Does my Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm addiction really justify a US freight forwarder?

Why I fell for the Summer Fridays hype in 2026

I didn't want to believe that a simple lip balm could cause such a stir, but here we are in February 2026, and my social feed is still dominated by the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. Specifically, the limited-edition Iced Coffee and Birthday Cake flavors have become the ultimate status symbols for anyone following the 'clean girl' aesthetic. I watched as these tiny tubes sold out repeatedly in Seoul and New York, only to see them listed for three times the price on resale sites in India.

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I started tracking these items on us trends and noticed that while they are nearly impossible to find locally, US retailers like Sephora and the official Summer Fridays site often restock them at their original retail price. I realized that if I wanted that perfect mocha tint or the subtle shimmer of the Birthday Cake balm, I had to look beyond my local borders.

Why I stopped looking for these balms in local Indian stores

I initially tried to find a local vendor in India, but the markup was staggering. Most boutique importers were charging astronomical fees, and that is if they even had the stock. I found that it was actually more economical to shop us store directly. By using a tax-free us address, I could avoid US sales tax entirely, making the base price of the balm exactly what American shoppers pay.

I also wanted to ensure I was getting the authentic product. With the popularity of these specific flavors, counterfeit versions have started appearing. By purchasing directly from authorized US retailers and using a trusted freight forwarder, I felt much more secure about what I was putting on my lips.

My estimated shipping costs and logistics breakdown

Before I committed to the purchase, I needed to know if the shipping would double the price of my haul. I used a shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost for a small beauty package. Here is the data I used for my calculation:

I found that if I bundled a few other popular products from the US into one shipment, the cost per item dropped significantly. My international shipping service allowed me to combine multiple orders into one box, which is a huge money-saver for Indian shoppers.

How I used a US parcel forwarding service to get my fix

I often get asked how I manage to get US-exclusive drops delivered to my door in India. I simply followed a step-by-step guide on how it works. First, I signed up for a parcel forwarding service which gave me a dedicated address in a tax-free US state.

When I checked out at the US store, I entered that address as my shipping destination. Once my Iced Coffee balms arrived at the warehouse, I was notified and could choose my preferred international shipping method. I also made sure to check the FAQ at the help center to understand the customs duties for cosmetics entering India. Usually, for small personal beauty imports, the process is quite straightforward if you have the right support from your package forwarding provider.

Is it actually worth it?

After receiving my package, I can say that the Summer Fridays Birthday Cake balm lives up to the 2026 hype. The scent is nostalgic, and the hydration is unmatched. While shipping a single tube might seem expensive, my experience showed that using a forward packages strategy for a larger haul makes it very reasonable. If you are tired of waiting for Indian stockists to refresh their inventory, I highly recommend taking the US direct route. If you run into any trouble, the support team at comGateway is usually very helpful with customs documentation.