There a few things I detest more in the world of beauty than lipsticks that dry out my already very dry lips—and I'm pleased to admit that Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is not one of them. Because, yes, even some of the most seemingly nourishing lip balm formulas can turn my lips dry and flaky in a matter of minutes.
And dry lips do not make for a good base for lipstick. Not only does lipstick tend to look terrible on my patchy lips, it also dries them out even more, making matters worse. As a result, most days I avoid lipstick entirely—reserving it only for very special occasions and nights out. Instead, I like to opt for hydrating, tinted lip balms and lip oils. And for the past year or so, the product I have found myself turning to day after day is Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms.
I've been a long-time fan of Summer Fridays products, and the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm has proved a particular favourite. When the product first launched in its single vanilla scent a few years ago, it came in messy aluminium packaging that was prone to splitting. But it smelled like vanilla, and not in a sickly sort of way—rather it smelled like fresh, straight-out-the-pod vanilla that makes you feel clean rather than sticky and tacky. And, above all, it proved incredibly soothing and softening on the lips.
I liked it when it first launched, but it wasn't medicated or hardworking enough for me to include it in my daily rotation. If only, I remember thinking, Summer Fridays would bring out some tinted options for everyday wear. Fast forward to now and Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms are available in an array of super-wearable shades, housed in recyclable bio-resin tubes—and over the past 12 months, the formulas have basically never left my lips.
The nourishing butters (the formula is very much true to its name) deliver the perfect wash of balmy colour that sticks around for an impressive amount of time. They're not sticky, they don't end up all over teeth and, most importantly, they're incredibly comfortable to wear.
Containing a blend of vegan waxes, shea butter and murumuru seed butter, the butter-balms work to soften lips for ultimate comfort and soothing nourishment. And, as for the shades available, my current favourite is Ice Coffee, a sheer, wearable nude-brown that gives my lips a faint wash of gloss. I'm also a huge fan of Pink Sugar, an iced baby-pink sort of glaze, and the red-toned Cherry for when I want a more impactful hit of pigment.
The one catch? They are quite pricey, coming in at £23 a pop. Having said that, my previously go-to lipstick for the daytime comes in at £27 and these little tubes last an impressively long time. (Even with daily use, it takes me a couple of months to get through a whole one.) When I think of this as a lip balm, yes £23 seems expensive. However, when I reframe it as the tinted lip colour I reach for day in, day out, £23 is far more aligned with the amount of money I'm okay with spending.
So if, like me, you have dry lips and struggle to find a lip colour for everyday wear that doesn't exacerbate the problem, take it from me: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms are your best bet.
Shop Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Easily my favourite of all the Lip Butter Balms, Iced Coffee is like a sweet caffeinated treat and looks incredible on the lips.
A tint-free formula, this one is a versatile option that delivers a hit of minty freshness with every application.
With a punchy, cherry-red shade, this is the single best red lipstick alternative I've ever come across. Plus, it doesn't smudge all over your face in the way other red-tinted balms might.
While the juicy coral finish of Poppy is enough to win anyone over, it's the mouthwatering citrus flavour that keeps me coming back for more and more.
This deep, purple-brown hue is perfect for those with darker skin tones, but also provides a great nostalgic 90s look for those with fairer skin—and the sugary flavour only adds to the nostalgia.
With no tint, I apply this on both bare lips and over other tinted products, putting it up there with my most used lip balms. Oh, and the moreish vanilla scent helps.
