I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know.

I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know.

      If you've been following the beauty section of Who What Wear for some time, you'll recognize that, even though I'm a beauty director, I truly represent the average person's perspective on makeup. I'm not particularly enthusiastic about applying it, and I aim for a look that appears natural and nearly invisible. This holds especially true for lipstick. Because my lips are chronically dry, I prefer lightweight, sheer finishes with a balmy feel. Lip oils and tinted lip balms often fill my handbag, but lipstick is rarely there. There is, however, one notable exception: Clinique Almost Lipstick. This sheer product has been a fan-favorite beauty staple for decades (it debuted in 1971) due to its natural-looking, low-maintenance finish. The most iconic shade, Black Honey, recently gained popularity on TikTok for its adaptability. The berry-toned color is celebrated for looking great on everyone, regardless of skin tone, lip shape, and formula preferences. In 2023, Clinique expanded the Almost Lipstick lineup with Pink Honey, a delicate yet sheer light pink shade. Now, I'm excited to share that the brand has finally launched a nude version—Clinique Almost Lipstick Nude Honey is now available.

      Clinique

      Almost Lipstick in Nude Honey

      Pros

      - Buildable to suit various skin tones

      - Comforting and hydrating on lips

      - A neutral tone that pairs well with everything

      - The ultimate everyday lip product

      Cons

      - Like other Almost Lipstick shades, it lacks long-lasting wear

      Similar to its predecessors, Nude Honey's formula falls between a lipstick, lip gloss, and tinted lip balm. The texture is silky, soft, and slightly shiny. While I've long loved Black Honey, the deeper purple shade isn't one I wear daily. I'm more of a nude enthusiast, so the news of Nude Honey's launch greatly excited me. Knowing that many others feel as passionately about Almost Lipstick as I do, I wanted my review to be comprehensive and impartial. Thus, I wore Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick every day for a week to assess its wear and versatility. Here’s everything you should know before making a purchase...

      The Shade

      If Black Honey is berry-toned and Pink Honey is sweet, Nude Honey strikes the perfect balance. One swipe offers a sheer layer of a warm-toned nude that complements the natural color of your lips. Building it up with additional coats results in an almost chocolatey nude, entirely free of the terracotta oranges I dislike in lipsticks. Not rosy, brown, purple, or orange, Nude Honey is, in my view, the perfect neutral nude.

      The Application

      The joy of wearing Nude Honey begins with the application. Although the bullet’s formula appears deep and highly pigmented, the first swipe reveals its hydrating and glossy qualities. It glides on easily and effectively soothes any dryness. As you layer it for a more intense finish, the pigment doesn't cling to any dry patches—leaving your lips feeling and looking smooth, soft, and exceptionally nourished.

      However, I understand that first impressions can be misleading. Additionally, I know that the allure of Almost Lipstick lies in its versatility. So, to confirm that Nude Honey meets all expectations, I wore it every day for a week. Here’s how it went.

      MONDAY

      On the first day, I wanted to test Nude Honey in its purest form, applying it to completely bare lips. After the first coat, I felt it needed more pigment, resulting in about four layers in the photo. I worked from home and reapplied before video calls every few hours. Notably, I didn't need to apply lip balm all day—a rarity for me.

      TUESDAY

      Tuesday was packed with meetings and launches in London, typically a day for heavier makeup. However, with a facial scheduled for lunch, I opted for a lighter look, applying only a slick of brow gel, mascara, and one layer of Nude Honey to achieve that no-makeup look.

      WEDNESDAY

      On Wednesday evening, I was having drinks with a friend after work. With the sun shining, I aimed for a relaxed, bronzy vibe. I dabbed Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick in Berry Glow on my cheeks and used a bit of my berry-toned blush on my lips with two layers of Nude Honey on top. I was very pleased with the outcome.

      THURSDAY

      Normally, I don’t change my makeup often, but by Thursday, I wanted to experiment. I used a lip liner (Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk) and layered several coats of Nude Honey over it. The result was a deep, dusty rose finish that I found quite appealing.

      FRIDAY

      Another work-from-home day arose, and I aimed for a cleaner beauty look. At the start of the day, my hair was neatly tied back in a bun, but by 3 PM, it had become a bit messy. Regardless

I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know. I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know.

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I Tried the New Clinique Nude Honey Almost Lipstick Every Day for a Week—Here’s What You Should Know.

You won't find any that are more versatile than this.