Superfly Soap Vegan Lip Balm; Product Review.

Superfly Soap is a relatively new, UK based independent cosmetics brand that popped up on my radar earlier this year. In my quest to be a more ethical and conscious consumer I took to Etsy, and stumbled upon their selection of soaps that look good enough to eat. I am yet to try their Avocado and Banana and Mocha soaps, which immediately caught my attention, thanks to their vibrant colours and stunning product photography, but that's not what this post is about. I will, however, quickly touch on the company ethos which focuses on natural ingredients and minimal packaging. What I particularly like in regards to the packaging is that you can choose whether to have the soap bars delivered in biodegradable cellophane wrapping, or plain naked. The postage packaging is also minimal and plastic free, which you can read more about on their website. Now, without further ado, let's talk about the lip balm.

It all started with my lips becoming incredibly dry, cracking and even bleeding, particularly when I woke up in the morning. I'd been using some cheapo chapstick type lip balms from Superdrug that happened to be vegan, but their main ingredient was petroleum jelly which unfortunately is the base of most affordable lip products, while having very little hydration action. Another issue I faced was that most lip balms that didn't contain petroleum jelly AND didn't come packaged in plastic were either non-vegan or unreasonably priced. And then I found this little gem.

The ingredients list is short and sweet, as this was whipped up using a variety of natural oils and butters, alongside candelilla wax (replacing the beeswax used in most balms) and a vanilla flavouring. It comes in a little tin containing 8 grams of the product, which I find to be a perfect size for carrying around, and it will no doubt last a couple of months with regular use. Once I use up the lip balm (and will be purchasing another one, or four) I'll happily reuse the little tin for either storing my own beauty concoctions, or for decanting beauty products for travelling. 

My first impression of the lip balm was that it smelt delicious, without the vanilla being overpowering or too sweet, you could definitely still smell the other, natural ingredients. At first the balm seemed to come off in a very thin layer and not give much coverage when applied, but it was just a matter of warming it up a bit in the tin with your finger, which helped pick up a bit more of the product. Personally, I love a thick lip balm so I packed it on, but you can definitely get a thin layer if you pick up a little less. I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't feel sticky or heavy on the lips, but seemed to simultaneously soak straight into my lips, while leaving a subtly glossy layer on my lips. 

Now, I've been using this balm for around a week. The first night I had it, I packed a bit on before sleeping and woke up with my lips feeling better than they had in a long while. I've not had any issues with cracking or bleeding since, and my lips have been moisturised enough to even wear liquid lipstick again. It's also been incredibly warm here this past week, and while a bunch of my natural beauty products have gone a bit liquidy, I haven't had any issues with this lip balm melting or going soft on me, which I was very chuffed with, particularly while using it out and about. Another bonus: it works as a cuticle balm and a general dry patch balm in a pinch, thanks to its non-sticky formula.

The single lip balm retails at £3, but they also do an offer where you can get 4 for £8, which I think is fantastic. You can get a bunch of them to keep in different places and always have one on hand, or share the love with people you care enough about to give them the gift of soft lips. They also come in a few different flavours besides vanilla, including coconut, banana, mango, and an unscented version for those with more sensitive skin or looking for purely natural ingredients.

Overall, this lip balm is awesome, you should give it a go if you're looking for an affordable, natural, vegan and plastic free lip balm. I'm also keen to try out a few of their soaps in the near(ish, if my bank balance allows) future, and am also excited to see what new products they come out with. It's definitely a brand to keep an eye on as they're doing awesome things, and it's always great to support an independent and local business. 

Let me know if you enjoyed my rambly review, and if you'd like more like it.

Stay in school,

K.