Benefits Of Scented Candles
Why scented candles?
We will cover:
Candle scents and their effect on mood
Why opt for handcrafted candles?
The beauty of natural wax
Tips for good candle care
Let’s jump right in.
Generally speaking, candles have been utilised for centuries by people in all manner of rituals as they promote healing, enhance meditation and cleanse energies. The subtle, mesmerising quality of their light makes them a perfect aid for any relaxation routine. Aroma takes the science of candles one step further by creating scented candles!
Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful and shouldn’t be underestimated. The smell of a scented candle can stimulate the part of your brain which is connected to memory and mood.
Candles scents
Would you believe me if I told you, by understanding the different effects of various scents, you can take control of your mood and light the candle you need? Here are some scents that you can use to support anxiety or stress:
apple - controls anxiety
clary sage - lifts mood
cinnamon - warming and invigorating, yet calming
frankincense - helps battle anxiety and gives great stress relief
lavender - relaxes instantly both mind and body
lemon - makes you feel refreshed
orange - reduces stress, increases positivity
peppermint - wakes up your mind and enhances focus
sandalwood - relaxes and calms body and mind
vanilla - increases happiness levels, uplifts your mood and stimulates feelings of relaxation and joy
Handmade Candles
I could start by discussing the general importance of investing in all small businesses, your community and the economy but I’d like to focus on candles.
When you buy a handcrafted item, your purchase – no matter how big or small – means a great deal! I personally complete a little happy dance when I receive order notifications on my phone and I’m sure this is the case for many small business owners.
Chandlers (candlemakers) live and breathe for their business and take the time to look after their customers. This means that you often deal directly with the business owner themselves and can get to build a relationship with them. You are much more likely to receive a personal, caring service and get more value for your money.
With a delicate item like a scented candle which the majority of us purchase to positively affect mood (aromatherapy), home décor or simply in search of a pleasant scent – it should be made with a focus on love and unique quality.
Every candle you purchase is tested to perfection. There are a million wax, fragrance and wick combinations to try out and it takes a considerable amount of time, effort, money and patience to produce a quality scented candle that will satisfy your needs. Believe me when I tell you real chandlers will have vigorously tested several combinations to create the candle you end up falling in love with.
The Beauty of Natural Wax
Natural wax is a term often used to describe plant-based waxes;
Beeswax
Coconut
Palm
Rapeseed
Soy
Sustainable
Soy wax was originally developed as a sustainable solution for candle lovers. It is clean-burning, made from vegetable oil, and when grown in an environmentally sound manner, it is a great candle choice.
My personal favourite wax for candles is coconut wax, it has a green light for the environment. It’s sustainable, and thanks to the coconut tree's low need for pesticides and fertiliser, it is often ethically grown. However, coconut wax is known to be soft and in its virgin state quite difficult to work with. As a result, coconut wax is often combined with other natural waxes, coconut-soy and coconut-rapeseed are popular wax choices for many chandlers.
Long-Lasting
Natural wax offer greater longevity because of slower-burn times. You may pay more for a natural candle initially, but the longer-lasting burn means you won’t have to buy new candles very often. The initial investment is offset by this and all the other benefits meaning you get considerably more burn time for your money.
Scented Candle Care Tips
Jo Malone shares “fragrance rises so the lower down a candle is, the sooner it’ll fill the room with scent”. Laurent Delafon of United Perfumes favours hallways and landings, especially if you’ve invested in a show-stopping multiple wick. “The fragrance will diffuse over several floors and fill your home,’” he says. “Smaller spaces also hold fragrance for longer, so burning a candle in a bathroom or washroom creates impact, especially at a party.”
Blowing out a candle is an easy way to put out your candle. But it’s not the best! It could lead to carbon (the black cauliflower/mushroom that forms) dropping into the melt pool which isn’t ideal. The best way to extinguish a candle is by using a candle snuffer which you can purchase on Etsy for a fair price.
Trimming your candle wick will allow for a clean and brighter burn. Keeping wicks shorter also means your candles will have a cleaner burn. Some candles create a black sooty residue while burning. This can leave marks on nearby surfaces. Trimming wicks on a regular basis helps reduce the amount of residue candles produce while burning.
Take a look at our handmade candle collection here