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Clinique’s Cult-Favorite Almost Lipstick Basically Never Goes on Sale — But You Can Now Get It for 30% Off at Sephora

Our editors adore this lipstick that has close to 500,000 hearts on Sephora (and appeared in hit films like "The Breakfast Club").

By Stacia Datskovska Plus Icon

Stacia Datskovska

Senior Commerce Writer for WWD

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

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October 20, 2025, 3:53pm

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clinique black honey almost lipstick tube over white background; three arms of various skin tones with swatches of the lipstick on them, over brown background

Courtesy Clinique, Nitinai Thabthong/Getty Images

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We’re coming clean once and for all. WWD Shop‘s editors have been obsessed with one thing recently: tracking the price fluctuations of one of our favorite lipsticks ever, the Clinique Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey. And, against all odds, the makeup essential that’s been stuck at $25 for months on end is finally on sale for 30 percent off. Something like this rarely ever happens, and we wanted you to be the first to find out about the monumental markdown.

On TikTok, the #CliniqueBlackHoney hashtag has millions of views to its name… and that’s not an overstatement. “The only lip product a woman ever needs,” some captions say. Others wax poetic in a similar way: “Maturing is realizing you only need one product,” they emphasize, with the product in question being none other than Clinique’s beloved Black Honey Almost Lipstick.

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Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

$17.50 $25 30% off

Buy Now at sephora

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.50

The tiny but mighty bestseller joined the Clinique family all the way back in 1971, experiencing a massive boom in the late ’80s through the early 2000s, due in no small part to fortuitous appearances in films from “The Breakfast Club” to “Stepmom.” (Always wondered what was behind Molly Ringwald’s effortless on-screen elegance? Now you know.) Given today’s adoration of all things Y2K-coded, it’s really no surprise that this Clinique hero offering is witnessing yet another revival. It simply feels nostalgic, with everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Zooey Deschanel choosing it over other leading lipsticks of the day.

What you’ll be getting with Clinique’s Almost Lipstick? A honey-like glossiness that prioritizes your pout’s hydration levels while doling out covetable, never-too-overpowering color.

Not yet convinced to grab the makeup bag staple, which can also double as a subtle liquid blush (!!), for 30 percent off at Sephora? One of WWD’s previous editors has tested it out for a period of 10-plus years and believes “it’s one of the best lip color shades [she] keep[s] on hand.” Buildable, hydrating, and flattering for every last skin tone, it blends the ultra-emollient properties of lip balm with the color payoff of a gentle lip stain — allowing you to regulate the intensity of your overall lip look. Indeed, the lipstick goes on sheer at first while accentuating your natural lip color and is never overwhelming, no matter how many coats of it you choose to treat your pout to. That being said, our reviewer praised it for being something that doesn’t require a makeup mirror to apply (making the Clinique top-seller ideal for always-on-the-go lifestyles), as well as for the fact that its bullet is slim enough to trace your cupid’s bow and lip edges without making a smudged mess.

@mimiermakeup

@Clinique black honey for life

♬ Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

In terms of the color you’ll be getting here, don’t let a name like “Black Honey” fool you: It’s not one of those dark, ultra-saturated lipsticks that overpowers your entire makeup look, though you can certainly make the hue pop by running the lipstick over your lips three or so times. It’s also lightweight and moisture-rich — thanks to a high-achieving ingredient list that includes castor oil, candelilla wax, and glycerin — so you’re guaranteed a dewy, glassy smooch that never feels sticky.

“I finally understand the hype around Black Honey. It’s stunning! The formula feels like a balm, glides on effortlessly, and keeps my lips comfortable all day without drying them out. The sheer berry tint looks different on everyone, but on me it gives the perfect ‘your lips but better’ shade that’s polished without being heavy,” a happy Sephora reviewer reports. “One swipe is subtle enough for daytime, and a few layers deepen the color beautifully for the evening. It’s the easiest product to throw in my bag and use without a mirror. Definitely a new staple in my routine!”

For something that flaunts close to 500,000 hearts on Sephora, we’re genuinely shocked that the lipstick is still in stock — not to mention on sale for a limited time. Cosign the nostalgia-laced magic of Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick today, making it one of your smartest beauty purchases of 2025.

Sign up for WWD Shop’s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

$17.50 $25 30% off

Buy Now at sephora

Price upon publish date of this article: $17.50

Shop More Clinique Almost Lipstick Shades

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey

$25

Buy Now at sephora

Price upon publish date of this article: $25

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Nude Honey

$25

Buy Now at ulta

Price upon publish date of this article: $25

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Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on not-to-miss beauty sales.

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Clinique’s Cult-Favorite Almost Lipstick Basically Never Goes on Sale — But You Can Now Get It for 30% Off at Sephora

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

Related Articles

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Shop More Clinique Almost Lipstick Shades

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Pink Honey

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Nude Honey

Why Trust WWD

Meet the Author

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