If you find yourself regularly living in the land of Beauty TikTok or viral TikTok favourites, it's hard to miss the cultural wave that is Clinque Black Honey Almost Lipstick. The shade is complex a reddy, browny, cherry-esque colour. And it's risen to sudden fame as a tone that is universally flattering on just about everyone; all skin tones and eye colours. So naturally, it's always sold out.
But know this: Black Honey isn't the only lip colour in this shade. There are plenty of other that will offer you the same look –well, almost. And I write this a connoisseur of this particular hue. I've been collecting reddy, pink-brown lipsticks for about eight years.
Finding the right lip colour was always tricky for me. As a bronze-skinned person, my lips are not pink. They have a natural brown colour that would throw off the tone of most lipsticks I tried, making pinks look purple and reds appear a little too ruddy for my liking. But then when I was 22, I saw a fellow bronze-skinned ex-colleague sporting the cherry-brown colour that I would subsequently adopt as my own for the next decade. Thus my collection began.
So, if you love the idea of Clinique's Black Honey, but can't seem to find it in store or want to see what else exists out there, I can assure you there are alternatives. Allow me to present to you my non-exhaustive, but still robust, list of lipstick shades like Black Honey.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Nude Honey
If you want to brand out from the regular Black Honey hue, Clinique also do a nude and pink iteration.
Dior Addict Lip Glow in 006
This has a plumping effect and subtle berry tint that reacts with pH for a super flattering finish.
Isamaya Lip Balm in Follow
If you want the just bitten colour of Black Honey but with a subtle sheen, this balm has an almost foil-like finish.
Chanel Les Beiges Lip Balm in Deep
The perfect berry-tinted balm with buildable colour.
Merit Signature Lipstick in L'Avenue
This has the hallmarks of Black Honey with a subtle brown undertone.
Glossier Balm Dotcom in Black Cherry
Juicy black cherry tint that's sheer enough to pat on your cheeks, too. Genius.
Westman Atelier Hydrobalm Tinted Lipstick in Glogg
This new balmy tint has a cushiony finish that's incredibly hydrating. The pigment is buildable, too.
Ilia Beauty Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
Packed with nourishing oils and butters, this has all the hydration of a balm with a beautiful berry tint that's incredibly flattering on all complexions.
Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tinted Balm
This has just a tiny bit more depth than Black Cherry – perfect for deeper skin tones.
Images: Merit, Westman Atelier
