Shoppers Use This New $9 Tinted Lip Balm ‘Instead of the Pricey Clinique Black Honey'

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Let’s be real: Clinique’s Black Honey has been a beauty cult-favorite for a reason. The Almost Lipstick is packed with conditioning ingredients, given lips that ultra luxe, pillowy soft feel. While beauty shoppers are obsessed, the price makes it hard to justify for everyday wear (which is exactly what so many would love to do with Black Honey, if it weren’t $25 a tube.) 

Luckily, savvy shoppers looking for the ultimate tinted lip balm have found Maybelline’s Lifter Glaze Oil Balm, saying that the shade Espresso Kiss is a great affordable alternative to “the pricey Clinique Black Honey Lip Balm.”

As one satisfied shopper on the hunt for a budget beauty buy shared, “This is a great affordable moisturizing lip tint that I hoped would be something I could use instead of the pricey Clinique Black Honey lip balm.” And they’re onto something: that decadent, glazed glow comes from a hydrating oil blend whipped together with hyaluronic acid and acerola cherry extract — so this moisturizing lip color actually melts into lips without feeling sticky or greasy, promising up to 24 hours of plush comfort.

“It goes on so smoothly and feels incredibly hydrating without being sticky at all. My lips feel soft and moisturized for hours, and I love that it gives just the right amount of shine without being too much,” shared another happy customer on Amazon. “The hyaluronic acid and oil blend really make a difference — it feels more like a treatment than just a gloss. It’s now my go-to for everyday wear, whether I’m running errands or getting ready for a night out.” 

And behind that gloss is some lip-loving science: Lifter Glaze technology’s immediate expert grading shows a 20 percent reduction in visible lip lines, and after four weeks of daily use, fans report their pouts feel softer, look smoother, and appear healthier — no filter required.

Another insider sums it up perfectly: “This balm adds a nice touch of color while keeping my lips soft and hydrated. It’s lightweight, not sticky, and has a subtle scent that makes it pleasant to use. Some shades are more pigmented than others, but all feel super comfortable. Great everyday lip pick!”

If your heart aches for Black Honey’s cult glow but your wallet begs for mercy, why not give Maybelline’s $9 Lifter Glaze Oil Balm in Espresso Kiss (and maybe a couple other colors) a try? 

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