You know that tube everyone’s mom had in the 90s? Black Honey finally got a formula refresh — and I panicked for a solid 10 minutes before trying it.
Here’s the thing worth knowing: Clinique didn’t just tweak the color. They changed the entire texture game — and somehow made it less sticky than the original. Which was my one complaint for 25 years.
It’s still $22. Still that sheer, transparent berry that somehow flatters everyone. But the formula now claims to be “cushiony” and I rolled my eyes until I swatched it.
Feels like a balm now
Gone is that waxy, slightly stiff original texture — this glides on like a lip oil that decided to behave.
Same exact shade
They didn’t lighten it or warm it up. Thank god. It’s still that weirdly perfect “your lips but murdered” color.
Slightly more slip
Lasts about 2.5 hours instead of 3 — but zero flaking. I’ll take the trade.
Photo: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
They swapped out the old-school wax-heavy base for actual moisturizing stuff. The hero is Shea butter — which sounds boring until you feel how it doesn’t sit on top of your lips like a film.
- Shea Butter: Actually sinks in, doesn’t just sit there
- Jojoba Oil: The reason it doesn’t feather into your lip lines
- Vitamin E: Keeps it from oxidizing weirdly by hour 3
- Castor Oil: Gives it that “barely there” grip
Photo: Nick Noel / Unsplash
First swipe felt like I’d accidentally grabbed a lip treatment — that soft, melty slide with zero drag. It’s not shiny, not matte, just… your lips but better. The original had more of a “stain” vibe; this one’s a balm that leaves a whisper of color behind.
Two weeks in: I’ve used it more than I used the original in a year. The color fades evenly instead of leaving that weird ring around the inside of your mouth. Didn’t expect that.
Photo: pmv chamara / Unsplash
The original was a stain in a tube. This is a balm that stains. My lips feel less like sandpaper after a full day of wearing it — but the color payoff is about 20% sheerer now. You’ll need two swipes instead of one for that iconic depth.
Photo: Rosa Rafael / Unsplash
They didn’t ruin it. They made it wearable every day instead of just special occasions. I’m mad about how much I like it.