Summer Fridays lip gloss is one of the most searched products the brand does not actually sell. Open the site and you will find a Lip Butter Balm, a Dream Lip Oil, a stain and a liner, but nothing labeled gloss. The two glossy picks that fans mean differ by roughly $125 per ounce, so here is which one deserves your money.
First, a Naming Mix-Up Worth Clearing Up
Summer Fridays groups its lip products under lip care, and the lineup on its site includes Lip Butter Balm, Dream Lip Oil, Flushed Lip Stain and SoftLine Lip Liner. None of them is labeled a gloss, yet shoppers and reviewers keep calling the balm and the oil gloss because of how they look. One review site even titles its write-up as a lip gloss review while describing the Lip Butter Balm as the hero product.
That naming gap matters when you shop. A balm and an oil behave differently on the lips, and the two cost very different amounts per ounce. Knowing which one you actually want saves money and avoids a disappointing first swipe.
The Short Answer about Summer Fridays lip gloss
If you want a comfortable, cushiony shine that doubles as lip care, the Lip Butter Balm is the closer match to what most people call Summer Fridays lip gloss. If you want the highest shine and a more obvious glassy finish, the Dream Lip Oil comes nearer to a true gloss. Both are sheer, so neither gives you the opaque color of a pigmented gloss.
The balm leans toward treatment, with thick butters and a mask-like feel. The oil leans toward makeup, with a frosted tube and a doe-foot wand. That one difference explains most of the pricing and performance gaps below.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This table sets the two hero products next to a popular drugstore gloss, so you can see how the numbers compare. Prices are US list prices from retailer pages and can change with sales.
| Product | Texture | Shine | Color | Size | US Price | Price per Oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lip Butter Balm | Thick, cushiony balm | Glossy, soft | Clear to very sheer | 0.5 oz | $24 | About $48 |
| Dream Lip Oil | Light, silky oil | High, glassy | Sheer to light | 0.15 oz | $26 | About $173 |
| NYX Butter Gloss | Soft gloss | Glossy, comfortable | Sheer to medium | 0.27 oz | About $6 | About $22 |
The per-ounce figures are simple math, but they reveal something the product pages do not. The oil comes in a much smaller tube, so you are paying more for less product. That does not make it a bad buy, since a small amount goes a long way, but it should shape your expectations.
Lip Butter Balm in Detail
The Lip Butter Balm is a vegan formula built around shea butter, murumuru seed butter, castor oil, sodium hyaluronate and vegan waxes. The brand positions it for daily wear and as an overnight mask. Reviewers describe it as buttery and cushiony, not greasy or sticky, and a shine that reads as glossy without feeling heavy.
It retails for $24 for a 0.5 oz tube at Sephora and on the brand’s site. Most reviewers agree it feels excellent and is easy to enjoy, though some note it is priced at the upper end of the lip balm market. One reviewer pointed out that it can wear down into a more balm-like finish over time, so anyone using it as a gloss may want to reapply or choose a longer-lasting product.
Shades and Color Payoff
The brand lists more than a dozen shades, including Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Pink Sugar, Pink Guava, Cherry, Poppy, Sweet Mint and Iced Coffee. Retailer pages describe Vanilla as sheer clear and Brown Sugar as a sheer nude, and a Sephora reviewer called Poppy a sheer red where a little goes a long way. Each shade also has its own flavor, which some people love and others find distracting.
Because the tints are very sheer, they work more like a hint of color than a lip stain. That makes the balm forgiving, since there is little chance of looking overdone. It also means you should not expect strong color from a single swipe.
Dream Lip Oil in Detail
The Dream Lip Oil is the brand’s answer for people who want gloss with a bit more shine. Summer Fridays describes a nonsticky formula with a blend of nine moisturizing oils, and a WWD review listed ingredients such as apricot kernel, jojoba, avocado, grape seed, rosehip, squalane and castor oil, plus vitamin E. It comes in a frosted tube with a chubby doe-foot applicator.
It costs $26 for 0.15 oz, which is two dollars more than the balm, and Sephora shoppers rate it highly for color, hydration and lack of stickiness. The WWD testers described a sheer-to-light payoff and said the price is fair compared with other lip oils. The brand’s own shade descriptions are helpful for choosing.
Dream Lip Oil Shades
There are eight shades. Rose Bud is a sheer cool pink, Blush Dreams a sheer blush, Soft Mauve a sheer cool mauve and Bare Sand a sheer neutral sand. Midnight Berry is described as a semi-sheer warm berry and is the deepest in the group, while Warm Beige, Pink Cloud and Rosewood Nights round out the set.
If you want the closest thing to a clear gloss, Bare Sand or Rose Bud are the safest starting points. If you prefer a visible wash of color, Midnight Berry gives the most depth.
What Do They Cost in Real Terms?
Price per ounce is only part of the story, because you apply a very small amount each time. A balm tube that is more than three times the size of an oil tube will usually last longer in everyday use. At the same time, the oil gives a stronger shine from a single pass, so some people use less of it.
If you want to compare more affordable options, our guide to a popular budget butter gloss shows how a roughly $6 formula stacks up. For the other end of the market, see our breakdowns of Dior lip gloss formulas and Rhode’s gloss shades.
Which One Should You Buy?
The right pick depends on what you want from your lips, so match the product to the situation. This table lays it out simply.
| Your Goal | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, chapped lips and overnight care | Lip Butter Balm | Thick butters and mask-like feel |
| Maximum shine | Dream Lip Oil | Glassier, higher-shine finish |
| Sheer everyday color | Lip Butter Balm or Rose Bud oil | Forgiving, natural tint |
| Deeper color | Midnight Berry oil | Most pigment in the lineup |
| Tight budget | A drugstore butter gloss | Roughly $22 per ounce |
Getting More Gloss From the Balm
If you already own the balm and want a shinier result, a few small steps help. Start with clean, exfoliated lips, then outline with a liner that matches your natural color. A neutral liner filled across the lips gives the balm something to sit on, which improves staying power. Our look at NYX lip liners covers affordable options that pair well.
Press the balm on and dab, instead of swiping back and forth, which helps keep it from thinning out. Reapply after eating and carry it with you, since the soft formula is designed for comfort and not for long wear. For help picking a neutral shade to wear underneath, this guide to finding your perfect nude lipstick is a useful reference.
Who Might Want to Skip Them
If you want strong, opaque color, neither product will deliver it, and a tint or lipstick is a better fit. If you dislike scented lip products, remember that the balm shades are flavored and the experience is part of the appeal. Anyone watching their budget may find both options expensive for a sheer finish.
Another point is longevity. The balm and oil are comfort-first formulas, so they fade with eating and drinking. For a longer-lasting base, our roundup of Korean lip tints shows stain-style products that work well underneath a clear layer.
Buying Safely
The safest places to buy are Sephora and the Summer Fridays website, where stock is fresh and returns are straightforward. Resale listings vary widely, with eBay prices ranging from around $14 to $50 for the same balm depending on shade and demand. That swing can signal scarcity, but it can also mean older or counterfeit stock.
One review site reported the balm at $19.20 during the brand’s 20 percent off sales, so it can be worth waiting for a promotion. Check the box and the tube for crisp printing, and avoid sellers who will not accept returns. Lip products have an open-jar life of about twelve months, so avoid very old stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Summer Fridays make a lip gloss?
Not under that name. The products people usually mean are the Lip Butter Balm and the Dream Lip Oil, which give a glossy finish in different ways.
Which Summer Fridays product is the shiniest?
The Dream Lip Oil gives the glassiest shine. The Lip Butter Balm is glossy but softer and more cushiony.
Is the Lip Butter Balm sticky?
Reviewers describe it as buttery, not sticky or greasy. It is thicker than a typical gloss, which some people prefer.
Is Summer Fridays lip gloss vegan?
The Lip Butter Balm is described as vegan and cruelty-free, and the brand says its lip collection is vegan and cruelty-free overall. Check each product page for the latest details.
How much does the Lip Butter Balm cost?
It is $24 for 0.5 oz at Sephora and on the brand’s site. The Dream Lip Oil is $26 for 0.15 oz.
Can I wear it overnight?
Yes. The brand positions the Lip Butter Balm for daily wear and as an overnight mask.
Final Thoughts
Summer Fridays lip gloss is really two different products with two different strengths, and choosing between them is easier once you know that. Pick the Lip Butter Balm for cushiony comfort and overnight care, and pick the Dream Lip Oil for the glassiest shine. If you want strong color or a lower price, a tint or a drugstore gloss will serve you better.
