The product
Clinique Almost Lipstick
The promise
Inspired by the brand's iconic sheer Black Honey lip colour, which made its debut in 1971 and quickly rose to fame, this new range of Almost Lipstick shades is universally wearable.
How it works
The smooth, sheer formula allows your natural lip colour to come through, customizing itself to your skin and lip tone. Soft and moisturizing, the barely-there hint of colour affords virtually foolproof application. Shades range from nude to pink, red and violet; the lip colours are also allergy- and dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free.
How to use it
Swipe over lips. Repeat if deeper shade is desired.
The bottom line
Almost Lipstick has all the appeal of an almost meatless burrito. (To be clear, I like my lipstick lipsticky and my burrito meaty.) So I didn't go into this test drive with high hopes. But, much as I hate to admit that I'm wrong, even if it is only to myself, I underestimated this product. It delivers on several fronts: It is hypermoisturizing, has just enough tint to be day- and evening-appropriate, glides on mess-free, seamlessly adapts to your skin tone and comes in a sleek tube that can be tucked anywhere. I think I'm almost in love.
$18 at Clinique counters across Canada (see www.clinique.com for locations).