This Summer Fridays Lip Balm Went Viral. But Should You Spend $24 on it?
Main image – Courtesy of writer
A true summer girl at heart, when I heard there was a beauty brand called Summer Fridays, it got me hook, line and sinker. Because, let’s face it, Fridays during the summer are the best.
But this isn’t about my longing for warm sunshine, a glass of something naughty and two days off. This is about – lip balm! Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (£23 from Cult Beauty UK /$24 from Sephora US) to be exact.
TikTok viral, and even dubbed by some as better than the well-loved Laneige lip balms, I wanted to give it a go myself to see what the fuss was all about. But is that really how much it costs?
Keep reading to see how I got on and whether I think it’s worth its price tag.
The product details
The lip balm comes in nine shades/flavours, some with a tint and some without.
@summerfridays What’s your favorite Lip Butter Balm shade? @Eloise Dufka ?
Aiming to be non-greasy whilst promising to be ultra-hydrating, it contains seed butters and botanical extracts to nourish, moisturise and condition the lips.
Described online as both a lip balm and an intensive overnight lip mask, it also has a slightly curved applicator.
First impressions
I’d chosen the Vanilla flavour, as this was what many people online have been saying is their favourite. The tube is not the most inspiring shade – a slightly boring (yet still chic) beige – but there are other shades that are much brighter and more exciting.
image – Courtesy of writer
The slightly curved applicator might not be noted by all but I think it’s pretty cool. I can’t quite put my finger on why but when you apply it, it just feels like it’s hugging your entire lip, rather than just covering the outer edge.
I instantly loved the smell, which surprised me since I am not usually a vanilla fan. But this one was a pretty, subtle vanilla, rather than a heavy, musky one.
I have to say that even on my first application, I felt like there wasn’t actually a lot of balm in the tube. When I pressed the tube to squeeze some product out, my fingers on each side met and touched in the middle and still nothing came out on the first try. This irks me, greatly. Particularly when you remember how much it costs.
Once I had applied it to my lips though, I loved it straight away. I kind of didn’t want to after having to fight to get the product out on my first go. But it felt so good on. Lip Butter Balm is the perfect name for it – it’s a balm but it’s really buttery. Not greasy or sticky.
The finish of the vanilla flavour is completely clear – not tinted – and it does have a glossy finish. However, there are glossy lip balms and then there are glossy lip balms. This one isn’t sticky glossy.
It feels just like a balm but has the finish of a very subtle gloss. Sometimes it can feel like lip balms are trying to be too ‘makeuppy’ which can sometimes take over from the job in hand. But this one definitely feels and behaves like a proper lip balm. You can get a good idea of the level of gloss you can expect though in the TikTok below.
@summerfridays Nourish your lips with Lip Butter Balm Hot Cocoa—a velvety formula that delivers rich hydration with a choclate sweetness. ?? Available @sephora and SummerFridays.com
I’ve heard that other flavours are more tinted than others. Vanilla Beige (not to be confused with my Vanilla) and Cherry apparently have the most pigment, whilst Pink Sugar has the least.
But the important thing to note is that the tints are subtle, not heavy or lipstick-like. This is great for those with fair to medium skin, but what is subtle on some skin tones can sometimes look a bit wishy-washy on deeper tones.
I knew straight away that this lip balm would become a favourite of mine though, simply from how comfortable it was to wear and how easily it went on, not to mention the fact that I didn’t have to use much to get a result (once I’d managed to squeeze some out of course).
My ongoing results
Yup, as suspected this has become one of, if not the favourite lip balm in my collection. And I have tried countless lip balms. You’d think that my lips would be the smoothest lips in England by now as a result, but I’ll never not need a lip balm close by.
I tend to have a patch of skin on my bottom lip that gets quite dry (it doesn’t help that I sometimes bite it *rolls eyes*) but this lip balm has really helped to even it out and make it not look or feel as prominent.
I think the fact that I actually want to apply it is half the reason my lips feel better – the fact that it has nourishing ingredients makes up the other half of course, but I truly love the scent and feel of it which means I use it more. You can have all the top ingredients in a product but if you don’t enjoy applying it, you’ll never use it, and then it won’t make a difference.
image – Courtesy of writer
The one thing I have noticed, which is unfortunate, is that the balm tends to wear off quite quickly, even without eating or drinking.
What goes on as a glossy balm soon turns into a slightly dumbed down version so if you’re thinking of doubling it up as a gloss – which apparently lots of people do – you might want to either opt for a more long-lasting product altogether or keep this one on you at all times for regular touch-ups.
Having tested Glossier’s Balm Dotcom recently, I can see why the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is often suggested as an alternative.
Personally, I prefer having a scent, albeit subtle, to my lip balm and the flavour I have of the Glossier one (Rose) is scent-free. Also, Balm Dotcom didn’t leave my lips feeling very smooth, whilst the Summer Fridays one really does.
Overall, it’s a better lip balm, to tell you the truth. It’s just the price that might put you off…
Overall value for money
Would you spend £23/$24 on a lip balm? Most other people wouldn’t either. It is such a shame because this is a really good one. But maybe that’s why it’s so expensive, right? You get what you pay for and all that.
Let’s be honest, not everyone is going to agree with the price. Just believe me when I tell you it’s a great little investment if you’re in the market for a new lip balm that feels great to wear.
I’m not sure I would be able to stretch to £23/$24 every time I run out, particularly if the tube isn’t that full in the first place. But perhaps I’d save it as a treat or for payday.
What other users are saying
Most other users seem to love this balm as much as me. H says, “soft, hydrating, I love them all so much! The scent’s subtle but wonderful!”
Whilst Cee says, “This never leaves my bag, no matter where I go. This lip balm is super long-wearing, it’s not sticky, it has such a smooth consistency that stays the same over time. It also gives your lips a lovely shine, so it would work well as part of your lip combos! I have the shade Pink Sugar – it smells divine.”
Abi agrees that they’re too expensive though. “I do feel they’re overpriced for what they are but the scent and moisturising properties will likely lead me to repurchase.”
I’m annoyed to read that others have experienced their tube not feeling full too. M says, “the colour is nice, smooth and buttery texture and a nice smell/taste. But I had only used the product once or twice before I had to squeeze the tube all the way down like it was already running out.”
It’s pretty unforgiveable not to fill a tube of lip balm up properly, particularly if you’re paying this much for it. A note to Summer Fridays to be a bit more generous there.
The dupes
Other alternatives that offer similar results to Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm without the price tag (or sadly the amazing scents) include Lanolips 101 Ointment (£10.99 from Boots UK /$16.95 from Ulta Beauty US) and Frank Body Lip Balm (£8.95 from Cult Beauty UK /$13 from Frank Body US).
The takeaway
I really like lip balms that feel good on but that equally don’t distract or get in the way. A lip balm that’s too glossy and sticky can actually be a bit annoying, but this one has just the right balance of gloss and balm (not stickiness).
It’s an investment – I get it. Plus, the tube doesn’t seem to be overly full (grr). But if you’ve got the money and you’ve been looking for a lip balm that really does a good job, it’s a great one to remember next time you’re paid.
Get Glowing!
