Our Verdict On Summer Friday's Blush Butter Balms

Chloe’s Summer Fridays Lip Blush Butter Balm review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Soft Strawberry

• Skin tone: Fair

Give me any makeup product in a balm formula – be it a foundation, a bronzer, or a blush – and I'm all in. It essentially guarantees a buttery, ultra-blendable texture and a finish that looks like real skin, which is always my goal when it comes to makeup. Put simply, I was very excited to try Summer Fridays’ blush.

I tested the shade Soft Strawberry, and true to its name, it’s soft - a delicate, rosy pink that gave my skin a subtle, healthy flush. It’s feminine and flattering, but definitely required building up to create any sort of high-impact blush moment. It honestly feels more like a lip balm than a blush.

Application-wise, I dabbed a little onto the back of my hand and worked it into my brush before sweeping it onto my cheeks. It’s a simple trick for getting a seamless blend. That said, the formula is so forgiving that it hardly requires any technique. It’s easy to work with, hard to overdo, and blends out effortlessly.

All in all, this blush was a joy to use. The packaging is chic, the shades are wearable, and the finish makes your skin look naturally radiant. It’s perfect for daytime looks or anyone in pursuit of a “your-skin-but-fresher" vibe. For full-glam nights? Maybe not. But for everything else, it’s a definite yes.

Julie’s Summer Fridays Lip Blush Butter Balm review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Sweet Rose

• Skin tone: Fair

Sweet Rose is a darker, rose pink and it is utterly gorgeous. It gives off a soft, very demure finish, perfect if you want that soft pinched look. In terms of pay-off, I’d definitely say it’s less pigmented than other cream blushers I’ve used recently. That being aid, it’s very lightweight, so you can keep layering it on without it feeling heavy.

I really liked the format with the compact and mirror as it felt very different to other cream blushes we’re currently being inundated with. Like Chloe said, it literally feels like butter and it so soft. I reviewed this formula during the heatwave and found that it set quite nicely, despite the insane temperatures. I use a setting spray whenever I wear makeup, so the Summer Fridays’ blush did last for me but I’m not sure how much of that was the blusher, which I appreciate isn’t super helpful, but it is honest.

Would I use Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm again? Absolutely. I really liked how lightweight it felt and the compact is ideal for on-the-go touch ups.

Bethany’s Summer Fridays Cream Blush review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Pink Sunset

• Skin tone: Fair

First and foremost, the packaging is so compact and easy to travel with that it’s hard not to fall in love with this blush before you’ve even tried the formula. I was pleasantly surprised by how creamy the texture was and how easy it was to blend out.

I reviewed Pink Sunset, which is a beautiful true pink shade. The formula glides on without looking patchy and the super sheer finish can be layered up. It gave my skin a very natural and dewy finish – the perfect summer glow some might say.

As someone who doesn’t wear foundation, Summer Fridays blush worked really well with the rest of my makeup. I applied the blush to my cheekbones using a brush and added a small amount onto my nose, but I can also see myself using my fingers for a more natural look.

Lauren’s Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Berry Spritz

• Skin tone: Medium-deep with warm undertone

Let me start by saying I loved Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm! It’s so creamy and easy to blend, and the colour is gorgeous and matches my skin tone well. I went for Berry Spritz, which is a very warm, juicy berry shade. It’s the perfect mix of purple and deep pink, and definitely works well for darker skin tones.

Unlike everyone else, I actually found this cream blush to be quite pigmented. I liked that it’s very easy to blend out if you initially apply too much. The finish is very glowy and gives you a gorgeous, sun kissed look. I used a blush brush to apply it, but it’s so creamy that I’ll probably use my fingers next time. I wore it over my foundation with highlighter and powder on top.

Usually I get home from work and my blusher has all but disappeared, but Summer Fridays’ formula was still prominent, and I even got a compliment from my mum. After a very long, sweaty day, she said my blush looked nice, so it shows the formula lasted throughout the day!

Vanessa’s Summer Fridays Cream Blush Review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Toasted Terracotta

• Skin tone: Olive

As a lover of blush in every shape and form, I was so excited to try Summer Fridays’ blush. I decided to go for the shade Toasted Terracotta, which is a gorgeous, very warm pinkie-brown shade. Packaging doesn’t usually phase me, but I’ll be honest – I don’t love how the formula is presented. It seems like it’s designed for people who use their fingers rather than a brush – so, as someone who prefers using a brush, I found dipping my brush into it a very messy process.

I did, however, fall in love with the shade the minute I applied it onto my skin. I felt like it made me look bronzed, radiant and healthy! I found it super easy to build up, and the colour payoff was just right. As for the consistency, it’s super balmy and creamy; it’s a product that’s very true to its name!

I usually always pair a cream or liquid blush with a powder formula on top – I loved teaming this one with Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush, £ 26,00 in Hope. I did try it on its own, and while the finish was initially lovely, it just wasn't forgiving enough on my textured, oily complexion. Most of the colour would be gone by the end of a working day, and even on days when I did top it off with powder, it still looked patchy after a few hours – and my pores looked pretty emphasised.

I have cream blushes that do work for me, so this hasn’t hit the mark. It’s a shame as I absolutely adore the shade I picked. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to people who have balanced, dry or even combination skin, as it does feel like a super nourishing formula. But if like me you have oily skin, its super creamy texture might not work for you.

Darcy's Summer Fridays Cream Blush Review

• Shade reviewed: Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm, £ 27,00 in Dusty Rose

• Skin tone: Pale olive

As someone who is obsessed with blush (and has an extensive blush wardrobe to prove it), I'm always on the lookout for new formulas to try out different rosy looks. And with barely-there makeup continuing to dominate, this dewy, buttery launch landed at the perfect time.

I tried the shade Dusty Rose, which is a lovely muted pink hue. The texture really sold me, it was balmy, blendable, and so easy to work with. I used my fingers to tap it over my cheeks and eye lids and even on top of my lips as the formula is incredibly hydrating and nourishing. I loved that it melted into my skin without disrupting any makeup underneath as it didn't require any heavy tugging to blend it in, just a few gentle dabs and I was literally glowing.

The finish is ultra sheer which tinted my complexion just enough to inject some life but allowed my skin to peek through, giving a slightly wet look that felt fresh rather than greasy. And that dewy glow lasted from my morning commute right until I clocked off at 5:30 pm. The colour payoff is more 'post-Pilates flush' than it is a full-glam moment. But on days when I want more, I have been using it on top of formulas that are higher in pigment to lock the look in place with a glassy finish.

Our verdict on the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm

Judging by the reviews, it’s safe to say that Summer Fridays is just as skilled at formulating cream blushers as it is lip balms. Everyone raved about the creamy, buttery texture of the Blush Butter Balms and the dewy finish, but there were a few niggles.

THE PROS:As we mentioned, the texture was something our reviewers really loved about Summer Fridays’ cream blush – it glided on and was super easy to blend. They also liked the glowy finish it gave their skin. “I’m taking mine on holiday with me this week because it gives the perfect summer glow,” Lauren told us. There was a lot of love for the compact format too, especially for on-the-go touch ups.

THE CONS:While the creamy texture lends itself to drier skin types, those with oily skin might be disappointed with the longevity of this cream blush. You might find that your setting spray helps overcome this issue though.

More From Summer Fridays

Summer Fridays is famous for its Lip Butter Balm, but it was the Jet Lag Mask that put the brand on the map initially. Infused with hydrated ingredients, this rich, creamy face mask helps to revive dry, tired skin in a matter of minutes – although you can also use it overnight for supercharged results. If you’re going away any time soon or have a special event in the diary, we recommend stocking up the Jet Lag Eye Patches too!

Another formula you should seek out is the super dreamy Sheer Skin Tint. Available in 12 shades, this lightweight skin tint helps to smooth out uneven tone without feeling heavy or greasy. It’s a summer skin essential in our opinion.