Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil is one of those products that sounds incredibly useful in theory. One small tube, one applicator and something I can use on both my lips and cheeks.

In practice, though, I think the two sides of the product perform slightly differently.

As a lip oil, it makes immediate sense. It feels comfortable, glossy and conditioning, with enough sheer colour to make the lips look more polished without turning into a full lipstick.

The cheek side is more interesting because an oil texture behaves very differently over foundation than it does on bare lips.

That is what I really wanted to test.

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It works immediately as a lip oil

On the lips, I really like the texture.

It feels smooth and nourishing without becoming thick or sticky, and the blend of oils gives it that comfortable glossy finish I expect from a good lip oil.

The formula includes safflower oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, sunflower seed oil and castor oil, which helps explain why it feels so conditioning.

I do not think you need to know every oil in the formula to understand the product, though. The important thing is that it feels comfortable enough to reapply and does not leave my lips feeling dry once the shine wears down.

The colour is sheer rather than opaque, so my natural lip colour still shows through.

That is particularly noticeable with Black Honey.

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Black Honey does not actually change colour

Black Honey is often described as though it somehow adapts chemically to every person who wears it.

That is not really what is happening.

The pigment is simply sheer enough that your own natural lip colour remains visible underneath.

Because of that, the final result can look slightly different from person to person.

On me, Black Honey gives a soft berry tint rather than looking very dark.

It has enough colour to make a difference, but I can still apply it without a mirror and not worry about perfectly precise edges.

That ease is one of the reasons I think Black Honey works so well in this format.

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What are the other shades like?

Clinique currently offers three shades: Black Honey, Pink Honey and Nude Honey.

Black Honey gives the deepest berry effect of the three.

Pink Honey is softer and pinker, while Nude Honey gives a more understated neutral finish.

Because all three are sheer, I would choose based on the general colour family I wanted rather than expecting the tube colour to translate exactly onto my lips.

I like that there are only a few shades rather than an overwhelming collection.

This is the sort of product where the transparent quality is more important than having dozens of very similar colours.

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The cheeks are where it gets more interesting

Using an oil on the cheeks is a little more unpredictable than using it on the lips.

I use the doe foot applicator to place a small amount on one cheek at a time, then blend it quickly with my fingertips.

I would not apply large swipes across both cheeks and leave them sitting while I work because the oil is much easier to control when I blend immediately.

Over bare skin or a very light base, I think it looks lovely.

It gives the cheeks a sheer wash of colour with a naturally dewy finish.

Over heavier foundation, I am more careful.

If I rub too much, I can disturb the makeup underneath. Pressing and lightly tapping the colour into place works much better for me.

I also think the formula is more flattering over cream products than over a heavily powdered base.

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Does it feel sticky on the cheeks?

There is definitely more slip than I would get from a traditional cream blush.

I would not describe it as unpleasantly sticky, but it does leave a dewy finish rather than completely setting down.

If I have loose hair around my face, I can sometimes notice that slightly tackier feel.

That is part of the trade off.

You get a glossy, fresh looking cheek finish, but it does not behave like a powder blush that disappears into the skin and becomes completely dry.

If you prefer a matte cheek, this is probably not the product I would choose.

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Does it disturb foundation?

It can if I am too aggressive with it.

The best result for me comes from using very little product and tapping rather than rubbing.

That keeps the base underneath looking intact while still giving me enough colour.

On days when I am wearing very light makeup, I find it much easier to use.

With a full coverage base, I need to be more deliberate.

This is one of the reasons I think the product works better as an effortless lip oil than as an effortless cheek product.

The cheek side is good, but it requires a little more technique.

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How long does it last?

The lip side needs reapplication.

I would expect that from a glossy oil formula anyway, particularly after eating or drinking.

The shine fades first, while some of the sheer colour can remain behind for longer.

On the cheeks, I get better longevity simply because there is less friction.

The colour becomes softer as the day goes on, but I do not expect this to behave like a long wear powder blush.

I think the appeal is the fresh finish rather than maximum staying power.

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Clinique Pop Oil vs Almost Lipstick

The Black Honey shade is obviously closely associated with Clinique Almost Lipstick, so this is the most useful comparison.

Almost Lipstick gives a balmy lipstick feel with soft shine and a little more control over where the product sits.

Pop Lip + Cheek Oil feels wetter and glossier, with a more obvious oil texture.

It also gives me the option of using the same shade on my cheeks.

If I only wanted Black Honey for my lips, I would choose based on the texture I preferred.

If I wanted something I could also tap onto my cheeks, the oil has the advantage.

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Clinique Pop Oil vs No1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm

I have also reviewed No1 de Chanel Lip and Cheek Balm, which solves the same two in one problem using a very different texture.

The Chanel formula is a balm, so it feels more controlled on the cheeks and less fluid.

Clinique is glossier and feels more like a true lip oil first, with cheek use as the extra feature.

I do not think one is automatically better.

If I wanted the easiest cheek application, I would lean towards a balm texture.

If I wanted something primarily for glossy lips that could also give me a quick dewy cheek, Clinique makes more sense.

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Is the price for 7ml worth it?

It is not cheap for such a small tube.

There are plenty of affordable lip oils now, so I would not say the price is justified purely because it makes the lips glossy and comfortable.

The value becomes stronger if I genuinely use it on both lips and cheeks.

It is also more appealing if you already love the Black Honey colour family and want another way to wear it.

Lookfantastic stocks Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil, so I normally check where I can currently save on Clinique at Lookfantastic before ordering.

My usual code to try is LFTFNICOLAL, which gives 20% off eligible products when accepted at checkout.

Clinique may already be discounted or excluded from a particular promotion, so I always look at the actual basket total before paying.

I also check the Look Fantastic makeup savings I currently use if I am buying other beauty products at the same time.

Sephora UK also stocks the product, so I compare the Sephora makeup offers I check before ordering alongside the live shade availability and price.

With only three shades, stock can sometimes be just as relevant as the discount.

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Is it suitable for fragrance sensitive skin?

Clinique says the product is 100% fragrance free and allergy tested.

My own skin and lips have found it comfortable.

I would still avoid turning that into a promise that every reactive skin type will automatically get on with it.

Fragrance free is useful, but individual sensitivities can still differ.

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Who do I think it suits best?

I think this works best for somebody who already likes sheer, glossy makeup and enjoys products that can do more than one job.

It makes particular sense if you enjoy Black Honey or want something quick for light makeup days.

I would be less likely to recommend it if you prefer strong cheek pigment, a completely set down finish or something that will stay untouched from morning until night.

For me, the lip side is the strongest part.

The cheek side is useful and can look beautiful, but it needs a slightly lighter hand.

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Does Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil feel sticky?

On my lips, I find it smooth rather than sticky.

On my cheeks, there is more noticeable slip and dewiness because the oil does not completely dry down.

Can I use it over powder?

You can, but I get a better result over bare skin, foundation or cream products.

Over a heavily powdered base, I find the oil texture harder to blend cleanly.

Is Black Honey very dark?

Not on me.

The pigment is sheer, so my natural lip colour shows through and softens the final result.

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Clinique Pop Lip + Cheek Oil works best for me when I think of it as a very good lip oil that also happens to work on the cheeks.

On my lips, it is easy. The texture is comfortable, the shine looks fresh and the sheer pigment makes Black Honey especially wearable.

On the cheeks, I like the result, but I have to be more careful with application.

A small amount tapped over a lighter base gives me a lovely dewy flush. Too much product or too much rubbing can start disturbing the makeup underneath.

That difference is important because I do not think the product is equally effortless in both places.

It is a premium little product, especially when there are so many cheaper lip oils available.

If I were only using it on my lips, I would think harder about the price.

If I genuinely wanted one product for glossy lips and a sheer dewy cheek, the two in one idea becomes much more useful.

Final rating: 4.4/5

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Kisses, Nicola xxx

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