Why I'm buying Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms from the US instead of local shops in South Korea

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Start Your Buy For Me Request for Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm (Iced Coffee/Birthday Cake)

Merchant Summer Fridays Sephora US Kohl's

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• Why Iced Coffee and Birthday Cake are everywhere right now
• My math on US prices versus Korean reseller markups
• How I deal with US stores that block my credit card
• Why I trust the BuyForMe service for Sephora orders
• My estimated shipping costs and box details
• What I learned about South Korea customs for beauty products in 2026

Why Iced Coffee and Birthday Cake are everywhere right now

I cannot open TikTok without seeing a 'Get Ready With Me' video featuring that iconic beige or pink tube. It's 2026, and the obsession with the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm hasn't slowed down one bit. Specifically, the Iced Coffee and Birthday Cake shades have become the 'it' items for anyone wanting that perfect glossy look without the stickiness. I’ve noticed that these specific shades are almost impossible to find at a fair price locally in Seoul. Resellers are marking them up by 200% or more, which is where my obsession with shopping directly from the US began.

My math on US prices versus Korean reseller markups

When I looked at the prices on local Korean apps, I was shocked. Some sellers are charging nearly 60,000 KRW for a single tube of Iced Coffee. Meanwhile, on the official Summer Fridays site and Sephora US, they retail for about $24 USD (roughly 32,000 KRW). Even with shipping, buying three or four tubes at once makes a lot more sense. I found that using a tax-free us address through a reliable partner saved me from paying US sales tax, which usually adds another 7-10% to the bill.

I used the shipping calculator to see if the price was worth it for a small haul. If I buy four balms, the total cost per balm—including the international shipping fee—drops significantly compared to buying them one by one from a reseller. It’s the only way I can justify the 'aesthetic' without draining my bank account.

How I deal with US stores that block my credit card

One thing I learned the hard way is that Sephora and even the official Summer Fridays store can be a bit picky. I tried to use my Korean issued credit card a few months ago, and my order was cancelled within minutes. Apparently, many US retailers block international billing addresses or orders that look like they are going to a freight forwarder. It’s incredibly frustrating when you see a restock of Birthday Cake and you can't even check out.

Why I trust the BuyForMe service for Sephora orders

To get around these cancellations, I started using the BuyForMe service. Essentially, I tell them what I want, and they use a US-based credit card to make the purchase for me. It’s a form of proxy shopping that ensures the order actually goes through. Since they have a US domestic billing profile, the stores don't flag the transaction. For me, this is the safest way to guarantee I actually get those limited edition shades before they sell out again.

My estimated shipping costs and box details

If you are planning to order these balms, you need to know how they ship so you don't get a surprise at checkout. Getting a South Korea delivery is fast, but the weight matters. Here is my breakdown of what a typical 3-balm order looks like:

What I learned about South Korea customs for beauty products in 2026

When you ship to South Korea, you have to keep the de minimis value in mind. As of March 2026, you can generally import up to $150 USD (or $200 USD from the US under the FTA) worth of goods without paying additional duties, as long as it's for personal use. However, for functional cosmetics, the rules can be stricter. While lip balms are usually fine, I always check the prohibited items list just in case there are new ingredients that the KFDA has flagged. Usually, Summer Fridays products are totally safe to import, but it never hurts to double-check before you click buy.

My advice? Group your orders with a friend. If you both want the Iced Coffee shade, you can split the base shipping cost and still stay well under the customs limit. It makes the math even better and ensures you get your fix of the world's most viral lip balm without the local markup headache.