Here’s the scoop – 

 

It would be waaaay easier to have a manufacturer make my lip balm. Time wise, money wise, energy wise… it’s the reasonable answer. So, why do I make the lip balm myself?
 

There’s something beautiful about pointing to the product and saying, “that was 100% me”. No giant machines, no unknowns. Just me, a 5’x2’ table, some ingredients, and a lot of passion. I even created the formula myself! (Call me a fancy scientist, why don’t ya?) 

 

Most of the time, people hire specialists to create the product formula for them. But, not me – I took to “Google University,” and experimented with many, many different formulas and ingredients to find what is now Mend Lip Balm!

 

Some of our lip balms take 3 months to make because of the care that goes into it. Mend uses real ingredients – like real coffee grounds and real vanilla beans. Did you know some other lip balms include ingredients that dry out your lips so that you keep using it – then keep BUYING it? Not us! My goal is for your lips to be so healed from our balm you don’t have to use it very often at all!

 

Recently, a dear friend asked me if Mend is something I do, or if it is an extension of me. The answer is that Mend is my life story in a product – giving hope, providing education and showing joy (hence the bright branding colors). And it’s my own labor of love. I know exact measurements of every ingredient and every minute necessary to take my product from start to finish. 

 

Now, would I ever consider using a manufacturer? The short answer is yes, but only with a lot of care and consideration. How cool would it be for Mend’s demand to be so high that I needed that outlet? For Mend’s resources to have that kind of reach? That’s the dream!!!

 

In the meantime – having our product made by hand in small batches sets us apart. For myself, making lip balm is a healing, creative outlet. Just knowing that each tube could change someone’s life is motivation enough to keep going – so I’ll just do that.

Rachel Parrett

Rachel is the founder of Mend Lip Balm and lives in Philly. As a mental health advocate, she finds a lot of joy in educating those around her about resources available to them. You can often find her reading a good book or spending time with friends.