Summer Fridays was founded by two beauty influencers that I had honestly not heard of before. They launched in 2018 starting off with a single product, the now famous, Jet Lag mask. In four years’ time, they’ve grown their line to include more well-known and talked about products. My main interest in the brand comes from being influenced by Instagram and, well, their aesthetics.
I got a full size Jet Lag mask in my SpaceNK advent calendar and decided to compliment it with the Summer Fridays Morning Minis kit. This kit included some of their newest additions that I’ve been eyeing, like their CC Me Vitamin C serum and the Cloud Dew Gel Cream. The kit also includes a meshed travel bag that I found cute and practical enough to keep. As I’m publishing this, the kit is still available at SpaceNK if you’re interested to try out them for yourself!
Jet Lag Mask
I got this full-sized Jet Lag mask in my SpaceNK advent calendar 2021. Having heard good things about it I decided to keep it. I did get the Overtime mask in my Cult Beauty advent calendar 2020, but sold it further without trying it out. The Jet Lag mask is a no-rinse face mask (basically a moisturizer) described to be for stressed, tired, and thirsty skin.
Apart from niacinamide, glycerine, and hyaluronic acid, it contains a soothing blend of allantoin, bisabolol, B5, and cucumber. The cream itself has a thick texture that doesn’t spread and apply as elegantly as I expected. Instead, it needs to be massaged in with somewhat tugging motions. While on the skin, it sinks in pretty quickly, with a dry feel. Could even be used as your AM moisturizer.
I find it to do sort of what it says it does. My skin seems to look and feel calmer the morning after. However, the boost of hydration is simply not there. And my skin feels more or less dry the morning after compared to similar products – despite hydrating essence underneath! It feels like this was formulated for combination/oily skin in mind or something. Because if you have dry skin this probably wouldn’t do much for you. And although it’s supposed to be soothing, it looks like those with high sensitivity should be cautious based on some reviewers. Now, a little goes a long way, so it will last you for quite some time.
Considering the price and effect I find it a little “meh”. There are cheaper moisturizers with similar ingredients that have a nicer texture and feel overall. Not to forget, more hydrating. I was happy to test it out as many of those I follow love it – some even use it as their night and day moisturizer. But I personally don’t understand the hype after six months of use. For my skin needs, I wouldn’t repurchase it. I just don’t reach for it as much as I go for the IDUN Moisturizing Face Mask, which I’ve used for years. My recommendation is to get the travel size if you really want to try it out.
CC Me Vitamin C Serum
Besides the Cloud Dew moisturizer, I was really excited to try out the CC Me vitamin C serum. I’ve had it on my wishlist far too long but wasn’t sure enough to splurge on it. The golden trio in skincare is SPF, retinoids and vitamin C. However, as of late, I haven’t been using any vitamin C serum because of their numerous inconveniences: they’re expensive, they don’t last long, they have a hot-dog scent, they’re often very fluid and hard to apply, and many leave the skin feeling slightly tacky.
The Summer Fridays CC Me serum uses the fairly new and stable form of vitamin C, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, and Ascorbyl Glucoside. Meaning, that you don’t have to stress using it up within 2 to 3 months! Together with niacinamide, they tackle dark spots and hyperpigmentation for a brighter and more glowing complexion. The antioxidant protection together with some peptides also works on minimizing fine lines. And to top it all off, it’s got some hydrating ingredients as well.
This serum truly lived up to the hype! It’s got an easy-to-apply texture that doesn’t come off as tacky on the skin. I’ve been able to use it daily with enjoyment and without irritation. As for the visible results, it’s hard to say as my skin is in a generally “good place”. And when it’s not, skincare has very little effect on it. Either way, I didn’t find it to deliver as fast-acting and remarkable results as perhaps the Drunk Elephant C-Firma (review here). However, I enjoyed the texture and feel of it 10x more than any other vitamin C serum I’ve tried before!
My only complaint, I guess, is the price. But it definitely falls under the category “products I would repurchase… when on sale.” They say that the best products are the ones you enjoy using. And out of the high-end vitamin C serums I’ve tried, this one has been the most fuss-free.
Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer
I’ve been eyeing this moisturizer since it launched last year. I imagined it to be similar to the Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream (review here) but perhaps more sophisticated. It’s jam-packed with amino acids, brightening pineapple enzyme, ascorbic acid, and plumping peptides. With consistent use, it’s supposed to help smooth and even out skin tone.
The Summer Fridays cloud dew is a nice moisturizer and I did like the overall feeling on my skin. It left my skin soft and supple. But I personally prefer creams over gels. I also think it’s something with this one being oil-free that didn’t sit well with me. I much prefer the Banana Soufflé cream (that has oils) over this one. Feels like it’s much intended for younger people with oily/combination skin. Again, not the biggest fan of jar packaging, which I feel lets you take more than you actually need or would if it came in a pump. But also, this moisturizer contains ascorbic acid, which I can’t see to be doing much for skin after a month.
It’s definitely not a bad moisturizer, but it didn’t leave me hugely impressed by it. If anything I can see myself buying this little travel set again. But I wouldn’t go out and specifically purchase this moisturizer as I prefer a different texture and packaging.
Super Amino Gel Cleanser
If you like gel cleansers, I think you’d like this one! I found it to be gentle, hydrating, and yet effective. Great as a morning cleanser or a second cleanse. But I did find it to even remove certain makeup well on its own! It’s not awfully special but does a great job. Like Cloud Dew, this one’s packed with amino acids and hydrating minerals. I personally like foaming cleansers but this cleanser has almost converted me and I’ve been enjoying taking this with me on weekend getaways. Highly recommend the Super Amino Gel Cleanser to anyone who prefers gel cleansers or like a gentle and hydrating wash. I would consider rephrasing this in the future.
Conclusion
Despite the founders being over thirty and older than me… My impression from testing out these products is that Summer Fridays has some great products but is much better suited for younger skin. Or that they at least are targeting a younger demographic than their own age with their products. Now, some will argue there’s no age type. And I totally get that you can have dry or oily skin at any age. I’m definitely making a generalization when I speak of younger vs more mature skin here.
Still, I feel like the 22-year-old me would’ve greater benefitted using this range. As I’ve aged and my skin’s gotten more balanced, gel creams and cleansers aren’t really satisfying my needs. But that something like their more active skincare products could still appeal. It’s something to have in mind if you’re interested in their products; the range feels more suited for oily/combination skin. Summer Fridays is still a relevantly new brand. As the brand grows, there’s no doubt that they will develop products that accommodate drier skin types with thicker and richer textures in the near future.
Despite a somewhat underwhelming first experience with the brand, I’m still interested to try more! I’m currently eyeing their new Sheer Skin Tint and Dream Oasis Deep Hydration Serum. As for the Morning Minis Set. All three products worked very synergistically and were a joy to use. The serum and gel cream lasted me about a month of daily use. I still got a lot left of the cleanser, which I save for traveling. I got the kit on sale but even then I find it to be a good value for your money. Definitely recommend it if you want to try out the brand! Or perhaps you already love all these products, then it’s great for having them in travel size too.
