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Most days, my handbag feels quite heavy, but not because of the thick, encased MacBook Pro I lug around for work. Instead, it’s because of a medium-sized pouch housing 20 different lip balms, tinted glosses, and one singular lipstick on any given day. I could easily call out my favorites—Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment is in there, and so are a few Pat McGrath glosses, a Caramex, and an Aquaphor. As for the one lipstick, it’s MAC Ruby Woo, of course. However, after recently perusing my pouch, I came to a shocking conclusion: I am obsessed with Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (I have seven out of the nine scents).
It’s not surprising that one brand dominates my cosmetic bag. In fact, several beauty editors, influencers, and enthusiasts are constantly singing the praises of this viral lip balm. Seldom will you find a balm that is as nourishing, buttery-smooth, and aesthetically pleasing as the Summer Fridays version. Compact enough to fit in purses, big and small, the formula is what keeps its legion of fans—including ELLE editors—restocking at any chance. The Lip Butter Balm features a 100 percent vegan formula made up of shea and murumuru seed butters that deeply hydrate and soothe dry lips, along with vegan waxes for an added boost of moisture and shine. What’s even better is the variety of “flavors” the formula comes in, from the tangy Poppy to honeyed Pink Sugar. And as of today, February 13, everyone’s favorite limited-edition scent, Birthday Cake, returns just in time for Valentine’s Day.
In honor of Birthday Cake’s resurgence and Valentine’s Day, ELLE editors wrote their own mini love letters to their favorite Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. Read on to see why we’re already adding more to our carts.
Birthday Cake
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Birthday Cake
“Funfetti is my favorite cake flavor because I was never allowed to have it as a child. The Birthday Cake flavor smells like funfetti cake batter—sweet, buttery, and nostalgic. Another thing I wasn’t allowed to have as a child was Bonne Bell Lip Smackers, so my inner child is doubly satisfied. The balm also has a slight sheer pink color, which is flattering and easy to wear.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director
Pink Sugar
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Pink Sugar
“Pink Sugar is by far my favorite lip butter balm from Summer Fridays. It has the slightest pink tint that’s practically sheer and can be worn by anybody. Not only does it actually hydrate my lips, which can be a major challenge in the winter, but it also tastes like buttercream icing. There’s no stickiness or graininess like with some other lip treatments, and I only need to apply it a couple of times a day. Plus, the packaging is clean and easy to find in my bag. Without a doubt, it’s my holy grail lip treatment, and I need to have a tube in my purse at all times.”— Laura Tarafa, editorial assistant
“If I had it my way, I would always have one of the Summer Fridays Pink Sugar lip balms around. It smells like sugar cookie batter and brings me back to baking in my parent’s kitchen as a kid. It’s such a versatile, sheer pink color that I can smooth some on before a yoga class or wear it on its own during a night out. I love how soft it makes my lips feel.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Sweet Mint
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Sweet Mint
“It’s hard to pick just one favorite, but out of all of my Summer Friday balms, the Sweet Mint is by far the hero in my collection. Not only does it provide a soothing, cooling feeling on dry, cracked lips and a shiny gloss finish, but the fresh scent is also a nice bonus that can easily take the place of popping a piece of chewing gum or an actual peppermint into my mouth. Think of it as a lip balm that doubles as a pseudo mint.”—Alexis Bennett Parker, commerce content lead
Brown Sugar
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Brown Sugar
“I’m team Brown Sugar all the way. Brown is my go-to lip color, and even when I’m only wearing lip balm, I prefer the depth and moodiness only a sheer, deep brown like this one can provide. I can also layer Brown Sugar over a lip liner for a more makeup-y effect if I want to look polished but need hydration. The formula feels so good on my lips that I find myself obsessively reapplying it, and the scent isn’t too strong or cloying.”—Carol Lee, associate commerce writer
“When it comes to lip balms, my number one priority is ensuring the formula actually hydrates my lips rather than just sitting on top of them. After that, it needs to taste good—otherwise, why would I use it?! Brown Sugar has a lovely sweetness with a hint of vanilla, which makes me want to use it again and again. Plus, the subtle brown tint is the perfect nude for the colder months, in my opinion!”—Dale Chong, senior fashion commerce editor
Poppy
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Poppy
“Nude lip glosses will forever have me in a firm grip, but sometimes I enjoy a different hue hugging my lips. Poppy is the one shade I love pairing with a cool-toned brown lip liner because it imparts a subtle peach veil that blends seamlessly with my natural pink lips to create the perfect, well, nude. I should also admit that while I repeatedly reach for these formulas because of how nourished and soft my lips feel, I am equally obsessed with the scent pairings—and Poppy has the best one.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Vanilla
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Vanilla
“Truth be told, I have a different lip product for every bag I own. There’s one in my work bag, my little bag, my evening purse, and so on. Can you blame me? ’Tis the season for dry, cracked lips. I never know which balm or salve I will get when I reach down into my tote du jour, but I’m always giddy when it turns out to be this Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. It’s simply the best!”—Meg Donohue, associate fashion commerce editor
Cherry
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm – Cherry
“I won’t lie: I’m not the biggest fan of anything cherry flavored; something about the smell just doesn’t agree with me. But I really like the pinkish-red shade of this lip balm. I’ve been a fan of this formula for a while and try to keep myself stocked up with this balm; it applies so smoothly onto my lips and instantly hydrates and softens them. Admittedly, my first time trying this particular shade, I instantly thought about using it to do the viral cherry cola makeup and how perfect it would be for Valentine’s Day or a date night. I’d probably wear it with a brown lip liner for a bit of depth, but there’s a chance I could get past my slight cherry aversion for this balm.”—Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant