We Tested the Beauty Brand Gen Z Is Constantly Drooling Over—Here Are Our Honest Thoughts
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Every It Girl (or It Boy) owns a product from Summer Fridays. The beauty brand has built something of a cult following—thanks in part to its founders’ professional backgrounds. Launched in 2018 by Marianna Hewitt, a blogger-turned-influencer, and Lauren Ireland, a former TV news anchor and journalist, the duo created a brand that feels more like a movement—or a way of life. From its name to its branding and packaging, Summer Fridays captures the essence of what an easy, breezy life in California feels like. According to the brand’s website, Hewitt and Ireland set out to “reimagine” their own routines in a non-fussy, versatile way. Their first product, the Jet Lag Mask , quickly became a bestseller, setting the stage for a full skincare and cosmetics line.
Since then, Summer Fridays has landed in the hands of celebs like Sofia Richie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Jessica Alba (plus every editor and writer I know). But does the brand actually live up to the hype?
When it comes to formulation, Summer Fridays takes a clear stance. Each product is free of harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and synthetic fragrances. The brand’s commitment to clean beauty extends beyond ingredients: its packaging is designed with sustainability in mind, using as much recycled material as possible. Shoppers can even recycle directly through the brand—send back five empties and get a $25 gift card in return.
Summer Fridays’ Bestsellers and Buzzy New Products at a Glance
- Jet Lag Mask , $49
- Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil , $55
- Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum , $44
- Lip Butter Balm , $24
- Dream Lip Oil , $26
Now, let’s talk about products. Every beauty editor has their thing—the one category they don’t play about. Mine is lip balm. From a young age, I understood the importance of a hydrated pout. So while I first tried the Jet Lag Mask years ago, my true entry into the Summer Fridays world came in 2020, with the launch of the Lip Butter Balm . I started with Pink Sugar, and let me tell you, I could not live without this thing. I’m very picky about balms, and this one checked every box. It was glossy but not sticky, light but substantial enough to last, and offered a subtle hit of color. From there, I ventured into other flavors (or colors?)—Cherry, Iced Coffee, Sweet Mint. I kept reaching for them. When I lost Pink Sugar, I was devastated.
So when I was tasked with this review, I knew I had to lean on the opinions of others—and test a few more products myself—to figure out if Summer Fridays really is the right bandwagon to jump on.
Of course, no review is complete without a few second (and third) opinions. I called on some of my fellow editors to try out Summer Fridays’ most-hyped products. Keep reading for the hits, the surprises, and the ones we could take or leave.
Editor Reviews
Heavenly Sixteen All-In-One Face Oil
What it is: A restorative blend of 16 vegan oils that works to condition, plump, and boost the look of skin’s elasticity.
“I love to look hydrated and glowy, so naturally, I love a good face oil. I was excited to try Summer Fridays’ face oil , which launched in 2021, and I’ve been using it for a few weeks now. I love how moisturizing and penetrating it is—it lasts all day and gives me a natural, summer-ready glow. Lately, I’ve been wearing it alone with just blush and mascara, and I feel like it gives me that effortlessly dewy look. It also layers well under makeup, pairing nicely with both my primer and moisturizer. That said, a little goes a long way. You really don’t need much. When I used more than two drops, it felt a bit heavy—especially under the eyes, where it eventually started to sting. So, use sparingly. Other than that, I’m a big fan. —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum
What it is: A lightweight jelly serum that delivers intense hydration to combat dryness and increase suppleness.
“The product description says this serum absorbs ‘instantly’—and they didn’t lie. It sinks into the skin quickly, leaving behind only a soft, lightweight layer. It feels cooling and super hydrating, and gives my skin a refreshed-looking glow. I looked and felt noticeably more hydrated. My only qualm is that I personally feel you need to apply a generous amount to really reap the benefits.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Lip Butter Balm
Skin concerns: Dryness.
What it is: A lip treatment with hydrating butters and waxes that soothes dryness and supports the lip barrier.
“My lips are severely damaged and can’t handle a new product longer than a week without feeling over-moisturized and dried out. I’m very pleased to report that I’ve used up nearly my entire tube of Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm . It lasts me six plus hours without having to reapply, and the light brown tinted gloss adds this gorgeous, juicy gloss to my lips. The flavor of this shade is Iced Coffee, and to be honest, it has quite a strong scent. It doesn’t last except for the first 5 minutes, but it does take getting used to. However, I’m not a coffee drinker and don’t mind it.” —Kaili JiMei, Social Media Manager
“I’m a believer that most lip balms are similar. They have ingredients to moisturize your lips and that’s that. That said, Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm is still a darn good one. After carrying it around for a month, I feel lost when I don’t have it. The product delivers a subtle sheen on your lips and leaves it moisturized for hours. It also smells and tastes like brown sugar. The tint is subtle enough so it’s not obvious you’re wearing something but pigmented enough to give your lips a little bit of a pop. When I lent it to my friend who was in desperate need of hydration, she immediately bought a tube after seeing how shiny and supple her lips were after she used it.” —Jason Pham, Entertainment Director
“I’m not a lipstick lady unless it’s a red lip, so I love that this balm offers a bit of color without that heavy, matte feel that you get from lipstick. While this color is Cherry, it’s not as deep or pigmented as the swatch is in the above photo. It’s definitely sheer, and a bit pinker. That said, I like it because, honestly, I don’t want a deeply pigmented balm. It’s also buildable, so you can layer this with other lip products, which I often do. In the pic above, I lined my lips with Nyx’s Line Loud Longwear Lip Liner in the shade Ten Out of Ten and then smudged it a bit and went in with the Cherry balm. It created this pretty, soft pout. Now it’s my go-to combo.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
“As I mentioned before, I’m all about the lips—just not lipstick. The Butter Balm was my introduction to Summer Fridays, and honestly, they can do no wrong. I’m someone who always needs a glossy, hydrated pout—even if I’m heading to the gym or running to the grocery store. I cannot stand the feeling (or look) of dry, chapped lips. I seriously think the Summer Fridays balm is one of the best on the market, especially with so many shades and flavors to choose from. Sweet Mint has become my everyday go-to, right behind Pink Sugar. I love that it’s completely sheer, which makes it perfect for staying in or running errands. But it also works when you’re doing a full beat and want a soft, neutral lip. I love it so much I’ll even apply it before bed when I’m not using a lip mask or overnight treatment.” —Robyn Merrett, Style & Beauty Editor
Dream Lip Oil
Skin concerns: Dryness.
What it is: A plush lip oil that offers deep hydration and a high-shine finish.
“When it comes to lip products, I usually only reach for balms and oils. Glosses can be annoyingly sticky, while lipsticks typically don’t have much slip to them and can sometimes look too dry and crusty once applied. That’s why I was pleased to test Summer Fridays’ Dream Lip Oil in the Midnight Berry shade. Upon first swatch, I worried the formula would be too tacky and heavy on my pout, but thankfully, I was wrong. The lip oil thins out once you coat your entire pout in a smooth, even layer and doesn’t feel sticky like a true gloss. My lips feel moisturized and nourished whenever I swipe on this product. As for its lasting powers, after around three hours of eating a bagel, pretzel chips, and hummus, sipping water, and chit-chatting at the office, the Dream Lip Oil was still intact, and I hadn’t even reapplied once yet. The semi-sheer warm berry color is also so pretty and subtle. It’s the perfect shade for spring and summer, especially if you want your lips to look like you just bit into a berry popsicle.” —Katie Decker-Jacoby, Commerce Editor
