10 dupes under $35 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 ($47 at Clinique) so bad? 

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 $47 price tag isn’t too cute either). 

The solution? Keeping a running list of plausible and budget-friendly dupes, of course!

Here are 10 Clinique Black Honey lipstick dupes that cost less than $35…

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 ($4.49 at Chemist Warehouse) gives you the same shiny, blackberry-hued finish of Clinique Black Honey with the added bonus of 24 hours of hydration. 

2/ Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm

The Hurraw Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm ($7.95 at Healthy Life) 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.

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.  

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.

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. 

6/ Rimmel Kind & Free Lip Balm in '006 Berry Twist'

Love the colour of Clinique Black Honey but prefer a more hydrating formula? The Rimmel Kind & Free Lip Balm in '006 Berry Twist' ($13.49 at Chemist Warehouse) has the same sheer, lightweight wash of 'your-lips-but-better' Black Honey colour, but it's been enriched with lip nourishing and conditioning oils that help to keep your pout moisturised throughout the day.

7/ Glossier Ultralip in 'Ember'

Glossier's Ultralip in 'Ember' ($34 at Glossier) has a highly-moisturising balmy texture that looks like a sheer, cream gloss when applied to the lips. The formula is also buildable; apply one layer and you'll get a lightweight sheen of deep mauve colour, and apply a few more for an opaque red wine-stained evening lip. Plus, word on the street is that Glossier lasts longer on the lips than Clinique, but you didn't hear that from us. 

8/ Covergirl Clean Fresh Lip Balm in '600 Bliss You Berry'

Formulated with the most chapped and dry lips in mind, Covergirl Clean Fresh Lip Balm in '600 Bliss You Berry' ($7.99 at Chemist Warehouse) has been infused with pomegranate oils and hyaluronic acid to ensure lips stay hydrated for up to 24 hours after application. The skin care ingredient led lip balm delivers a sheer wash of tinted colour too, so you can use this as a traditional tinted lip balm or blend it into the apples of your cheeks as a Black Honey-inspired cheek tint. 

9/ Burts Bees Naturally Tinted Lip Balm in 'Red Dahlia'

Lauded as the O.G. Clinique Black Honey dupe, the Burts Bees Naturally Tinted Lip Balm in 'Red Dahlia' ($12.99 at Priceline) is an almost perfect colour match. However, compared to the newer lip balm formulas on this list, this traditional beeswax lip balm is not as hydrating. However, if you prefer a more natural, satin finish over the glossier options we've listed here, this could be the pick for you. 

10/ Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in 'Black Cherry'

Prefer the opacity of a traditional lipstick over the sheer finish of Clinique's Black Honey? Try Revlon's Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in 'Black Cherry' ($15.57 at Big W) instead. The glossy, high-shine finish lippy is packed full of saturated berry-hued colour. The formulas has been enriched with aloe, hyaluronic acid and rose quartz too, to help condition, moisturise and soften your pout.

Love a budget-friendly dupe for your favourite beauty buys? These are our go-to drugstore makeup dupes. 

Main image credit: @cliniqueanz