Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok or scrolled through a "What’s in my bag" series on Instagram lately, you’ve seen that iconic aluminum-style tube. It’s everywhere. But specifically, the Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm has carved out a weirdly specific niche for itself in a market that is, quite frankly, drowning in lip treatments. People aren't just buying it because they need moisture. They’re buying it because of that very specific, slightly tropical, "just bitten" pink hue that seems to look different on absolutely everyone.
It’s expensive. $24 for a lip balm? That’s a choice.
But here’s the thing: after the initial surge of the Vanilla and Cherry shades, Pink Guava landed as this middle-ground hero. It isn't as sheer as the original, yet it isn’t as aggressive as the deep red Cherry. It’s that bright, punchy coral-pink that makes you look like you actually slept eight hours and drank a gallon of water, even if you’ve been powered by nothing but iced coffee and spite all day.
What Is Actually Inside the Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm?
Most people think a balm is just wax and oil. While that's technically true for the $2 stick you grab at the gas station, Summer Fridays built their reputation on a vegan formula that actually stays "cushiony" rather than greasy. The Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm relies heavily on shea and murumuru seed butters. If you aren't familiar with murumuru, it’s a fatty acid-rich butter harvested from Brazilian palm trees. It’s essentially the heavy lifter here. It creates a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which is just a fancy way of saying it stops the air from sucking the moisture out of your skin.
It’s 100% vegan. No beeswax here. Instead, they use synthetic waxes and plant-based emollients to get that slip.
The scent is where it gets polarizing. Pink Guava doesn't smell like a chemical factory, but it is definitely present. It’s a sweet, tropical, slightly citrusy aroma that lingers for about twenty minutes after application. If you’re someone who gets a headache from scented products, you might want to test this in person at a Sephora before committing. However, if you like the idea of your lips smelling like a vacation in Maui, you're going to love it.
The Texture Debate: Why It Isn't a Gloss
Don't call it a gloss. Seriously. If you go into this expecting a sticky, high-shine MAC Lipglass finish, you're going to be disappointed. The Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm is thick. It’s dense. When you squeeze it out of the tube—which, by the way, has been upgraded to a much more user-friendly silicone applicator—it comes out in a concentrated ribbon.
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Once it hits the warmth of your lips, it melts. It fills in those tiny vertical lines that happen when you're dehydrated. It feels "bouncy." That’s the best word for it. It’s a protective layer that actually lasts through a conversation, which is more than I can say for most oils.
Why the Pink Guava Shade Is the Sneaky Favorite
Color payoff is a tricky tightrope. Go too sheer, and why did I pay for a tint? Go too opaque, and suddenly I need a mirror to apply it so I don't look like a clown. The Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm hits a "Goldilocks" zone. On fair skin, it shows up as a bright, cheerful pink. On deeper skin tones, it functions more like a warm, brightening filter that cancels out any dullness.
It’s the "clean girl" aesthetic in a tube, basically.
I’ve noticed that this specific shade tends to sell out faster during the summer months for obvious reasons, but it’s actually a killer winter product. When the sky is grey and your skin looks a bit sallow from lack of Vitamin D, this shot of coral-pink does a lot of heavy lifting for your overall complexion. It’s a "no-makeup makeup" staple for a reason.
The Problem With the Packaging (And How They Fixed It)
We have to talk about the tube. The original Summer Fridays balms came in metal tubes. They were aesthetic. They looked great in photos. They were also a nightmare. If you squeezed them too hard, they’d crack at the seams. If you left them in a hot car, they’d leak everywhere. It was a mess.
Thankfully, the current version of the Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm uses a flexible, soft-touch plastic that mimics the look of the old metal but functions way better. The applicator is now a curved, soft silicone tip. It fits the contour of the lip perfectly. No more messy fingers. No more wasted product. It’s a small detail, but when you’re paying premium prices, these design choices matter.
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How It Compares to the Competition
The market is crowded. You’ve got the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment, the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, and the Glossier Balm Dotcom. How does Summer Fridays hold up?
- Rhode vs. Summer Fridays: Rhode is much more "glazy." It’s thinner and has that trendy high-shine finish. However, Rhode can sometimes feel a bit gritty or "grainy" if the formula separates. Summer Fridays stays consistently smooth.
- Laneige vs. Summer Fridays: Laneige is more of a traditional petroleum-style feel. It’s great, but it’s slicker. Summer Fridays feels more like a treatment that actually sinks in.
- Glossier vs. Summer Fridays: Now that Glossier went back to their original lanolin formula, it’s a powerhouse for dry lips. But it’s thick and matte-leaning. Summer Fridays gives you that glow without the heaviness.
Honestly, the Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm sits right in the middle. It’s more sophisticated than a drugstore balm but less "makeup-y" than a tinted gloss. It’s the one you keep in your car or your gym bag because you don't need a mirror to make it look good.
Is It Actually "Clean" Beauty?
The term "clean beauty" is a bit of a marketing minefield. It doesn't really have a legal definition. However, Summer Fridays follows the Sephora "Clean" guidelines, meaning they formulate without sulfates, parabens, formaldehydes, and phthalates.
For people with sensitive skin or those who are prone to perioral dermatitis, the lack of certain irritants is a big plus. That said, it does contain fragrance. If your lips are actively cracked or bleeding, the fragrance in the Pink Guava might sting a little. In those cases, you’re better off with a boring, unfragranced ointment like Aquaphor until the skin heals. But for daily maintenance and a pop of color? This is a solid choice.
The Real-World Longevity Test
Let’s talk about how long it actually stays on. In my experience, if you aren't eating or drinking, you’ll get about three hours of hydration. The "glow" fades after the first hour, but the buttery feeling remains. It’s not a "one and done" product you apply in the morning and forget about. You’ll be reapplying. But because the experience of applying it is so nice—that cool silicone tip, the smell—you probably won't mind.
Common Misconceptions About Summer Fridays Balms
People often complain that these balms are just "overpriced Vaseline." That’s factually incorrect. Vaseline is 100% petrolatum. It’s an occlusive, meaning it traps existing moisture but doesn't necessarily add new moisture. The Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm contains humectants and emollients like glycerin and seed butters that actually penetrate the skin barrier to hydrate.
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Another misconception is that the color is "too bright." In the tube, Pink Guava looks like a neon coral. It’s intimidating. On the lips, however, it shears out significantly. It’s a wash of color, not a lipstick. Don't let the vibrancy of the packaging scare you off if you usually stick to nudes.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Purchase
If you're going to drop $24 on a lip balm, you might as well use it correctly.
- Layering: Try using a lip liner in a "your lips but better" shade, then topping it with Pink Guava. It creates a 3D effect that makes lips look significantly fuller without the sting of a plumper.
- Overnight: While they have a specific "Vanilla Beige" or clear "Vanilla" for sleeping, the Pink Guava works just as well as an overnight mask. You’ll wake up with soft lips and a very slight, healthy tint.
- Cheek Hack: In a pinch, you can dab a tiny bit of this onto the apples of your cheeks. Because it’s a butter balm, it gives a dewy, glass-skin blush look. Just be careful if you’re acne-prone, as the shea butter might be too heavy for some people's facial skin.
The Actionable Verdict
So, should you buy it?
If you want a high-performance, vegan lip treatment that doubles as a subtle makeup product, yes. The Summer Fridays Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm is a legitimate cult favorite for a reason. It bridges the gap between skincare and cosmetics perfectly.
Next Steps for Your Lip Routine:
- Exfoliate your lips gently with a damp washcloth before application to ensure the pigment doesn't settle into dry flakes.
- Store the tube in a cool, dry place. Extreme heat can cause the natural butters to separate, leading to a "runny" consistency.
- Check the batch code on the crimp of the tube if you feel the scent is off; most lip products have a shelf life of 12 months once opened.
- If you find the tint too subtle, apply one layer, let it set for sixty seconds, and then apply a second layer to build the "guava" punch.