Five. That’s the number of compliments I received within two hours of testing the new Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balm. I was shooting some content in the beauty closet, and thought it the perfect time to give it a try. On camera, I opened the matte white palette to reveal an emollient raspberry pigment—shade Berry Spritz, to be exact. I gently dipped one side of the brand’s new dual-ended brush in the blush, and buffed in the product. I’m still shocked by how pigmented it was—leaving my cheeks bursting with color, undeniably gleaming—comparable to the way the Lip Butter Balm leaves one’s pout.

Summer Fridays founders Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt tell Vogue this exactly what they envisioned for a Summer Fridays blush: a product that bring its skincare-first mindset and signature buttery feel to a color cosmetic. (It’s take two for the brand, after its Blush Balm Sticks were discontinued in 2023.) “We love an effortless flush with a dewy finish and a blush in balm form just made sense for us and our approach to hybrid makeup,” Hewitt and Ireland tell. “It was the natural next step in expanding our vision of skin-first beauty with color that looks as good as it feels.”

What I noticed very quickly on my first use, is how truly creamy and silky smooth this blush is—something I think sets it well apart from others on the market. Lately, I’ve been reaching for options with a bit less glide for whatever reason (be it the return of matte finishes, or the appeal of the new blurred trends) but this has swung me completely back to the dewy side. “We wanted a real color payoff that melts seamlessly into the skin,” they share. “Our goal was to find that perfect balance—something that delivers rich, buildable pigment in a buttery, skin-nourishing formula.” Texture, color payoff, and finish (all glow, no shimmer!) were key points during development which I think are showcased well in this formula. There are six shades to choose between—from Soft Strawberry, a traditional pink, to Toasted Terracotta, a warm orange-brown—each offering fresh, bouncy color apt for all skin tones, inspired by “the kinds of tones you naturally see in the moments around you during the summer months.” Think: an idyllic sunset or oceanic corals.

Photo: Courtesy of Summer Fridays

Photo: Courtesy of Summer Fridays

And naturally, Blush Butter Balm has a composition that’s as nourishing as the radiance it yields. A trio of butters (shea, mango seed, and illipe) lead the formula, rounded out with fatty acids for a cushiony slip. Peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid lend additional barrier repair and hydration, treating the cheeks to skin-boosting benefits whenever applied. “Every ingredient was chosen to work with your skin, not against it, so it wears beautifully throughout the day and helps your skin feel better over time,” the pair share, adding that the formula is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it suitable for most skin types.

“Creating a formula that wouldn’t emphasize texture or settle into fine lines was top of mind during development,” the co-founders say. “As both of us have gotten older, we’ve found ourselves moving away from overly matte or powdery products as they can settle into our pores and fine lines rather than enhance the skin”—instead gravitating toward creamy textures that bring life back to the complexion. And that it does! The balm base truly melts into skin, mimicking a natural flush of color. It blends exceptionally well, be it with the fingers or using the complementary makeup brush—with bristles and shapes designed to work with the buttery texture of the balm, not against it.

Just remember, Blush Butter Balm offers incredible color payoff, so start with a few dabs of product and build up to your desired finish. (I did not take my own advice on my initial application and was left blending for minutes!). A light application lends a more sheer wash, whereas additional product feels more full-coverage. “We wanted you to have control of how much or little you wanted and for the formula to be easy enough for anyone to use,” they say. “We’ve learned so much about our community over the years, and what they want is clear: products that are both intuitive and effective. Blush Butter Balm is a reflection of that: it adds just the right amount of dew and color in a formula that looks beautiful and feels good on your skin.”