The world of TikTok is not short of viral beauty buys, that being said, few enjoy an enduring star status. Those that do include everything from Rhode's Peptide Lip Tints to Urban Decay's 24 7 Moondust Shadow in Space Cowboy and that bright red primer on everyone's For You Pages. But the realm of beauty dupes is a whole other beast. Another lucrative category in the world of viral beauty buys, dupes are a welcome treat for beauty buffs who want to shop highly-rated products without the hefty price tag, and TikTok sure has a unique knack for spotlighting the types of beauty dupes that are often dead ringers for their original counterparts. One product that has seen countless dupes flout its ego? Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, £24.
The OG lip product has amassed a whopping 316 million views on TikTok and while many viral beauty buys hit the mainstream for their inaugural entry on to the market, the allure of Clinique's offering is steeped in an established history. Originally created in 1971, before being tweaked in 1989, this beauty relic is defined as 'not quite lipstick, not quite gloss,' according to Clinique's online literature. An easy to layer, balmy gloss, this single product adapts to your lips to enhance their natural colour. In fact, the universally flattering hue is so good, there has only ever been one shade available: Black Honey, a deep berry shade that boats a just-bitten healthy flush. That is of course, until earlier this year, when the resurgence of the product on TikTok led to Clinique launching a new shade, Pink Honey, £22, a subtler, softer version that its original counterpart.
Why Clinique Has Gone Viral On TikTok
The product owes its renewed popularity on TikTok to eagle-eyed TikTokers who spotted Liv Tyler sporting the shade in 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring, in which the actress played Arwen. Unlike other ‘00s trends, Black Honey has managed to transgress other trends and has stood the test of time to remain one of the most coveted lip shades on the market.
When you think of make-up in the 90s and early 2000s what springs to mind? Remember Lancôme's glistening Juicy Tubes? Then there's Rimmel's Shimmer Lipstick in Heather. Today though, cult classic Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey reigns supreme, making its way into the TikTok ether and Gen Z simply can't get enough of it.
Clinique's Almost Lipsticks are certainly loved for their lipstick-meets-lip-balm shine and adaptive deep Merlot-toned tint, but there are other contenders on the market that make a play for Black Honey and offer up a cheaper alternatives, albeit it's hard to beat the original. That said, if you're looking for an affordable option or you're looking to try something similar to your already beloved Black Honey, ponder over our edit of the best dupes to try now.
Shop: The Original Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey
www.lookfantastic.com
Description
This cult classic has enjoyed sustained popularity thanks to its unique formula and universally flattering deep hue. In fact, it's so good it's been known to sell out quick and has even seen a shade expansion for the first time since its inception in 1971, all thanks to it's resurgence on TikTok.
The Best Dupes For Clinique's Almost Lipstick Black Honey
www.spacenk.com
Description
You can count on Charlotte Tilbury to make a good lipstick. This one is packed full of hyaluronic acid and passioline butter, to nurture and soothe.
Cliniquewww.no7beauty.co.uk
Description
This high street classic feels equally as hydrating as TikTok's favourite shade.
www.elfcosmetics.co.uk
Description
This is perhaps the closest you'll get to the original thanks to it's high-shine, nourishing finish and berry-toned hue.
www.superdrug.com
Description
Rimmel London's 100% vegan range Kind & Free offers this quickly conditioning alternative to Clinique's classic, and trust us, it won't dissappoint.
READ MORE: 2021’s Viral TikTok Beauty Trends, Tried and Tested By Team Grazia
READ MORE: This Is The Brown Lipliner Faye Winter Actually Uses