The Summer Fridays lip balm is something of a TikTok legend. Given its long list of fans—even Rihanna was spotted holding a tube—you might not think it lives up to the hype. But you’d be wrong. It’s fabulous, and it’s been so successful since its 2020 debut, that it inspired the brand’s latest launch: the Dream Lip Oil. But before we get into the newness, let’s break down what makes the O.G. lip balm so good.
Simply put, it’s everything a modern lip product should be: The balm has a mask-like formulation that’s packed with conditioning agents like shea and murumuru seed butter—enveloping your pout in a glossy, sheerness no matter which of the seven tints you choose. “We wanted to create something that was nourishing, not sticky, but still felt balmy and smooth,” Summer Fridays founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland tells Vogue. The tints are as excellent as the composition and pair expertly with lip liners or on their own.
Ever since the runway success of the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask—the IYKYK exfoliant that all the buzziest influencers swore by to arrive at any destination fresh-face after a long haul flight—took the beauty world by storm eight years ago, it seems, Hewitt and Ireland manage to introduce hit after hit—likely because the duo is keen on listening to what their community actually wants.
“Our community has really shaped what we create and when we create it,” says Ireland. “We could see that our Lip Butter Balm was popular; people were loving it. It was resonating so we knew the creation of a Dream Lip Oil would be something our community would love from us.” And they were right. Eager fans started reviewing the latest addition—the Dream Lip Oil—weeks before its launch, drumming up anticipation for its arrival.
With lots of variations in lip care (think: lipsticks, stains, tints, etc), you might wonder why an oil format. Per Hewitt and Ireland, it’s all about the effortless feeling that Summer Fridays is known for—a tinted lip oil being the next step in the natural progression of your morning skincare and complexion routines. “Because a lip oil is not quite a lipstick, it still has that lip care-skin care benefit when you’re applying it to the skin,” Hewitt explains. Nine plant-based oils lead the formula (specifically castor, jojoba, avocado, apricot, jojoba, grape seed, raspberry, shea, and rosa canina fruit oil) plus plant-based collagen, squalane, and vitamin E to lock in moisture, and deliver softer, plumper lips. The texture, for me, is most compelling. It feels uniquely plush, almost satin-y (not glossy!) on the list, but most importantly—weightless, non-sticky, and refreshingly minty. The finish is sheer, but buildable. There are four shades to choose from: Pink Cloud (a rich pink), Soft Mauve (one of Hewitt’s favorites), Blush Dream (one of Ireland’s favorites), and Rosewood Nights (a rosy brown). Plus, the large doe-foot applicator makes it a dream to apply—its size coats the lips with ease for a streak-free finish. Because of this, one can apply without looking in a mirror and know it’ll be on perfectly.
