Genetics aren’t the only thing that has granted our favourite celebrities flawless-looking skin – skincare products play a huge role when it comes to their glow too. However, that doesn’t mean we all need to take out a loan to match these celebs’ beauty routines.
If you need to get glowing without breaking the bank, turn to Summer Fridays, the cult-favourite brand that’s gotten a seal of approval from both Kim Kardashian West and Jessica Alba. The skincare label is also one of the spanking new brands to join Net-a-Porter’s lineup of beauty brands.
For those who are new to the brand, there’s simply no better time to get acquainted with Summer Fridays. Ahead, we spoke to founders Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt to find out how Summer Fridays came to be and share the bestsellers you need to try, stat.
Summer Fridays: Behind the brand
Credit: @marianna_hewitt on Instagram
Founders Lauren Ireland (left) and Marianna Hewitt (right)
Beauty influencers Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt rose to prominence through their blogs and YouTube channel where they tried, tested, and shared their love for beauty products.
“We’ve been friends for more than a decade and we had always dreamed of creating something together,” Marianna says, “The idea behind Summer Fridays stemmed from our love for skincare and the closeness we each had to our online communities.”
Credit: @summerfridays on Instagram
Three years ago, the demand for clean beauty products was also at an all-time high. “We knew others were craving clean and effective products with a brand story that resonated. I was also early into my first pregnancy at the time and needed clean skincare solutions that worked,” Lauren shared. There was no better time for the pair to start their own skincare line.
And if you’re wondering why they named the brand Summer Fridays, these ladies have the perfect reasons for that. “We wanted our brand name to evoke a specific feeling that would transport you someplace far away, if even from your own home,” Lauren shares. Marianna added, “We wanted to capture that sense of escapism and self-care.”
Launching the very first Summer Fridays product
Credit: @gelcream on Instagram
The first product they created was none other than the Jet Lag Mask, which has been carefully designed to dominate your feeds and virtual shopping carts. “We packaged it in a blue aluminium tube, so it would pop in photos and videos across social platforms,” Marianna explains.
“The formulation itself was largely rooted in what we wanted for ourselves and those within our online communities: a multi-purpose hydrating mask with clean, effective ingredients,” she lets on. It’s a clever move, seeing as how masks are a fun, universal, easy-to-use skincare staple in our beauty routines.
When it comes to formulating new products, one thing they’ve both learned is that it takes time. “That can be tough when we are eager to launch something because we go through several rounds of tweaking before moving forward with the products you see,” Lauren shares.
Marianna adds, “We have to be personally obsessed with them, so sometimes it requires a lot of changes with our lab. Determining the right packaging is also a more complicated part of the process that I wouldn’t have known prior to having our own brand.”
Bestsellers from Summer Fridays
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
An Instagram sensation, the Jet Lag Mask is perfect for stressed-out complexions. Its vegan formula drenches the skin in a nourishing blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and ceramides to soothe, hydrate, and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Chestnut extract in the formula activates your skin’s natural exfoliation process, sloughing away dead skin cells and dullness to leave your skin dewy. Vitamin C also provides powerful antioxidant protection to brighten your complexion.
The mask is also infused with niacinamide to reduce the appearance of large pores, while green tea extract reduces puffiness and inflammation. What you’ll see is smoother, more radiant skin in a flash.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask retails for US$58.09 (S$78) at Net-a-Porter.
Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream
To keep your skin fresh and dewy all day, try the Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream. “Cloud Dew is especially great for humid climates because it’s so light while still being really hydrating,” Lauren recommends.
It calls upon a medley of hydrating heroes and potent antioxidants to plump and protect your skin. The oil-free formula contains three weights of hyaluronic acid to penetrate different levels of your skin’s surface to deliver up to 72 hours of moisture.
A godsend for parched, combination or oily skin types, this gel-cream hydrates without clogging your pores. What’s more, it’s infused with ceramides, minerals, and vitamin-rich pineapple enzymes to reveal luminous, smooth skin.
Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream retails for US$27.45 (S$37) at Net-a-Porter.
Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser
A nourishing gel cleanser that’s also perfect for our humid climate, the Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser uses plant-based surfactants to create a dense lather.
It’s also bursting with amino acids, which replenish, strengthen, and hydrate the skin. There’s also nourishing vitamin E, sodium PCA, and sodium lactate, which work to protect the skin from free radicals.
On top of that, coconut and sunflower oils in the formula help to remove makeup, while they infuse the skin with essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. Simply dispense one to two pumps, lather, and massage it into your skin.
Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser retails for US$63.58 (S$85) at Net-a-Porter.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
A favourite for both Lauren and Marianna, the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is hydrating and buttery without feeling sticky or tacky on the lips.
Brimming with conditioning shea and murumuru butters, which are rich in vitamins and moisturising oleic acid, the lip balm deeply nourishes your lips to prevent dryness. Its creamy texture soothes and softens chapped lips instantly, so you won’t have to worry about dry flakes and cracked lips.
Even better, it’s infused with a sweet hint of natural vanilla that lingers after you’ve applied it.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm retails for US$78.03 (S$104) at Net-a-Porter.
Summer Fridays CC Me Serum
This multitasking brightening serum is one for the lazy girls. It features two potent forms of vitamin C to deliver instant radiance to your skin, while it reduces the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, so you can skip the base makeup.
Packed with squalane, the serum also helps to lock in moisture for that extra glow and protect the skin against free radicals. Clinically proven peptides also aid in promoting youthful-looking skin.
“I cannot live without our CC Me Serum – I go through a bottle a week! It instantly brightens while also working on dark spots and hyperpigmentation,” Lauren exclaims.
Summer Fridays CC Me Serum retails for US$54.19 (S$72) at Net-a-Porter.
