Clinique vs Maybelline:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Maybelline had more branded searches than Clinique among lipstick brands worldwide. Maybelline had about 823,000 branded searches, while Clinique had 673,000. Maybelline made up 19.8% of all lipstick brand searches we track, and Clinique accounted for 16.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about lipstick brands, Maybelline appeared in all five answers and Clinique in three. Maybelline was mentioned before Clinique in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Maybelline, about 22% more searches than Clinique
Who does AI mention more?
Maybelline, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Maybelline, named ahead of Clinique in 4 of 5 answers
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Top lipstick brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Maybelline appeared in all five answers. Clinique was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Maybelline was listed before Clinique in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
MAC1st- Maybelline2nd
Charlotte Tilbury3rd
Revlon4th
Clinique5th
Fenty Beauty6th
NARS7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Maybelline5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- MAC5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Charlotte Tilbury4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Revlon4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Clinique3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fenty Beauty2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- NARS1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about lipstick brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which lipstick brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best lipstick brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best lipstick brand for everyday makeup?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“lipstick brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best lipstick”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Clinique or Maybelline more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Clinique and Maybelline by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven lipstick brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Maybelline, Clinique. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Charlotte Tilbury | Maybelline | Clinique | Fenty Beauty | NARS | MAC | Revlon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.4% | 20.9% | 17.2% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 3.5% | 5.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.3% | 13.2% | 16.1% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.1% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.3% | 18.2% | 18.2% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 5.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 31% | 20.9% | 17.1% | 14% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 33.9% | 18.6% | 18.6% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 3.7% | 4.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 29.9% | 20.2% | 20.2% | 13.5% | 7.4% | 4% | 4.9% |
| May 2026 | 30.1% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 4.1% | 5% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.8% | 22.2% | 18.1% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.2% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 4.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.2% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 4.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.2% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 4.8% | 4.8% |
How has the Clinique and Maybelline comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Clinique took it in November 2025, Maybelline took it in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Clinique’s share of searches among lipstick brands worldwide moved from 17.2% to 16.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 673K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Maybelline’s share of searches among lipstick brands worldwide moved from 20.9% to 19.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 823K.
How did search popularity change for lipstick brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Clinique worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 823K to 673K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Maybelline worldwide fell 17.7% over 12 measured months, from 1M to 823K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Clinique’s and Maybelline’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Clinique
1 branded search term
- clinique
Maybelline
1 branded search term
- maybelline
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