Last night, I attended a HONEY BOMB workshop at founder Lisa’s home, organized in part by her daughter as a fundraiser for the Relay for Life Canadian Cancer Society ($1,000 raised!). I joined with my Mum, and we were so excited to get our hands dirty and leave with my favourite new product of ours.
But I left with something more than that: a completely new appreciation for what small-batch skincare actually looks like in practice.
I’ve been working with LAKE+MAIN for over a year now. I’ve always known that Lisa, Aly, and Taleen (our Westport in-store wizard) are always busy behind the scenes formulating, refining, testing, remaking, adjusting. But until last night, I don’t think the level of care, precision, and attention required truly landed.
Because let me tell you: small-batch skincare is no picnic.
The Science Behind the Magic
Picture this: ten women gathered around a table, instruction manuals open, ingredients measured to the gram, questions flying every twenty seconds.
And in the middle of it all, Lisa.
Calm. Focused. Totally in her element.
Lisa used to be a science teacher, and you could see that part of her come alive instantly. She moved between stations with ease, explaining why timing matters, why temperature matters, why this step can’t be rushed, why precise amounts of each active ingredient are so important.
We were making what has been the runaway new product of 2025: the HONEY BOMB Whipped Body Balm. Crafted with organic beeswax and honey, it’s impossibly light, non-greasy, and leaves skin unbelievably soft.
And here's the thing I learned as we lovingly, tediously whipped up our mixtures: that airy, whipped, luxurious texture?
It does not happen by accident.
Why Small-Batch Matters (Especially for Natural Skincare)
When you shop small, natural, handmade skincare, you’re paying for so much more than a beautiful jar.
You’re paying for:
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Experience — decades of understanding ingredients, skin, and formulation
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Precision — every temperature, ratio, and timing choice matters
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Care — products are made with attention, not rushed down a production line
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Consistency — small batches allow for constant refinement and quality control
Natural ingredients are alive. They shift with seasons, humidity, and sourcing. Small-batch production allows makers to respond to those changes in real time. To adjust, adapt, and ensure the product performs the way it’s meant to every single time.
That’s simply not possible at an industrial, mass-produced scale.
More Than a Product
Watching the HONEY BOMB come together reminded me that what LAKE+MAIN creates isn’t just skincare. It’s the result of deep expertise, patience, and respect for the process.
It’s the kind of care you can feel the moment a product touches your skin.
Being part of that workshop gave me a new appreciation for the love and care behind each product, each individual order.
Also.
If you ever see a LAKE+MAIN workshop pop up - sign up.
I can say firsthand: you don’t want to miss them. They’re hands-on, intimate, educational, and give you a whole new appreciation for the products you use every day.
Keep an eye out. We’ve got more coming in 2026 🤍
