I Tried Almost The Entire Summer Fridays Collection – Here’s What’s Actually Worth It
Any self-respected skincare girlie has tried Summer Fridays once in their life or at least saved a photo of the Summer Friday lip balms to their Pinterest. Well… I’m a self-proclaimed SF expert. I’ve tried almost their entire collection through and through. Some products are now a staple in my skincare routine that I keep buying over and over again, some were O.K but I did not repurchased them simply because they were not doing much for my skin. So here is my honest review of Summer Friday products and my take on what’s actually worth to buy as a sensitive skin type girly.
My general review of Summer Fridays
Summer Fridays has always caught my eye, and a big part of that is their stellar marketing. I’ve followed Marianna Hewitt for quite some time, and her partnership with Lauren Ireland exudes those empowering girl-boss vibes I’ve always admired and dreamed to achieve (and still do!). Beyond their branding, I’m also a fan of the clean, minimalist aesthetic of their product packaging. Each item is straightforward, with its own distinct branding and color palette tied to its name—effortless yet impactful.
But what really set aside Summer Fridays for me is the composition: non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas. As someone with sensitive skin, I’ve grown tired of brands pushing products I’m not even sure I need. Summer Fridays feels like a breath of fresh air in the skincare world. Their transparency is genuinely refreshing and exactly what the industry needs right now. It doesn’t come across as forced—it feels intentional, supported by a curated selection of essentials. They don’t overwhelm customers with endless options; instead, they focus on the basics, delivering must-haves without overcomplicating skincare routines.
Is Summer Fridays worth the price?
As for pricing, Summer Fridays sits comfortably in the mid-to-premium range. While it’s not the cheapest brand out there, I believe it’s worth the investment, especially because of its clean ingredients. It strikes a balance between quality and affordability, especially when compared to many high-end options. Whether this brand earns a spot in your skincare lineup is, of course, up to you. But for me, some products have been nothing short of a miracle for my sensitive skin. Here are the products that I will repurchase and those I will not.
Review Summer Fridays Moisturizers
Let’s start with their moisturizers, since this is what Summer Fridays started their brand with, back in 2020, with their very famous Jet Lag Mask. This is a forever-repurchase.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
Despite what the name might suggest, the Jet Lag Mask isn’t necessarily a face mask—though you can certainly use it as one. It’s primarily a face moisturizer and is even versatile enough to double as an eye cream! This is Summer Fridays’ most awarded, best-selling, and popular product—and for good reason. One of the things I love most about the Jet Lag Mask is its unscented formula (a hallmark of most Summer Fridays products) and its luxuriously thick consistency. This texture makes it perfect not only as a daily moisturizer but also as an overnight face mask when your skin needs an extra boost.
Personally, I never go without it. I always keep a full-sized Jet Lag Mask at home, a refill on standby, and a mini travel size ready to accompany me on any trip. It’s an absolute staple in my skincare routine and has been for the past 2.5 years.
Summer Fridays Rich Cushion Cream
I had been wanting to switch up moisturizers after using the Jet Lag Mask for some time, so I decided to only use it for my nighttime skincare routine and try out their new Rich Cushion Cream when Summer Fridays launched it in 2023. What I love about this moisturiser is that it doubles as a primer under makeup and is specifically designed for ultra-sensitive skin. It applies really easily and doesn’t need a ton of product, yet is really rich and hydrating. It is more pricey than the Jet Lag Mask but I appreciated the luxurious glass jar packaging, which felt like a step up from the traditional tube. However, while the Rich Cushion Cream is more expensive than the Jet Lag Mask, I found it a bit too similar in performance to justify the higher price. As much as I enjoyed using it, I ultimately decided not to repurchase.
Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Gel Cream Moisturiser
This is my holy grail! I am absolutely in love with this moisturizer! The texture is absolutely divine: very dewy and jelly (literally just as its name implies…) and leaves your skin super soft, hydrated and fresh. I love that it comes in a glass jar as well and in two different sizes: normal one or travel one. I wish Summer Fridays had travel sizes for more products! It would make my life easier when traveling! The Cloud Dew Gel moisturizer is a must have for me and I will forever keep purchasing it.
Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen Face Oil
I first purchased this face oil alongside my Summer Fridays Gua Sha, and even now, I’m still on the fence about it. The scent is… decent—not particularly pleasant. Then again, does it need to smell amazing? I’d rather my skincare feel natural and effective without any fragrance, so the scent doesn’t bother me at all. But if you love a good face oil that smells good, this one is not it. As for performance, it gets the job done and is extra hydrating but at $55, I find it far too pricey for a face oil. I most likely won’t repurchase it in the future.
Review Summer Fridays Serums
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
I was eager to try the Retinol Serum from the moment it launched, but I hesitated due to the price—it felt like such a splurge for a single skincare item! Earlier this year, I finally gave in and treated myself to The Nighttime Routine set. It was the perfect opportunity to get my hands on this serum while restocking two of my go-to favorites: the Jet Lag Mask and the Gel Cleanser.
I’ll admit, I haven’t been the most consistent in using the Midnight Retinol treatment, but even with sporadic use, I’ve noticed some improvements in my skin. It also has a gentle, soothing scent that I can’t quite place, but it evokes a nostalgic, almost childhood-like feeling for me, which I love. One of the things I really appreciate about this product is its lotion-like texture, which feels more hydrating and gentle compared to typical serums. It works beautifully with my sensitive skin, providing nourishment without feeling harsh. That said, I strongly recommend patch testing before incorporating it into your routine, especially for those with sensitive skin. Retinol is known for being quite aggressive on the skin and can sometimes cause irritation if not introduced gradually.
So far, I’ve been enjoying it but I think it is overpriced. I might repurchase it in the future if I find it at a discounted price.
Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C + Niacinamide Serum
See, I REALLY wanted to love this serum… After trying several samples from Sephora and past Summer Fridays orders, I was convinced it was worth the price. So, I finally gave in and spent $68 on the full-size bottle (yes, it hurt). Unfortunately, in my opinion, it’s not worth the hype. To be honest, I prefer The Ordinary’s Vitamin C Serum, which costs just $8, far more. With the Summer Fridays serum, I found myself needing to use a significant amount every morning to cover my entire face, which meant I ran out of it far too quickly. And, to top it off, I didn’t notice any significant results. Sadly, I will not repurchase this one.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Deep Hydration Serum
The Summer Fridays Deep Hydration Serum has quickly become a favorite in my skincare routine. Its lightweight, jelly-like texture feels amazing on the skin—it absorbs instantly, without any stickiness, and leaves my face feeling incredibly soft.
What I love most is how beautifully it pairs with the Jet Lag Mask, which is my favorite Summer Friday product. Together, they’re a powerhouse combo for hydration, and I wake up with skin that feels noticeably more plump and glowy. This serum is such a great addition to my regimen and less pricey than the other SF serums. I have already repurchased this serum and I will keep repurchasing.
Review Summer Fridays Cleanser
Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser
The Summer Fridays Gel Cleanser is hands down my favorite cleanser. For a gel formula, it’s surprisingly thick and incredibly hydrating and foams well—exactly what I want in a face wash! Plus, the scent is lovely, adding a touch of luxury to my skincare routine.
This gentle cleanser has become my go-to, especially since I have sensitive skin, and it leaves my face feeling clean without any irritation. It is my second favorite product from SF after the Jet Lag Mask so I will definitely repurchase it. That said, I do think it’s a bit overpriced for a cleanser. There are alternatives, like Cetaphil or Cerave, that work just as well for half the price.
Review Summer Fridays Lip Care
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms
Are the Summer Fridays Lip Balms absolutely to die for? Yes. They’re cute, smell amazing, and are super moisturizing—basically everything you want in a lip balm. But do you really need to spend $24 on one? Probably not.
That said, they do last forever. I’ve been using the full-size vanilla balm every day for the past six months, and it’s still not empty! The vanilla scent is to die for, as well as the hot cocoa one! I also splurged on the Minis Set Limited Edition, and I love having a variety of options to match my mood, outfit, or even the season without committing to full sizes. Plus, they’re really trendy-looking and super aesthetic, making them perfect for Pinterest and Instagram shots. It is a staple in the vanilla girl aesthetic trend, check out our full article on the vanilla aesthetic here. I might repurchase them as part of a set or if they are at a discounted price!
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil
The Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil is really pretty and hydrating—there’s no doubt about that. I’m also obsessed with the packaging, it looks so chic. However, I have to say, the lid leaks when you close it, and the whole bottle ends up getting sticky. It spills a lot, and you quickly find yourself getting it all over your fingers, your purse, and even your car, on top of losing a lot of product.
While the packaging is stunning, it’s definitely poorly made. The engineering could have been tested a little better before being launched. Also, the product runs out pretty quickly, which is disappointing, especially for a $26 lip oil. I do not think I will repurchase this one.
Final Thoughts – Summer Fridays
Overall, here is my review of Summer Fridays products. I really love Summer Fridays as a brand and the marketing behind it. There’s something about the clean, aesthetic vibe they’ve created that resonates with me. What stands out most, however, is the composition of the products—especially their commitment to clean ingredients. This is the main reason why I’m such a fan of these products. That being said, some of their products do feel overpriced, and it’s important to consider whether they’re truly worth the investment for you. My personal favorites are the Jet Lag Mask, the Cloud Dew Moisturizer, the Jet Lag Hydration Serum and the Gel Cleanser—they’ve definitely earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine.
If you’re on the fence about a product, my advice would be to try the mini sizes (if available) before committing to the full size. This way, you can test out the product and decide if it’s worth the price for your skin before making a bigger investment.
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