5 dupes under $12 for (the almost always sold out) Clinique Black Honey lipstick
We’ve seen cult followings for beauty products before but the love for Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in ‘Black Honey’ surpasses all rhyme and reason.
The ‘your lips but better’ shade has been around for decades but has risen in popularity recently after one dedicated The Lord of the Rings fan went on the hunt for the exact lipstick Liv Tyler was wearing throughout the fantasy franchise. Subsequently, they shared their findings to the masses via TikTok and a viral star was born.
It’s not the first time that TikTok users have put us onto drool-worthy lip products (we’re still scouring the platform for Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil dupes) but besides the whole Liv Tyler connection, why is everyone frothing over this Black Honey lipstick ($41 at Clinique) so bad?
Clinique Almost Lipstick in ‘Black Honey’
Well, for starters, it’s universally flattering. It adapts to suit the wearer and is sheer enough that it literally looks like you’re not even wearing anything on your lips, but you are, and boy does it look good.
However, the thing we’re not as thrilled about is that thanks to its cult-status and dedicated TikTok fandom, it’s almost always sold out (the $41 price tag kinda isn’t too cute either TBH).
The solution? Keeping a running list of plausible and budget-friendly dupes, of course!
Here are five Clinique Black Honey lipstick dupes that cost less than $12…
1/ Nivea Lip Blackberry Shine Lip Balm
We don’t know about you but we’re always more likely to reach for lip balm than lipstick during the day. Nivea Lip Blackberry Shine Lip Balm ($3.99 at Chemist Warehouse) gives you the same shiny, blackberry-hued finish of Clinique Black Honey with the added bonus of 24 hours of hydration.
Nivea Lip Blackberry Shine Lip Balm
2/ Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm
The Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm ($6.95 at Amazon Australia) leans on the red end of the Clinique black honey shade spectrum. The vegan-friendly formula utilises nourishing cold-pressed nut and seed oils to help condition lips, too.
Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm
3/ Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in ‘Plum’
Love the OG Burt’s Bees lip balm? This Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in ‘Plum’ ($9.99 at Priceline) incorporates the same beeswax, vitamin E, and oil-infused recipe you know and love. It also looks deceptively similar to Clinique’s Black Honey once it’s been smoothed over lips.
Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in ‘Plum’
4/ e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine in ‘Ecstatic’
Besides the fact the e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine in ‘Ecstatic’ ($12 at e.l.f. Cosmetics) has a literal heart-shaped hydrating core in the middle of the lipstick bullet (so cute we can’t deal), this is probably the most bang-on dupe for Clinique’s Black Honey.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Core Lip Shine in ‘Ecstatic’
5/ Ethique Sugarplum Tinted Lip Balm
The Ethique Sugarplum Tinted Lip Balm ($11.95 at Nourished Life) is infused with hydrating cocoa butter, castor seed, moringa and jojoba oils and a refreshing hint of peppermint. Its sugarplum shade is a doppelganger for Clinique Black Honey, and the 100 per cent plastic free and home-compostable packaging is a lovely bonus too.
Ethique Sugarplum Tinted Lip Balm
Love a budget-friendly dupe for your favourite beauty buys? These are our go-to drugstore makeup dupes.
Main image credit: @cliniqueanz
Briar is the Beauty Editor at BEAUTYcrew. Her 'down for anything' attitude has resulted in more than a handful of hair transformations, and she doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig for the industry's most unusual products and treatments. Her work has also appeared on Refinery29, Girlfriend and beautyheaven.
