In 2021, Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick — a product with a 37-year history — made a powerful comeback. Its sheer, adaptable formula surged in popularity after going viral on TikTok, where it was praised as a truly universal lip shade. Five years later, interest in the product shows no signs of slowing. Last year, Clinique expanded the range with a Nude Honey shade, and now the brand has added another likely hit: three lip liners designed to complement the Almost Lipstick trio.
What’s New in the Black Honey Lip Liner Range
Designed to slot into Clinique’s existing Quickliner collection the Black Honey, Pink Honey, and Nude Honey lip liners come in twist-up plastic packaging. This design removes the need for sharpening, keeping makeup bags free from messy pencil shavings.
Given the continued excitement around the original Black Honey formula and newer launches like the Black Honey Lip Oil, I was keen to see whether these lip liners lived up to the reputation.
Testing the New Clinique Lip Liners
Armed with my Black Honey Almost Lipstick, I tested all three liner shades on bare, well-moisturised lips. Each pencil was applied along the lip line before finishing with a swipe of the Black Honey balm. Although I didn’t have the Pink Honey or Nude Honey lipsticks available, the difference each liner made to the final look was still noticeable. A detailed breakdown of the testing criteria appears later in this review.
Is the Clinique Black Honey Lip Liner Worth Buying?
If you’re already a fan of Clinique’s Almost Lipstick range, these lip liners are a worthwhile addition. The Black Honey Quickliner subtly elevates the lip look from day to evening, while the Pink Honey and Nude Honey options offer gentle definition for more understated makeup days.
These aren’t liners designed for heavy blending or smudging — they tend to wipe away rather than blur. That said, the finish already feels soft and naturally undone, almost as if the lips have just been kissed. One of the standout qualities of the Black Honey collection is its forgiving nature. Precision isn’t essential; you can simply apply and go. The same effortless approach applies to the new liners.
How the Clinique Black Honey Quickliners Were Reviewed
Using a similar approach to testing the Nude Honey Almost Lipstick, I assessed the lip liners across several practical criteria, including longevity and value. Particular attention was given to the following:
- Shade: How closely each liner matched its corresponding Almost Lipstick while still offering enough pigment for definition.
- Wear: The liner’s staying power and how well it held up through eating and drinking.
- Ease of application: Whether the formula glided on smoothly or showed signs of dragging, smudging, or crumbling.
- Packaging: The effectiveness of the twist-up mechanism and how the product amount compared to similar liners.
- Finish: Whether the result leaned matte, satin, or glossy, and if it enhanced the look beyond the Almost Lipstick alone.
Why You Can Trust IndyBest Beauty Reviews
Lucy Smith has been IndyBest’s beauty writer since July 2024, covering a wide range of makeup categories. From top mascaras to best bronzers, she has consistently highlighted brands that deliver — including Clinique.
Her previous work includes writing about a £4 dupe for Black Honey, reviewing the Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrator, and assessing the brand’s SPF moisturiser. With over 15 years of experience using Clinique products, she was well placed to test the new lip liners, especially after naming the Black Honey Almost Lipstick the best sheer lipstick in a recent round-up.
