By skyforbes 
The Lipstick That Started on Tumblr and Blew Up on TikTok
Every few years, a beauty product sneaks out of the archives and becomes the accessory of the moment. Think Dior Lip Oil, the Glossier Balm Dotcom era, or when Kylie Jenner’s lip kits had a waitlist longer than a Supreme drop.
For 2025, that crown belongs to Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey — a product that’s been around since the ’70s but somehow feels like it was designed for TikTok virality.
It’s one of those rare finds: sheer enough to look natural, deep enough to feel glam, and versatile enough to flatter literally everyone.
The internet has spoken — and this $20-something lipstick has entered Main Character Energy status.
From TikTok’s “Get Ready With Me” to Red Carpets
If you’ve watched a single GRWM video this year, you’ve seen this lipstick. Beauty creators have racked up millions of views swiping on Black Honey while whispering the same phrase: “It just works.”
Celebs like Olivia Rodrigo, Emma Chamberlain, and Hailey Bieber have all been spotted wearing it. And suddenly, this once “quiet classic” became a viral sensation.
It’s giving clean girl aesthetic. It’s giving effortless Parisian beauty. It’s giving that one lipstick your best friend always steals from your bag because it’s perfect.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Clinique dropped two sister shades: Pink Honey and Nude Honey. Together, the trio has become the Gen Z-approved lip wardrobe.
Why Black Honey, Pink Honey, and Nude Honey Are Different
Here’s the thing: unlike the matte lipsticks of the 2010s that dried your lips out, the Clinique Almost Lipstick feels more like a balm.
- Black Honey: the OG shade. A berry tint that somehow adjusts to your natural lip color. Think “your lips, but with a mysterious depth.”
- Pink Honey: a playful, rosy vibe — like a summer picnic in lipstick form.
- Nude Honey: the most “cool-girl neutral” shade you’ll ever swipe on. It gives 90s supermodel without trying.
The formula is sheer, lightweight, and flattering across all skin tones. It’s not about masking your lips — it’s about enhancing them.
A Lipstick for Every Lifestyle
What makes this product so addictive isn’t just the color — it’s the lifestyle it represents.
Black Honey isn’t just a lipstick shade; it’s a mood. It’s the vibe of leaving the house in your boyfriend’s oversized hoodie but pairing it with gold hoops and perfect lips.
Pink Honey is your brunch-lipstick: the one you put on with a messy bun and iced matcha.
Nude Honey? That’s your soft life era shade — the minimalist cool you throw on before a late-night Uber ride to a rooftop party.
In other words, Clinique didn’t just create lipstick. They bottled up entire aesthetics.
The Nostalgia Factor
Part of why this blew up is simple: it’s nostalgic.
Your mom probably had a tube of Black Honey in her makeup bag in the ’90s. The same exact shade that’s now on TikTok’s “must-have” list.
That crossover between Millennial nostalgia and Gen Z trendsetting is what makes it unstoppable. It’s rare to find a product that resonates across three generations — and still feels fresh.
The “Quiet Luxury” of Makeup
We’re in the quiet luxury era of beauty.
Lips that look like lips, skin that looks like skin. Less contour, more gloss. Less Kardashian, more Sofia Richie Grainge.
Clinique’s Almost Lipstick is the perfect accessory for this new vibe. It’s understated but iconic. It doesn’t scream — it whispers. And sometimes, that’s louder.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
If you’re tired of overhyped beauty products that don’t live up to the TikTok buzz, this is different. It’s not about chasing a trend — it’s about finding that one product that just works with everything.
That’s why this lip balm/lipstick hybrid has stayed viral. It’s not gimmicky, it’s not limited edition, and it’s not trying too hard.
It’s timeless, it’s chic, and it looks good on everyone.
And yes, it really does sell out.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign, here it is: grab it before it disappears again.
👉 Shop the viral shades here:
- Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey
- Clinique Almost Lipstick Pink Honey
- Clinique Almost Lipstick Nude Honey
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely find helpful and trust.