I Could Probably Retire Every Lip Balm and Gloss That I Own for This Cult Product

Ever since I can remember, I've been totally obsessed by lip balm. Not just for practical reasons as someone with very dry lips, but as a fun extension of my beauty routine. As a child, my friends collected Pokemon cards, but I collected Lip Smackers. I'd save up pocket money to get every single flavour of the lip balms that I could get hold of. As an adult, the obsession remains, but thankfully there are far chicer lip balms to satisfy me. The best and chicest of them all? Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm.
Yes, the Summer Fridays balms have become something of a modern icon, potentially even more so than Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatments. They're all over my For You Page and have been known to fly off the shelves. I've even spotted that Meghan Markle has shared them as one of her top beauty products on her Instagram. They're so popular, in fact, that you can only buy three at a time on Summer Friday's website.
What makes them so sought after? Aside from the chic packaging, the formulas coat lips in a buttery, non-greasy coating of shea and murumuru seed butters that hydrate, nourish and soften. Then you have the different scents which feel fun but suitably chic. Iced Coffee and Brown Sugar? I'll take two of each, please.
They serve seriously well as an everyday lip balm, but can also be applied generously as a lip mask for extra nourishment overnight, or layered up for more of a glossy finish on bare lips or as part of a lip combo. The applicator also makes them a dream to apply—it's flexible and hugs your lips as you swipe it on, making the whole experience all the more luxe. The hardest part? Choosing just one. So, I tested all the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm flavours and swatched each shade below to help you pick you favourite. Scroll ahead for everything you should to know about each.
The Best Summer Fridays Lip Balms
Brown Sugar
Okay wow, this is a firm favourite. Brown Sugar has a sheer rosy brown tint that delicately coats lips in a veil of colour. It smells exactly like brown sugar and baking cookies. This one has basically lived in my handbag since I first tried it as it's such a great everyday lip colour. If you like a neutral tint for everyday that's low-maintenance and smells like a sweet treat, you have to try this.
For
- Sheer brown tint
- Smells like brown sugar
Against
- Might be too sweet for some
Pink Sugar
Pink Sugar is the one I hear people talking about the most and I can see why. This sheer tint is ultra-glossy and bestows a pretty yet subtle pink hue to the lips. It smells like cupcake frosting and is absolutely delicious. I'd go for this one if you prefer a clear lip balm (although it has a pink tint, it's very, very sheer) or want something you can swipe on without needing a mirror.
For
- Sheer pink tint
- Buttercream scent
Against
- Might be too sweet for some
Cherry
Fans of Cherry Drops and Haribo Cherry sweets come to the front. This one smells just like cherry candy. It's a beautiful red-pink that imparts a healthy flush to the lips with one coat or a deeper glossy cherry red when layered up. It totally melts together as soon as I smack my lips. I'm in love with the shade. It's the perfect pick-me-up for summer.
For
- Cherry tint and scent
Against
- Applies unevenly at first (but blends out quickly)
Birthday Cake
This was a limited-edition shade that has since been bought back again for Summer Friday's 7th birthday as it was so popular. It's limited edition again, so beware it's not going to be around forever. The sheer pink balm is flecked with golden sparkles that impart a lustrous shimmer as the formula glides onto the lips. Naturally, being the flavour that it is, it smells almost edible. Think thick birthday cake frosting and sprinkles. There isn't much of a tint to this one, so you can wear it alone to let the sparkle do the talking or layer it over other lip products for more impact. Once it has worn off, you're left with a subtle sparkle on the lips.
For
- Has a sparkly finish
Against
- Shimmer may irritate sensitive lips
Poppy
Poppy is my current obsession to pair with a bright blusher. It's so pretty. It has a summery hint of coral to lightly tint lips. It instantly brightens my complexion and my mood. Like the Cherry shade, it can be worn as a sheer wash of colour or layered up for a glassy look if you want more opacity. It has a delightful grapefruit scent that makes me think of long summer weekends basking in the sunshine.
For
- Pretty coral tint
- Grapefruit scent
Against
- May be too bright some some
Vanilla Beige
If you want a subtle-yet-classic option with a touch of a tint, then Vanilla Beige is a safe bet. It has warm, sheer brown tint that's really wearable and is deliciously scented with the addictive, cosy scent of vanilla. It's basically the tinted version of the Vanilla option (below) with the same delicious scent.
For
- Sheer, warm brown tint
- Vanilla scent
Against
- Not the most pigmented
Vanilla
Vanilla is a real crowd pleaser both in the scent and formula. It's totally sheer, making it incredibly versatile. You can use it as an everyday lip balm without the fuss of a tint, or you can layer it up on lips that need extra loving care as a nourishing lip mask. I've been keeping this one on my bedside table for this exact purpose, as I find the scent is really subtle and doesn't disturb my senses before bed. Come morning, my lips are silky soft. The vanilla scent, of course, smell really delicious, but not so much that it will overwhelm your nose when you're wearing it. It's one for the lip balm minimalists.
For
- Clear tint is versatile as a lip balm or mask
- Vanilla scent
Against
- If you want a tint, this one won't be for you
Iced Coffee
Out of all the shades and scents, this is one I can actually still smell on my lips long after I've applied it. So if you like the scent of coffee, this might be the lip balm to give you a little caffeine-inspired hit with a subtle beige tint. While I'm not a fan of coffee scents, I do love the subtle beige tint which makes it very wearable.
For
- Iced coffee scent
- Soft beige tint
Against
- Scent may be overpowering for some
Hot Cocoa
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.
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