You know what? I’ve never worn the iconic Clinique Black Honey lipstick, have you? For some reason, our local Clinique counters don’t carry the Black Honey range, or even the Black Honey lipstick. When I spotted the Clinique Almost Lipstick range, I was quite ironically amused to learn that although it is inspired by and a spin off the wildly successful Black Honey Almost Lipstick, we don’t get Black Honey (the colour) locally. Strange, I know!
That said, there are 6 colours available locally, one of which is Luscious Honey as you see pictured, one of the 2 redder shades. Right up my alley you say? Yes indeedy! 😀
If I were to describe the Almost Lipstick range in one word, it would be – SHEER. Oh boy, is it sheer! You see that bright red in the tube? On skin its almost nothing. I might say that I was a wee bit disappointed even though I expected it. I mean, it is called “Almost” Lipstick after all, not “Extreme” Lipstick or “Super Pigmented” lipstick 😛
Clinique says that the sheer texture allows for the natural lip colour to come through so it is akin, in fact to wearing a tinted lip balm…. but it isn’t. Its “almost” lipstick. However, if you are the sort who have been eyeing up a red lipstick for a while but haven’t had the guts to give a fire red one a go, don’t fret, honey, Clinique Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey is made for you!
Do you feel just a teeny bit afraid of the lipstick in the tube? Well, treat this as your introduction to red lips. I promise you, it is just a tint of colour on your lips, which I would guess, if you have paler lips will look brighter and if you have more pigmented lips, may not look as bright.
Here’s how it looks on the back of my hand which has no red in it, unlike lips – bear that in mind even if I am stating the obvious 😛
See what I mean? Its this funny wishy washy sheer pinky-red that I would have passed on at the counter because it just didn’t gel with the colour in the tube for me. I’m all about bright, strong colours for the lips where I can. But the difference when you do wear it, is quite marked.
My lips are fairly pigmented to start with, and this is how it looks on my lips. Not too bright, but not too shabby either. It adds just enough colour but is, as you can see, sheer in texture. Its one of those colours I wear when I have a strong eye colour on, or when I don’t feel like putting on too much makeup and go for something a little more “natural”.
Due to the balmy texture, I was expecting the Almost Lipsticks to be moisturizing on the lips. It wasn’t for me but it wasn’t too drying either. That said, I am one of the only people I know who complain that the Clinique Chubby Sticks aren’t moisturizing so really, its a personal thing.
The Almost Lipsticks are more pigmented than the Chubby Sticks (naturally, since they are “almost” lipstick and not lipbalms – oh I better stop with the “Almost” 😛 ) and I prefer them for texture and ease of use. I don’t quite get that whole crayon on lips thing. For me, a lipstick should look and apply like one 😛
In a nutshell
Clinique Almost Lipsticks are sheer lip colours that are supposed to enhance the colour of your lips in a natural way. The texture is balmy and it is light on the lips. Colours are sheer which is something you will either like or dislike. I think they are useful to have for an everyday lipstick where you want just a hint of colour without having lip colour that is too strong. It is also a good way to ease yourself into strong lip colours. But if you have to look more pulled together, you might want to choose a more pigmented lipstick, not one that’s almost one 😛
Pros: Light on the lips, Sheer colour is easy to get used to, Good for an everyday lip colour
Cons: I did not find this very moisturizing although it isn’t drying, Colour is quite deceptive on skin when compared to the tube
I’m not usually one to wear sheer lipstick but I will admit that they have their virtues. Some days, when I don’t quite feel like I’m up to putting a full face on, a sheer lipstick pulls the look together without making you look too over done. Its quite odd to have a plain face and then suddenly a bright opaque lip colour. Also, when you’re easing into the world of lipstick (and if you aren’t already enamoured, why not? I haven’t brainwashed you enough? 😉 ) sheer lipsticks are a good way to start 🙂 Oh and if you’re wondering, I didn’t think these lipsticks very pricey all things considered so price did not factor in my review.
Have you tried any of the Clinique Almost Lipstick shades? Do you like wearing sheer lipsticks? I wish they had Black Honey here. I’ve heard so much about it, that I feel almost left out 😛
Paris B
Clinique Almost Lipsticks come in 6 shades locally (Shy Honey, Tender Honey, Spice Honey, Luscious Honey, Chic Honey and Lovely Honey) Price: RM66 Availability: All Clinique counters
Not yet try this lipstick
The Black Honey was my very first lippie! I had 2-3 tubes in their original green plastic packaging. We weren’t allowed to wear makeup to school, but I remembered carrying a tube with me in my blue pinafore pocket daily. Had to stash it behind flower pots during random spot checks 😛
Wah Tine, I would have been that prefect hunting your Black Honey down during spot checks 😛 I never got into makeup that young (unfortunately) I was such a nerd 😛
Ooh, I had Black Honey! As matter of fact, I liked t so much I finished 2 tubes. It could go from work-safe sheer red to full-blown gothic cherry. But it’s a pain concerning lasting power – one has to re-apply it every 30 minutes. It’s a gorgeous shade, though. Luscious Honey seems to be more on the redder side, but it looks lovely as well! 🙂
Wow Black Honey does sound like a most versatile and very wearable colour! I’ll try to hunt it down one of these days 😀 This whole range of lipsticks are very sheer. A wee bit too sheer even for me even if it is quite wearable and pretty 🙂
me too me too! the clinique chubby sticks ARENT moisturizing on me either!
Oh good! I’m not alone