You’re glowing, obviously, but is your home ready to glow just as bright?
Candles are often used to create ambiance, warmth, and a pleasant scent in a room. The scent of a candle can have a significant impact on our mood and emotions, as it can evoke memories, trigger emotions, and affect our well-being. This is why we are obsessed with them!
So you’re a candle connoisseur too? Welcome to the club! We’re lighting all the candles and melting all the wax to get you what you need for your next candle purchase.
When it comes to the type of wax, wick, sustainability and toxicity, here’s what we’ve discovered.
What are the top 3 options for wax?
We did some research and these are the top 3 choices for wax that we found.
Soy Wax
Coming from soybeans, soy wax has a soot free burn. It is one of the most popular waxes for candles. They have a pure smell naturally so the wax carries fragrance well. Soy wax doesn’t contain anything artificial and is non-toxic.
Our Black Girl Magic and Wood Wick Wordsmith candles are made from a Pure Black Soy wax. These candles burn slower and last longer.
Beeswax
This natural option is more expensive, but worth the hype. Beeswax has its own subtle sweet scent to it. Though it can be more difficult to hold a fragrance, they have a natural yellow tint that is unique in their own. “Beeswax has a higher melting point than other waxes, it emits the brightest, most warm-toned flame,” according to Beeswax Co. which makes them burn slower and last longer as well.
Coconut Wax
This was the final option that we loved. This eco-friendly, vegan option is odorless on its own. Coconut wax is a safe choice for your home. It has a clean burn, has very little soot and it holds fragrance and color well. Like beeswax it is on the more expensive side, but the quality speaks for itself.
Our Botanique Candles are a blend of Soy and Coconut Wax. (LINK to Botanique Candle)
What about the wick?
The wick is what draws the wax to the flame which causes the scent to be released into the air as the wax melts and evaporates.
100% cotton wicks are the way to go for a good clean burn. The other option would be a wooden wick. They are all-natural and burn much cleaner than wicks made up of other materials.
The most important safety note is making sure you don’t choose a wick that may have a lead-core. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the import of candles that may have lead in them in the 2000s, but be careful as developing countries may still use lead in their candle wicks.
Aside from materials, we also looked into if candles are better with one or more wicks. The results proved that single wick candles tend to burn slower and last longer, but they won’t fill a larger room with its fragrance as quickly as a larger candle will. It all depends on how you want to use your candle. A smaller, single wick candle is better served in a smaller room and can burn for a longer amount of time without running out.
Larger candles with multiple wicks will burn a larger diameter of wax more evenly causing its fragrance to fill a room faster. Candles with multiple wicks are better for larger rooms or big events. They won’t need to burn as long in order to fill the room with fragrance.
Our next order of business was to look into toxicity and sustainability.
What makes a good candle toxic?
Healthline wrote an article in 2020 that showed evidence was inconclusive about wax causing any toxins that could harm people. The European Candle Association looked at paraffin wax (which is a byproduct of petroleum) along with every major type of wax. They tested for 300 toxic chemicals. Healthline stated, “that the level of chemicals released by each type of candle was well below the amount that would cause human health problems.” If it worries you though natural options such as beeswax or soy wax are a better way to go.
Overall, burning candles has the potential to release harmful chemicals in the air, but studies so far show it’s not enough to harm people. It’s best practice to burn your candles in a ventilated space, trim the wick and use candle snuggers or dip the wick in wax when you’re done.
Here are five tips for a clean burn:
Tip #1: Trim the wick before lighting
Before lighting your candle, it's important to trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This will help prevent the wick from mushrooming and causing soot to build up on the glass. It will also help your candle burn more evenly and prevent it from tunneling down the center.
Tip #2: Burn your candle for the right amount of time
It's important to burn your candle for the right amount of time to ensure a clean burn. The general rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour for every inch in diameter. So if you have a 3-inch diameter candle, you should burn it for three hours at a time.
Tip #3: Keep your candle away from drafts
Drafts can cause your candle to burn unevenly and produce soot. Make sure to keep your candle away from windows, doors, and air vents. If you do notice your candle producing soot, try moving it to a different location.
Tip #4: Choose the right candle for your space
When choosing a candle, it's important to consider the size of your space. A small candle may not provide enough fragrance for a large room, while a large candle may be overpowering in a small space. It's also important to consider the scent and the type of wax used.
Tip #5: Clean your candle after each use
After each use, it's important to clean your candle to remove any soot or debris. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the glass and remove any excess wax from the wick.
So, what’s next?
Visit our Olfactory Collective! We’ve curated a wide variety of style candles for your luxury home or gift.
Feeling creative or poetic? Sit back and relax with the Wooden Wick Wordsmith Candle Collection. Poetry was created for moments of lyrical genius set and lounge vibes, this is the candle you light in your studio as you write your next song or poem.
Looking for a glowing experience? Our Andaluca Botanique Luxe Collection is the perfect candle that candle connoisseurs will LOVE! They are encased in a hand-cut glass beehive-inspired hexagonal matte candle vessel that will glow either a deep red or golden pink depending on the color you choose.
Need a reminder that you’re worthy? The Worthy: Black Girl Magic candle is the quiet reminder that she is, you are, we are: WORTHY. Worthy of all the good things life has to give. This signature fragrance is a sensual, uplifting blend featuring hypnotic notes of red wine married with black cherry and sultry base notes of oak and amber.
