Honestly, the lip oil market is a crowded, sticky mess right now. Every single brand on the planet decided that 2024 and 2025 were the years of the oil, and frankly, my vanity drawer is overflowing with formulas that feel more like a thick gloss or, worse, a greasy mess that disappears in ten minutes. But the Summer Fridays lip oil—specifically the Dream Lip Oil—hit differently when it launched. It wasn't just another product drop; it felt like the brand finally answered the prayer of people who hated the heaviness of their (admittedly iconic) Lip Butter Balms but wanted that same aesthetic.
You've seen them everywhere. TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest boards about "clean girl" aesthetics. But is it actually good? Or are we all just suckers for the minimalist packaging and the way Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland market their lives?
Let’s get into the weeds of what makes this specific formula a standout and where it might actually fail you, depending on what you're looking for.
The Texture Debate: Is it an Oil or a Gloss?
This is where most people get tripped up. Most "lip oils" on the market today are just thin lip glosses. If you go buy the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, you’re getting something quite thick and honey-like. The Summer Fridays lip oil is much thinner. It’s got this plush, cushiony feel that leans more into the "oil" category without being runny.
It uses a blend of nine different plant-based oils. We’re talking jojoba, camellia, sesame, and sunflower seed oils. When you swipe it on, there is zero tackiness. None. If you press your lips together, they don't stick. They slide.
That’s a huge win for anyone who hates hair getting stuck to their face on a windy day. However, because it is a true oil-gel hybrid, the longevity isn't going to compete with a sticky gloss. You’re going to be reapplying this. Often.
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Why Vegan Collagen Matters Here
Summer Fridays leans heavily into the "skincare-infused" marketing. They added a vegan collagen complex to this. Does it actually make your lips bigger? No. Let's be real. No topical oil is going to replace a syringe of Juvederm. But what it does do is help with that immediate smoothing effect. If you have those fine vertical lines on your lips—the ones that get worse when you're dehydrated—this formula fills them in visually.
It makes the surface look like glass.
Breaking Down the Shade Range
The shades are... subtle. If you’re looking for high-impact pigment, you’re in the wrong place. These are designed to enhance your natural lip color, not mask it.
- Pink Cloud: This is the baby pink. On someone with very pale lips, it shows up. On anyone with a natural mauve or tan tint to their lips, it basically looks clear.
- Soft Mauve: Probably the best seller for a reason. It adds just enough "life" to the face without looking like you tried.
- Rosewood: A deeper, woodsy rose. This is the one I recommend for deeper skin tones because it actually provides a visible contrast.
- Cherry: It looks scary in the tube. Bright red. On the lips? It’s a sheer, popsicle-stain flush.
I’ve seen some complaints that the shades look too similar once they’re actually on the face. And yeah, if you buy Pink Cloud and Blush Dreams, you might feel like you bought the same product twice. Pick one light shade and one dark shade. That’s all you need. Don't fall for the "collect them all" trap unless you just really like the way the bottles look on your desk.
The Competition: Summer Fridays vs. The World
You can't talk about the Summer Fridays lip oil without mentioning the heavy hitters.
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Take the Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil. People love the bottle, but the scent is polarizing and it feels much more "slippery" than Summer Fridays. Then there's the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil. That one is a completely different beast because it leaves a stain behind. Summer Fridays doesn't stain. Once the oil wears off, your lips just feel soft, but the color is gone.
Then you have the drugstore options like NYX Fat Oil. Honestly? The NYX one is incredible for five dollars. It’s thicker and more high-shine. But it feels "cheaper" on the lips—more synthetic. The Summer Fridays version feels like high-end skincare. It’s that sophisticated, silky slip that makes you feel like you have your life together even if you’re just wearing sweatpants.
The Applicator Situation
Can we talk about the doe-foot? It’s huge. It’s one of those oversized, fluffy applicators that holds a lot of product. One swipe covers the bottom lip perfectly. Some people hate these because they can get messy around the rim of the bottle, but for a lip oil, it's the right choice. You want that "soaking" sensation.
Sustainability and "Clean" Standards
Summer Fridays is Sephora Clean certified. Now, "clean beauty" is a murky term with no FDA regulation, but for many, it matters that this is vegan and cruelty-free. They avoid silicones in this specific formula, which is a big deal for people who find that silicones actually dry out their lips in the long run.
Instead of using silicones to get that slip, they rely on the oil blend and Vitamin E. It’s an occlusive layer that actually traps moisture in rather than just sitting on top of the skin.
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Common Frustrations
It’s not all perfect. The biggest gripe? The price-to-volume ratio. You get 4.5ml for $26. That is... not a lot of product. Especially since, as I mentioned, you have to reapply it because it’s a thin oil. If you’re a heavy user, you will blow through a tube of this in three weeks.
There's also the issue of the scent. It’s a very faint, sweet mint. If you’re someone who wants a dessert-scented lip product (like the Laneige Glowy Balm), this might feel a bit medicinal or boring. It’s subtle. It’s sophisticated. But it’s not "fun" in a candy sort of way.
How to Get the Most Out of It
If you want the Summer Fridays lip oil to actually last longer than twenty minutes, you have to prep.
- Exfoliate. Use a damp washcloth or a sugar scrub. Oils sit poorly on flaky skin; they actually highlight the flakes rather than hiding them.
- Line the lips. Use a lip liner that matches your natural lip shade (something like Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk or a MAC Whirl). Fill in the whole lip, then put the oil on top. This gives the oil something to "grip" onto and provides color even after the shine fades.
- Night Mask? No. Don't use this as an overnight mask. It's too thin. Stick to the Lip Butter Balm in the brown tube (Vanilla) for sleep. Use the oil for the daytime "look."
The Verdict on the Hype
So, should you buy it?
If you want a sticky, long-wearing gloss that stays through a meal: No.
If you want a high-pigment liquid lipstick: No.
If you want a luxury, silky, non-sticky treatment that makes your lips look incredibly healthy and expensive: Yes.
The Summer Fridays lip oil is the epitome of the "no-makeup makeup" movement. It’s for the person who wants to look hydrated and polished while running errands or sitting in a Zoom meeting. It’s a treat-yourself item.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
- Check your undertones: If you have cool undertones, grab Soft Mauve. If you’re warm or have a deeper complexion, Rosewood is your best bet for a "your lips but better" vibe.
- Watch the seal: Make sure you screw the cap on tight. Because the formula is a true oil, it can be prone to leaking if it’s rolling around loose in a hot car or a messy handbag.
- Layer it: Try it over a matte lipstick that you find too drying. It transforms the texture without making it feel heavy or "goopy."
- Wait for the sales: Sephora does their VIB sales twice a year. If you can't justify $26 for 4.5ml, that 15-20% discount makes the pill much easier to swallow.
Ultimately, beauty is subjective, but the formulation here is objectively high-quality. It’s a sophisticated blend that prioritizes lip health over temporary "bling." Just be prepared to keep it in your pocket—you’ll be reaching for it all day.