Let’s be real for a second. We’ve all seen the aesthetic TikToks of someone slowly twisting a tube of lip balm while sunlight hits their perfectly manicured hand. It’s a vibe. But usually, when a product becomes "Internet Famous," the actual quality is a bit of a letdown. That’s why when the Summer Fridays Mini Neutrals Lip Butter Balm Set dropped, people were skeptical.
Is it just overpriced Vaseline in a chic tube? Honestly, no.
I’ve spent way too much money on lip products over the last decade, from $2 pharmacy sticks to those heavy glass jars that cost as much as a steak dinner. Most of them either sit on top of the skin like a greasy film or dry out your lips even more the moment they wear off. This specific set from Summer Fridays—a brand founded by influencers Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland—hits a weirdly specific sweet spot between a clinical treatment and a high-shine gloss.
It’s about the formula.
What’s Actually Inside the Summer Fridays Mini Neutrals Lip Butter Balm Set?
When you look at the ingredients, you aren't just paying for the minimalist packaging. The heavy hitters here are shea and murumuru seed butters. If you’ve ever used raw shea butter, you know it’s thick. Like, "hard to spread" thick. But the way they’ve emulsified it here makes it glide.
They also threw in vegan waxes. Most lip balms use beeswax. Nothing wrong with that, but vegan waxes tend to feel a bit lighter and less "tacky." You won’t get that annoying sticky string between your lips when you talk, which is a huge plus if you’re actually wearing this to a meeting or a dinner date.
The set generally features the heavy hitters: Vanilla, Vanilla Beige, Iced Coffee, and Brown Sugar.
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Vanilla is the OG. It’s clear. It smells like a cupcake but not in a "cheap body spray from 2005" kind of way. It’s subtle. Vanilla Beige gives you that "your lips but better" tint. Iced Coffee and Brown Sugar are where the depth comes in. They’re moody. They look great on deeper skin tones but also work as a low-effort "90s lip" for lighter complexions.
The "Mini" part of the name is important. These aren't the full-sized 15g tubes. They’re 5g each. You’re basically getting a flight of flavors. It’s the lip balm equivalent of a wine tasting.
Why Mini Sets Are Smarter Than Full Sizes
People usually complain about the price-per-ounce on minis. I get it. Math is math. But how many times have you actually finished a full tube of lip balm before losing it or before the oil started to smell a bit... off?
Exactly.
The Summer Fridays Mini Neutrals Lip Butter Balm Set solves the "commitment" problem. You get to rotate colors based on your outfit or the season without having four giant tubes rolling around in the bottom of your tote bag. Plus, these fit in a tiny evening clutch. A full-sized tube? Not so much.
Also, let’s talk about the applicator. It’s a silicone tip. This is a game changer compared to the old metal or hard plastic ones. It hugs the curve of your lip. It’s soft. It’s easy to wipe clean if you accidentally get some foundation on it.
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The Nuance of "Neutral" Shades
"Neutral" is a tricky word in the beauty world. For a long time, it just meant "beige for people with light skin." Summer Fridays did a decent job of making sure these "neutrals" actually translate across different ethnicities.
Because the formula is sheer, the pigment doesn't sit on top of the lip like a matte lipstick. It melts. On someone with very pale lips, Brown Sugar looks like a soft cocoa. On someone with naturally pigmented or dark lips, it adds a rich, glossy warmth that looks incredibly sophisticated.
Iced Coffee is the sleeper hit. It’s got a slightly cool undertone that counteracts redness. If you’ve been out in the cold and your face is a bit flushed, this balances everything out.
Let's Address the Price Tag
Look, it’s expensive. You can buy a pack of five Chapsticks for what one of these minis costs. If you just want to stop your lips from cracking while you’re hiking in the mountains, stick to the drugstore stuff.
This set is for the person who wants their lip care to double as their makeup. It’s for the "Clean Girl" aesthetic where you aren't wearing a full face, but you want to look polished. You’re paying for the texture, the scent profile, and the fact that it doesn't leave a white line on the inside of your mouth after two hours.
How to Get the Most Out of the Set
Don't just slather it on and go. To really see why people love this stuff, you have to use it right.
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- The Overnight Mask Trick: Use the Vanilla (clear) one before bed. Put on a thick layer. When you wake up, your lips will be soft enough that you can gently buff away any dry skin with a damp washcloth.
- The Lip Liner Combo: These balms are sheer. If you want them to look like a full-on lipstick, trace your lips with a neutral liner first (something like MAC Whirl or Pillow Talk), blend the edges with your finger, and then top it with Vanilla Beige. It looks like a $50 professional lip combo.
- The Cheek Highlight: In a pinch? The Vanilla Beige balm works as a dewy blush. Just a tiny dab on the apples of your cheeks. It gives that "I just drank a gallon of water" glow.
Common Misconceptions and Limitations
It isn't perfect. No product is.
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is a permanent stain. It’s not. It’s a butter balm. It’s going to transfer onto your coffee cup. You’re going to have to reapply it after you eat a sandwich. That’s just the nature of the beast. If you want 12-hour wear, you need a liquid lipstick, not a balm.
Also, the tubes are squeezed. If you leave these in a hot car in July, they will get runny. The oils can separate if they get too hot. Keep them in your bag or your pocket, not the glove box.
Some people find the scent of Brown Sugar a bit strong. It’s definitely the "loudest" one in the set. If you’re sensitive to smells, you might prefer sticking to the Vanilla.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you are a lip product hoarder, you probably already have this in your cart. But if you’re someone who usually sticks to one boring tube of Carmex, this is a genuine upgrade. The Summer Fridays Mini Neutrals Lip Butter Balm Set offers a variety that makes sense. It’s practical luxury.
It also makes a killer gift. It’s hard to buy foundation or eyeshadow for someone else, but everyone needs lip balm, and these shades are universal enough that you won't mess it up.
Next Steps for Your Routine:
- Check your current stash: If you have three half-used brown glosses, you don't need this. If you’re starting fresh, it’s the perfect "starter kit."
- Exfoliate first: No balm looks good on top of peeling skin. Use a sugar scrub or even just a bit of damp sugar once a week.
- Layering is key: Start with a thin layer during the day. It’s buildable. One swipe for the office, three swipes for the bar.
- Repurpose the box: The packaging is usually sturdy and cute. Use it to organize hair ties or bobby pins in your bathroom drawer.