I’m a 35-year-old beauty lover chasing that effortless, glowy look, so I tried the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint ($42, 1oz).
It promises a dewy, hydrated finish with skincare benefits, but with mixed buzz, is it worth your money?
I tested it to find out, and honestly, I’m not sold.
Available at major retailers, this tint has fans but also flaws.
I’ll share my real-world experience, pros, cons, and comparisons to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your makeup bag.
My Experience with Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint

I was excited to try the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint, drawn by its promise of a natural, radiant finish.
I chose shade 4 (Light-Medium, Neutral Olive) for my combination skin, hoping for an easy, everyday base.
Using my fingers, the lightweight, milky texture blended smoothly, giving a soft glow that evened out minor redness but left my freckles visible.
It felt hydrating, and on a quiet work-from-home day, it lasted about 10 hours, though my T-zone got shiny by noon, needing a quick powder touch-up.
The finish was lovely at first, but dry patches around my nose looked patchy, and in humid weather during a park walk, it slid off my cheeks.
Worse, after a week, I noticed tiny bumps on my chin, a red flag for my acne-prone skin.
The dewy look was perfect for casual Zoom calls, but the inconsistent texture and breakout risk disappointed me.
You’ll enjoy the glow if your skin cooperates, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all winner.
What Makes Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Stand Out?
Summer Fridays’ tint blends makeup and skincare, offering sheer-to-light coverage with a dewy finish.
It’s packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, plus tiger grass to soothe redness.
Available in 12 shades, it’s marketed as vegan, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic, aiming for a “your skin but better” vibe.
The runny formula blends easily but can feel greasy on oily skin.
It’s ideal for minimalists who want a quick, natural look, but the coverage is too light for blemishes, and some users report breakouts.
You’ll like its skincare focus, but it’s not flawless.
How It Fits Into My Routine
I used the tint daily for two weeks, applying it after sunscreen for a polished, low-effort look.
It’s fast to blend with fingers, perfect for rushed mornings.
The dewy finish paired well with blush and bronzer, but I needed concealer for dark circles since it’s so sheer.
On oily days, it required blotting by midday, unlike some other tints I’ve tried.
For casual coffee runs or Zoom meetings, it’s fine, but for long, humid days, it doesn’t hold up.
You’ll find it great for minimal makeup days but not for heavy coverage or active lifestyles.
Key Features of Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
The tint ($42, 30mL) delivers sheer-to-light coverage in a sleek, travel-friendly dropper bottle.
It’s infused with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and tiger grass for hydration and calming benefits.
Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, it’s designed for sensitive skin, though breakouts are a concern for some.
The 12-shade range works for many but lacks depth for darker tones.
It blends best with fingers or a sponge, not brushes, and offers a dewy, non-cakey finish.
You’ll appreciate its lightweight feel and eco-friendly vibe, but coverage and shade inclusivity fall short.
Pros of Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint:

- Lightweight feel: Barely noticeable, ideal for a no-makeup look.
- Hydrating formula: Keeps skin moisturized with hyaluronic acid and squalane.
- Dewy glow: Delivers a radiant, natural finish for healthy-looking skin.
- Vegan formula: Cruelty-free and eco-conscious for ethical buyers.
- Easy application: Blends smoothly with fingers or sponge for quick use.
- Soothes redness: Tiger grass calms minor irritation for sensitive skin.
- Fragrance-free: Reduces irritation risks for sensitive skin types.
- Travel-friendly bottle: Secure dropper prevents leaks in your bag.
- Non-cakey build: Layers without looking heavy for light makeup days.
- Recyclable packaging: Eco-friendly design with a recycling program.
Cons of Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint:
- Sheer coverage: Fails to cover dark spots or blemishes effectively.
- Breakout risk: Can clog pores, especially for acne-prone skin.
- Oily skin issues: Gets greasy on T-zone, needing powder touch-ups.
- Patchy on dry skin: Clings to dry patches, looking uneven.
- Limited shades: 12 shades don’t fully cover deeper skin tones.
- Pricey for value: $42 for 30mL feels steep for minimal coverage.
- No SPF protection: Lacks sun protection, unlike some competitors.
- Fades in humidity: Slides off during long or sweaty days.
- Not buildable: Extra layers don’t add much coverage.
- Dropper mess: Dispenses too much, leading to product waste.
I loved the tint’s glowy, hydrating vibe on good skin days, but the patchiness and breakout concerns were major drawbacks.
The limited shade range and lack of SPF made it less versatile than other options.
It’s great for a quick, natural look, but if you have oily or acne-prone skin, or need more coverage, it’s not the best pick.
You’ll enjoy it for casual days, but it’s not reliable for long wear or diverse skin tones.
Maintenance Tips for Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint
- Shake before use: Mixes pigments for even application.
- Cleanse thoroughly: Use a gentle cleanser to prevent clogged pores.
- Apply lightly: A pea-sized amount avoids greasiness on oily skin.
- Use a sponge: Ensures smooth, streak-free blending over brushes.
- Set with powder: Controls shine, especially on oily T-zones.
- Store upright: Prevents dropper leaks in your makeup bag.
- Patch test: Check for irritation, especially for acne-prone skin.
- Moisturize first: Hydrates dry patches to reduce patchiness.
- Avoid over-layering: Keeps the finish natural, as it’s not buildable.
- Use within 12 months: Maintains formula quality and performance.
I shake the bottle every time to ensure an even blend, applying with a damp sponge for a flawless finish.
I cleanse nightly with a gel cleanser to avoid breakouts, a must for my acne-prone skin.
On oily days, I dust powder on my T-zone to tame shine.
I store it upright in a cool spot to avoid messes.
You’ll want to patch-test first and use sparingly to get the best results without irritation.
Comparison with Other Brands
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Vs. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Fenty’s Eaze Drop ($36, 25 shades) offers light-to-medium coverage with a soft-matte finish.
I found it blurred my pores better than Summer Fridays and stayed put through a humid day.
Its hydrating complex kept my combo skin balanced without greasiness.
The wide shade range fits more skin tones, unlike Summer Fridays’ 12 shades.
It applies smoothly with a brush and feels lightweight.
You’ll love Fenty for its coverage and inclusivity, though it’s less skincare-focused.
I prefer it for longer wear and a polished look over Summer Fridays’ sheer glow.
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Vs. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Ilia’s Skin Tint ($48, 30 shades) blends skincare with SPF 40, a big win over Summer Fridays.
Its serum-like formula, with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, hydrated my skin without breakouts.
I tried shade ST7; it covered redness better but wasn’t as dewy.
The SPF protected during sunny walks, unlike Summer Fridays.
It blends best with fingers but needs powder for oily skin.
You’ll pick Ilia for sun protection and shade variety, despite the higher price.
It’s my choice for summer days when SPF is non-negotiable.
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Vs. Saie Slip Tint SPF 35
Saie’s Slip Tint ($38, 14 shades) gives a dewy, sheer finish with SPF 35.
Its hydrating ingredients kept my skin smooth without the greasiness I got from Summer Fridays.
Shade 3 evened my tone and lasted all day with a sponge application.
The SPF was great for outdoor brunches, and it didn’t clog pores.
You’ll choose Saie for its natural look and sun protection, though its shade range is slightly better than Summer Fridays.
I reach for Saie when I want glow with staying power.
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Vs. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Nars’ Tinted Moisturizer ($46, 16 shades) offers light coverage with SPF 30.
Shade Alaska blended seamlessly, covering redness better than Summer Fridays.
Its oil-free formula worked for my T-zone, avoiding breakouts.
The radiant finish lasted 12 hours without touch-ups, unlike Summer Fridays’ fading.
You’ll pick Nars for reliable coverage and sun protection, though it’s less hydrating.
It’s pricier but worth it for a polished look.
I use Nars when I need a bit more coverage and all-day wear.
- Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint Vs. Rare Beauty Positive Light Tinted Moisturizer

Rare Beauty’s Tinted Moisturizer ($30, 24 shades) delivers a satin finish with light coverage.
Shade 24N blurred imperfections better than Summer Fridays and felt weightless.
Its SPF 20 and vitamin E add slight protection, and no breakouts occurred, unlike Summer Fridays.
You’ll love Rare Beauty for its budget price and shade inclusivity, though it’s less skincare-driven.
It applies easily with fingers and lasts well.
I prefer it for an affordable, reliable base that outperforms Summer Fridays in consistency.
Performance Across Use Cases
The Summer Fridays tint is great for low-effort days, like remote work or quick errands.
Its dewy finish looks fresh for video calls but fades in humidity, as I noticed on a park walk.
It’s too sheer for blemishes, needing concealer, unlike Fenty’s buildable formula.
For oily skin, it gets shiny fast, requiring powder.
It’s best for normal-to-dry skin wanting a minimal look.
You’ll like it for casual settings but may need a sturdier tint for active days or heavy coverage needs.
Build Quality and Ingredients

The tint’s sleek, white dropper bottle is travel-friendly and secure.
Its formula, with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and tiger grass, hydrates and soothes but may clog pores for acne-prone skin.
The runny texture blends well but feels greasy on oily skin.
Compared to Ilia’s SPF-infused formula, it lacks sun protection.
The vegan, cruelty-free design appeals to eco-conscious users, but the breakout risk and limited coverage disappoint.
You’ll love the premium packaging and hydration but may find it less versatile than competitors.
Who Should Use This Tint?
The Summer Fridays tint suits minimalists with normal-to-dry skin who want a sheer, dewy look for casual days.
It’s not great for oily or acne-prone skin due to greasiness and breakout risks.
If you need coverage for blemishes or long-lasting wear, Fenty or Nars is better.
You’ll enjoy it for quick, natural looks but might skip it for humid conditions or deeper skin tones due to shade limitations.
Safety and Precautions
Patch-test the tint to avoid breakouts, especially if acne-prone.
Cleanse thoroughly to prevent clogged pores, as some ingredients may irritate.
Apply sparingly to avoid greasiness, and use powder for oily skin.
Store in a cool, dry place to maintain formula quality.
Check for sensitivity to tiger grass or oils.
You’ll want to monitor your skin and cleanse well to keep it safe and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fenty Eaze Drop and Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint excel for coverage, shade range, and SPF.
Sheer coverage, breakout risks, oily finish, and limited shade range.
Its hydrating, skincare-infused formula offers a dewy, natural glow.
Yes, for a lighter look, but I pair it with concealer for more coverage.
Final Thoughts
After weeks of testing, the Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint ($42) didn’t win me over.
Its dewy, hydrating finish is great for minimalists, but breakouts, patchiness, and a limited shade range were letdowns.
Fenty, Ilia, or Nars offer better coverage, staying power, and inclusivity.
You’re better off trying those for a reliable, fuss-free tint.
Save your cash and pick a product that delivers without the risks.