How to choose scented candles

Shine everywhere

A rare perfume brand does not produce its own line of candles. There is practically no boutique or hotel where they do not distribute their scent – often it is made by individual order by such famous perfumers as Olivia Giacobetti, Isabelle Doyen, Celine Ellena, Rami Mekdachi (Rami Mekdachi). With the onset of cold weather, candles displace flowers on the tables of restaurants. Their soft light makes the interior more refined and soulful.

Their hypnotic flame is conducive to trust, intimacy, seduction. Creates a chamber atmosphere for intimate conversations or for meditation, calms, lulls. One way to indulge in bliss is to take a bath surrounded by scented candles.

What’s worth the candle

The price for quality candles goes up to 20-40 euros. “If the amount is lower, then you risk buying a product of questionable quality, such as a glass candlestick that can crack from heat,” explains Patty Canac, a smell specialist and professor at the Isipca Institute of Perfumery and Cosmetics (France). The surface of the candle should be smooth – this indicates that it contains a mineral wax that can convey all scent notes, even the lightest, such as citrus scent. “It is better to give preference to candles in transparent glass, then, turning it over, it will be easier for you to check if the wick attached to the bottom of the metal backing of the glass is exactly in the center. This is the guarantee of its quality: the wick will not bend, and the candle will burn out to the end, ”says Patti Kanak. This substrate should not be made of lead (which is harmful to health), but zinc. To test this, rub it against a piece of white paper: if you find traces of gray color, then it contains lead. Pigments help to thicken the wax, so the colorless (white) candle burns more evenly and gives off the scent better. The wick must be made of cotton. Candles that are too large in diameter, as a rule, do not burn out to the end. And if they have multiple wicks, make sure they are not too close together.

Fiery scent

The content of a perfume to create a pleasant scent should range from 10 to 12%, but this also depends on its notes: jasmine, for example, is brighter than musk. “Some cheap candles have only the surface scented and use a pipette,” says Patti Kanak. “They smell good when purchased and after the first ignition.” There are “noses” specializing in the creation of perfume compositions designed exclusively for interaction with wax. “Candle aromatization is a very complex process,” continues Patti Kanak. – You need to test every ingredient in the perfume in the wax. The creation of a perfume composition for a candle is slightly different from what is used for leather: there is no olfactive pyramid, which means there are no initial, heart and base notes. The aroma of a candle does not undergo such metamorphosis as on the skin, it is revealed immediately. ” This involves adherence to certain rules and the balance of all components. High-quality wax, perfume and wick are the key to success. A good candle burns for a long time and evenly (no funnel forms on the surface), it does not smoke, the wick remains straight and is in the middle, and a pleasant aroma emanates from it until the very end of burning (up to 60 hours).

Which wax is better

“In fact, it is better to choose mineral wax candles that meet European and American quality standards – they do not emit harmful fumes,” says Patti Kanak. “Vegetable wax burns correctly, without forming soot and burning on the glass, but it is consumed faster and retains the aroma worse.” There are several plant waxes (soy, carnauba, jojoba, copra oil, or palm oil). As for beeswax, it is very eco-friendly, but it is extremely difficult to aromatize it (since the natural smell is strong enough) and the price is high. “Beeswax is more often used to make simple candles,” says Norbert Hiblot, owner of the Geodesis brand, which makes its own scented candles. – For candles poured into containers, we prefer to use mineral wax, it is softer. Our task is to make the surface of the candle melt quickly, which leads to the release of the aroma. ”

And if they are toxic?

“In Europe, candles are part of the European Pharmacopoeia and undergo appropriate toxicity tests,” says Norbert Ibloh. – However, there is a risk associated with uncontrolled products. For example, cheap raw materials or candles from China can emit benzene, carcinogens. ” Patti Kanak does not recommend buying small candles, which are usually sold in packs of 50: “Their wax is not of good quality. The same goes for candles sold in small plastic molds – the plastic melts easily. ” She also advises buying only high-quality, expensive candles and not using them often – especially when it comes to scented candles. Then these rare moments will become precious in every sense.

How to take care of them

• Trim the wick regularly, but only when the candle has cooled down – the length should be about 5 mm so that the flame is not too high and there is no smoke.
• While the wax is still warm and liquid, the wick can be straightened by centering it with tweezers.
• Don’t light a new scented candle right before the arrival of guests – until the surface is completely melted, the aroma will not be felt. It is better to do this the day before or a few hours before the arrival of guests. If you then light a candle for just a short period, you will immediately feel a rich aroma.
• In a home where people smoke, you can choose stronger scents (floral, woody, spicy) to help neutralize the smell of cigarette smoke. Strong scents are also suitable for those whose home is full of upholstered furniture and fabrics – carpet, curtains, pillows absorb any smell.
• Do not light scented candles during lunch – this usually does not match the smell of food.

Have a question?

• Workshop website “Candle Courtyard” (production and sale of handmade candles). Individual orders are accepted here.
• Candling community (making candles with your own hands). Here you can buy handmade candles or take a master class on how to make them.