Reviewed: Summer Fridays' Face Oil Gave Me Luminous, Plump Skin

We put Summer Fridays Heavenly Sixteen All-in-One Face Oil to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Are you afraid of face oils? I totally get it, I used to be too. But then I learned a bit more about them, their benefits, and most importantly, how to properly work them into my routine. In fact, it’s all very easy. Face oils are like the final boss of skincare. I suppose the same could be said for retinols, but this article is about face oil—specifically, Summer Fridays' Heavenly Sixteen All-in-One Face Oil—so let's go with that.

I really like Summer Fridays, specifically its jet lag mask and eye cream, so I’m always excited to see the brand expand its collection. When I came across its all-in-one face oil, I was eager and curious to see how it would stack up against all the face oils I've already tried (and trust me, I've tried a bunch). To find out my honest thoughts on the matter, keep reading.

About My Skin:​ Balanced, Non-Reactive

My skin is balanced, non-reactive, and, though not prone to breakouts, very prone to clogged pores. I don’t consider my skin oily on its own, but I find that it definitely produces more oil when I wear makeup—which I do all week. I’ve grown to be more okay with a little shine on my face, as I feel it makes everything look better than super matte skin does, but I still tend to blot once throughout the day.

The Feel: Thick But Not Heavy

You’d think that all face oils are created similarly, but they’re not. Like anything in skincare, the formula is going to affect the feel and wear of the product. Heavenly Sixteen feels a little thicker to the touch than many other oils I’ve used. On my face, it doesn’t feel heavier, but it definitely has more body than what I’m used to using.

The Ingredients

• Meadowfoam, Hemp, Sunflower, Cranberry, Olive, Broccoli, and Grapeseed Oils: Hydration, hydration, hydration. One of the main tenets of maintaining healthy skin is keeping it moisturized, which is exactly what these oils excel at.
• Blackcurrant, Tsubaki, Sacha Inchi, and Sea Buckthorn Oils: The antioxidant properties of these oils will benefit all skin types by helping to keep skin protected. That means less stress and damage which can lead to a brighter and more youthful-looking complexion.
• Prickly Pear, Cucumber, Rosehip, Watermelon, and Pomegranate Oils: Our skin is exposed to environmental aggressors and toxins daily, which can take a toll (fine lines and wrinkles, anyone?). By supporting a strong skin barrier, these oils can help to prevent and reverse signs of damage and aging.

There are so many face oils on the market that choosing one (or a few) can be difficult and overwhelming. But Heavenly Sixteen makes things easy for us by blending various oils in one product to wield a host of skincare benefits. It's formulated with 16 vegan and cruelty-free oils that work to plump, condition, and boost skin elasticity. Prickly pear seed oil visibly boosts lines, sacha inchi seed oil helps to strengthen your skin’s barrier, and pomegranate oil aims to soften.

How to Apply: Like a Highlighter

Regardless of whether you follow an extensive skincare routine like J.Law or a simple three-step ritual, you'll want your face oil to be the last step of your regimen. And as for how and where you should apply it, I have a few thoughts. Now I know I said that face oils aren’t going to make you oilier, and I stand by that, but I’m always pretty careful and intentional about where I place the oil—just in case. I’ll do the high points of my face like cheekbones and temples, basically anywhere I’d apply a highlighter, but stay away from the middle of my forehead and t-zone. Those areas are shiny enough on their own. Because this oil leaves you less shiny, I feel like I can be a little more liberal with it.

The Results: Luminous, Plump Skin

I really like Summer Fridays' all-in-one face oil and its laundry list of benefits. And while I don’t typically worry about fine lines—I'm 33, at some point, there will be wrinkles—I do appreciate the overall plumping effect of this oil. I find that my skin just looks a bit better when I commit to using an oil over time, and I like that Summer Fridays' gives you just as much glow, but less shine, as others I’ve used.

Honestly, Heavenly Sixteen feels completely unique from other face oils I've tried. Not only is it thicker, but it takes to skin much differently than anything I’ve used previously. It immediately softens, as all oils do, but to the eye, it almost disappears. The thing is, most oils give an immediate glow (because that’s what happens when you put oil on your face) and the Heavenly is no exception. However, it leaves the skin luminous with only minimal shine and without a slick or tacky feeling. In that way, I feel like this is the face oil for people who are afraid of face oils. It’s a great entry point to the category.

The Value: Worth It

For one ounce of oil, this is going to run you $55. The price of face oils can often feel kind of steep, but I’m quick to remind myself that out of any product, you use this one sparingly. I’m talking, you don’t need more than two to three drops, so this product is made to last for a while.

What to Look For

Before choosing a face oil, consider your skin type and concerns. Some products feature a star ingredient while others, like Summer Fridays', cocktail a few favorites together. Despite popular belief, those with acne-prone or oily skin can benefit from oils—as long as they're the right oils, that is. Choose lightweight oils with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties (think: tree tea oil). Also, look for oils and ingredients that target your specific needs. For example, marula oil and vitamin C address dullness while bakuchiol and vitamin A combat signs of aging.

Similar Products: You Have Options

Shen Supernal Cosmic Glow Face Oil: I know, this is expensive. I only include it because I really do love it and used it for most of last year. I even kept refilling the little sample vial and took it everywhere with me, so I was truly never without it. I really like it, but the hefty $108 price tag by no means indicates that it’s the best thing out there.

(Note: This product is currently sold out; for something similar, we recommend Shen Illumine Restorative Oil Serum, $128).

The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil: Once again, The Ordinary is here to show the other girls up. As with the rest of their collection, they bring us a perfectly functional (and effective) product at an affordable $10 (gasp).