Is the Summer Fridays ShadeDrops sunscreen worth the price? Here's my honest review
Sephora shoppers agree that Summer Fridays' ShadeDrops are a "must-have."
Face sunscreens have come a long way from the chalky, smelly, paste-y mess they were a few years ago, but finding one that looks as good as it works is still challenging— unless you're using Summer Fridays ShadeDrops.
Known for its "good-for-you" skincare products and award-winning Jet Lag Mask, Summer Fridays has quickly become a cult-favourite brand. So when I heard it was coming out with sunscreen, I was keen on trying it, given how much I've been loving Summer Fridays' other products for more than two years.
This Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen not only helps shield your skin from UV rays and free-radical damage but also serves as the perfect lightweight, dewy base for makeup.
The $47 price tag may seem a bit steep, but if having an effective sunscreen that leaves zero white cast behind matters to you, the ShadeDrops SPF might be worth a splurge. Read on for the details.
Takeaways
💵 Price: $47
⭐ My rating: 4.5/5 stars
⭐ Sephora shopper rating: 4.2 out of 950+ customer reviews
🛍️ Reasons to buy: Shoppers love that this protective sunscreen feels like a serum, acts like a primer and leaves a natural-looking finish.
✋ Reasons to avoid: It may not agree with supremely sensitive skin.
ShadeDrops Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Mineral Milk Sunscreen
A lightweight SPF 30 mineral sunscreen that helps shield skin from UV rays and leaves skin with a soft, natural-looking finish.
The details
Everyone's skin is uniquely different, so nailing down a suitable sunscreen can be difficult. That's what makes Summer Fridays' ShadeDrops special — it works on so many different skin types.
The ShadeDrops sunscreen comes in a 1.7 oz (50 mL) bottle and is enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and soothing chamomile.
A key ingredient is zinc oxide, which is extra gentle on sensitive skin, along with softening and hydrating squalene and an "antioxidant complex" made of vitamin E and ethyl ferulate.
That combination results in a milky sunscreen that blends beautifully into numerous skin tones, leaving plump, glowy complexions ready for makeup application without pilling underneath.
Plus, ShadeDrops is vegan, cruelty-free, reef-friendly and Clean at Sephora-certified, meaning it's formulated without phthalates, formaldehyde, and more ingredients you probably don't want in your skincare products.
5 reasons I love Summer Fridays' ShadeDrops
Where do I begin?! First off, the ShadeDrops sunscreen does not smell like sunscreen. If anything, it has a very faint scent that I can't necessarily pin, but it doesn't linger once the drops are applied.
Second, it's extremely milky and has a light, serum-y consistency that makes it easy to spread across the skin's surface. Plus, it's never sticky.
Third, the sunscreen doesn't alter the tone or appearance of your skin. It leaves no greasy white film behind and enhances your natural complexion.
Fourth, the ShadeDrops sunscreen actually works. It does its job protecting me from increasingly hot sun — but always remember to reapply as needed.
Fifth, the ShadeDrops sunscreen offers makeup the perfect amount of tack to stick to, forming a neutral yet moisturizing base. A little face tint, blush, brow gel, mascara and I'm good to go!
What others have to say
Reviews on Sephora are pretty positive, with a 4.2-star average rating from more than 950 reviews, and 83 per cent of shoppers recommending ShadeDrops.
Some reviewers said they couldn't believe the ShadeDrops sunscreen has SPF in it with the thin formula (since many conventional sunscreens have a thick consistency).
Other shoppers comment on how smoothly the sunscreen goes on, how moisturizing it is, and how they always wear it under makeup.
While some reviewers were ecstatic about the ShadeDrops not leaving a white cast on darker skin tones, some did mention they broke out or had an adverse reaction after use.
That said, it's important to remember that not every product will agree with every skin type.
The verdict
What can I say? The Summer Fridays ShadeDrops sunscreen continues to impress me. It's not only moisturizing, but conveniently a sunscreen and a primer for light face makeup.
Essentially, the ShadeDrops do more than one thing well, and who doesn't love a multi-tasking product?
However, if you have sensitive skin you may want to bypass this product.
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