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I’ve been a Clinique stan for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty sure the brand’s Dramatically Different moisturizer was the first face lotion I ever used, and the Like Mink eyeshadow duo singlehandedly got me through high school. But somewhere along the way, I started trading in my trusty Acne Solutions foundation and Lash-Doubling mascara for shinier, newer brands. (I now swear by Naked Sundays’ BeautyScreen tint and Benefit’s BADgal Bang! mascara.) Little by little, my Clinique collection began to dwindle until the makeup brand was nothing but a distant memory in my bathroom cupboards—but that was before the revival of Black Honey.

Originally formulated in a gloss pot by Clinique founder Carol Phillips, Black Honey was eventually reformulated into a stick in 1989, and the half-balm, half lipstick formulation became a staple throughout the ‘90s.  

The iconic shade got a second life in 2021, with ‘90s nostalgia hitting a fever peak—particularly after it was revealed to be the *exact* shade behind Liv Tyler’s just-bitten lips in Lord of the Rings.

And with the June 2026 release of Clinique’s full Black Honey collection, the Black Honey lore grew even further. Naturally, I needed to test every each and every piece to see if it lived up to the OG’s hype.

Here’s my honest take on the Clinique Black Honey collection.

Clinique Black Honey collection

1. Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick

 

This is the exact shade you want at your deskside when you’ve got a Zoom call and you want to look revived in a hurry or you want to look put together while running errands. It’s a little less pigmented than I’d wear for a night out, but it’s buildable if you like a little more pop. The formula is also nice and moisturizing without being sticky.

2. Clinique Black Honey High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara

Clinique’s High Impact mascara won’t make your lashes look like you’re wearing faux ones (if you’re looking for something dramatic, you’d do better to pick up the Lash-Doubling formula), but I do like this deep brown shade enough that I’ve been reaching for it daily.

3. Clinique Black Honey nail polish

I was so in love with this moody polish that I actually took it to the nail salon for my latest mani. The first coat is almost like a brick red, but it gets much darker with a second coat—think dark brown with a cherry finish. It’s an absolutely stunning shade for fall, Halloween and all things spooky season.

4. Clinique Black Honey All About Shadow Quad

If you buy one thing from this collection, make it this gorgeous eyeshadow quad. I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect eyeshadow palette for years. One that goes with every outfit, one that flatters my brown eyes, one that can be applied in under five minutes and one that didn’t slide off my naturally greasy lids in less than five minutes. I’ve tried Armani, Violette FR and everything in between, but as it turns out, the perfect shadow is the same one I loved in my youth—and the Black Honey palette shades are just right for daily wear.

5. Clinique Black Honey Collection

If you have to have it all, you’re better off snagging this bundle, which will save you 15 percent. And honestly? For everything you get, it’s totally worth it. You can do a full look with just these four items—just add blush (psst—Clinique has a Black Honey one) and your favorite foundation.

The verdict: Clinique’s Black Honey collection made me fall in love with the brand all over again. It’s high-quality, it’s easy to use and it’s got everything you need for a trusty daily look. It’s simple but effective—just like the ‘90s era it was born from. I’m eating it up—in fact, I just added the adjacent eyeliner and blush to my cart. Welcome back to my collection, Clinique—you’ve been missed.

What do you think of Clinique’s Black Honey collection? Tell me in the comments below.

Xo, Nicole