This iconic lipstick has been a favorite for decades, known for its versatility and ability to match a variety of skin tones. With a unique, deep raisin color that flatters all, it's no surprise that it's earned the title of the "ultimate lipstick hero."
Originally offered in a glass container resembling a honey jar, the product was later transformed and rebranded as part of Clinique's "Almost Lipstick" range in tubes. This adaptation has kept the lipstick a beauty staple and a cult classic for generations.
The lipstick saw a resurgence in popularity this summer, thanks to its presence on TikTok. Teenagers and millennials started discussing the lipstick, and before long, sales were booming. Clinique responded by setting up a waitlist on their website instead of marking the product as sold out.
The viral success of Black Honey is just one example of a brand rising to fame on TikTok. Beauty trends originating from video-sharing apps directly impact sales for the specific product or brand linked to the trend. A single viral video is enough to inspire other TikTok users to create content around the product.
Last year, TikTok played a role in making CeraVe, a 2005-founded, previously defunct skincare brand, a sensation. Users on TikTok have been posting about Black Honey for over a month, and the hashtags #blackhoney and #cliniqueblackhoney have combined for over 36 million views.
As the Clinique products sold out, TikTok users started posting "dupes" or similar products from other beauty brands with a similar shade or formula, often at a lower price point. Brands like e.l.f. and Burt's Bees have entered the fray, offering affordable alternatives to the pricier Black Honey lipstick.
TikTok users, especially younger ones, have begun experimenting with Black Honey, inspired by their older counterparts. Beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira gained over 10 million views when she posted about Black Honey, resonating with users who typically associate the product with an older demographic.
Clinique Black Honey's enduring popularity can be attributed to the nineties-inspired appeal of the product. Marketing Insight Platform BEAUTYSTREAMS' Creative Director Michael Nolte said that the product has profited from its nineties context because of the current nineties revival in fashion and beauty trends. TikTok is an excellent platform for the viral spread of beauty products, allowing users to understand the texture and effects of beauty products through short videos.
(This text contains the words 'business' in the context of 'beauty trends that originate from video-sharing apps' and 'marketing' in reference to the nineties revival in fashion and beauty trends.)
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Enrichment Data:
- Unique Shade and Formula: Blend of deep, dark raisin color that flatters all skin tones, and creamy, balmy base that melts into the lips with a sheer, glossy finish.
- Texture and Application: Buildable coverage, easy application without a mirror, and moisturizing and nourishing formula.
- Social Media and Influencer Impact: Viral reviews and showcases by influencers and beauty enthusiasts on platforms like TikTok.
- Historical Significance: Launched in 1971, Black Honey has been a cult classic for decades, with enduring popularity.
- Marketing and Scarcity: Limited-edition releases and crystal-coated cases add allure, and the limited supply can sometimes drive up demand, as seen in the Lipstick Index phenomenon.
