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I've Tried Almost All of Summer Fridays' Viral Lip Balms, But the New Hot Cocoa Flavor Is Officially My Favorite

It's so good, I even wear it at home

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summer fridays hot cocoa lip balm universal
PureWow/Sephora/Natalie LaBarbera

In case you somehow missed it, the Summer Fridays line of lip butter balms has been going viral over the past few years—and I won't hesitate to admit I've picked up more than my fair share of the flavors. But while the iced coffee and classic vanilla have been some of my go-tos so far, the recently released (and limited-edition) hot cocoa hue ($24) is undoubtedly my favorite one yet. Typically, I tend to hoard my favorite beauty products for special occasions (or at least days when I'm actually leaving my apartment), but the chocolate-in-a-bottle flavor of this one is *so good,* I can't resist wearing it constantly. In fact, I already have a second tube in my cart.

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If you aren't familiar with these coveted lip balms, here's the rundown: For one, they're made with natural, moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and murumuru seed butter, along with vegan waxes that keep your lips soft and shiny with regular use. The lip balm is cruelty-free and 100 percent vegan, too, and has even earned the "Clean at Sephora" badge that notes when products are made without things like parabens and phalathates.

Summer Fridays

When it comes to actually applying the lip balm, I find that it goes on *so smoothly,* and I don't need to use a ton to get full coverage on my lips. The color's super sheer, too, so it provides just a hint of brown that's ideal for wearing any time of day, from coffee runs to Zoom meetings. Plus, it definitely leaves my lips, which are usually super dry, feeling moisturized sans any stickiness. If you can't already tell, I'm obsessed with this flavor, which really smells *and* tastes like a rich cup of cocoa, so my only complaint is that it doesn't come in a bigger size.

And in case you were wondering, I'm not the only one in love with these lip balms. One Sephora reviewer writes, "Finally caved and bought [this] and I get it now. [It's] super lightweight while still being glossy and hydrating. I have sweet mint, pink sugar, and cherry....They smell so good and I can’t wait to try more." And considering they've racked up more than 7,000 5-star reviews across the multiple offerings, it's safe to say their cult following is totally warranted. 

There's only one catch with the limited-edition flavors of the Summer Fridays lip balms—and that's that they tend to sell out *fast.* Like I mentioned above, I'm ready to stock up on this one after the last limited-edition flavor I loved flew off the shelves. So take it from me—snatch this winter-ready lip balm up (and maybe an extra) while you still can.


natalie bio photo e1692204716113

Assistant Commerce Editor

  • Writes commerce stories and features that span multiple topics, including fashion, beauty, travel, home and sales/deals
  • Has contributed to reports on ethical fashion and continues to stay up-to-date on sustainablility developments
  • Completed a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in fashion studies at Parsons The New School

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