How I finally scored Summer Fridays Birthday Cake from the US without the usual paperwork headache

Why I’m obsessed with the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

I have lost count of how many lip balms I have tried, but nothing quite hits like the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm. It’s been a massive trend in beauty hubs like Hong Kong for a while, and the obsession has finally reached us here in France. My problem? The best shades like 'Birthday Cake' and 'Pink Sugar' are almost always US-exclusives or they sell out the second they hit European shelves.

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More about shipping to France

We see these us trends all over social media, yet trying to find a tube of 'Birthday Cake' in a boutique in Paris feels like a treasure hunt where everyone else already found the gold. I wanted that specific shimmer and scent, but I wasn't willing to wait months for a restock that might never happen here.

Why I skip French resellers for US-exclusives

I looked at local resellers first, but the prices were honestly insulting. I noticed people charging upwards of €45 for a single tube. Read more: Why I am spending $24 on the Summer Fridays Iced Coffee balm while France resellers want €45. By the time I factored in local shipping, it just made more sense for me to shop us store directly.

Shopping directly from the US ensures I get the authentic product, the newest limited editions, and the actual retail price. Plus, I can grab other popular products at the same time to make the most of my shipment. To do this, I use a parcel forwarding service to bridge the gap between New York and my front door.

The reality of French market scarcity

It’s not just about the price; it’s about access. Many of these shades are designed for the North American market first. Read more: US-exclusive retail access vs French market scarcity for Summer Fridays Birthday Cake Lip Butter Balm. By using a freight forwarder, I essentially bypass the geographical restrictions that usually keep these balms out of my makeup bag.

My secret for buying from stores that block non-US cards

If you have ever tried to shop at Sephora US or the official Summer Fridays site from France, you might have hit a wall. Many of these stores are notorious for blocking international credit cards or instantly canceling orders that are flagged as going to a package forwarding address. It’s incredibly frustrating to see your order canceled five minutes after placing it.

This is where I use the "BuyForMe" service. Instead of me struggling with my French card, I just tell comGateway what I want. They use a US domestic credit card to make the purchase on my behalf. It’s the "lazy method" at its finest—I don't have to worry about the store’s strict payment filters, and they handle the transaction from start to finish. It’s the safest way to guarantee that my Birthday Cake balm actually gets processed and shipped to my tax-free us address.

Shipping estimates for my beauty haul

Before I buy anything, I always check the shipping calculator to see what the damage will be. For something as small as a lip balm, it’s actually very affordable if you bundle it with a few other items.

I highly recommend checking the shipping rules for liquids and cosmetics before you ship, though lip balms are generally safe restricted goods-wise as they are solids/creams.

Managing French import duties without the stress

Shipping to France means we have to consider import duties and VAT. Since 2021, all items entering the EU are subject to VAT, but the process is much simpler when you use a reliable freight forwarder. I usually expect to pay the standard French VAT on the value of my cosmetics. You can estimate shipping cost inclusive of some fees using the online tools, but always keep a little extra aside for the customs tax that La Poste or the courier might collect upon arrival.

How I set up my delivery in 2026

The process is quite simple. Here is my step-by-step guide for how I do it. First, I sign up to get my US address. Then, I either shop myself or use the BuyForMe service if the store is being difficult. Once the balm hits my warehouse, I get a notification, and I can choose to forward packages immediately or wait to consolidate them with other orders.

By consolidating my Summer Fridays haul with a few other US-only skincare picks, I save a ton on the international leg of the journey. It’s the easiest way to keep my vanity stocked with the latest 2026 trends without ever leaving my house in Lyon.