A GUIDE TO SUMMER FRIDAYS FACE MASKS

Which one do I pick?

Summer Fridays make great masks, they balance fun and results equally, but when a brand is so well known for three complexion boosting treatments, sometimes we just want to know which one it is that we need…

Generally speaking, I’m not massively into masks, which is why I prefer the newer products from Summer Fridays, however I can see how all three of these would be a perfect addition to the right persons routine- and if you’re really into masking, these are such a treat!

Having used them all, I hope this guide will help you figure out which mask to go for or try out next… 😉

Jet Lag Mask

Jet Lag is the first product from Summer Fridays, and though it’s currently being reformulated without essential oils, I don’t believe anything other than the sensorial aspect of the mask will be changed (I was never a huge fan of peppermint oil anyway!)

Put simply, this mask is a hydrating and moisturising multi-tasker. You can use it as a wash off intensive treatment, leave it on as a night mask, use a light layer as priming moisturiser or even as a luxury hand treatment.

Not only was Jet Lag cleverly named, but it was designed to alleviate telltale signs of tiredness which often show up in our skin. It helps to revitalize tired skin, take care of both dehydration and dryness with shea butter, ceramides and hyaluronic acid whilst aiding a healthy barrier function with Niacinamide.

This is best for someone who struggles with dry skin, particularly if you find makeup doesn’t sit as well as you would like it to. If you want a mask you don’t need to worry about, this is it. Results without the effort. My tip? Add a drop of facial oil to boost the overnight results.

Ingredients: Water, Caprylic /Capric Triglyceride, Castanea Sativa (Chestnut) Seed Extract, Diheptyl Succinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea)Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate , PEG 100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Physalis Angulata Extract, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, Ceramide 1, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Arginine, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mentha Arvensis (Cornmint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange)Peel Oil, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract

NOTE: At time of posting in February 2021, Summer Fridays have released a new body cream and Jet Lag Mask has temporarily been discontinued whilst they reformulate in response to their customers experiencing sensitivity to the essential oil content- if you have, use and enjoy the original formula there doesn’t seem to be anything to worry about- but it’s worth noting that the brand responded to this situation impeccably and as they should, with their customer at the forefront of their mind.

Overtime Mask

Overtime Mask is Summer Fridays answer to a physical exfoliant. The spherical apricot seed powder and pumpkin extract exfoliate the skin, prepping it to receive hydration and refine skin texture.

This is my least reached for mask of the range because I prefer a chemical exfoliant (like Soft Reset) and if using a resurfacing mask my preference is to reach for something stronger.

Simply massage onto the skin and leave behind a thick layer for ten minutes, I wouldn’t use this more than twice a week but it can be used AM or PM.

This is best for someone who is wants brighter skin by using a physical exfoliant and likes the sensory aspect of cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin. It’s like autumn in a mask, for some it’ll be a dream come true. My tip is to follow any exfoliating mask with a hydrating mask to give yourself a post facial glow!

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alchol, Ceteareth-20, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Seed Powder, Beta-Carotene, Acrylates/Palmeth-25 Acrylate Copolymer, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Protein, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Leaf Oil, Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg ) Kernel Oil, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cinnamic Aldehyde, Eugenol

R&R Mask

R&R Mask is my favourite of the mask offering at Summer Fridays. From the sensorial experience to the radiance it leaves behind, I reach for this most. Appropriately named the ‘glow’ mask- it does just that, but it does take some getting used to.

This mask is completely the epitome of luxury, it is so nice to have, but not essential- which is half of the fun. It’s indulgent and makes me feel completely embraced in the self care aspect of skincare. The smell of bulgarian rose transports me to a spa and immediately leaves me calm.

It is a rich, oily mask with ground rose petals suspended within the formula, if these were not within a oil/sucrose base it would be harsh. But because it *is* in a sucrose base it polishes the skin and the oil hydrates. It shouldn’t work, but it does- I don’t know what to tell you!

Summer Fridays advise that you apply the mask and massage in to exfoliate, leave on for ten minutes and then rinse off, promising that there will be a glowy layer of the oils left behind and the petal powder will rinse away clean. In my experience, I find this to be near impossible. What I DO find is that if you gently apply, leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse away, every scrap of the mask should dissapear but you are left with a glowing and hydrated skin regardless. Trying to leave oil residue behind without any rose petals is not something I have ever managed here, and that is fine- because I still see the promised result.

This is best for someone who wants a blissful spa experience in a tube, a indulgent product that makes them feel better after using it than they were before, hence R&R. I like using this on clean skin before getting into the shower, letting the steam really enhance those oils and that bulgarian rose and then wiping away with a warm flannel and rinsing. SO. GOOD.

Ingredients: Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Sucrose, Silica, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Rosa Damascene (Bulgarian Rose) Flower Oil, Rosa Gallica (Rose) Flower Powder, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E) Acetate, All Natural Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

From L-R: Jet Lag, Overtime, R&R

I hope this has helped you in better understanding each of these masks, not just the ingredients (which I believe can only tell you so much), but how they perform in my experience too.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on Summer Fridays on Instagram and if you’d like to discover the brand in more detail you can check out the takeover here.

Jet Lag, Overtime and R&R masks are available at the following retailers:

UK: Selfridges, Cult Beauty and Space NK.

USA and Canada: Sephora and Sephora Canada

Australia: Mecca

Online: SummerFridays.com, Revolve, Net a Porter