This Summer, You Can Wear Clinique Black Honey From Your Lips to Your Fingertips

If I had to rewrite the lyrics to "Honey Honey" by ABBA to be about Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, they'd go something like this: "Black Honey honey, how you thrill me. Black Honey honey, when you were sold out everywhere a few years back it nearly killed me."

Once upon a time, I heard everyone talking about Black Honey and wanted to know some more. And now I know what they mean! She's a love machine, and somehow offering even more thrills this summer. On June 24, the new Limited-Edition Black Honey Collection is launching, allowing you to get a Black Honey look from your lips to your literal fingertips.

As Christie Sclater, SVP of Global Marketing for Clinique Global, explains, "The collection honors everything people already love about Black Honey while finding new ways to keep the story evolving."

"Very few beauty products remain culturally relevant for more than five decades. Black Honey has achieved that because it has always felt timeless rather than trend-driven," she adds. "It has become one of those rare beauty products that people discover, recommend, and pass down across generations. With every new expression of the shade, our goal is to protect that authenticity while introducing it to a new generation."

Keep reading for all the information on the collection, including how a Black Honey nail polish (!) was envisioned in the first place.

The Inspiration

It's no secret that Black Honey is one of the most iconic shades of all time. It's flattering, recognizable, and altogether beloved. It's an easy product to be inspired by, and the general public's passion for it was one of the biggest driving forces behind the new launches. That, and the idea that even an icon "can continue to evolve." She's been around more than 50 years (three years older than "Honey Honey") and really just getting started.

"Black Honey has always inspired an incredible level of passion from our community. Part of the magic is the surprise—it looks deep and dramatic in the bullet, but transforms into something uniquely different on every person who wears it. It's effortless, personal, and endlessly wearable. More than a shade, it's a whole vibe," says Sclater. "As Black Honey continues to resonate with new generations, we love to surprise and delight loyalists while also encouraging new consumers to try it. From mascara to nail polish, each product was designed to capture the essence of Black Honey while bringing something fresh and unexpected to the collection."

When customers pick up the new products, the brand wants them to find the collection "effortless, joyful, and uniquely personal." That's the whole idea behind the new campaign: "Black Honey Everything. Everywhere. The Difference Is You.”

"Black Honey has always been about enhancing individuality rather than covering it up. Whether someone is discovering the shade for the first time or has loved it for years, we hope these products help them express their own version of Black Honey," the expert adds. "Most of all, we hope it sparks a little joy. Black Honey has always had a devoted community, and this collection gives people even more ways to wear a shade they love."

The Products

With every new expression of Black Honey that the brand releases, Sclater says the goal is to protect its authenticity while introducing it to a new generation." The limited-edition product lineup includes Color Rich Nail Polish, All About Shadow Quad, and High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara—all in the iconic shade.

"In general, when we expand Black Honey into new products, the goal isn't simply to recreate a color—it's to translate a feeling. Black Honey has come to stand for a sort of effortless confidence, versatility, and individuality, so we look for products that can express those same qualities," says the SVP. "This collection was all about getting that full Black Honey vibe. It is Black Honey everything, everywhere, for everyone."

As any smart brand knows, some of the best ideas come from fans in the comment section. Clinique was/is careful to pay attention to where consumers want to see Black Honey show up next.

"Mascara felt like a natural extension because it allows consumers to wear the iconic shade in a subtle yet stunning way through one of our most-loved formulas, High Impact High-Fi Mascara," Sclater adds. "There's something about the rich burgundy tone that makes eyes look brighter and more awake while still feeling softer than traditional black mascara. Between this and the Eye Shadow Quad it looks simply gorgeous."

Then, there's the nail polish—which "came from a different insight."

"Over time, Black Honey has become more than a lipstick—it has become a color shorthand. Whether it was a burgundy sweater, a leather jacket, or a favorite accessory, people would describe a look as 'so Black Honey.' That sparked the idea for a limited-edition nail polish," she notes. "It wasn't about launching a nail category; it was about celebrating the way Black Honey has evolved from beyond a lip shade into a whole aesthetic."

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Why Black Honey?

There are many reasons Black Honey stands the test of time. One, as Sclater remarks, is that it's "full of contradictions in the best possible way."

"It looks dark in the tube but goes on sheer. It's iconic yet individual. It's the same shade on everyone, but somehow it looks different on every person who wears it," she notes.

Which brings us to another big selling point: the shade does a great job celebrating individuality.

"Clinique co-founder Carol Phillips famously described it as the 'black turtleneck' of lip color—effortless, versatile, and universally flattering. Rather than covering up your natural lip tone, it enhances it, creating a look that feels personal and authentic," Sclater adds. "It doesn't ask consumers to become someone else—it simply brings out their version of the shade. In today's beauty landscape, where personalization is everything, Black Honey feels more relevant than ever."