If you're even remotely interested in beauty, chances are you've heard of Clinique's Black Honey. The shade famously looks different—and incredible—on everyone, because the sheer pigment plays with your natural lip color. It's iconic for a reason, but if you're sidelining your Black Honey for the warmer weather ahead, I'm ready to crown a new Clinique shade as the queen of spring: the Chubby Stick in Fuller Fig. It features the balm-like texture you love from Black Honey, but has a warmer tone that's fun for the golden months ahead. Ahead, read our editors' reviews of Clinique's Fuller Fig Chubby Stick and see how it compares to the inimitable Black Honey.
Clinique Chubby Stick in Fuller Fig
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How to Use Clinique Chubby Sticks
Clinique's Chubby Sticks are moisturizing, foolproof, and absolutely iconic. They're somewhere in between a lip balm and a lip crayon, and they're available in a range of 14 shades. Chubby Sticks are one of the easiest lip products to apply; the unique shape and formula means you can layer it on without any prep or liner. These glide on super smooth, so you can tell the nourishing ingredients—like shea butter—are working.
There's also no "wrong" way to apply these. The pigment is incredibly buildable, so you can just dab on a few strokes for a sheer, blurry look. Or, use the pointed tip to really define your lip shape and build up the color for something more dramatic. You can even apply this formula to your cheeks for a matchy-matchy, monochromatic makeup look.
Clinique Fuller Fig vs Clinique Black Honey
Makeup trends come and go, but Clinique's Almost Lipstick in shade Black Honey has become a ubiquitous lip shade (its cult status even spans generations). When it comes to the color and finish, Black Honey is cooler-toned and glossier, while Fuller Fig is warmer and more satiny—although you still get some decent shine. We are by no means here to dethrone an icon (Black Honey is a Byrdie Beauty Award winner, after all). But if you feel like Black Honey just isn't your favorite during the spring and summer, you might prefer the warmer tones and softer finish unique to Fuller Fig.
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Left: Fuller Fig; Right: Black Honey
Shape is a factor here, too. Black Honey features a flatter version of an angled-bullet, which makes it easy to just swipe on a wash of color. Meanwhile, Fuller Fig features that pointed tip (that never seems to dull); that design makes it easier to shape and contour your lip shape to your heart's content. Both products are winners—it's really all about your personal preference.
Our Reviews
Ashley Rebecca, contributing writer
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"I loved wearing this tinted lip balm everyday and have used it since I got it. It's so easy to wear, doesn't dry my lips out, and is natural enough that it goes with whatever makeup look I'm wearing. I've worn it out during the day while running errands, and even out at night for dinners and drinks with friends. The balm stayed on throughout the day, and I found that I needed to touch it up once or twice to refresh the color, especially after eating and drinking. I was impressed that for something so hydrating and sheer in texture that it stayed as long as it did. If you want to dress it up a little, combine it with a lipliner for extra definition or wear it as a finishing product on top of lipstick."
Jasmine Phillips, social media editor
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"While I am the ultimate Black Honey stan, I was excited to try other shades from Clinique. Fuller Fig is a little softer than I usually go for, but I think it’s really pretty. The formula is super moisturizing thanks for the mango and shea butters. With its buildable coverage, you really can wear as little or as much as you desire. Another Clinique must-have."
Holly Rhue, editorial director
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"Like Jasmine above, I go hard for Black Honey—there's truly nothing else like it. On me, Black Honey pulls a bit like a deep berry; it's almost a little wintery. So for spring and summer, a Chubby Stick in Fuller Fig will be in every bag I own. It's such a soft, warm color that really complements the other warm-toned makeup I tend to reach for in the spring (like bronzer and golden-toned eyeshadows). I'll swap Black Honey back into my routine once I'm back in my cashmere, burgundy manicures, and chocolate-brown hair this October."
Our Final Verdict: The perfect shade for spring
This one is a winner as we approach the warmer months. The Chubby Sticks are so easy to apply and so portable; we loved that we could carryon without a colorless lip balm or liner, because this really is a 3-in-1. Between the nourishing ingredients, long-wear, and lovely warm color, this will definitely be a go-to lip shade for spring and summer.
