Lip balms have quietly become the new status symbol, half self-care, half aesthetic accessory, and two formulas keep coming up in the group chats: e.l.f.’s latest lip balm and Summer Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm. They look similar, they feel similar, and they both lean into that glossy, dessert-coded vibe that TikTok can’t get enough of. After testing both (and talking about them with alarming frequency), I wanted to break down what actually sets them apart. As a beauty editor, I get to test a lot of lip products, so I’m always paying attention to what’s hype versus what’s worth it.
Formula Overview: Why They Feel So Similar
At their core, both balms have similar formulas:
- A synthetic emollient base for slip and shine
- Waxes to give structure and help the balm last
- Butters for comfort
- A few hydrating and antioxidant ingredients to support the lips
That’s why, when you swipe them on, they both deliver that glossy, cushiony, non-sticky feel.
Common Ingredients:
These shared ingredients explain why the overall experience is so similar:
- Diisostearyl Malate: Gives that smooth, buttery glide
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene / Polybutene: Creates shine and locks in moisture
- Shea Butter: Softens and conditions dry lips
- Microcrystalline & Synthetic Waxes: Help the balm stay put
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): Adds hydration
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E): Provides antioxidant benefits
- Vanillin: Adds that subtle, sweet scent/flavour
If you like how one feels on the lips, chances are you’ll like the other too.
Key Differences in Ingredients
What Makes e.l.f. Lip Balm Different
e.l.f. leans into a more ingredient-packed approach with extra oils and butters, including:
- Mango seed butter
- Cocoa seed butter
- Jojoba oil
- Meadowfoam seed oil
- Sunflower seed oil
- Dipotassium glycyrrhizate (a soothing, licorice-derived ingredient)
- Added fragrance and fragrance components
This gives e.l.f. a slightly richer, more nourishing feel, especially if your lips are very dry—but fragrance could be something to consider if you’re sensitive.
What Makes Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Different
Summer Fridays keeps things more edited and minimal, focusing on:
- Murumuru seed butter alongside Shea butter
- A simpler oil blend
- Lower fragrance impact (mainly vanillin)
It’s less thick and makes it easy to reapply, which works well for daytime wear or layering over lip liner.
Are More Oils and Butters Actually Better?
Not necessarily—and this is where context matters.
More oils and butters can mean:
- Extra comfort
- A richer feel
- Better for very dry or chapped lips
But they can also:
- Wear off faster
- Feel heavier
A more streamlined formula often wears longer and feels more balanced. In lip balms, ingredient balance matters more than ingredient count.
Why Both Brands Lean Into Food-Inspired Beauty
Both e.l.f. and Summer Fridays have tapped into one of beauty’s most reliable storytelling tools: food. Shade names read like dessert menus, campaign photos feature cozy cafés and pastries, and swatches mimic syrupy glazes and buttered textures. None of this is accidental.
Food-coded beauty works for a reason. It taps into comfort and nostalgia, making a product feel instantly familiar—even if you’ve never tried it. It’s sensory marketing at its finest: your brain registers taste, texture, and scent before you’ve even applied the product.
It also performs exceptionally well in a scroll-driven world. A shot of a glossy balm next to a croissant or an iced latte does more than look pretty—it pauses thumbs, sparks curiosity, and sells an entire mood with one frame.
Most importantly, food makes beauty feel human. It turns a lip balm into a lifestyle moment, a little ritual, or a tiny luxury you can indulge in daily. For lip products in particular, the connection feels natural: sweet, soft, creamy, or glazed textures translate seamlessly to the mouth.
In other words, food-inspired beauty doesn’t just sell product—it sells pleasure, comfort, and relatability. And in 2026, that’s a winning formula.
My Experience Wearing Them
After wearing both side-by-side, I can confidently say these two are very similar, but there are slight differences. The e.l.f. Lip Balm has a thicker, richer feel, and on me, it actually felt more hydrating in colder weather. Considering the price point, it’s a great option for teens or younger beauty lovers, especially if you’re doing the DIY key chain thing that’s all over TikTok right now.
The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, on the other hand, is more of an everyday, on-the-go staple. It’s easy to reapply throughout the day, it layers well with lip liners, and it never feels heavy or overly slick. It’s the one I toss in my bag without thinking.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose e.l.f. Lip Balm if you want:
- An affordable, richer, more ingredient-dense formula
- Extra oils and soothing ingredients
- A cozy, lip-care-forward feel
- Choose Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm if you want:
- A more minimal formula
- Lower fragrance impact
- A sleeker, more polished texture
Ultimately, the decision comes down to a few things: whether you prefer a richer and thicker formula or something simple and refined, how much you’re willing to spend, and, let’s be honest, which brand you feel more loyal to. Both get the job done; they just do it with slightly different energy.
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Treatment
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the content I create—thank you!