Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that’s taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
I have a love/hate relationship with TikTok. I love it for allowing me to discover new beauty products and rediscover old makeup favorites. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hate it for making products go viral—because then they sell out (often across the entire internet for literally months). Such is the case with Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey ($22).
The funny thing is this cult classic from Clinique has been around since the early ’70s. Before TikTok discovered it, one tube was sold every three minutes, and for good reason. The deep, dark plum color almost looks black in the tube, but once you swipe it on your lips, it transforms into a sheer veil of the ultimate just-bitten berry shade. It’s one of the few products that actually looks good on everyone. The formula uses a creamy, balmy base that combines the perfect amount of red, blue, and yellow pigment, so it really enhances everyone’s natural lip color. The beauty team and I were lucky enough to get our hands on a tube, and we had to share the results. Keep scrolling for everyone’s take.
“I feel like I need to have multiple tubes of this on hand at all times because I’m not quite sure what I’d do without it. It’s legit so good. I’m very into the creamy, balmy texture. It’s not as rich as a lipstick but has more oomph than a sheer gloss. It feels just as moisturizing as a lip balm and adds the perfect wine-colored stain to my lips. I love how much it brightens up my entire face, especially when I’m wearing zero makeup. It’s a real keeper.”
“I won’t beat around the bush—I love this lipstick-balm hybrid, and it’s exactly the kind of formula I’m always wearing. (Tinted balms are all I crave now, especially in the summer months.) When it comes to lip products, I want something hydrating (check), sheer yet buildable (double check), and in a shade that will enhance my natural lip color (triple check). Black Honey is so iconic for its magical flattering powers. It looks good on everyone I’ve seen wear it, and it’s so non-fussy that you can keep it in your bag and apply it whenever and wherever. (This is great because the only area where I think it needs improvement is in its longevity.) It gives your lips a nice hint of shine, and I also appreciate that it’s easy to layer with anything else you’re wearing. I prepped my lips with Fresh’s Sugar Advanced Therapy Treatment Lip Balm ($26) while I did the rest of my makeup, and then I layered on Dr. Devgan’s Platinum Lip Plump SPF 30 ($50) and let it do its thing for about 30 minutes before blotting it off and swiping on Black Honey. It’s the ultimate routine if you want a soft, plump, shiny pout.”
“I have been a Clinique stan for a very long time. It was my first ‘grown-up’ makeup and skincare brand! I’ve been using Clinique products since I was 13, but surprisingly, I haven’t tried this lipstick yet. I did see all the rave reviews on TikTok, so I was excited to give it a try. I loved how weightless it feels and how easy it is to glide on and build color. It’s a versatile lip product because you can just do one swipe for a very subtle hint of color, but you can also put on a couple more layers for a bolder look (which I did here). I’d definitely wear this every day. It’s so easy!”
“I love this lipstick. It’s the absolute perfect shade for when you want your lips to look good but you also don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard. I can imagine this looks different on everyone, but on me, the sheer, vampy pigment transforms into a rosy berry tint that I wish my lips could look like all the time. Alas, they don’t, and that’s where Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey comes in. This gloss-lipstick hybrid is a tried and true classic for a reason.”
“I think I just found my everyday lip product, which is a huge deal because I’m a die-hard gloss girl! I don’t go for lipsticks unless it’s a special occasion simply because they often feel heavy and don’t nourish my lips. This lipstick does the complete opposite and feels like a sheer balm that adds a natural flush to my lips. This is a lipstick that I’ll reapply throughout the day without feeling like I need lip liner or even a mirror.”
“This is a really nice lipstick! Honestly, I don’t wear lipstick too often, but I love that this formula creates a really subtle, gorgeous, natural flush on the lips. It’s perfect for everyday wear and feels more like a silky balm to me. It’s also really breathable and makes my lips feel really soft as opposed to some matte formulas, which can really dry out my lips. I’ll definitely be keeping this one handy in my purse from now on.”
