Recipe of an Icon: Clinique’s Black Honey Lipstick Went Viral for a Reason

What makes a beauty product transcend all others? Maybe it’s the first of its kind, introducing a multi-generational phenomenon. Or perhaps it levels up an entire category with innovation that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. At its core, it’s an industry hero that does or will stand the test of time. In Recipe of an Icon, InStyle traces a legendary product’s history, evolution, and long-term impact.

When it comes to staying power, Clinique's Black Honey Lipstick stands out from the rest—beauty pun intended. The cult classic remains the number one lipstick shade in the U.S. according to Circana (several decades after its launch, no less), and it's also found a brand new audience on TikTok, where Gen Z is discovering the product their mothers (and, in some cases, grandmothers) have worn for years.

So, what's the secret to this beauty favorite's enduring, multi-generational appeal? Does the answer lie in its famous shade of red? Its unforgettable texture? Read on for everything you've ever wanted to know about the viral sensation Clinique Black Honey Lipstick.

The Origin

It all started in 1971. Carol Phillips, the founder of Clinique, developed the company's famous lip formula in a glass pot, which, combined with its deliciously gooey texture and glossy finish, looked just like (you guessed it!) a vat of black honey. Thus, an icon was born.

However, the lip shade didn't reach its final form until 1989. At the time, droves of women had entered the workforce and were learning to juggle careers, family, and everything in between. Convenience—in makeup and in life—was more important than ever before. Gone were the days of carefully applied Betty Draper red and frosted pink. Women needed a chic, sleek alternative that they could apply between meetings, drop-off, and after-work drinks.

A cross between lipstick and gloss, the '89 Black Honey hit stores in a formula called "Almost Lipstick," the iteration we all know and love today. In a gorgeous slim tube, it offered an intense color payoff (dubbed the "just ate a plum" look) without needing a mirror. The product captured the modern woman, standing out in a sea of full-coverage sameness at the makeup counter.

The Innovation

The product's industry-shifting innovation comes down to two things: color and texture.

Black Honey is an almost magic shade of rich plum that looks a little different on everyone. The lightweight tint melts into the lips of its wearer and provides a near universally flattering wash of color, complementing a wide range of skin tones. Though synonymous with the '90s, its subtle charms transcend the usual beauty trend cycle.

On the feel front, Clinique Black Honey is closest to a juicy tinted balm: emollient-rich and easy on the lips. The formula's sleek, "soft shine" finish plays up your natural color and shape without going full-on frosty. It's also layerable, allergy-tested, and 100% fragrance-free. But best of all? The formula is so forgiving you can apply it on the subway, in the car, or at your vanity—really, wherever (and whenever) you choose.

The Evolution

Since Black Honey's first brush with beauty fame more than 30 years ago, Clinique has brought the versatile shade to the whole face. In 2025, there's a Black Honey liner, blush, and mascara, each with its own fan base and lore. And that's not to mention the juicy Black Honey Cheek Oil, which keeps selling out every time it's restocked. The beauty brand also offers a lighter, similarly universally flattering shade called "Pink Honey," alongside Black Honey in the original Almost Lipstick formula—think of it as the Y2K little sister to the original's '90s sophistication.

In short, the Black Honey family is bigger than ever, offering a host of products inspired by the iconic shade, each with its own beauty fandom and lore. And with a whole new generation of women discovering the product online, the Black Honey hive is only getting bigger.

The Impact

Clinique sells approximately seven Black Honey Lipsticks per minute across the world. But if that doesn't convince you of its legendary status, the video stats will.

The product surged in popularity in 2021 on TikTok as users extolled its perennial virtues while locked down at home. It wasn't long before it became the de facto lip product of the year, inspiring countless tutorials, reviews, and full-face try-ons.

Almost three years later, the hashtag #BlackHoney still generates tens of thousands of new entries per month. The product's been called "the only lip product a woman ever needs" and urged as a "run, don't walk" purchase by influencers and makeup artists alike—and that's just on the top of the TikTok search page. With a slew of new products inspired by the iconic original, its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

Here's to another year of Clinique Black Honey—in 2025 and beyond.

Read the original article on InStyle