Clinique's Black Honey Lip Liners: A Beauty Writer's Honest Assessment
Clinique's black honey almost lipstick, a cult favourite since its 1971 launch, has gained renewed popularity through TikTok, yet its timeless, universally flattering tint has captivated beauty enthusiasts for decades. As demand surges, the brand has expanded the collection with new shades and formats, including three quickliner lip pencils designed to complement the almost lipstick shades: black honey, pink honey, and nude honey. Priced at £20 each and available on Clinique.co.uk, these liners feature practical twist-up packaging, eliminating the need for sharpening. With black honey's reputation firmly established, I, as a beauty writer who rigorously tests new products, was eager to determine whether these lip liners genuinely enhance the range or if the almost lipstick performs best alone. Here is my comprehensive evaluation.
Testing Methodology and Initial Impressions
To conduct a thorough review, I tested all three new lip liner shades on bare, moisturised lips, applying each pencil around the perimeter before swiping on the original black honey balm. Although I did not have the pink honey and nude honey lipsticks on hand, I observed noticeable differences in the overall finishes with just the variation in liners. My review criteria focused on shade accuracy, wear longevity, ease of application, packaging quality, and finish impact compared to the almost lipstick alone.
Detailed Review of Each Lip Liner Shade
Clinique Black Honey Quickliner: Given the black honey almost lipstick's famously sheer formula, I was surprised by the bold application of the black honey lip liner. Applying more pressure yields a deeper colour pay-off, while a lighter hand delivers a translucent finish. I preferred the latter for quick, on-the-go application, as the creamy formula pairs seamlessly with most shades from the "almost" range. However, it is not as long-wearing as a lip stain or matte liner, so blotting with translucent setting powder may help. This liner transforms the original lipstick into a richer, berry hue that maintains a natural finish with a touch of Parisian glamour, making it ideal for transitioning from day to night.
Clinique Nude Honey Quickliner: When paired with the original black honey lipstick, the nude honey quickliner produces a warmer finish similar to the nude honey lipstick, potentially saving £5 for those who already own black honey. The creamy formula applies smoothly without dragging, though it shows more noticeably on dry lips, emphasising the need for prior hydration. This shade serves as an excellent all-rounder, with its woody, natural colour making it perfect for overlining to achieve a fuller pout that appears natural and not overdone.
Clinique Pink Honey Quickliner: The pink honey quickliner is ideal for lip liner novices, offering an extremely forgiving shade that adds symmetry without the weight of lipstick. It pairs well under a lip balm, such as Laneige's lip sleeping mask, and its creamy formula requires minimal pressure, reducing the risk of straying from the lip line. The subtle rosy hue creates a natural, flushed look, though it may be too subtle for seasoned makeup users. Nonetheless, it effectively tidies up lipstick application for a polished finish.
Overall Verdict and Value Assessment
For dedicated fans of Clinique's almost lipstick trio, these new lip liners offer significant value. The black honey quickliner elevates the almost lipstick for evening wear, while the pink and nude honey shades provide defined finishes for days when bold colour is not desired. These liners are not designed for smudging or undone looks, as they can wipe off easily, but their finishes are inherently natural, akin to a just-kissed effect. The beauty of Clinique's black honey collection lies in its forgiving formulas, allowing for effortless application without precision, and the new liners uphold this principle.
Trust and Expertise Behind the Review
Lucy Smith, IndyBest's beauty writer since July 2024, brings extensive experience in covering makeup topics, from mascaras to bronzers. Her familiarity with Clinique spans over 15 years, including writing about a £4 lipstick dupe for black honey and various Clinique moisturisers. She awarded the black honey almost lipstick the title of 'best sheer lipstick' in a previous round-up, positioning her as an expert to test these new lip liners thoroughly.
