GROVE Apotheca Wild Honey Lip Butter

There are many ingredients that can go into natural lip balms; carrier oils like coconut and olive, various waxes like beeswax or candelilla, botanical extracts and essential oils to name some.  

In these several years of trying natural lip balms, I haven't tried many containing cocoa butter, except one. So when I came across GROVE Apotheca's almost raw products containing cocoa butter, I absolutely could not resist looking for a lip product. Always on the hunt for the perfect lip balm, I was very excited when my Wild Honey Lip Butter sample arrived.

First, the smell of the balm is amazingly light and sweet (which makes me want to eat it), producing chocolate thoughts in my head. When applying, the balm goes on effortlessly and smooth. The blend creates an extremely moisturizing protective coating over the lips, very light, very effective and long lasting. My lips are soft, not sticky or over greased. There isn't a strong taste to the balm, maybe a delicate sense of honey. The balm is very nice on its own or used as a moisturizer prior to applying lip color. I like balms which impart a nice sheen which this one does. The balm actually lasts a long time on the lips despite my eating and drinking. The sheen might not last all the way through but my lips do not feel dry when compared to other balms I have used in the past (Kudos on such a good formula Amber!). 

There was one ingredient I quizzed Amber about; bee essence and she informed me the bee essence she uses is concentrated honeycomb. She says it is this which gives the Wild Honey Lip Butter its true scented essence. The unrefined beeswax she adds also contains a small amount of bee essence as well. No doubt in this honeycomb you'll find bee propolis with its wide range of biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic and anticancer properties! Not only does the beeswax possess the above benefits, it also acts as as wonderful humectant and emollient.

Ingredients we love:

Cocoa butter: topical application of cocoa polyphenols has been shown to positively affect skin elasticity and skin tone

Coconut oil: saturated fatty acid content makes it a good moisturizer, improves skin hydration and can increase skin surface lipid levels

Cupuacu oil: high level of essential fatty acids and phytosterols aids in hydration and protection against environmental damage 

Kukui seed oil: essential fatty acid content help hydrate and repair the skin barrier

Marketing label: Grove Apotheca proudly offers you a luscious artisanal-made balm for lips. It contains rich butters of cocoa and cupuacu plants which have excellent restorative properties.  The exquisite botanical oils and beeswax of this balm melt across the lip leaving a subtle sheen. Wild Honey is the essence of bees: bee pheromones, beeswax and honey. It connects with your animal side.

After 4 weeks use, I totally love this honeyed cocoa butter rich treasure piece. Moisturizing, effective, long lasting with a nice touch of shine makes the perfect go to lip hydrating product, outstanding alone or as a first layer before lipstick. I would say makes an amazing gift for the lip balm obsessed (like me). 

RAVE FACTOR 3.5 RAVES LOVE IT! WON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

*This product was provided to me by Amber from GROVE Apotheca. This product review is based on my own use of this product daily for 4 weeks (in October 2014). Please keep in mind everyone’s skin is unique and that you may have a different experience when using this product.