and occlusive combination that works to soften skin and lock-in moisture.
Vaseline healing petroleum jelly
Yadav said that Vaseline has come a long way since its old-fangled origins that date back to 1870. According to her, this multi-purpose jelly can do everything from healing scrapes to alleviating diaper rash to taming unruly hair.
“Most recently it has gotten its acclaim for its occlusive properties via the skin slugging trend,” she said. “I personally use it this way, as a top coat over my existing skin care products, in order to help seal in all the goodness.” Yadav explained that this popular skin care method helps to prevent transepidermal water loss and can make the active ingredients used in your regimen more effective.
This $10 set provides the larger jar with a bonus lip pot!
The original Dove beauty bar
According to Miami-based board certified dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, the Dove beauty bar soap is “truly cold cream in a bar.” She said that this timeless formulation is a good facial cleansing option that’s great for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin because it effectively hydrates while it cleanses. It contains the brand’s signature one-quarter moisturizing cream, is pH-balanced for skin and won’t strip away all those essential natural oils needed for a healthy complexion.
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
Read more Lindsey Graham Names 1 Thing Trump ‘Loves’ In Chilling New Video
Leave a Reply