DIY Vegan Lip Balm Recipe

I am, in no way, a vegan. I do however, use cruelty free products and if there's a vegan alternative in my price range I will buy that.
My best friend is a long-term vegetarian, recently turned vegan so I'm trying my best to learn more about alternatives to beauty products.

I've been suffering quite badly with very bad dry lips recently, the corners of my mouth were especially painful and red raw. I went on the hunt for some great lip balm and after some research was recommending some 'Lanolin' which turns out is actually a nipple cream which is great for your lips. I decided to research what lanolin was, and I honestly wish I hadn't.
I won't say what it is here, just in case, but a quick google search will tell you. It's pretty grim, you have been warned. 

If I hadn't already been on the hunt for vegan products, I was now.

I decided to try and make my own and it's actually turned out pretty great for my first time!

You will need:

• 1 tablespoon of shea butter*
• 1 tablespoon of soy wax**
• 5 drops of peppermint oil***
• 5 drops of vitamin E oil****
• Small container such as a small jar or pot. 

1) Put your Shea butter and soy wax into a microwavable container and melt at 15 second increments, until completely liquid. Stir in between increments to make sure the two ingredients become completely combined. Alternatively, put in a glass bowl on top of a pan of boiling water and melt that way, stirring constantly.

2) Add the drops of your chosen oils and mix until combined.

3) Place into a small jar, pot or container of your choosing and leave in the fridge to set.

4) Use it regularly to keep your lips feeling moisturised and healthy!

* Instead of Shea butter you could use cocoa butter. Both are really great moisturisers and both absorb brilliantly into the skin. If you add in the essential oils later on specifically for the smell, Shea would be better for you as it has a less intense smell which really allowed the essential oil smell to come through. Cocoa butter is a beautiful smell, but can sometimes be overpowering when put right below your nose. Just make sure you like the smell before you use it!
          You could also use Coconut Oil if you'd prefer. Coconut oil is full of antioxidants, vitamin E and fatty acid emollients which is perfect for moisturising your lips. 

** Instead of soy wax you can also use candellila wax or carnauba wax. I personally used the soy wax because I had it to hand, but it's whatever your preference is.

*** I used peppermint oil because I love the smell and it gives my lips a little tingle when applied which I like. Some people say that the oil adds some plumpness to your pout, but I've yet to notice that. Other oils which are truly beautiful to use in lip balms are: Almond Oil, an odourless oil rich in minerals, proteins, vitamin B, vitamin E and has SPF, or Lavender Oil, a soothing oil that will help any painful or peeling lips.

****Shea butter also has naturally occurring vitamin E and vitamin A in it, so if you wanted to you could omit the vitamin E oil later on (although I like putting it in as Vitamin E oil is great for adding moisture,