Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick and Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 Duo for Fall 2011

Clinique's Black Honey Collection for Fall 2011 has arrived at a counter near you. I couldn't have been more excited to see it when I visited Neiman Marcus yesterday. I've been a Black Honey fan for more years than I can count and was thrilled to share a sneak peek of the fall collection with you last month. Yesterday, I was able to purchase a few pieces.

The dual-ended Black Honey ($21), with the Almost Lipstick at one end and a Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 at the other, is a Black Honey addict's dream! One side brings you the original, emollient-rich Almost Lipstick. The other features a coordinating Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 for extra shine.The shade has earned a cult following, and this two-for will speak to the legions of women, like me, who have worn the shade since 1971! The duo is a limited edition, so I'd suggest you buy yours now. I am contemplating a purchase of two more - that's how much I love Black Honey! One for my bathroom, one for my purse, and another just because. I suspect there are other Black Honey hoarders out there, so don't let us buy all the stock before you get to a Clinique counter.

I did purchase Black Honey lip gloss when it was offered a few years ago. If I remember correctly, it was a Sephora exclusive. I kid you not, I bought eight of them. The gloss tubes were much less convenient than this wand, though, so I'm in Black Honey paradise.

Just in case you are very young, have never experienced the joy of Black Honey, or have been living in a makeup-deprived world, I took a few swatch photos outdoors in full sun. The gloss is shown at the top of my arm, and the Almost Lipstick is below the little scratch on my arm (the result of removing wild raspberries from my garden, thorns and all). Both gleam, but they are not as shimmery as they appear in my photos.

The gloss and lipstick are different shades in the Black Honey "family." To my eye, the sheer gloss has more plum in it. The Black Honey lipstick is a universally flattering shade - and really nothing like it's deep, dark appearance in the tube. It's a super-sheer natural berry with a hint of brown and enough color to perk up my face without giving me a "lipstick look." It's also extremely hydrating.

I could gush. Instead, I'll suggest you Black Honey lovers get to a counter to buy yours. If there's really someone out there who has never experienced the joys of Clinique's iconic lip color, go see it! Chances are you'll love it.

The promo photo I showed you in June made the new eye shadow quad look too pink. I was seriously tempted to buy it when I saw it yesterday (and may still). The shades are fabulous neutrals. I did purchase the Gradient Powder Blush - also a more exciting shade than the press release made it appear. I'll show you a swatch soon.

For those who want to restock their Black Honey Almost Lipstick, it's also readily available in the fall collection, as is a Blush-on Cream Liner. Time to revisit Clinique! The Black Honey Collection is available at all Clinique counters and some store Web sites (see Nordstrom).

Photos courtesy of Nordstrom and by Best Things in Beauty