Brand Focus: Portland Bee Balm (+ A Giveaway!) (Closed)
According to the US Department of Agriculture, bees pollinate 80% of the world's flowering plants, which accounts for about one third of our food supply. Factor in the number of bee colonies dying off in the last several years, and these statistics become pretty worrisome. There's still no consensus on the cause of this colony collapse, but one thing everyone does seem to agree on is that supporting sustainable beekeeping practices is one of the best things we can do. One way to do that? Buying honey and other bee products from local bee keepers.
Brad and Anika, Portland Bee Balm's creators, have been hobby beekeepers in Portland, Oregon for years and this love of honey bees was the true genesis for starting Portland Bee Balm. The two set out to create a high quality product that reflected the environmental values they hold true and Portland Bee Balm was born.
The lip balm is made of just four high quality ingredients, all of which come from sustainable and/or local sources: certified organic extra virgin coconut and olive oils, Oregon beeswax, and organic Oregon peppermint essential oil. It doesn't end at ingredients either. Rather than using paper, labels are made of non-pulped wood, which requires fewer chemicals and less energy to manufacture, and the ink used to print the labels is soy-based, reducing our use of non-renewable fossil fuels. Both the labels and handmade displays are made locally in Portland, Oregon.
Setting aside the environmental aspect for a minute, the actual lip balm is excellent as well. It's pretty solid in the tube, but a couple passes over your lips will warm it up and give it just enough slip. My favorite is the Oregon Mint, which has a great fresh peppermint scent, but the Unscented, which smells just like sweet beeswax, is lovely as well. Both scents are very natural and not overpowering in the least. The balms leaves my lips feeling soft and the beeswax feels very protective on the lips, which I think will be especially great once the colder months roll in. I'm pretty sure this is going to be my go to lip balm this winter!
The best part? Portland Bee Balm has offered one of you the chance to try the balms for yourself! The giveaway is going to be US only, but fear not, I've got more great giveaways coming soon that will be open internationally. Fill in the Rafflecopter widget (below) to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Press sample
I wish there were more local companies in my area. (There is a local soap shop but the ingredients aren't totally to my liking.) But I'm always on the look out!
ReplyDeleteI always look out for products made in my country, I always go to a cosmetics store where their products are made locally
ReplyDeleteI love supporting indie brands like these! These lip balms sound great and it's exciting to see their values of sustainability and ethicality.
ReplyDeleteThese sound amazing! Especially the mint balm!!
ReplyDeleteI adore Portland Bee Balm! x
ReplyDeleteI do not make an extra effort to try to benefit local stores; I just purchase what I like. - ccraftyone
ReplyDeleteI try to a big effort to shop at small local stores and organic etsy sellers!
ReplyDeleteI try to shop for local products at small local stores whenever possible. I actually live in Oregon and would love to try local lip balm!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say that very much a lot of effort. I would love to have all locally made items .
ReplyDeleteshaunie on rafflecopter
I don't make much effort of an to buy local products, but I like supporting smaller, American companies (since I'm American). I grew up in Portland so I'm eager to try this balm.
ReplyDeleteLove the simple ingredients list and the gorgeous display design!
ReplyDeleteSorry if it's off the topic, but I really love the packaging of this lip balm!:)
ReplyDeleteOly / TLV Birdie Blog
http://tlvbirdie.com
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4782889
Not off topic at all :) I like it too!
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