I did the math on getting the Summer Fridays Birthday Cake balm from the US to Belgium and it actually makes sense
- Why I’m obsessed with the Summer Fridays Birthday Cake Edition
- The struggle of finding this in Belgium
- How I shop US stores from my couch in Brussels
- Why the BuyForMe service saved my Sephora order
- Breaking down the costs (US vs. Belgium)
- What you need to know about shipping to Belgium
- Checking for other viral items
Why I’m obsessed with the Summer Fridays Birthday Cake Edition
I’ve spent way too much time scrolling through my social feeds lately, and if you’ve seen the 'clean girl' aesthetic taking over Japanese social media in early 2026, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm has reached legendary status, but the Birthday Cake edition is the one I couldn't stop thinking about. It has that perfect subtle shimmer and a scent that actually smells like a high-end bakery without being cloying.
It’s not just about the scent, though. The formula is incredibly buttery and vegan, providing that glassy finish that everyone is chasing this year. While Summer Fridays is available in some parts of Europe, these specific limited drops and US Sephora exclusives are notoriously difficult to snag if you aren't living stateside. I knew I had to find a way to get my hands on it without waiting for a European launch that might never happen.
The struggle of finding this in Belgium
Being a beauty enthusiast in Belgium usually means one of two things: you either wait months for a product to arrive at local retailers, or you pay a 200% markup to a reseller on a marketplace. I checked a few local sites, and the Birthday Cake edition was either sold out or listed at a price that made my eyes water. I also noticed that many US-based boutiques simply don't offer direct shipping to Brussels, or if they do, the shipping fees are more expensive than the balm itself.
How I shop US stores from my couch in Brussels
My secret to getting these drops is using comGateway. Instead of looking for shops that ship internationally, I just shop us store sites like Sephora or the official Summer Fridays website directly. When I signed up, I got a tax-free us address based in Oregon. This is a huge win because it means I don't pay US sales tax on my purchase, which instantly saves me about 7-10% right off the bat.
By using this address, I can collect my items at their warehouse and then have them sent to me in Belgium. It's a much more reliable package forwarding method than hoping a random seller on eBay actually sends the real product.
Why the BuyForMe service saved my Sephora order
I ran into a bit of a snag when I first tried to check out. I noticed that several major US retailers—we're talking big names like Nike, Apple, and yes, Sephora—often have strict payment filters. The problem is that these stores frequently block international credit cards or automatically decline orders if they detect the shipping address belongs to a forwarder. I tried my Belgian Visa card, and my order was cancelled within minutes.
This is where I used the BuyForMe service. It’s comGateway’s assisted purchase solution, and it’s honestly a lifesaver for difficult stores. Basically, I tell them what I want, and they buy the item on my behalf using a US domestic credit card.
The benefit here is clear: it is the safest way to guarantee your order doesn't get cancelled by the store's fraud prevention system. Since they use a local US payment method, the transaction goes through smoothly. If you're tired of seeing those "Order Cancelled" emails from US shops, this is the solution you've been looking for.
Breaking down the costs (US vs. Belgium)
I’m all about being a smart shopper, so I had to make sure the math actually worked. In the US, the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm retails for about $24. In Belgium, if you can even find a reseller, you’re looking at €45 to €50.
| Item | US Price (approx.) | Estimated Local Price |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Fridays Balm | $24.00 | €48.00 |
| US Sales Tax | $0.00 (Tax-free) | N/A |
Even when I added the cost of international shipping, I found that if I bought two or three items at once (like adding a few other us trends to my cart), the price per item was much lower than buying locally. I always use the estimate shipping cost tool before I commit, so I know exactly what I’m paying. It helps me decide if I should add more items to my shipment to make the weight worth it.
What you need to know about shipping to Belgium
Shipping cosmetics internationally can sometimes be tricky. Before I placed my order, I checked the shipping rules to make sure lip balms weren't on any restricted lists. Luckily, non-aerosol beauty products are generally fine.
When the package arrives in Belgium, you should be prepared for local VAT. Since 2021, all imports into the EU are subject to VAT, but because I saved so much on the retail price and US sales tax, the total cost still came out ahead. If you have questions about how duties are calculated, the support section on the website has a great breakdown of how they handle paperwork for international deliveries.
Checking for other viral items
Once I realized how easy it was to use a freight forwarder, I started looking for other things I couldn't get in Brussels. I’ve been keeping an eye on the popular products list to see what else is trending in the States. From exclusive sneaker drops to the latest tech gadgets, the US market often gets the best stuff first.
My Summer Fridays haul arrived in about a week, perfectly packaged and ready for my 2026 skincare routine. If you're in Belgium and feeling left out of the latest beauty drops, I highly recommend taking the DIY import route. It’s easier than you think, and your lips will thank you!
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